Getting Ready for Shanghai F1 race

[typer77]

Greetings!
I am getting ready for the F1 race in China. OK.... I am not drivinig!!! but I do something just as fun which is to take pictures w/ my Canon!!
What are some of the stuff that is a must? I am going to bring the 24-70, 70-200mm, 1.4X, monopod.... both 1, 2 Gb card and portable hard disk...
Can you think of anything else?
I won't have the luxury to sit in the "diamond" section. So I don't know how my view is going to be like....

[sGu]

70-200mm with TC is a must, still that won't give you enough reach, try rent a 500mm if you can.

i was gonna go as an accredited photographer for this grand prix, however, they need me to cover football here, can't split myself, oh well, never mind :roll:

[CoolToolGuy]

Consider a 2x converter or, as mentioned, a longer lens. Perhaps renting one?

Have Fun,

[typer77]

70-200mm with TC is a must, still that won't give you enough reach, try rent a 500mm if you can.

i was gonna go as an accredited photographer for this grand prix, however, they need me to cover football here, can't split myself, oh well, never mind :roll:

If you have a media permit....... that'd be GREAT!! :twisted:

[pcasciola]

I am not drivinig!!! but I do something just as fun which is to take pictures w/ my Canon!!

Ok, now I really enjoy taking pictures a whole lot too, but just as much fun as driving an F1 car?!?!?!?!

Anyway, if you can get there a day early for practice and find a spot near the exit of one of the turns you should get some great shots. The cars are moving slower there for one, and there could be some great action there, especially in practice.

[Persian-Rice]

As mentioned, get yourself a TC, but to preserve quality get the 1.4.
Even better yet, rent something longer then what you have, depending on the circuit, you actually might still be slightly short.

Other then that, I personally have been to 7 F1 races, 5 Canada, 1 Monza and 1 SPA. Its really an amazing experience.

As for some tips, try to get most of your shooting done during the practise sessions. First, you get shots of some of some the test drivers during day 1 Practise. Second, they tend to drive slowly during the first practise session, maybe even slower then normal, especially since this is a new track.

OH BTW, do not miss the Thursday open track day, you can get up close shots of the garages and staff, if you are lucky, the drivers too. Not sure how it will be set up at Shanghai, because every track is different.

Cheers, and most importantly enjoy it, don't you dare wear earplugs, I know its painfully loud, but that what F1 is all about. :D BTW get lots of shots of the Jags, they are leaving F1 after Interlagos.

Cheers

[neil_r]

i was gonna go as an accredited photographer for this grand prix, however, they need me to cover football here, can't split myself, oh well, never mind :roll:

As I consider you a friend, I will do which ever one you can't mannage. PM me with the details of where to send my expences :lol:

N

[PeterTaylor]

As a Photographer who how specialises in Motorsport, here is my two penny’s worth.

For F1 you will need long lenses and I mean long lenses. For instance at Silverstone to get a start shot of all the cars heading for the first corner head on you will need a 600mm lens minimum preferably with a 1.4 converter. So get some experience at using long lenses.

You will need to look at the time table and see what the times are for the various timed and non timed practices sessions. Then you will need to have a look at the circuit plan, and check were the sun will be at these various times. This is so you can get the various shots in for instance your head on shot either full head on or ¾ head on. Panning, tight cornering shot. Panorama / artistic / atmospheric shot, like at Spa when they come up the hill from the first corner. Without the sun being in the wrong position, I know that this make sense, but you will be surprised who often people make this mistake. When you have done this then you can work out your route so that you are not walking backwards and forwards all the time because it gets very tiring carrying all that kit around with you.

If you are lucky enough to get one of the few fully accredited but non FIA Permanente pass holder passes, then you have a couple of options when it comes to the race, that is. To do the start shot along with most of the other photographers, and get the same shot as every one else or go a bit further around the circuit, you may just be lucky, remember a few years ago when Michel Schumacher when of the track at Silverstone at the beginning of the race, just how many Photographers were that far round the circuit. Answer not that many, so you may just get the shot of the meeting.

Don’t forget the finish shot and the podium shots.

Pit lane stuff well only if you have pit lane access and only if you are very brave and know what you are doing, I have always found Le Mans hairy enough, so tended to keep clear of the F1 pits and left that to some else in the team.

