Long Beach Grand Prix Question

[moedizzle]

I will be attending the Long Beach Grand Prix for the first time in the upcoming 2009 season. I noticed they have a "Super Photo Ticket" for sale where you have 4-5 designated spots to shoot from. I have heard they are all on raised stages which means you will be shooting about 20 feet above the cars. For anyone who has purchased the super photo ticket, have you found the photo spots to be great? or is the super photo ticket not really worth it (eg: shots become repetitive and boring from up high)?

I would really appreciate the feedback or sample photos if any of you have any from the "photo spots". Thanks

[justincase724]

I haven't done that myself, but for some reason I recall people saying that it was extremely crowded, and one guy even talked about getting better shots in the general public areas. Though, I'm curious to what those who have done it have to say.

[moedizzle]

Thanks for the a little insight.

[ryant35]

It's repetitive and boring. I bought one 2 years ago. It is the only way to get decent shots without the fence.

Turn 1 is the only turn with a little action, but it gets old.

The last turn before the straightaway, I don't remember the # is really tight and slow so it's difficult to pan.
I think turn 4 is one, they come off Shoreline Drive and turn north up Pine Ave, it's alright, but not the fastest.

Then turn 5 but there isn't a designated photo spot so you have to fight your way through the crowd.

There may be more then that this year, but I don't think I'll be going back unless I can get a media pass. I'll be working on that for this year.

I was happy with what I got though,
That's George Lucas spinning out.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/ryant35/IMG_4063.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/ryant35/IMG_4343.jpg

[ryant35]

Ok I just found a map on LBGP.com

I said turns 4 & 5, it's really turns 6 & 7 and the last one is 11.

The green astrics on the map are the super photo locations. One more thing, super photo comes second to the media photographers, who will come up and mark off an are with tape for themselves and you are SOL.

[moedizzle]

Thanks a lot Ryan . I think i'll just stick to the stance sitting and enjoy the race.

[KJEphoto]

I went this last year and passed on the photo pass. The locations looked neat except i just couldnt spend all that extra money to be in the exact same location as all the other photogs. However it's really tough to find places you can shoot through/over the catch fences. I got creative and found a few different spots to work from the general seating. PICS: All with 70-200 f/4L and 300D
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3140.jpg?t=1228983752
^ Through gap where safety crew entered, and then through another photograpers hole in fence.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3687.jpg?t=1228983813
^ Standing on stairs leading over the track, eventually got asked to move
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3420.jpg?t=1228983803
^ Snuck onto the Bubba Gumps deck. Just to the left and right of that picture were objects in the way. Cluster...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3636.jpg?t=1228984089
^ Standing on tip toes over the fence of bridge

This were just a select few of my images that didnt have some sort of fence, person, or thing in the way. If i did it again i would personally just sit back and enjoy the race. Or push really hard to get media credentials. There is just too much cluttered stuff and not much change in elevation to get of the fences since it's not normally a racetrack. Fun event though, enjoy it!!!! Let me know if you have any more questions.

[moedizzle]

Thanks a lot KJE. Im just going to sit back and enjoy the race. Your opinion and that of others have made me change my mind about the photo pass.

[Sharpstat]

I went this last year and passed on the photo pass. The locations looked neat except i just couldnt spend all that extra money to be in the exact same location as all the other photogs. However it's really tough to find places you can shoot through/over the catch fences. I got creative and found a few different spots to work from the general seating. PICS: All with 70-200 f/4L and 300D
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3140.jpg?t=1228983752
^ Through gap where safety crew entered, and then through another photograpers hole in fence.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3687.jpg?t=1228983813
^ Standing on stairs leading over the track, eventually got asked to move
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3420.jpg?t=1228983803
^ Snuck onto the Bubba Gumps deck. Just to the left and right of that picture were objects in the way. Cluster...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/KJEphoto/IMG_3636.jpg?t=1228984089
^ Standing on tip toes over the fence of bridge

This were just a select few of my images that didnt have some sort of fence, person, or thing in the way. If i did it again i would personally just sit back and enjoy the race. Or push really hard to get media credentials. There is just too much cluttered stuff and not much change in elevation to get of the fences since it's not normally a racetrack. Fun event though, enjoy it!!!! Let me know if you have any more questions.



+1

If no media pass is available you are wasting your time as stated above. Now if the location was Laguna Seca that would be a different story with the elevation changes and ability to shoot w/o fences everywhere.

[Bubble]

what is the ideal lens range for this event? 300? 400?

[smcclelland]

what is the ideal lens range for this event? 300? 400?

Being that long beach is a road course I'd probably say 300 would be plenty unless you were looking for long shots of a straight. Toronto Grand Prix is a road course and I usually see 70-200's all over with the occassional 300 or longer prime.

[silvex]

I *hope* to get press credentials. The media outlet will send the letter this week...cross fingers. This is also my first time shooting this event. So a 70-200Lf/2.8 IS and 100-400L should cover it ? I don't want to lug around anything but a vest and my thinktank skin/belly dancer.

[Lowner]

I wish the tracks here in the UK offered something similar. Shooting around fencing that looks more like a prison perimeter each year that goes by gets irritating.