Croft Christmas Stages

[petrolhead]

Had an early start this morning but not early enough as everyone one else also had the same idea and anded up in the muddy field Croft calls a car park

I have been to this even in previous year but for me this was the worst due to area that were accessable no longer being accessable.

There were the usual POTN member floating arround

Enough dribble and here are my photos all at ISO800

1)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4258.jpg

2)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4260.jpg

3)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4269.jpg

4)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4275.jpg

5)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4302.jpg

6)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4331.jpg

7)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4348.jpg

8 )
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Christmas%20Stages/IMG_4371.jpg

Struggled with the light so all taken at ISO800 using 1D MKII and 300mm f/2.8

Comments/Critique welcome/encoraged

[Big Ant]

A very nice set but a bit noisy

I had a 1D mkIIn but have recently purchased a mkIII and the difference in noise is amazing

All nice and sharp though

[petrolhead]

Cheers, I know they are noisy but did not want to use somit like Noise Ninja as it tends to spoil things

[GSH]

A nice set all things considered Peter. Having looked through mine i'm not even going to bother processing / uploading them.

I think i can look forward to a few hours extra in bed for next year's Christmas stages :)

[petrolhead]

A nice set all things considered Peter. Having looked through mine i'm not even going to bother processing / uploading them.

I think i can look forward to a few hours extra in bed for next year's Christmas stages :)
Thanks Geoff

Indeed, that was my thought when driving home

[chrispons]

Petrolhead,
A decent set if a bit samey,but given light and access a nice result.
Nice Manta !
Geoff,
Reassuring to know great shooters like you dont get great days everytime.
Been processing some of my banger shots from today,"load of rubbish" most.
Pons

[Simon Harrison]

Thought I spotted you and Geoff this morning - sorry I didn't get a chance to speak to you before you left.

Hmm, not sure what the crack was with access today. I know I had a lot of company at Tower (about a dozen people) who were speccies. Seemed to be quite a few around the back of the circuit (Jim Clark Esses) and the centre triangle as well.

Anyway, nice set of shots Peter, particularly the little yellow Clio.

Did you or Geoff get the hay bale demolishing Manta?

Simon.

[petrolhead]

Petrolhead,
A decent set if a bit samey,but given light and access a nice result.
Nice Manta !I would agree since it was the only place we took photos

Thought I spotted you and Geoff this morning - sorry I didn't get a chance to speak to you before you left.

Hmm, not sure what the crack was with access today. I know I had a lot of company at Tower (about a dozen people) who were speccies. Seemed to be quite a few around the back of the circuit (Jim Clark Esses) and the centre triangle as well.

Anyway, nice set of shots Peter, particularly the little yellow Clio.

Did you or Geoff get the hay bale demolishing Manta?

Simon.Thanks Simon

So you were not feeling too jaded then? No shots of the hay bale demoloshing Manta. WE did have a very smokey Astra the seem to smoke only at our bales which then seen to linger for ages

[GSH]

Hmm, not sure what the crack was with access today. I know I had a lot of company at Tower (about a dozen people) who were speccies. Seemed to be quite a few around the back of the circuit (Jim Clark Esses) and the centre triangle as well.

.

It's interesting to read some of the usual anti-spectator guff on a certain rally forum tonight, complaining about "speccies" standing in the wrong places. Perhaps if they went to Croft for more than 2 events a year (i'll leave you all to figure out which 2... ;) ) they might just know where to stand. :)

There seems to be a wish for the Christmas Stages to be "non spectator". I'll be happy to help them achieve it in future :D

[Simon Harrison]

It's interesting to read some of the usual anti-spectator guff on a certain rally forum tonight, complaining about "speccies" standing in the wrong places. Perhaps if they went to Croft for more than 2 events a year (i'll leave you all to figure out which 2... ;) ) they might just know where to stand. :)

There seems to be a wish for the Christmas Stages to be "non spectator". I'll be happy to help them achieve it in future :D

There was a lot of chat over the radio as the day went on about spectators (and unfortunately usually ones with cameras) standing in stupid places. For some reason, people seemed to have an adversity to standing behind the armco barriers. They would happily stand head on to a car hurtling into the braking zone for a corner in front of the barrier, but not behind it, even though it only meant moving back a foot or so at maximum. Just plain stupidity in my book.

The problem wasn't only confined to spectators though, as I saw a number of "media" moved by the Clerk of the course, the flying safety car and marshalls across the course of the day.

It's a shame, because as usual it's the few that spoil things for the majority.

