06 Long Beach, CA Grand Prix noob shots. Can Anyone get a Photography pass for 07?

I had no photographer pass for 06 .. Can anyone get 2007 Long Beach Grand Prix photographer passes?

Shooting through Fences = [URL="http://[URL]www.​pbase.com/byronc/2006_​long_beach_grand_prix"​][URL="http://[URL]www​.pbase.com/byronc/2006​_long_beach_grand_prix​"]more 2006 Long Beach Grand Prix noob shots here

Can anyone? Yes, if you work for an approved media outlet. You have a good set of shots... put together a portfolio and start contacting newspapers, magazines, websites, etc. Long Beach is a difficult even to get credentials for, as many people want to shoot it (especially this year with the ALMS being there). It has lost a little of it's interest because it's no longer the season opener (as Las Vegas will be), but it still isn't easy.

If you don't get credentials this year... don't let it stop you from going and shooting from behind the fences again. Build-up a stronger portfolio and keep asking around. A suggestion... take more panning shots. People know you are shooting with fences in the way, and will understand that when they see a fence in the shot... but the key is showing you have the skills to get the shots (regardless of credentials). Right now all I see are high shutter speed shots. The shots from the parking garage at the fountain are nice (heck, you may have been the one standing next to me last year for a while), but you are missing the panning shots.

Keep at it... it takes time... but you can do it.

-Todd...

TCorzett wrote in post #2564537
The shots from the parking garage at the fountain are nice (heck, you may have been the one standing next to me last year for a while), but you are missing the panning shots.

Keep at it... it takes time... but you can do it.

-Todd...

hahaah maybe that was me.. i snuck in on free day friday up in that garage.. I cant seem to get panning shots without the fences in the way.

I would try and go back up there again this year but my 70-200 f4 aint cutting it up there.

thanks Todd..

byronc wrote in post #2567610
I cant seem to get panning shots without the fences in the way.

It has hard, but even if it's not a "standard panning shot" you can do quite a hit with slightly slower shutter speeds shooting tight. When I was shooting at Long Beach from the spectator side of the fence I spent most my time at turn 6. You can press your lens against the spectator fencing and shoot through the holes in the crash fences (if there aren't other photographers there). You can't get a full panning shot, but you can get some with some motion in the car/wheels.

byronc wrote in post #2567610
I would try and go back up there again this year but my 70-200 f4 aint cutting it up there.

There is an awesome wide shot with the Queen Marry (the boat) in the background. I tend to shoot from the 4th floor of the parking structure with a 70-200 and a 1.4xTC. The wide shots I'll do towards the 70mm end, but I have a 28-70 if I need it. There are times I use the 500mm for a tight 'from above' shot, but it's not that often.

Street courses are really difficult when it comes to spectator photography. If you want to have some real fun... come up to Laguna Seca one of these days... there are almost more shooting locations from the spectator side of the fence than with credentials. If you are seriously interested in shooting with credentials at some point, you have to put together a strong portfolio of images.

-Todd...

Hey todd!! You going this year?

I wasn't planning on it... but someone twisted my arm. I'll be there all weekend.

-Todd...

TCorzett wrote in post #3019870
I wasn't planning on it... but someone twisted my arm. I'll be there all weekend.

-Todd...

Careful... I've heard they move that race east of the Rockies.... what will you do?

does anyone know if you can buy General Admission tickets at the entry gates on sunday?

There's a "Super Photo Ticket" available for like 245 bucks...

bishop13 wrote in post #3024770
There's a "Super Photo Ticket" available for like 245 bucks...

ahh i was wondering how much that ticket costed.. 245bux... nah thats ok ill pass on that.

I agree with Todd that you have to push yourself to media outlets. The only way you are going to get access to preferential shooting areas is to go this route.

Grand Prix is one hard event to get passes for. Nothing ventured....nothing gained but I would prepare yourself for alot of rejections. I tried gaining access when I lived in Montreal and even went so far as to show up unannounced at their offices. I did get the chance to speak to someone in their media relations area. This is the cream of the crop that gets these events.

Other than being able to get some great shots what is your objective for wanting to do this. That will be one of their first questions. Building a portfolio doesn't fly with them. They will tell you to go work some regional tracks if that is what you are after.

I contemplated shooting this event but decided to pass and shoot the T-Mobile sidekick launch party in hollywood instead. I hope everyone who's working this weekend is safe and scores..
Jerod