Hope this is of some help

Peter

[sGu]

i was gonna go as an accredited photographer for this grand prix, however, they need me to cover football here, can't split myself, oh well, never mind :roll:

As I consider you a friend, I will do which ever one you can't mannage. PM me with the details of where to send my expences :lol:

N

Neil, you crack me up big time :lol: :lol: :lol: if i'm more established I'll definitely call you up, for now, i'm no where near the top of this game yet, time will tell :wink:

[PhotosGuy]

Don't forget an extra battery or two & bottled water.

[IndyJeff]

Cheers, and most importantly enjoy it, don't you dare wear earplugs, I know its painfully loud, but that what F1 is all about.

That is about the worst advice I have ever seen anyone give on this board.


Wear earplugs especially if your close to the track and there is something to contain the sound behind you, like stands. F-1's high pitched sounds are about the equivalant to that of a jet engine when they come by in force.

[typer77]

Since I have never been to an F1 event, does anyone know if I will be go around the track for better angles during saturday practice / qualifying?

I only have a backpack for my equipment (probably only bring one camera and 2 lenses + extenders) will I need any easier carrying bags?

[PeterTaylor]

Backpack should be fine as you are only taking a small amount of kit with you.

You may be able to get to move around the track on Saturday, as there will be less people there. Have a look at the circuit plan because this may give you an indication of places that you may not be able to go to due to the level of pass you may have.

If you have time during some of the support races have a look to see what is happening on the track, it may be an indication of a good advantage point i.e. a corner were cars may be overtaking.


Most of all enjoy the experience.

[sGu]

You may be able to get to move around the track on Saturday, as there will be less people there.

Even for a saturday, i bet you'll never seen that many people at one place ever in your life ... lol, it's China we're talking about, the most populated place on earth :P

[PeterTaylor]

True, there may well be a lot of local spectators.

I was working, probably wrongly, on the pre-text that they may find it expensive, as I think the locals did in Budapest when the Grand Prix first went there. (Do apologise if I am wrong but it was a long time ago now).

The last time I was a spectator at Grand Prix was way back when Nigel Mansell was a number 2 driver at Williams, and the Grand Prix was then held at Brands Hatch, I think from memory we paid either £10 or £12 or a weekend pass and that was for Friday Saturday and Sunday, (I am sure that include a free pass for the next weekend’s 1000Km endurance race). Since then I have work at GP’s so don’t really pay to much attention to the movement of spectators. But having said that when I have been to over main land Europe GP’s like Budapest, Austria and Spa all of which I have done twice now they were a lot quieter on a Saturday’s. Silverstone well that’s just busy all weekend. Then again I did give up GP’s in 1999 to do WRC (World Rally Championship). So some of my information is a bit dated.

[sGu]

wow, that must be some experience, how did you get into motorsport photography? I'd like to try more on motorsport, at the moment, i mostly shoot football games, any tips?

From people i know(sports publication based in far east), average tickets are around £100(three day pass, i'd guess), and pretty much they've sold out all of them.

I've been to Shanghai couple of times before, everytime I go, there is a new look, they are growing FAST!!! I probably will take more photos of the city and people there than racing cars, just imagine the photo opportunities!

Oh well, i hope it turns out to be a success for them. :)

[PeterTaylor]

Well it’s a long story and to cut a long story short.
Basically started photographing local events like those held at Aintree and Oulton Park. A friend of mine said you should try and sell some of you work to the drivers, its as good as some of the other people doing that. So I started to covered a lot of the ANWCC events Association of North West Car Clubs, (local single venue rally’s) made contacts with some drivers and teams. Sold then some work at rate’s that made them interested in asking me to do work for them. Got the odd shot published, usually an accident of some sort. Used these contacts to get accreditation for bigger events and carry on from there. I used to cover Some of the British Rally championships and supply photos to the various teams through an extensive mailing list which I build up over a number of years. This then lead on to bigger and better things. The made the move from rallying to racing via BTCC, this then lead on to getting invited to go to Germany to do STW (German Touring Cars). And so on.

It sounds very rosy, but it was hard work in the early days. It would mean working every weekend for 3 or 4 months on the run covering two events some times one on Saturday and one on Sunday. One of the events could be in the Lake District; the other could be in south Wales. I had a good friend (who I have sadly lost contact with when we both moved at around the same time) who would help. If it was not for him I don’t think some of this would have been possible.