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

I would agree since it was the only place we took photos

Thanks Simon

So you were not feeling too jaded then? No shots of the hay bale demoloshing Manta. WE did have a very smokey Astra the seem to smoke only at our bales which then seen to linger for ages

Not in the slightest bit jaded Peter. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The only pictures I wasn't happy with were the ones I took in the dark. Still that was down to me, as I really am pants at taking that type of picture :lol:

Simon

[peterattheboro]

Hi there.

Firstly, great shots. Shame about the ISO setting :lol:

I've been wanting to sign up for a while now and after reading this thread i'm wanting to reply to the spectators issue.

I've been going to Croft for about 8 months now, for as long as i've been doing photography so i'm only a beginner. I know how strict it can be with regards to where people can and can't stand. I'm normally very considerate and don't try and cheek my way to somewhere i'm not supposed to be.

Sunday was different. I saw loads of people going across the track to Hairpin/Complex. I assumed it was fine to go over so I asked the marshall if I could cross and he said ok.

I had to get across as i've been dying to get some different spots for ages and it's gets very boring at Croft shooting from the same points all the time.

Basically I just wanted to say that I was one of these people that had got to "no mans land" :D and want to say I absolutley loved the different photographs I got from the usual Croft lot.

I reallly want to get a media pass to other events to give myself the same access so I can get more brilliant angles but I have no idea how! :(

I'm really jealous of people who are over the fence and can go where they please! (Even though they could get killed :p) As long as the shot comes out that's fine with me! :p

Anyway. Hi there and I hope to get some good C&C from the pictures I post :)

[Simon Harrison]

I reallly want to get a media pass to other events to give myself the same access so I can get more brilliant angles but I have no idea how! :(

I'm really jealous of people who are over the fence and can go where they please! (Even though they could get killed :p) As long as the shot comes out that's fine with me! :p



To get a media pass for Croft, you must be working for the media. They will usually make the application on your behalf and provide letters of accreditation.

I'm hoping that you're joking about your last statement. That sort of attitude is making things ever more difficult for everyone that attends events.

Simon.

[peterattheboro]

I'm hoping that you're joking about your last statement. That sort of attitude is making things ever more difficult for everyone that attends events.

Simon.

Of course!

I'll get in touch with the track and see what they can do for me :)

[Simon Harrison]

Of course!

I'll get in touch with the track and see what they can do for me :)

Croft will only allow you trackside if you have a legitimate reason for being there. You will not be allowed there because you want to get better shots, build a portfolio, or are shooting speculatively. If they decide to send you an application form, it will require a signatiure from the editor of the publication you are representing, along with a letter of accreditation. You will also need to provide evidence of public liability insurance up to around £5m.

Because of things that happened last year, I am expecting the accreditation process to get tougher for 2009.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but this is just the way it is.

Simon.

PS sorry Peter for this going OT.

[James M]

Nice set of images taken in tough light.

[GSH]

Of course!

I'll get in touch with the track and see what they can do for me :)

They'll tell you to go away. Do you really think people who have been going to Croft for years would still be battling with fences if all it took to get trackside was a phone call to the circuit office?

Myself and Peter (Petrolhead) were asked by the Durham RS Owner's Club to cover their show at Croft recently. The Croft management took a lot of convincing that we wouldn't do anything stupid, unlike some visitors on Sunday and the Club had to make sure we were covered by their insurance.

You don't just walk into a "media pass". You have to earn it.

[peterattheboro]

They'll tell you to go away. Do you really think people who have been going to Croft for years would still be battling with fences if all it took to get trackside was a phone call to the circuit office?

Myself and Peter (Petrolhead) were asked by the Durham RS Owner's Club to cover their show at Croft recently. The Croft management took a lot of convincing that we wouldn't do anything stupid, unlike some visitors on Sunday and the Club had to make sure we were covered by their insurance.

You don't just walk into a "media pass". You have to earn it.

Errr damn right you have to earn it.

I really have no idea which is the best and possibly quickest route to getting trackside access which is why I was asking here. No need to get arsey.

Simon, thanks for your help.

[elvisrally]

Love the manta shot

Elvis

[GSH]

No need to get arsey.

.

It's called stating facts, there's nothing "arsey" about it.

However in future i'll remember to sprinkle a few smileys around so you don't get upset.

[kipper]

Nice set in difficult conditions. Good turn out from the forum again.

[petrolhead]

Cheers for all the feedback guys

Play nice you two ;)

[darren h]

Good series of shots Peter, good colour and nice and sharp

[GAELICSTORM7]

Looks like the best was made of some poor conditions there Pete, sorry I could'nt get up for it but was in Cambridge for the weekend, will try and make the next one !.

Alan