Photographing track days/racing

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Good afternoon people. Firstly, if this is in the wrong section please let me know, but I thought I may get a more concise response in here.

Right, now I know my way around a camera and have always wanted to get some good action/sports photos. I often see a lot of shots on the web that people have taken at races and track days, so want to give this a go.

Now I just wanted to know how one would go about this. Do I need to simply email the organisers of a track day and ask permission? Will I need to be a paying rider for the day, and then be allowed to whip the camera out?

As for races, I assume there would be pros there, but would I be allowed to take photos? I'm not talking ones from the stand with a compact, but I'm looking at getting right down at track level and sticking a long lens out there. Would this be something I'd be able to do, or is there just no point in trying?

For the record I'm not looking to be paid for these photos, they'd just be to add to my portfolio and for a bit of fun.

Any and all help appreciated.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[MarJay]

Trackdays:

Just turn up and take photos. You won't be able to get into the marshal posts and stuff, but you will be able to get to good enough places.

Racing:

You won't be able to get very near, and there will be official photographers there already. If you can wangle a press pass you might be able to get closer, but that will be very difficult.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

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[MarJay]

Swaffs and Jay12329 on this forum already do take photos of racing.

Trackdays, don't bother asking because they might get upset that their own photographers will be usurped. However, if you're there on the day and you take some pics they'll just think you're a normal spectator and won't worry about it. As I said, you won't be able to get to the marshal posts or anything, but you'll be able to get to some nice spots which are inaccesible during normal race meetings.

Race meetings are more difficult because photography is something that the organisers make money from. This is not unlike trackdays, however much of the circuit will be inaccessible and it will be a lot harder to take pictures without permission to get to some of the more inaccessible locations.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

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Thanks again MarJay.

So I just turn up and see what I can find then. Are you able to offer a more in depth insight at all? Can't remember ever going to a proper track, so don't really have a clue what to do. Would I go in to the venue, or simple access the surroundings myself etc. No idea what so ever

Now I think about it I could really do with someone to hold my hand and take me on my first Photograhy field trip, yay!
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[MarJay]

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Cheers again, that's very useful.

Umm, I'm not really sure. I'm located down in Bournemouth. I don't think there are any local tracks, but unsure if there are some smaller, lesser known ones hidden away.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[MarJay]

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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Marjay's pretty much spot on to be honest.

You won't be able to get trackside without being accredited at either event without being accredited, which basically means (depending on the series) that you'll need to be working for a publication, have had images published before, and have PLI.

Trackdays I wouldn't even bother asking about, most of the people there aren't worth shooting in cars or on bikes as they aren't fast enough for the photos to be useful for much more than a momento for the rider.

I might be doing something next Wednesday if you're free, it's at Brands, I can PM you the details.
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My Flickr

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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

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I see what you mean. I'll have to do some investigating as to upcoming events. Any idea of the busiest circuits in the south? I'm not all too clued up with the old Motorsport events.

Looks like I'll also need some better kit if I actually want decent photos. Mine isn't really up to it
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

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Well I have a D90, but I need a better lens. I don't have any fast zooms, so I think if I wanted to get something good I'd need a 70-200 2.8, possibly longer depending on what I want to get.

Don't worry, I'm very aware of kit and what is actually needed, and having used pretty much every camera ever made, as well as every lens, I know what's what. And because I know what's what, I know that its just way too expensive


I'll keep a look out for some different events. I'm keen to take on anything at the moment, and will happily take photos of any event. I annoyingly missed the sun seeker rally which was down here a few weeks ago.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[_Troy_]

Oh I have a couple more questions.

Firstly am I allowed in the pit lane as a spectator? Would be nice to get some more personal and detailed shots of bikes and riders.

Also, if I were to attend a trackday myself, does anyone know what they'd be like if I whipped a camera out when I'm not on the track? I assume it'd be fine, but thought I'd ask.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[MarJay]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[G]

Kickstart has also done a fair bit for trackdays.

They won't want someone trackside at track days generally because they've already got an agreement with an established photographer.

However, on plenty of tracks there's plenty of good places you can still take pictures - especially if the aim is refining skills rather than getting a picture worthy of a magazine/new paper etc.

Note that you won't be allowed to take pictures from the pit wall generally, but will be allowed to wander around the pit it's self taking pictures. Same is true of club racing.

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Cheers for the advice so far guys, its really helpful.

I'm definitely hoping to get Some tack days done later in the year, so that's a bonus. Brands hatch seems to be the most popular, almost kind of local track. It's a good 2 hour trek, but I'm sure I can munch those miles up in no time.

As for the glass. Well I see what you mean, I have a 70-300, but it's obviously very slow. The 70-200 would be great for pit lane shots and close ups, obviously it's superior image quality would shine here. It could also be coupled with a teleconverter for some more length.

I'd be looking to rent a lens for the first few times doing this, as they can be borrowed very cheaply. Would you recommend something more along the lines of a slowish 500mm over a fast 200 then?
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[Kickstart]

Hi

Bit more info.

It depends on the track.

Never found one that has any objection to people taking pictures from the spectator side of the fence for a track day. On a race there are probably conditions on the ticket to limit if you can publish them.

MSV circuits will not allow you to shoot from trackside unless you have liability insurance (that is the easy bit) AND are accredited. Getting accredited legitimately is pretty much impossible as you need to have had a certain number of pictures published in the last year.

Some tracks are pretty useless for shooting from the spectator side of the fence. Rockingham or Silverstone are probably the worst due to high fences all over the places.

As to glass, 70-200 is fine at some places, and with an F2.8 one you can get away with a 1.4 teleconverter. The lens I use the most is a 120-300 F2.8 Sigma which works well and with a 1.4 teleconverter is long enough most of the time.

All the best

Keith
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