Credentials

[equetefue]

What does it take to get credentials for the Daytona 500 ?

[Bumgardnern]

I would call and ask the raceway. From my dealings with different speedways and other sports is that they are pretty up front about things.

[R Mutt]

If you have to ask how, you probably shouldn't be there.

That may sound harsh, but the vast majority of people getting credentials are there to work.

[photosbyjuan]

i seem to be asking the same stuff now merging into automotive photography, I notice that getting these credentials is not all that easy. I mean everyone started somehow? Is there anyone willing to share their experience of or enlighten those who have no idea how to go about this?

[andrewhuxman]

I dont know about motor racing, but maybe start out at a smaller venue say your local racetrack and start there. ask about shooting their races .

[teo-bingus]

Each venue will have different criteria. At a rally last year a friend of mine wanted to get a press pass. He walked into the registration area with his Nikon DSLR, with about a 200mm zoom on it. Before he even got to the door I heard the registration lady say "he's press, look at the size of that camera" press pass no questions asked. Of course having a press pass and having a functional brain are two different things, on the practice stage he positioned himself AS the apex of a nearly blind curve, not a good idea. He thought it would be a "great shot with the fisheye" after getting a macro shot of an evo bumper, he wised up.
If you do get a pass, please don't be silly and get hurt.

[Bumgardnern]

Dude I really think that a lot of it is business since and blind luck that gets you places in this biz.

[cosworth]

You'll have to shoot for about 20 years, be recognized by name at Getty/AP/SI.

There should be about 75-100 shooters there. Pretty much the cream of the crop of American motorsport shooters.

[nascarmaniac]

My experiance with getting credentials at professional racing events is as follows:

1. Find a paper/magazine/well known website that has no one covering the event and get talking to the editor, or photo editor.
2. Beg and pleade for them to send you. Most times with their budgets, they wont be able to do anything excpet get you into the media center.
3. Represent the publication well, dont do anything stupid, and have fun!

Its a long process, and to get accredited with Daytona, you need to be AP, Getty, ASP, or a US Daily to get in there. But dont stop trying, as you never know. I didnt get my accreditation for CCWS Edmonton until two days before the event!

[photosbyjuan]

thanks for sharing guys

[FlyingPhotog]

Start here:
http://www.nascarlocalracing.com/

Find your nearest track...
Start knocking on doors...

Good Luck

[south_paw]

Each venue will have different criteria. At a rally last year a friend of mine wanted to get a press pass. He walked into the registration area with his Nikon DSLR, with about a 200mm zoom on it. Before he even got to the door I heard the registration lady say "he's press, look at the size of that camera" press pass no questions asked. Of course having a press pass and having a functional brain are two different things, on the practice stage he positioned himself AS the apex of a nearly blind curve, not a good idea. He thought it would be a "great shot with the fisheye" after getting a macro shot of an evo bumper, he wised up.
If you do get a pass, please don't be silly and get hurt.

Tis not true anymore. If the rally is a part of the 2008 Rally America schedule, they are requiring that you provide an assignment letter from a verifiable publication (from a recognized media database) before you can get a press pass. Definitely harder than just walking up to the organizers and asking straight up for a pass.

[Ralph Merlino]

If you can get an assignment from a well known magazine they will
apply for the credentials. The trick is getting the assignment.

[PhotosGuy]

I recently noticed that, if the title is descriptive enough, there are usually good links at the very bottom left hand corner of each thread. Take a look.