Can you sell your motorsport photographs?

[BrendanMcF]

Just to add my twopenneth to this emotive thread, like @ianric I started by sneaking into the paddock and pits at GP's, you wouldn't believe how easy it was back in the late 70's and early 80's. Brands was the easiest, all you needed to do was to get into the main grandstand in front of the pits, and then when the track was quiet, saunter down to the gate at the trackside, open it and stroll across the track as though you were meant to be there

Did something similar at Silverstone, it was always a case of confidence and b*llsh*t. However, this whole issue of rights relating to taking photos while accredited seems to have got way out of control these days. I have around 20,000 pictures I took in the 80's at every type of meeting, mostly with the benefit of a press pass, and I never had to sign away my rights to these images, or have any restrictions placed on what I could do with them.

I worked as a freelancer, and there was never any question about copyright with the publications I worked for. They used my images and paid me for what they used, and had no other rights to the photos. This was for Autosport, Motoring News, Rally Sport, Triple C etc... Most of the time, the fees they paid hardly covered my petrol money, let alone the cost of materials and equipment. I just found an old payment slip from Motoring News for September 1987, which was paid in December, and I got the grand total of £28.00...

Back then, there were plenty of snappers hawking their pics round the paddock at race meetings, it was all part of the game. It was the only way to make it pay.

Getting started these days sounds almost impossible

[BrendanMcF]

Is it easier to become a F1 driver than an F1 Photographer?

Inspired by this thread, I've put together an article which asks the question

[MikeHoyer]

Having had a photographers pass for the last three British GPs, and never been allowed to drive in it, I would say being a driver is more difficult...

[Tim the Grey]

Mike? Have you EVER seen a decent picture taken by an F1 driver???

[JimW]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Circuits cannot release names and addresses of signed on media under data protection act, . . .

Sorry but wearing my DP hat I must comment on this.

It's another Data Protection duck out. http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisati..._clued_up.aspx

It would be perfectly easy for the "circuit" (or club as appropriate) to release names if they chose to make this either an opt-in or compulsory part of accreditation. They might not want to do it but that is nothing to do with the DPA.

Regards

Jim

[BrendanMcF]

Originally Posted by MikeHoyer

Having had a photographers pass for the last three British GPs, and never been allowed to drive in it, I would say being a driver is more difficult...

But as an award winning photographer, you should be there, as I stated in the article!

[MikeHoyer]

Ah yes, I've just read it.

Interesting article. However I think it's just like getting to the top of any profession, only a few will make it. In the same way that I own several guitars, I enjoy playing them, and used to want to be in a successful band. Didn't happen, but I was successful at something else. Not everyone who is interested in photography will become an F1 photographer.