Breaking into motorsports photography

[Bosscat]

I was wondering if anyone within this system can give me any advice on breaking into motorsports photography?

I keep getting the usual reply of....."We have a track photogrpher".

Problem is all I see from them is generic stopped dead in their tracks "action " pics.

And the worst part is alot of theses guys are selling them at $20 for an 8x10, and I wouldn't have the nerve to sell anyone a pic so poor.

I can crank out stuff like the attached pic all day and night long.

Any suggestions would be helpful

[MTalley]

Take lots of good action shots and show some of them to the management. Heck, it can't hurt. If they're happy with what the current official photographer is providing, at least you've left a foot in the door. Make sure they still have a business card when you leave.

Out of curiousity, I noticed someone in the background of your picture with a monopod and what looks like some L-glass. Is that the track's official photog?

[Bosscat]

Out of curiousity, I noticed someone in the background of your picture with a monopod and what looks like some L-glass. Is that the track's official photog?

This guy along with another are selling photos at the track on the day of the event.

But as I stated, the pictures I have seen on two different occasions, leave an awful lot to be desired.

I guess it proves that "L-glass" is not the end all be all.

I can only imagine what I could crank out with an "IS" lens???

It just frosts my behind to see people buy less then stellar photos.:mad: :mad: :mad:

[defordphoto]

I don't mean to be hyper-critical here but if that shot above is your typical shot I wouldn't be buying one. The background is horribly busy and you're also (as mentioned before) shooting another photographer. You might be able to save it with some creative cropping, but a better position would be the best choice.

It takes some time to get into these little weekend sports gigs and yes, most already have a "track photographer", whatever that really means. If they let you in there with your camera and you don't sign anything, then you're free to do what you want.

Take some biz cards and pass them out in the pits. Show up at the next race with some prints in hand. That may get you kicked off the track, but it may be worth a try.

Good luck!

[BigRed450]

If you're work is better Bosscat print out proof sheets and a few examples for friends to take along to the track. Set up a website were people can view your images and order on-line, drop some buisness cards and talk to the racers. If your work is better you will get orders. Be patient it may take some time to get established.....
PS You don't neccessarily want to force people to buy your work by having the regular track photographer fired and by going to the track organizers, that is infact what you may be doing. Working with another photographer may be very beneficial to both of you.

[Bosscat]

I admit that the background is not the best in that pic..........but I can keep the action in an action pic. I had to send the pic to someone to resize it. I am not that familar with all of the post processing of digital just yet.


I was in the mechanics area when I took that pic, and was part of the effect I was after.

Am gonna try and see how many motorcycle,ATV and snowmobile events I can get trackside, and go from there and then start with all the info I have been granted through the helpful people of this forum, and hope the world beats a path too my door.

[GenEOS]

Bosscat,

Track owners, series promoters, race teams and sponsors are all avenues to break into motorsports photography, as well as, editorial media outlets, to name a few. You need a portfolio of your best images and a plan to talk with each of the people I mentioned above.

A lot of tracks have "track photographers", many are guys doing this as a hobby and/or for access. Which sickens me and is topic for hundreds of more threads.

My advice is to not get into "what the other guy is doing" and sell "what you can do".

I respect the photog that is out and at least charging a decent rate for his product. $20 for an 8x10 is not extremely high, but for these parts is pretty much the norm for an actoin 8x10. You have to remember, if somone is selling poor quality prints for $20, someone is also buying them. If you come along and are shooting superior work for the same price or a little more, and people see it, you will be the sought after photog. Atleast this guy is not selling work for $1 and everyone sees his prices as norm... Seen it first hand.

Of what value is a shot that will not sell. Your example of your all day / all night image is not sellable in my mind. What racer wants a shot of himself with a shirtless redneck (I can say that, beause I am one) in the background? Substite said redneck, with say...a hooters chick, and that's a different story..i digress.. Know what sells. In drag racing, most the racers I have dealt with want a froze action launch shot. They don't want an "artsy" pan shot with blurr...So knowing the market helps. You competition may shoot static shots for a reason. This is probably not the case in ATV racers though....

Sadly, I have found that many track owners and promoters are cheap. Not to say they all are, but many around here are not willing to pay the bucks to have someone do quality work on a regular basis. They would much rather take there chances on that guy with "a pretty nice camera, who is at every race".

Also know, that at some events, the event photographer may even pay to shoot the event. In this case the promoter has been given the impression that allowing someone in, can make him money, in the form of a vendor/photographer.

[IndyJeff]

One night while having a beer with a driver, the discussion of photography came up. He made a comment that at every track, every week, somebody is going to walk up and try to sell him a shot from last week, or two weeks ago. Doesn't matter because, it looks just like the same shot the guy tried to sell him a month ago at another track.

Catch crashes, use special effects, something to set yourself apart and you may get a shot. I will say this, the track promoter already probably has a list of guy who will come out and shoot each and every race, give stuff to the promoter and sell to the racers. If you go to tracks long enough you will see a pretty big turn over in track photographers. Guys who think they will shoot for the track and then sell to the drivers. Drivers usually won't buy much and the high the skill level the less they buy. The freebie guys will eat you alive if your trying to sell at a small local track.


edit:
And in trying to say it in a nice way, your example is not one I would be showing to gain access. Too loose, too busy of a background, in general a shot not to keep.

[Bosscat]

Thanks for the advice guys.Will add this info to my personal hard drive.

I just hope my personal hard drive doesn't crash like my laptop did.:oops: :oops: :oops:


Talked to the track owner who owns where I shot this pic, and he is gonna try and get me on the other side of the fence at the Pro National next weekend.


He'll use whatever I have for his track website. At least I get my name out there in front of potential clients.

[GenEOS]

Keep an eye on your backgrounds Bosscat, they can make or break a great image.

[Bosscat]

I am more then aware of that.

I just wanted a pic of somebody powering through the mechanics area.

At least ya gotta admit the rider does show motion???



I wish i woulda had this 20D back during the Snowcross season.

I think you woulda liked a few of those pics that ended up on film;) ;) ;)

[scattashot]

check this
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/3915.htm