Anyone going to Le Mans?
Discussion
Hey are any of you guys going to Le Mans? For me it is one of my photography highlights of the year. I'm hopefully going armed with a canon L 400mm lens this year if it ever arrives from the ebay seller (a whole nother story 
).
What I was starting to consider is, what is the best spot at dawn? Last year I went to the Porsche curves and the sunrise was pretty much 180 degrees to the oncoming cars so the light was nice but still the side of the cars were in shade so the shots weren't extra special.
Can anyone recommend a super spot for that extra special shot at dawn?
Also is any one else going to Le Mans and looking to get some shots?
). What I was starting to consider is, what is the best spot at dawn? Last year I went to the Porsche curves and the sunrise was pretty much 180 degrees to the oncoming cars so the light was nice but still the side of the cars were in shade so the shots weren't extra special.
Can anyone recommend a super spot for that extra special shot at dawn?
Also is any one else going to Le Mans and looking to get some shots?
The Dunlop Bridge - its the iconic picture. Saying that, I always get too drunk and just miss it, not this year though.
My fav le mans pic is one somone took of me when I was there on my stag night, lost his address, so never did get chance to buy him a beer the following year!
www.pbase.com/bentleyboys/image/58873456
My fav le mans pic is one somone took of me when I was there on my stag night, lost his address, so never did get chance to buy him a beer the following year!
www.pbase.com/bentleyboys/image/58873456
Yep, Dunlop Bridge is good. Not just for dawn though, there's a good run up to it for those long exposure shots at night. The Dunlop stand up at that end affords a good view back down the straight, failing that the stand before it should do well and you'll get the Rolex clock n stuff in the background too... Failing that I have heard that the Mulsanne straight(s) are not particularly well guarded and only muppets using the flash get caught 
I'm currently thinking about best places too so I'd be grateful for anyone else's advice...
I'm currently thinking about best places too so I'd be grateful for anyone else's advice...
With the sun in the East Mulsanne isn't a bad place either. Here's one I took at the other end of the day during the classic. Dawn is beautiful though especially if there is a bit of mist around. Tertr Rouge might be another spot what with the newly modified bend. If you get well positioned the sun will be in front of you and the cars silhouetted a bit like this photo
I agree with the above. In the run up to dawn park yourself up on the banking at the bottom of the Dunlop Esses to get the iconic "daybreak" pics and some easy long exposure "trails".
However once the sun's almost up I'm planning to go down to the outside of Tetre Rouge to capture the cars emerging onto the Mulsanne. The sun comes in really low at Tetre Rouge because it's above the level of the surrounding trees, and the results from both sides of that bend at 6:30am can be very atmospheric. Also the cars look really tired at that point in the race.
It's also a damn good place to find strong coffee
However once the sun's almost up I'm planning to go down to the outside of Tetre Rouge to capture the cars emerging onto the Mulsanne. The sun comes in really low at Tetre Rouge because it's above the level of the surrounding trees, and the results from both sides of that bend at 6:30am can be very atmospheric. Also the cars look really tired at that point in the race.
It's also a damn good place to find strong coffee
cheers guys, that is great advice.
The Dunlop Bridge with tail light trails is a nice idea. I think I'll go and have a look around the outside of Tetre rouge and see if its possible to get the sun silhouetting the cars. I’ll have to have a scout for a hole in the fence on the days leading up to the main race too.
I’m really hoping to capture a great shot so I don’t mind doing a bit of planning.
The Dunlop Bridge with tail light trails is a nice idea. I think I'll go and have a look around the outside of Tetre rouge and see if its possible to get the sun silhouetting the cars. I’ll have to have a scout for a hole in the fence on the days leading up to the main race too.
I’m really hoping to capture a great shot so I don’t mind doing a bit of planning.
It's got to be Dunlop for sun rise.
I can't get Happy Snapper's website to respond properly on this pc but he usually takes "sun up" shots from Dunlop. Try www.gtphotosport.com go to the motorsport section and look at the last couple of years pictures.
Dawn over dunlop and then walk round to Tetre Rouge for the sun really coming up.
Edited to add - this is the 2006 gallery http://www.gtphotosport.com/lm2006/index.html go to the main page for previous years.
I can't get Happy Snapper's website to respond properly on this pc but he usually takes "sun up" shots from Dunlop. Try www.gtphotosport.com go to the motorsport section and look at the last couple of years pictures.
Dawn over dunlop and then walk round to Tetre Rouge for the sun really coming up.
Edited to add - this is the 2006 gallery http://www.gtphotosport.com/lm2006/index.html go to the main page for previous years.
Edited by Piglet on Wednesday 30th May 10:31
Im going and for the first time I will be bringing a digi slr Nikon D50.
I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
Obiwonkeyblokey said:
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
That's a very expensive answer! A 400m lens with stability and wide aperture is the BEST lens for that environment, but also it will be #1000+...mucho money!I'll be spending my first DSLR-armed LeMans too, so can't wait! Will struggle with my 17-85mm IS F4 though, but alas it'll have to do!
(would be like looking through the channel tunnel to take a photograph!)Obiwonkeyblokey said:
Im going and for the first time I will be bringing a digi slr Nikon D50.
I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
what If I said I had 200-300 to spend.I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
what would I bebbest spending it on? ( camera related, beer does not count!)_
Thanks
Obiwonkeyblokey said:
Obiwonkeyblokey said:
Im going and for the first time I will be bringing a digi slr Nikon D50.
I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
what If I said I had 200-300 to spend.I havent much experience of digi photography and Le Mans is one of the reasons I bought the camera in the first place.
Any tips for essential gear I should get? i.e best lens for that environment etc?
Many Thanks
Owen
what would I bebbest spending it on? ( camera related, beer does not count!)_
Thanks
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