Mallory Masters

[grantp]

Originally Posted by DaveGT6

Arty you may call them but to my mind these are far better than the totally in focus completely freeze action type shots. These portray the movement and dynamism of racing which is sadly missing from the clinically clear shots we normally get. I'll probably incur the wrath of the photographers but as a racer I get prints thrust at me at every race and they all look like a completely posed shot - the car looks like it was set up static for the shot - boring. A good panning shot with the background blurred and a focus upon a key point on the car with perhaps the rest in slightly out of focus - the Porsche #86 being to my mind an absolutely spot on example - great picture- implies speed, excitement racing!

Good points. I suspect the 'market', such as it is, has room for both 'frozen' and 'unfrozen' and all points between. That said there are probably not many publically accessible (i.e. not media pass required places) locations at UK tracks where you can have a reasonable chance of getting that sort of shot (Porsche #86) - or at least get the shot with a reasonable chance of control and consistency over the result.

I think that may be why the old black and white shots from (but not limited to) the 50s through 70s are so appealing. Few if any telephoto lenses, let alone zooms, existed and so the photographers were operating with relatively wide angles, slow film and shutters and limited depth of field. To get any detail at all they really needed to be in the cockpit. Standing on the kerb at the apex of a bend was the next best location giving many many shots quite like Porsche #86.

I like to aim for a mix from a day (or a weekend) shooting but it's not always possible to do so successfully.

[grantp]

Oldies but Goldies ....

In the absence of the FFs who usually provide first lap entertainment at Gerrards, this time we had the Oldies but Goldies. Imentioned in an earlier post that the Falcon woud appear later - well here he is visiting the bunker on the first lap only to find an A35 got there first. The full sequence is about 30 shots - a little too much to post I think.

I had forgotten just how big the Standard Vanguard Mk1 actually is.

Henry Mann's 107E exhibiting a well loaded back tyre.

Standard Vanguard Mk 3 and MG Magnette following the A40 that was on pole and looked like winning - until the last 2 laps when it slowed dramatically but still finished second.

Nice to see a Magnette out. This one in monochrome 'cos the low sun came out strongly and shooting dark cars against the light does not produce great results - but I thought a quick B&W conversion here looked vaguely period.

Turning to face the other way gave light to rear views which were OK but not too interesting. The MG again, only because there was a little excitement on a few laps when he took to the grass whilst leading a bunch of cars some of which, from memory, were a lap or two ahead on the road.

[grantp]

Stars of the 70s and Touring 70s.

Led for some time by the pole sitting UFO jeans liveried Manthorpe Capri but I've posted several shots of that earlier (though the ones from this race are better IMO) so I'll stick with another shot of the Bates Porsche 911 ST that eventually took the flag ahead of the rapidly closing Cooke/Dowd 911 RSR. (See third shot with the flag out.)

The Mk1 Escort was out and about taking third on the grid and eventually third on the road 3/4ths of a lap down on the winner.

The Manthorpe capris took 4th and 5th with the pole sitting UFO car 5th after a delay at some point in the pits.

The Dolomite and BMW 2002 in TCB class ciculated in close proximity for most of the race. The photo of the finish shows pretty much as it was for all 45 laps that they completed as far as I recall.

The Pearson/Devine TR4, despite its earlier incident and a long day of racing took 6th 1 lap down but only 3 seconds behind the UFO Capri. Not sure how it fits into the 70s but .... good to see it anywhere it goes.

[grantp]

Final race - Allcomers and the shortest race of the day at 20 mins.

A somewhat depleted field from practice as one might expect.

So with the Lotus Cortina, 2 A40s and the A35 non-starting we were left with 3 Capris, 2 911s, a Mustang, the TR4 (again!) and a mini.

The Manthorpe UFO Capri was on pole, this time with Tom Pochciol driving, and went on to win completing 22 laps in the alotted 20 minutes.

We lost the RSR Porsche on the first lap (I think I heard some commentary about 'contact' somewhere around the hairpin) and the Mini dropped out after 8 laps followed by the 43 Manthorpe Capri after 13 laps.

But no matter because the battle for 2nd was titanic and of course at Mallory you can follow it around most of the lap wherever you are standing.

Whilst Mark Bates in the 911ST was second on the grid Rob Hartley in the Mustang just got to Gerards first and that was how they stayed lap after lap no matter what Bates tried. The Mustang had the lags of the Porsche on the straight bits - just - and became very wide when needed. At the line the gap was .011 in favour of the Mustang. Great stuff.

2 posts to record the action.

[grantp]

The battle continues .....

The last shot is at the flag.

[terence]

Good to meet up again Grant,albeit a little briefly,at least I did wave to you from the "office".

