Rallye Sunseeker

+1

I love the smell of exhaust in the morning...

Long time mate of mine is into stock car racing. I'm hoping to get down to a track in a couple of months ( I think they start in April ) and do some 'in the pits' people shots as well as action on the track shots.

Thats why I stated "on my own" as I can not have any other seats in it.

Well, I got lucky. I was in the right place early, had my High Viz Vest with Photographer printed on it on and never been asked once but made some very nice photographers. One actually works for the Echo and told me the editor in question was a ******.
I now have him who will put forward some of my pictures forward as he was on his own (his second photographer who was supposed to turn up with him never turned up) so I was standing on the platform that was reserved for photographers and press, and he could go to the start up line to take pictures.
So, all in all it seems to have been a success and I will be interested whet the camera has produced with '51000 ISO'!
OK, all pictures where taken from hight but I got every single Car (even the one that stopped running and they had to push it :lol.
I am uploading as I type and if it is NOT raining I meet up tomorrow morning again with my new contact.
I just hope it's not raining as I really could do with a few good shots. If its only light rain I still will go.
Mobile is on my side so I can get it quick should I get the call.
Many thanks for all your comments and tips.
I really appreciate it.

Well lets see some pics then

They will be on the way today. Just spoken to Martin and he is going to Twickenham today as they got several photographers covering the stages today. He has taken a couple of shots of me so it was not complete a waste of time.
In a way I am glad as my back is really playing up and I am not sure if I could do the full day again anyway (that's the reason also I have to work for myself as a freelancer as I get days where it is impossible for me to move and only could take on non urgent work. Covering anything like today would do me no good, no matter how desperate I would be I have to look after myself first)
I will go through the pictures again and upload some later.


Reason for edit was my poor spelling!

There is now a set of 22 pictures on my flickr stream.
Please note that these pictures are completely unedited.
I will do the editing during the week but I am not too well today and just be running on painkillers
They are just for a quick view. I will replace them once they are post processed and de-noised, but to be honest I am surprised how well the K-5 has handled ISO 51200.
The AF under those light conditions was poor and for most of the time I was using manual focus.
All pictures apart from the last one where taken with the 50-200mm WR set lens. The last one was taken with the 18-55mm WR set lens.

You can get away with anything with a Hi-Viz vest.

As soon as the Editor of the Echo reads the above comment SmutjeUK, the freelance opportunities for that publication may drastically reduce....

LOoks like you g ot a good selection to play with there!!!

How many shots did you take overall?

I only repeat what I have been told by their staff. He does not like any freelancers and they all seem to keep their distance to him.
Should not effect me anyway as he covers the opposite area from where I live and I got a few names and numbers now as well.

I took nearly 250 over a 5 hour period and that includes every single car at least once.
It was a great time but I was stuck on that damn platform as if I would have come off it I would not have been able to get back on as they where checking ID Badges from 1600h onwards.
They never came up and asked me or I would have been off.
It was manic ion the road on only people with ID where allowed to be at the front (Start) and even it looks thinning in places you had people going through there all the time. I seen a couple of photographers there but they moved on very quick as everyone was just running in to them.
So, yes, I was a bit static and limited, but I think I got some good shots after all and more important I made some local contacts with one having taken 5 pictures of me.
Now it will be the 'Barfleur' on Monday on here first Sailing from Poole in years. Once I done them I will not get paid, but something better. I get a 'free' full version of CS5 and Lightroom 3 as 'payment'.
Well, I know it does not cost him as he uses them anyway, but he has some spare licences and that will be my 'payment'.
Good enough to me. Guess the first picture I will try on the Magic will be this one,



12 - Before the Start - So cold (ISO 12800) by smutjeuk, on Flickr

Only 250! - I would snapping well over a thousand in that time.

You did well to get in though. The hi-viz certainly helped to avoid attracting attention I bet.

Ahh the grid girls


You should try and make The Modified Nationals at the East Of England Showground on 27th-29th May, there's plenty of glamour girls doping impromptu modelling and poses.

I went last year and I'm definitely going again this year. A great shoot.