Help for a first time track shooter

[Andrew Wills]

I'm planning to attend the Long Beach Grand Prix at the end of April. I was looking for any advise on lenes to bring, things to look out for, is there anything better then the super photo pass, and even how much memory to show up with. Anything is welcome, Thank You.

~Andrew Wills

[John Thawley]

You kind of need the "works" for Long Beach... though really long glass isn't totally necessary. A nice wide can be useful.. maybe 16-35mm - a normal like 28-135 - and a 70-200mm is a must. If you have a 300mm or 400mm.. it couldn't hurt.

I'm guessing you won't be downloading after each session... so, you'll want lots of memory. I keep a 2gb card in each of my three bodies... download them after each session. It's not unusual to shoot 1000+ frames per session.

I don't know anything about the Super Pass. I'm guessing they have stands for that. I can tell you that it's a tough track to get around.. even with "between the fences" access. Street circuits always are.

JT

[Andrew Wills]

Thanks you very much, Happy Shooting!

[Todd Corzett]

Like JT said... LBGP requires a good mix of glass. From many of the Super Photo towers something in the 70-200mm range will get you whole car shots. For tighter shots 300+1.4xTC was what I used in '02 from the towers. I'd say you can get away with a 70-200 + 1.4xTC, but If you like the tighter shots like I do, something longer is a must (even at Long Beach I'll throw the 1.4xTC on the 500mm). Wider angle lenses are great to capture the atmosphere (and at the LBGP there is lot of it). As for memory. I have six (6) 2GB cards and that will last me a day shooting JPG. I tend to shoot a lot though, so you may be able to get away with less... but I'd rather have more to be safe (or a laptop to transfer to mid-day).

As for the Super Photo Pass... before shooting with credentials I purchased one of these and it was nice to be a bit more than a spectator... but for the $$$ it cost I wouldn't do it again. There are only a few towers and unfortunately they all tend to give the same sort of shots (from above going through a corner). They aren't bad shots, and you are high enough to get over the fences, but they get kinda boring after a while. Don't be afraid to walk around a bit and put your camera up to the spectator fence to shoot through an empty photo cut-out in the inside fence. It will be hard to find one open, but it can lead to some nice change.

-Todd...

[Chris Woolman]

Todd,

Just for kicks, could you post a couple of examples of shots you took from the photo towers? Thanks!

Chris

[John Thawley]

Todd,

Just for kicks, could you post a couple of examples of shots you took from the photo towers? Thanks!

Chris

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=84522&g2_serialNumber=2

[Todd Corzett]

Several of my shots are on my website (wow, that was a long time ago):
http://www.unitonestudios.com/gallery/motorsports/2003/CART/long_beach/gallery_1/03_LBGP1.html

John covered it... That's the shot (the turn 6 tower specifically). There is a slight variation depending on which of the towers you are in, but most everything is similar to that (unless you get really tight or wide). Most of my shots (the ones with the cones in them) are from the turn 11 tower. There are some nice start shots from the turn 1 bridge, but the Super Photo area is farther to the right... resulting in a less-than head-on shot as they come down Shoreline Drive. You can get some cool shots as they apex, but similar angle as the other towers (from above).

The shots from ground level were typically through fences... the ones from above, are from the towers. Not my best work for sure, and very little variation, but a taste of what's available angle wise.

In the past the Super Photo Pass would get you into the pits (no over-the-wall) in practice/qualifying, but I don't know how that goes now... it's been a long time since I looked into it. The pits are quite packed and there aren't many clear shots of the cars but you can get some shots of the drivers going to/from session... some variety from all the on track stuff.

-Todd...

[Chris Woolman]

Thanks Todd & John!