Rallye Sunseeker

Hi all

I am off in about an hour or so, to go to Poole Quay to see the start of the Sunseeker Rallye and to see if I can manage some decent shots of the Start today as I sadly I did not managed to get a Press/Media ID (it always comes down to that I do not have a accredited Press/Media ID, like the one from the NUJ or other Gatekeepers).
I could not even buy a Service Area ticket as the sale for them has been suspended for whatever reason.
So I have to mangle in the crowd.
Any quick tips for today?
I am also going to the Wareham Forest stage tomorrow (again no ticket's for that one but I got a couple of decent locations in mind where I probably will not need a ticket anyway). I NEVER shot ANY Motorsport, let alone a at a Rallye.
Anyone got any tips at all for today and tomorrow would be really helpful and appreciated.

You do realise you can park in the rally car parks for free if you have a blue badge?

If you don't work for a media outlet, why should you be given a Press Pass when you're just another amateur snapper whose efforts are of no benefit whatsoever to the event organisers?

You don't need a UK Press Card to work for any media organisation, there is no closed shop. If your work is good enough they'll employ you and you can then get accreditation.

Anyway I'm sure it is your intention to 'mingle' with the crowd and not 'mangle'.

I do not drive (never even mad a driving licence)
Never really had the need for it till lately when they changed the public transport from here.
Now I am disabled, get the higher mobility allowance as well but I really can not afford to make a licence.
Playing with the idea of getting a Robin Reliant (as I can drive this one, with an 'L' plate and some kind of quick test, on my own as it is classed as a vehicle for the disabled) but if you see the prices for them I can forget that one very quickly as well.
Well, at least I got a free Bus pass.

Ah well.

I was going to the Rallye stages tomorrow but I have to work now.
Am going to try and get to the Ringwood B carpark for 3.45 as they have a second stage at that time and I may just make it.

Sorry, yes I mean 'mingle'.
As for the accreditation it is a catch 22 here. I want to work Freelance but need accreditation. To get in to a media outlet I can not get the shots that are of interest as I cant get close to the even.
I do understand the point with the snappers and in particular with popular sports/concerts.
That is not really the reason I would like to get an accreditation but it would help in quite a few shots that I could take but it is no way without it.
In a way I really feel angry about it is very difficult to set yourself up and show what you actually can do.
In other countries you can get a pass as a Freelance Photographer, it may not carry as much weight as the 'media pass but it helps a great deal as you have to belong to the organisation, it is recognised by everyone and it puts you apart from the 'normal snapper'.
Usually they are limited to two years and then you have to apply again.
Here in the UK it is nearly impossible it seems to set yourself up without having some kind of accreditation, but to get the accreditation you need to work for someone within the media or have previous published pictures. But to get to the pictures you again need very often the accreditation. Like I say a catch 22.

Too far out for me and Wareham starts at 1200h so I would not even make it to the finish at Bournemouth Pier at 1730h

Ok, so you're a freelance wanting to cover a Rally. Can I ask how much public liability insurance you carry? £5,000,000 is what I have.

I dont agree with your point about Catch 22. Show a local paper your work, whatever it is, and if its good enough they might try you.

£2,000,000 PLI I got with my Camera Insurance as well. That should be enough.
Showing your work is all good and fine if you get in, in the first place. Also a few editors may not appreciate to get 'cold calling' on an event they already covered.
I tried it with our local Daily Echo and just got told he was too busy to see me, even they had no-one at that venue and it had a quarter page the following page with no picture.
The problem here is that you need to know someone on the inside, and I don't.
I am off now (looks like rain too, so I just may get a good spot) but will answer anything further later on tonight when I am back.
Thanks for everything so far and it is really interesting to have your input, Ken. I honestly appreciate it as you may cover something I have not thought of!

Sorry to burst any bubbles here but I think you'll find that you still need supervision to drive a Reliant and must still take a full driving test, the only three wheeler you can drive without supervision is one that only has one seat, your probably confusing the laws for the Reliant with the old one seater Invalid Carriages.

Newspaper editors don't generally have the time or inclination to see photographers. I'd be inclined to call the picture editor of the Daily Echo or wherever and get an email address to send a couple of shots you think might interest them. It's probably your best approach.

Good luck

Al

I've done a bit of motorsport as a marshal so I know what to expect.

You will need an all weather bag and a lens cloth handy at all times. For once you might want to fit the UV filter as the cars have a habit of firing gravel about on forest stages.

As for lenses I'd probably want either my old 55mm f1.8 or my Samyang 85mm, depending on how close I could safely get and/or where I could get a clear shot. Welsh forests are usually pretty dark and a fast lens is handy to get the shutter speed up.

In your position I'd be inclined toward a WR lens covering that range as it won't matter if you get showered in mud or if it rains during the day. Don't just think in terms of getting as close as possible either - the best vantage points along the stage will probably be full of spectators, so be cunning and look for vantage points where you can see the cars some distance away but they're out of reach for compact cameras.

Do please read the safety advice before you go - there are no crash barriers on rallies and you are therefore responsible for your own safety, the marshals cannot be everywhere. As a rule of thumb, never stand on the outside of a bend, or below the level of the road, or after a hump which is likely to send the cars airborne. Also have your escape route planned - where are you going to run if you see one coming towards you sideways having lost it spectacularly?

For future ref. If you try motor sport on a track. Try to get to know someone in the sport. What you do next is ask them to invite you to be their team photographer for the event then with this letter you can apply to the venue for a press pass. I am fortunate enough to be the father of the fuel man for a m/c endurance race team and in the past got the team owner to do this for me at both Brands Hatch and Silverstone. This just happened to be an international race team, but you could start by trying to get to know someone from some local motor/ motorcycle clubs that do club racing. CHEERS Vic.
PS. It's nice to give the team a few photos for free if you ever get the chance. Vic.

I've done the RAC Rally three years in a row with no press pass and no problems getting superb access for photos - the beauty of most rallies is that you can get close to the stage and the cars as you're generally not fenced in. Common sense must be used though...

If you're looking to do the start/finish ceremonies then that's a different story, but catching the things in action is lots more fun!

Not half as exciting as stalking a kingfisher looking for a meal, and far more peaceful and no petrol fumes. But! Each to their own.

regards