Dangerous??

[Welby]

What are people's opinions of where these guys were shooting from?

http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/attachments/australian-rallying-discussion/6078d1236567150-roc-treatment-little-guys-togs.jpg

[Cadwell]

Hard to be specific without seeing more of the course and which way the cars are moving. It sort of looks like they're either on a straight or on the inside of the next corner in which case as long as they have an escape route planned it's OK. I wouldn't be kneeling down there though, I'd be standing up ready to run.

[Welby]

It's a downhill straight and they continue straight ahead over the next road you can see.

[Pete Owen]

Agree with Cadwell
As long as i had an escape route,I'd be happy to stand there
Pete

[GSH]

Looks ok assuming the road is dead straight for a fair distance before the corner. If there's any sort of kink within reasonable distance i'd avoid it.

[petris]

i also agree with Cadwell. Plan escape routes everytime..
Here is one sadly video what might happen even in straight road after jump :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay43m_xNhtc
(or course in that time marshalls couldn't keep spactators far enought)

I was there looking under the big white sign..(i was 13 then)

[mikey_mac]

Have seen quite a few crash vids on youtube etc., but haven,t seen that one before - miraculous no-one was killed ! But then again crowd control was'nt as effective then as now. I would agree generally that safety must always be foremost in your planning when going to an event, no point in having the ultimate pic if you're not going to be about to brag about it later ;)

[SYS]

Cars driving fast on a dirt road isn't too different from cars driving on an icy road... When you calculate the "risk and reward" factor, it's just not worth it...

[Karl Johnston]

When snowcross season starts; I have been on racetracks with snowmobiles jumping 40 feet or higher in the air and sometimes soaring above me. A friend of mine nearly got crushed by one, but the closest I've been is 2 inches from getting smoked.

How the hell do you think this shot was taken?

[SYS]

How the hell do you think this shot was taken?

By a photographer with better wiring in between the six inches, definitely better wired than those two down below.... :lol:

By the way, notice how the wheels are off the dirt road... Imagine just an inch twist on the steering wheel to the right by the driver...

[Karl Johnston]

Sorry, there meant to be a picture in the above post but it isn't working for some reason.

I was going to reference the Nikon advertisement with the motorcyclist sparking his knee on the racing strip. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I see it all over but for some reason the website won't let me link it. Now I can't find the website ...blast.

[SYS]

Sorry, there meant to be a picture in the above post but it isn't working for some reason.

I was going to reference the Nikon advertisement with the motorcyclist sparking his knee on the racing strip. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I see it all over but for some reason the website won't let me link it. Now I can't find the website ...blast.

LOL!! :lol: I thought you were pointing to those two photographers risking their lives for $50 (maybe?) for their troubles....

[Moppie]

Sorry, there meant to be a picture in the above post but it isn't working for some reason.

I was going to reference the Nikon advertisement with the motorcyclist sparking his knee on the racing strip. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I see it all over but for some reason the website won't let me link it. Now I can't find the website ...blast.


It was shot with a remote camera. No danger to the photograhper at all.

[skygod44]

No motor-sport shot is worth that kind of risk, IMO.

Those two need to think about their priorities in life....for as long as it lasts.

[mikey_mac]

Looking at that particular shot, given that it is a straight approach to the jump, and that the follow on from the jump is also straight I would say is low to medium risk at worst. Also from what I can see, they are very close to the actual crest this also works in their favour. Most accidents over crests tend to happen just after landing and the car is usually travelling at very high speed causing it to barrel roll on down the road. I would rate the area of about 50m -100m after the crest as the most dangerous. Would be interested to hear other opinions. But as it stands my vote is yes, they are safe (also seem to have planned safety route to their left and a large tree for barrier)

[Lowner]

I think if I'd been shooting from where those two are, I'd try to be in a position to back away quickly. Where they are, the tree is obstructing a quick getaway. But the time for a getaway is past, they are safe enough with the car where it is in my book. Roll back less than a second and thats when the run or shoot decision needed to be made.

Motor racing is dangerous, it says so on every ticket. I do part company with circuit organisers who errect grandstands 200 yards from the track in the mistaken belief that we wish to be safe. Yes Silverstone I DO mean you! No, I want to see and shoot the action. If I die doing it, then thats my choice, as long as I don't endanger others.

[Paddockman]

Motor racing is dangerous, it says so on every ticket. I do part company with circuit organisers who errect grandstands 200 yards from the track in the mistaken belief that we wish to be safe. Yes Silverstone I DO mean you! No, I want to see and shoot the action. If I die doing it, then thats my choice, as long as I don't endanger others.


Absolutely Spot On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DennisW1]

What are people's opinions of where these guys were shooting from?

http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/attachments/australian-rallying-discussion/6078d1236567150-roc-treatment-little-guys-togs.jpg


Suicidal.

Yep, even being a spectator at a motorsports event involves a certain risk. Credentialed photographers are usually in higher risk areas but if they have even a few ounces of brain matter they assess the risks of the areas to shoot from and pick those that at least avoid putting them directly in harm's way.
Most major sanctioned events are smart enough to know that there are always the few idiots that insist on getting "the shot" from a potentially dangerous position and will have to save these people from themselves.
I shoot a fair amount of auto racing events, mostly as credentialed media, and have no intention of being killed or injured just for a photograph. I also realize that just the very act of being close to the action puts me in more immediate danger than the average spectator, but in doing so its my responsibility to be constantly aware of my surroundings and the situation.

Sorry, but those two idiots were a breath away from being sent home in body bags should anything out of the ordinary have happened. Either they didn't realize how dangerous their vantage point was or had the mistaken belief that they could actually get out of the way in time if the driver of that car lost it.

[maxloxton]

Well, I have shoot motorsports and I would say that uptil the time they have a place to escape it is safe. Plus, from the photo I find the one standing is rather ready to shoot and runaway then the later one who is sitting. It would take him much more time to jump and run away.

Besides that you have to very much cautious when shooting motorsports, you are always risking your life by standing at such place, because when cars are running at such dusty track and at such speed, it is likely possible that it may change the route.

But anyways, I guess nothing bad happened to these guys except that their gear will be full of dust..

[Echo63]

What are people's opinions of where these guys were shooting from?

http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/attachments/australian-rallying-discussion/6078d1236567150-roc-treatment-little-guys-togs.jpg
they seem to be in a fairly dangerous location, but i would be more worried about where the person who took the pic was standing, it appears to be on the outside of the next turn