Dream car preview

After looking through and admiring thousands of inspiring race photos of some of the fastest automotive machines on the planet fighting it out for that last inch on the race track, you get inspired. You tell yourself that the next time you get to the race you’ll be ready with camera in hand to take the most amazing race photos just like the ones you’ve admired. But how?

1) Get Yourself a DSLR

Equipment can play a minor role for the different types of photography that is out there but for getting a great motorsports shot you need some good equipment! In the hands of a skilled photographer, a point and shoot camera can capture some stunning landscape images while a wet behind the ears photographer with a sophisticated DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) could take a crap shot! However, when something is roaring by at around 200mph all the talent couldn’t get you anywhere..you need a DSLR and more specifically the speed and control that one would give you.

Things you are looking for are a high frames per second shooting mode, near absence of shutter lag and high-speed auto focus. An entry-level DSLR today will do the job but if you can get any of the above with higher specs in relation to speed, the better. Your life becomes easier with a higher end, faster DSLR camera so factor that in when purchasing. When it comes to lenses, obviously the longer zoom range you have the more options you have to choose from but that doesn’t necessarily mean that a short lens is hopeless. Always learn to work with what you have and don’t devote too much time dreaming about what you don’t have.

2) Knowing the Track

Unless you’ve been to the track several times, it’s important to explore the track as best as you can to scope out good potential spots to shoot from. If you have never been to a racetrack before at all, it’s simple to get caught off guard by just how monstrous a track can be. In some cases moving from one end of the track to the other can easily be a 20 minute walk or more.

When it’s time to shoot the race, you want to know exactly where you can go after you’ve finished grabbing all the pics you want at a particular spot. If you’re unprepared, you’ll probably get stuck in the same place the entire time or miss numerous laps (or possibly even the rest of the race) from walking around trying to discover another suitable spot to shoot from. A race weekend will usually include practice sessions for the racers. You can utilize them as your practice sessions too.

3) Understanding The Sport

Having a good understanding of the sport is not necessary to take great motorsports shots but it can at least decrease the learning curve a bit. For example, lets look at motorcycle racing. Are you looking to get a picture of racers dragging their knees? Position yourself at tight, relatively high speed corners to get a good one.

How about a rider tucked in low behind the windscreen? Stay away from braking zones where they need to sit up to prepare for corner entry. Need to grab a stand-up wheelie shot? No one will be trying any celebratory antics in the middle of a race, so wait until the end.

The above three tips hopefully can give you a head start of sorts, but they can’t replace the time you need to spend practicing and the trial and error everyone goes through. Your first time out may prove to be a rude awakening but once you get used to the speed of your subjects and the capabilities of the equipment you own, it will come together soon enough. In the end you just should enjoy yourself!