Photography Through Catch Fences
Discussion
I've asked this in the photography section, I just wondered what the LM regulars had to add.
As usual I'll be at the 24 hours this year but this year I've got a new toy to play with, an EOS 450D.
I've got a 55-250 IS lens (and 18-55 kit lens) to go with it and wondered about getting one of the Canon teleconverters to give me a little bit more length, either that or splash out on a longer lens, maybe a 400 or 500mm.
How do you get around being behind the catch fences though? I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.
Any thoughts?
As usual I'll be at the 24 hours this year but this year I've got a new toy to play with, an EOS 450D.
I've got a 55-250 IS lens (and 18-55 kit lens) to go with it and wondered about getting one of the Canon teleconverters to give me a little bit more length, either that or splash out on a longer lens, maybe a 400 or 500mm.
How do you get around being behind the catch fences though? I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.
Any thoughts?
markmullen said:
I've asked this in the photography section, I just wondered what the LM regulars had to add.
As usual I'll be at the 24 hours this year but this year I've got a new toy to play with, an EOS 450D.
I've got a 55-250 IS lens (and 18-55 kit lens) to go with it and wondered about getting one of the Canon teleconverters to give me a little bit more length, either that or splash out on a longer lens, maybe a 400 or 500mm.
How do you get around being behind the catch fences though? I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.
Any thoughts?
As usual I'll be at the 24 hours this year but this year I've got a new toy to play with, an EOS 450D.
I've got a 55-250 IS lens (and 18-55 kit lens) to go with it and wondered about getting one of the Canon teleconverters to give me a little bit more length, either that or splash out on a longer lens, maybe a 400 or 500mm.
How do you get around being behind the catch fences though? I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.
Any thoughts?
I am no expert and I am amazed at some of the shots posted on here, but here are some of my attempts.
Taken at 2008 Classic.
Outside near Dunlop stand.
Same location Fence not too bad .
Just by Ford curve Pits entrance.
For the first two shots I used Manual focus and aperture priority to get a small depth of field, the fence is not to obtrusive.
At Ford curve, point and shoot automatic settings and the camera focused on the fence.
All taken on the Canon 75-300
Don't let the camera take all the decisions.
Taken at 2008 Classic.
Outside near Dunlop stand.
Same location Fence not too bad .
Just by Ford curve Pits entrance.
For the first two shots I used Manual focus and aperture priority to get a small depth of field, the fence is not to obtrusive.
At Ford curve, point and shoot automatic settings and the camera focused on the fence.
All taken on the Canon 75-300
Don't let the camera take all the decisions.
Echo comments above, also if you're there for practice you have free access to all the stands and can get some good angles - I didn't realise this until last year.
The fences are a real git. I've found choosing a slower shutter speed and panning seems to blur the fence away but you can still see it.
The first was taken with my £70 Tamron 55-200mm and the second with my also quite cheap Canon EF non-IS 100-300mm, both on a 400D. I really must get some nice lenses one day, but I worry too much when I get them wet and muddy at rallies!
The fences are a real git. I've found choosing a slower shutter speed and panning seems to blur the fence away but you can still see it.
The first was taken with my £70 Tamron 55-200mm and the second with my also quite cheap Canon EF non-IS 100-300mm, both on a 400D. I really must get some nice lenses one day, but I worry too much when I get them wet and muddy at rallies!
One of the best spots I've found for photographing the cars without having to worry about the fencing is from the banking in the viewing enclosure at the mulsanne corner definitely worth making the trip up there as the banking gets you above the height of the fence and you can grab some great shots of the cars at the apex of corner as they make the right turn.
mulsanne is a great place for photos over the fence. i also took this along with many others at the bottom of the hill after the dunlop bridge. you have to brave barbed wire and a large drop down a grass bank but can get right up to the fence! 
or this taken balancing on a fence leaning on a wall as they go through to the last corner before they leave the circuit and go onto mulsanne
or this taken balancing on a fence leaning on a wall as they go through to the last corner before they leave the circuit and go onto mulsanne
There was a gap in the fence at Arnage a couple of years ago, literally as far into the corner as you could get in the viewing area, right behind a big tree - you'd have to wait your turn, but from there, you could get a clear shot of the cars going through Arnage (spitting flames in the case of the Aston's) and then hammering it down toward Maison Blanche.
Recommended - providing they haven't now filled in the gap!
Recommended - providing they haven't now filled in the gap!
Also, come to think of it, there are another couple of places by the Karting circuit where you can get fence-free views. One would be on top of the Karting building itself (which may cost you a couple of Euros during the race but is usually a free for all during practice), and the other is where there is a gap in the concrete wall just adjacent to the karting building.
Both offer unobstructed views of the race track through the last of the Porsche curves and into the Karting curves, with the latter giving you a much lower to the ground view for that sense of speed - indeed, if anyone goes a bit wide on the exit of the last of the Karting curves, it gets your pooper going like a rabbits nose when you're stood a couple of feet away from the kerb/bit of grass in question!
Both offer unobstructed views of the race track through the last of the Porsche curves and into the Karting curves, with the latter giving you a much lower to the ground view for that sense of speed - indeed, if anyone goes a bit wide on the exit of the last of the Karting curves, it gets your pooper going like a rabbits nose when you're stood a couple of feet away from the kerb/bit of grass in question!
1. Spend a lot of time on the Ferris Wheel.
2. Find a spot without catch fencing, for example the banking at the end of the Mulsanne Car Park allows views over the fence.
3. Blag a press pass from www.lemans.org it worked for me in 2007 and 2008
4. It didn't in 2009
So pay €75 and join the Corvette Corral which has a bus which allows unobstructed views over the fence.
2. Find a spot without catch fencing, for example the banking at the end of the Mulsanne Car Park allows views over the fence.
3. Blag a press pass from www.lemans.org it worked for me in 2007 and 2008
4. It didn't in 2009
So pay €75 and join the Corvette Corral which has a bus which allows unobstructed views over the fence. Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff