Trackday photos
Discussion
Not another 'post yours' thread, more what your feelings are about them.
How often do you buy photos taken at the circuit?
Do the photos deliver what you want?
The reason I ask is that I'm very happy to buy them, but feel that the content is lacking. They, almost exclusively, capture your car on its own, rendering the image so bland that it could have been taken on any day, at any track, anywhere.
Before MSV took their photography in-house, there was one freelancer who did their photos at Snetterton who would try and snap a frame which had your car, plus one or two others in it too. They made for much better pictures, as it really looked like there was some on-track action going on.
I haven't bought any for ages now, as they all seem to have become a generic reproduction.
Thoughts?
How often do you buy photos taken at the circuit?
Do the photos deliver what you want?
The reason I ask is that I'm very happy to buy them, but feel that the content is lacking. They, almost exclusively, capture your car on its own, rendering the image so bland that it could have been taken on any day, at any track, anywhere.
Before MSV took their photography in-house, there was one freelancer who did their photos at Snetterton who would try and snap a frame which had your car, plus one or two others in it too. They made for much better pictures, as it really looked like there was some on-track action going on.
I haven't bought any for ages now, as they all seem to have become a generic reproduction.
Thoughts?
I haven't done a trackday for a while now, but they certainly used to be hit-and-miss. Like you say, you'd get offered a disc with 30 pics on it, but they were all images of your car in isolation, dead centre in the image and usually lacking in any drama at all.
Having said that, I do have a couple of really good ones that were taken by a photographer at Brands once. Unfortunately no idea who it was, otherwise I'd give them the credit they deserve.
Apologies for posting actual pics, but to give an example:
Dull
Less dull
Having said that, I do have a couple of really good ones that were taken by a photographer at Brands once. Unfortunately no idea who it was, otherwise I'd give them the credit they deserve.
Apologies for posting actual pics, but to give an example:
Dull
Less dull
Output Flange said:
I haven't done a trackday for a while now, but they certainly used to be hit-and-miss. Like you say, you'd get offered a disc with 30 pics on it, but they were all images of your car in isolation, dead centre in the image and usually lacking in any drama at all.
Having said that, I do have a couple of really good ones that were taken by a photographer at Brands once. Unfortunately no idea who it was, otherwise I'd give them the credit they deserve.
Apologies for posting actual pics, but to give an example:
Dull
Less dull
Looking at those photos, arguably the first one is the best photo, the others either look too busy in terms of clutter, or the car is too far away. Having said that, I do have a couple of really good ones that were taken by a photographer at Brands once. Unfortunately no idea who it was, otherwise I'd give them the credit they deserve.
Apologies for posting actual pics, but to give an example:
Dull
Less dull
I'll buy photos, but only if there is something decent on there that stands out.
I tend to find the official photographers at trackdays tend to play it a bit safe and get a few reasonable pics of everyone but not very inspiring using fast shutter speeds etc
Not bought any for ages best I've had taken and the last I bought where from a guy at Brands hatch a couple of years ago.
Not bought any for ages best I've had taken and the last I bought where from a guy at Brands hatch a couple of years ago.
On the last trackday I did I asked the official photographer to see a 100% crop as the shots didn't look sharp to me. He let me have a look and they weren't sharp so I didn't buy them (also, having spent most of my time on track sideways I was really hoping for a sideways shot!) when I would have liked to buy some...
I agree that some track day photo's can be bland and can cost a fortune, that's why I now do track days with Opentrack Track days as all photography, drinks, snack, garages & expert tuition is FREE! and take a look at the great action shot below.
It's nice to have something to remember the day with.
It's nice to have something to remember the day with.
).
Part of the issue might be that there has to be some action to photograph in the first place. If you are on an open pitlane day with low numbers, for example, then chances are you are not going to be around other cars very much at all, let alone at the point where the photographer happens to be standing.
Also minor point (and I could be wrong about this) but I think there is something vaguely legalese around person A having a photo of person B's car. Some of the online places only let you download pics of your own car which might be why their photographers try and only get one car in the frame.
And third very minor point of course, it's a trackday. If you want photos of you racing with other cars - go racing!
But to echo the sentiment of the OP - just have a look at the "Post Your Best Trackday Action Photo". 10 pages of images of which the overwhelming majority fall in to the single-car-tilt-the-camera-could-be-anywhere format.
