Photography at Brands Hatch

Photography at Brands Hatch

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Discussion

nick_bbb

5,414 posts

237 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
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I would get in touch with the track day organisers, offer them some photos for their website in return for trackside/pitlane access and lunch smile

nick_bbb

5,414 posts

237 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
I would say based on this set http://www.flickr.com/photos/m4ffu/sets/7215762217... that you could offer them something of value for their blog report of the day.

baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
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Matthew, it says the following in their FAQ section:-

"Spectators are also welcome at all of our events, except events held at Bedford Autodrome"

From my time attending the UK tracks the only times they weren't keen on spectators were the closed door practice sessions etc...


baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
M4FFU said:
Thanks guys.
I'll admit, I did [very quickly!] scan the FAQs bit missed that, and now feel a bit of a lemon as I've just emailed them! heh. Might ask for a pitlane pass if they reply...

Cool. BH it is then. Fingers crossed for good weather!

---

I guess as an aside, for those that have attended BH with camera, would a crop sensor'd camera and a 70-200 suffice, or would renting something with a longer focal length be fun?
It all depends how close you want to get to the action, I typically ran with a 70-300 and only really used the longer end of the scale to get the cars coming over the brow of the hill almost full frame at Druids and between Surtees and Clearways where you can normally catch the cars one behind another snaking through the S bend...

baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
A few examples to make it easier:-

300mm shooting from entry into Surtees through the S-bend...


180mm at Druids (from the tyrewall, so you can add a little more from behind the fence)...


300mm at Druids (again from tyrewall)...


A few other spots with focal lengths:-

200mm at exit of Clearways...


75mm run up the hill to Druids from inside (over the bridge to get here)...


Hope that helps a little and I'm sure we all look forward to seeing how you get on wink


baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
Even only using 200mm you should still be able to produce good results as long as you have a decent cam, as then you can crop it in a little to get practically the same effect you would get from the 300mm (all depends what size you would want to use them as at the end too I suppose)...

baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
M4FFU said:
Well, it's just for my own fun and use, so cropping wouldn't be a problem. Camera is a 450D.

1.4x is about £15 for 3 day rent, so it's not the end of the world.

ETA: heh. £50 gets me a 300 IS + 1.4x!

Edited by M4FFU on Friday 23 October 11:43
lol - sounds like you've made your mind up now biggrin

andy-xr

13,204 posts

206 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
quotequote all
When you wander round the garages, ask a few owners if you're OK taking photos of their cars with the reg number on them. Track days are sometimes a little different to taking photos of cars on the road. Some people put black tape over the plate, others take it off, many others from my experience dont care.

I know you say you're doing panning shots for the most part, but sometimes a little courtesy goes a long way.

DHA

340 posts

219 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
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Sorely tempted to pop along to this as well.

Might have to hire me a lens for the day smile

baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd October 2009
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Via this thread you reminded me subconsciously that I never ever finished putting up the BTCC pics from rounds 5 through 10 onto my Flickr, so working on Croft pics now (round 5)

baz7175

3,551 posts

213 months

Saturday 24th October 2009
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Matt - I'm in the process of uploading a load more Brands Hatch pics to Flickr from Round 9 of the BTCC in 2006 to give you more ideas of where to shoot from etc...

Set can be found here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryoneilphotography...

Should be all uploaded in next 20mins or so...

StevieBee

13,037 posts

257 months

Monday 26th October 2009
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Brands used to be ideal for photography and still has a certain virtues but the rise of the debris fencing is making it increasingly difficult to get good shots from public areas. The inside of Druids and the GP loop are notable exceptions.

Snetterton has yet to be encumbered with such fencing and for panning shots, offers some good spots.

*Fletch*

289 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th October 2009
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StevieBee said:
Brands used to be ideal for photography and still has a certain virtues but the rise of the debris fencing is making it increasingly difficult to get good shots from public areas. The inside of Druids and the GP loop are notable exceptions.
Agree with this. However they don't tend to open the bridge to Druids for trackdays so you might not be able to get in there.

There is a gap in the fence up by the outside of Druids however where you can get some shots as the cars brake for the corner.

The fence dips in parts after Paddock Hill as well so shooting there is doable.

Heres a few from my latest set at Brands watching the British GT finale:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34517470@N00/sets/721...

I was using a 55 to 250 which is ok for someone like me (relative newbie) but I'd love a 70-200 L series (Wouldn't we all!)