Proper track side photography etiquette

[Miguel]

If this has been discussed before, forgive me and please link to the appropriate thread.

Here's the thing: I'm kinda new at this racing photography thing, have been at it for about a year now. When I'm at the track I try to make as much use of the photo holes (what is the correct name for those holes in the fences anyway?) as possible, but also realize that I'm not the only one. Instead of spending my time at one hole for an hour, I take a few shots, get the cars and compositions that I want, and after one or two laps, or a minute or 5, leave to give others the same opportunity. Often, when possible, I try to make room for someone else to shoot at the same hole. I see many people do the same and it seems like the proper thing to do.

Seems like a normal thing to do, right? Well, I often encounter photographers who are spending lap after lap after lap after lap after... staking out at great spots. (not to mention people setting up camp right in front of those holes without a photo camera nearby or using them as spectator viewing areas)

So my question really is: what is proper etiquette when photographing track side? Not just with regards to colleague photographers, but also entering team garages etc.

[lemansnsx]

Originally Posted by Miguel

entering team garages etc.

Just my opinion but the team's garage, pit box, awning, etc are all private areas and considered invitation only. Credentialed photographers with a vest may go pretty much anywhere but even they should respect any requests that something not be photographed.
As for the photo holes I think you've got the right idea. Fair play is the way to go but there will always be people with no thought for anyone but themselves.

[Greem]

I don't often spectate these days but a couple of years ago I went to a meeting at Brands Hatch to watch some racing and take some photos. I spent a lot of the day out on the GP circuit more or less on my own and got some nice shots, then ventured back to Clearways to grab some pics with the start/finish straight in view. There's a "photo hole" by the admin building on the exit of Clearways.

There were three or four spectators there, taking it in turns - all being very polite (and quite humorous).

Then... a big guy, with a big camera and a bigger lens turned up. He wouldn't play ball, and eventually started being critical of the kit we were all using. The word "amateurs" was uttered, and he wouldn't move away, shooting frame after frame of multi-shot stuff as the cars approached. He just would not stand aside, despite being politely asked, and became even more rude.

One of the guys who'd been there a while disappeared, then reappeared a couple of minutes later. He was followed by a member of circuit staff who watched for a few minutes... then escorted the interloper away, much to everyone else's relief!

I'm not usually that side of the fence so it was a bit of an eye-opener for me. It wasn't even a BTCC meeting, either. Just goes to show that "be nice to people" is good advice :-)

[Aysedasi]

I couldn't agree more. For the amateur snapper, there are often very few viable locations to get shots which are free of debris fencing.

What gets me is when a pro snapper on the other side of the armco comes and stands right in front of you - when he could have stood quite literally anywhere else......

[Miguel]

Some good thoughts, thanks for sharing!

I don't usually walk into garages unless I'm properly accredited, but did a few times with only general admission at classic races to get some good shots of the old cars without anyone problem. Guess it all depends on the spirit of the competition? Not like I would've even had the opportunity to walk into the Audi garage at WEC last month, as they had a whole legion of security guards defending their city walls.

[medius]

I tend to ask a member of the team if they are busy, and if they would mind me coming through and taking a few photos. Even at BTCC, they are usually fine with it (apart from a pointer to not shoot certain areas of the car).

[Tim the Grey]

I've shot both sides. I tried NOT to block said holes, but sometimes, it's THE angle. So I'd shoot what I wanted, and move on.
Spectator side, I too HATE folks that monopolise a decent position. Spa 24 Hours, I'd snagged a hole at teh top of Raidillon, for THE Spa start shot. A Franch guy appeared, and clocked the shot too. He asked if he could take grid shots? I explained that I had NO problem at all, so long I had it for the first 2 laps. He agreed, andwe BOTH got what we wanted.
While on this subjecy? Can somebody PLEASE get a consistent policy from the marshals at Silverstone in the narrow bit around the Loop/Becketts? Some will be happy with you shooting just about anywhere, so long as you act sensibly. Once or twice, I get asked to move on after a few seconds. Then I had a right Mini-Dictator who frantically pointed out it was a "No Spectating Area" and I couldn't stop. Not for a second? He is one of very few marshals that I've wanted to argue with...

[bella]

Originally Posted by medius

I tend to ask a member of the team if they are busy, and if they would mind me coming through and taking a few photos. Even at BTCC, they are usually fine with it (apart from a pointer to not shoot certain areas of the car).

this is the best approach, regardless of what kind of event it is.

i always say say sorry and thank you if i pass through a team's garage from the pitlane to the other side, though most of the time the person i thank has no idea what i'm thanking them for. it makes me feel a little better though i try and avoid doing it unless time constraints make it absolutely necessary, it barely takes a few minutes longer to go the long way around and avoid walking through their space.

on the practical side of things, it really bothers me when photographers wave their cameras around literally in drivers faces on the grid and in the assembly area/pitlane. i think it's really disrespectful of personal space and preparations. saw a guy doing that and using a flash at motorland in may which just seemed totally inappropriate.

[Tim the Grey]

I used to see it all the time, when I was 'working' the cameras.
Like you, my preference was to stand back, and shoot with something longer...
It does seem to be a common thing these days, fish eye, flash, and IN YOUR FACE to the driver!

[frostie]

Being considerate of other people is always the best policy. The Silverstone MotoGP in 2011 was my first experience on the other side of the fence and I found it amazing how the vast majority of photographers go out of their way to help each other. I had a pretty poor camera-little more than a point and shoot with minimal zoom, and all the pros with their 10s of thousands pounds worth of kit all said "Here...you probably need to be at the front of us if you want to get anything worthwhile!"

What goes around comes around and since then I always look to help guys out when possible. The one thing about "proper etiquette" is that so many guys get hung up by being at a photo hole and think that it's the only place to get the shot they want instead of walking a little bit further and shooting from a slightly different angle. Obviously every circuit is different but at most there are more than enough open areas to shoot from that there's no real need to be clustered together

[bella]

i've separated out the silverstone debate from the original thread here so we can continue both discussions. they do involve completely different sides of the fence after all

[Tim the Grey]

Bella? See my post#7? MIGHT fit over on Sillystone thread too.

[bella]

yeah i was in two minds about that one, considering you started it in the first place i'll see if i can figure out how to copy it instead of move it...

edit: VICTORY! god these forum things are clever thanks tim.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I couldn't agree more. For the amateur snapper, there are often very few viable locations to get shots which are free of debris fencing.

What gets me is when a pro snapper on the other side of the armco comes and stands right in front of you - when he could have stood quite literally anywhere else......

Having been on the public side of the fence for many years and fully understand your frustration with accredited media blocking your view I now, being on the other side of the fence purposely try not to block their view. It has paid dividends with appreciative amateurs & spectators asking for my business card especially if I've caught some on track action that they didn't.

[Tim the Grey]

On that subject?
There's a shot I like, at Spa. Shoot through the fence, back towards Blanchimont. You get leaves and stuff, and cars glinting in sunlight, exiting Blanchimont itelf.
LONG lens, shoot wide open, and it can work.
I was doing this one day, when a tog, trackside, saw me.
Worked out the shot, walked uphill, and stood RIGHT in my shot. It works for about 2 feet punter side. He had several options... GRRR.