Also minor point (and I could be wrong about this) but I think there is something vaguely legalese around person A having a photo of person B's car. Some of the online places only let you download pics of your own car which might be why their photographers try and only get one car in the frame.
And third very minor point of course, it's a trackday. If you want photos of you racing with other cars - go racing!
But to echo the sentiment of the OP - just have a look at the "Post Your Best Trackday Action Photo". 10 pages of images of which the overwhelming majority fall in to the single-car-tilt-the-camera-could-be-anywhere format.
Edited by mattdaniels on Monday 28th November 13:04
Well... did another trackday yesterday, so I thought I'd take the proactive approach and mention my 'perspective' to the photographer.
He said he absolutely understood 'where I was coming from' and that he'd do his best to capture such shots during the day (it was a relatively quiet OPL day so, as acknowledged^^ it wasn't always possible).
However, he went home thirty quid better off than he might have done, and I bought 77 new snaps of my car
He said he absolutely understood 'where I was coming from' and that he'd do his best to capture such shots during the day (it was a relatively quiet OPL day so, as acknowledged^^ it wasn't always possible).
However, he went home thirty quid better off than he might have done, and I bought 77 new snaps of my car
V8mate said:
Well... did another trackday yesterday, so I thought I'd take the proactive approach and mention my 'perspective' to the photographer.
He said he absolutely understood 'where I was coming from' and that he'd do his best to capture such shots during the day (it was a relatively quiet OPL day so, as acknowledged^^ it wasn't always possible).
However, he went home thirty quid better off than he might have done, and I bought 77 new snaps of my car
Hang on. You spoke to someone offering a service. Detailed what you wanted. He/she/they actually did it. AND you actually paid them.He said he absolutely understood 'where I was coming from' and that he'd do his best to capture such shots during the day (it was a relatively quiet OPL day so, as acknowledged^^ it wasn't always possible).
However, he went home thirty quid better off than he might have done, and I bought 77 new snaps of my car
This is not the world I am used to! Bitter disappointment and frustration are what these sorts of stories are supposed to be about.
Happy customers pah it wasn't like this in my ....
Munter said:
Hang on. You spoke to someone offering a service. Detailed what you wanted. He/she/they actually did it. AND you actually paid them.
This is not the world I am used to! Bitter disappointment and frustration are what these sorts of stories are supposed to be about.
Happy customers pah it wasn't like this in my ....
I know! This is not the world I am used to! Bitter disappointment and frustration are what these sorts of stories are supposed to be about.
Happy customers pah it wasn't like this in my ....
I used to think moaning on the internet was the be all and end all. But now I'm not so sure. I think direct verbal communication could be the future!
It is hard to get good sharp shots of more than one car as the focus point is all over the place then there is also the point of getting close enough and being able to get sharp images in low light, on full zoom trying to hold steady. though these are all a bit easier if you a pro with the proper equipment. I enjoy trying to get some nice shot and love it when you get more than one car in, especially if its the same model but different era eg BMW E30+E36+E46
few of my examples:
(excuse poor quality as they are just ones off s
tebook)
I love getting 'different' ones as well which I guess are less 'professional' but then I like them so who cares!
ofcorse some people just ask for great pics to be taken on their own....
sideways:
REALLY sideways!
and the other end of the spectrum, 3 wheels!
sorry for the pic overload, always welcome to opinions/criticism etc, I know they are not the best but then its a hobby and I don't have £££££ worth of gear. if any of you are ever doing mallory/donno/curborough or croft sometimes, give me a shout and I'll come along with the cam, best of all I don't charge (though ride outs are always fun
)
I do have shed loads of 'panning' shots but most people find them 'boring' unless its your car
few of my examples:
(excuse poor quality as they are just ones off s
tebook)I love getting 'different' ones as well which I guess are less 'professional' but then I like them so who cares!
ofcorse some people just ask for great pics to be taken on their own....
sideways:
REALLY sideways!
and the other end of the spectrum, 3 wheels!
sorry for the pic overload, always welcome to opinions/criticism etc, I know they are not the best but then its a hobby and I don't have £££££ worth of gear. if any of you are ever doing mallory/donno/curborough or croft sometimes, give me a shout and I'll come along with the cam, best of all I don't charge (though ride outs are always fun
)I do have shed loads of 'panning' shots but most people find them 'boring' unless its your car
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