Basically it has taken a lot of hard work and a lot of luck of being in the right place at the right time. Experience does help this comes with time you get the feel for what is right and what is not. What is the right place to go. I have built up an large collection of maps and information on the various forest stage’s for rallies in the UK again information like this help, talk to the Drivers (not the top drivers but the club level drivers) see what they say about the various stages.

I think its very difficult now days to make a name for your self as a rally photographer, because there are so many people doing the same thing. The digital revolution has been that it has enabled every one to become a potential photographer. I still shoot every thing on slide film, although a I am moving to digital in the new year. But this is not for Motorsport this is for landscape type work. I think my motorsport days are done now; it was good while it lasted but as I said it has been hard work.

PS Web site is on its way will let you know when.

[sGu]

I can see that would a long story indeed, an very interesting one, too.

Already, i learned a few tips from what you just said, thank you for your reply!

Can't wait to see your website :D

[Molydood]

Cheers, and most importantly enjoy it, don't you dare wear earplugs, I know its painfully loud, but that what F1 is all about.

That is about the worst advice I have ever seen anyone give on this board.


Wear earplugs especially if your close to the track and there is something to contain the sound behind you, like stands. F-1's high pitched sounds are about the equivalant to that of a jet engine when they come by in force.

I agree with Persian, if you don't get the noise, you may as well stay at home IMO. Good luck with the shoot, looking forward to seeing the pictures :-)

[CoolToolGuy]

Cheers, and most importantly enjoy it, don't you dare wear earplugs, I know its painfully loud, but that what F1 is all about.

That is about the worst advice I have ever seen anyone give on this board.


Wear earplugs especially if your close to the track and there is something to contain the sound behind you, like stands. F-1's high pitched sounds are about the equivalant to that of a jet engine when they come by in force.

I agree with Persian, if you don't get the noise, you may as well stay at home IMO. Good luck with the shoot, looking forward to seeing the pictures :-)

If you are inside the fences (which I doubt from your posts) by all means wear something to protect your ears.

If, however, you are in spectator areas, this may not be necessary unless, as Jeff suggests, you are in an area open to the track and enclosed behind you.

I don't know your arrangements, but I can tell you from personal experience, if you are camping at the circuit, hung over (which I was on occasion) or otherwise there is little to match being awakened by the sound of Formula 1s going out for morning practice! As a matter of fact, any serious race car! Good luck, good shooting, and have a great time!

[typer77]

there is a guy here in HK got into photography some years ago. All he does is take pictures of motorsports and sell them to drivers. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of track events all the time, but he makes about 3K each time....

[Pekka]

Cheers, and most importantly enjoy it, don't you dare wear earplugs, I know its painfully loud, but that what F1 is all about.

That is about the worst advice I have ever seen anyone give on this board.


Wear earplugs especially if your close to the track and there is something to contain the sound behind you, like stands. F-1's high pitched sounds are about the equivalant to that of a jet engine when they come by in force.

I agree totally with IndyJeff. Wear earplugs and prevent damage. ALL damage to hearing is permanent - and if you get tinnitus it will ruin your life.

[Steven M. Anthony]

Greetings!
I am getting ready for the F1 race in China. OK.... I am not drivinig!!! but I do something just as fun which is to take pictures w/ my Canon!!
What are some of the stuff that is a must? I am going to bring the 24-70, 70-200mm, 1.4X, monopod.... both 1, 2 Gb card and portable hard disk...
Can you think of anything else?
I won't have the luxury to sit in the "diamond" section. So I don't know how my view is going to be like....

Hey, how was the race? I watched it on TV but couldn't see you... :wink:

[seadog]

Don't forget to take pics of the random hot a** walking around! I mean so we can determine the picture quality of the skin tones of course.

[typer77]

Well, I came back yesterday and went straight to work.
Overall, it was a great experience. I definitely need some better seat selection next time and a vehicle with permit so I don't have to walk that much. Carrying a 15 pd camera bag and walking 25 mins from the drop off point was NOT fun.
My seat was pretty far from the place where I can take pictures w/out fence being an obstacle. The 200MM with 2X extender didn't get me any great shots as far as distance goes. I will try to find a way to get on the track... perhaps writing to F1 will help....
In conclusion, I loved the experience. I will definitely do it again next year!