Saturday 23 April 2016

Getting more serious

I was getting consistent results with my photography. The number of pictures I was satisfied with was rising.

I wanted to push my photography, see what I was capable of.

I contacted an event photographer, Jenny from Fresh Orange Photography. She was offering an opportunity to work with her at track days. I could improve my photography and learn how to delivery what the customer wanted. It gave me the chance to photograph at some circuits I had been to before and some new ones. Goodwood is a particular favourite. I also had access to the parts of the circuits members of the public can't get to.

It taught me a lot. I must have been doing something right, Jenny asked me to do a track day as the only photographer. And I really enjoyed it.

I did a track day at an RAF base. There was a demonstration of flying skill from a Chinook.




I very grateful to Jenny. I learned a lot and got some great pictures.

As a result of the help I got from Jenny at Fresh Orange Photography it gave me more confidence. I approached an Autograss club about photography at their meetings. Concord Autograss

They said come along, be our official photographer. A very friendly bunch. I did two years photography with them.

Supplying many racers with pictures. Again I learned a lot about sports photography.

in the beginning

I had a film camera.


But I only used in holidays, and special occasions. Christmas, birthdays etc. So it had very little use. Having to wait for the film to be used completely before taking it to be developed. It was good in a way. Especially if the film had been in the camera a while. It was like a trip down memory lane when you finally got it back, and you opened the envelope to see what you had photographed.

Then a few years ago my wife bought me a digital camera. I could now take pictures and see them immediately. I started to use it more. Just to experiment. And I took more interest in how the picture was taken. It was a nice camera, but really it was a point and shoot. I want more control so I bought a DSLR. That really opened my photography.

I had always followed motorsport. Growing up I lived near Brands Hatch. Now with my new camera I went there with a new purpose. I have also been to Silverstone. But it's not really a track for spectators like Brands is, or at least was. Silverstone is so big, and the fencing so far from the track, photography isn't very rewarding. Brands use to be great for spectators. Don't get me wrong it is still one of the best. But the building on Clark Curve. Before then you could see pretty much the whole short circuit from there. Just sitting on the top of the small mound. It is still a good place to watch racing. I remember the cars parked in the car park next to the Cooper Straight. As the winners did their parade lap, flashing their lights and sounding their horns.

If you want to get close to the racing though. Lydden Hill is the place to go, or Canada Heights. You can get very close to the racing, I really recommend these two. Low fencing, close to the track means you don't need a long lens, and you don't have to shoot through fencing. They are very relaxed venues.


Lydden Hill






Brands Hatch.






Canada Heights.






Silverstone






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