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by acespeed72

................ Thank you to race control for not being too harsh on me when i was summoned to race control. ....Cheers Andy Harrison Acespeed

I'm never harsh

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by grantp

Good points. I suspect the 'market', such as it is, has room for both 'frozen' and 'unfrozen' and all points between. That said there are probably not many publically accessible (i.e. not media pass required places) locations at UK tracks where you can have a reasonable chance of getting that sort of shot (Porsche #86) - or at least get the shot with a reasonable chance of control and consistency over the result.

I think that may be why the old black and white shots from (but not limited to) the 50s through 70s are so appealing. Few if any telephoto lenses, let alone zooms, existed and so the photographers were operating with relatively wide angles, slow film and shutters and limited depth of field. To get any detail at all they really needed to be in the cockpit. Standing on the kerb at the apex of a bend was the next best location giving many many shots quite like Porsche #86.

I like to aim for a mix from a day (or a weekend) shooting but it's not always possible to do so successfully.

It's to easy with modern cameras to stick it on sport mode and snap away. I like to spend some time playing with lower shutter speeds and occasionally good some reasonable results.

[terence]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

I'm never harsh

Just because your a CoC,you expect us to believe that!

[brands]

Originally Posted by grantp

I did have quite a long chat with Jeff Bloxham and co. during the afternoon. There seemed to be a fairly constant (though forever changing) group of people with big lenses down at Gerards and so some useful experiences to chew over. No working commentary though - so it was also useful to be able to draw on other's observational skills to work out who was where in the race!

I would think I was one of those, SC cap and medium length lens. Packed away the kit and just watched the last race with, I assume, yourself and my friend who had the Hubble telescope sized lens.


Nice photos btw.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by brands

I would think I was one of those, SC cap and medium length lens. Packed away the kit and just watched the last race with, I assume, yourself and my friend who had the Hubble telescope sized lens.


Nice photos btw.

Thanks. I have many more shots, as I am sure you do, of car 'portraits' but thought here was a good place to try and emulate (not very well I fear) JT's story telling approach.

I thought there were 2 Hubbles available although I once saw a chap using something of a similar size as a seat in the middle of a busy day - or at least that's how it looked at a glance! - so I suppose one could have been a fake?

I had intended to get my old manual 'long' lens out of the car to see what it could do on the 1D3 but thought better of it in that company! Plus there is no way I can hand hold it so would have had to drag the tripod out as well ....

Nice to have met you and I'll make sure to say hello properly next time now I have a face to go with the name.

[thebullet]

Would have been nice to chat yes! I normally have a go with my telephoto and was annoyed when it made a rather horrible noise down at the esses so I gave up. I should have shot more!

I've sold a few photos but this was my proper go at arty stuff and wish I had carried on! Should be getting a new camera too as mine only works well on manual really. A Canon is in order

Matthew.

[thebullet]

My dad has started uploading his, not much variety at the minute more the mini's, but keep an eye on it! and let me know what you think.

www.flickr.com/richardbarrington

[acespeed72]

oh i bet you can be Claire ha ha

[acespeed72]

Bullet do you think your dad will sell me that pic of my mini at the hairpin would love a 12x8 its very clear

cheers Andy

[johngee]

Originally Posted by acespeed72

oh i bet you can be Claire ha ha

You've no idea Andy - we're all frightened of her!

[acespeed72]

ha ha she is a pussycat

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by acespeed72

Bullet do you think your dad will sell me that pic of my mini at the hairpin would love a 12x8 its very clear

cheers Andy

It may be a good idea to keep this type of discussion to PMs due to any Mallory copyright issues that might exist.

[terence]

Originally Posted by johngee

You've no idea Andy - we're all frightened of her!

Huh!! You speak for yourself John.










[ps,hope Claire doesn't read this

[SAMD]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Huh!! You speak for yourself John.

[ps,hope Claire doesn't read this

LOL great smilie

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by SAMD

LOL great smilie

I have a great smile????????

[terence]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

I have a great smile????????

No Claire, Sam said S M I L I E. I did write that out S.l.o.w.l.y for you.

[brands]

A few belated shots of an excellent days motor sport.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by terence bower

No Claire, Sam said S M I L I E. I did write that out S.l.o.w.l.y for you.

Terence, you do like living dangerously don't you.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by brands

A few belated shots of an excellent days motor sport.

Nice shots.

I very much like 1 and 4 for the way the sunlight is reflectinig off the tyre-wall dressing to illuminate the shady side of the cars and add detail and interest. So many circuits have just tyres or dull 'dressings' that prevent any useful reflection of the light. Good work Mallory. Even though it's the end of the season they still have the place looking bright and fresh.

Good work brands as well for making it all work for you.