Silverstone and Pictures

[blackcab]

Guys

Relative newbie and amatuer on the photography, Im off to silverstone this weekend for the BSB and your hints and tips would be useful

I am using a Canon 500d and have 18-55 and 75-300 lens kit ( both canon)

Many thanks

[covboy]

Problem you'll find is that there is a LOT of debris/safety fencing. Best tip I can give (if you are after on track action) is to get up as high as you can. Don't know if the grandstands will be accessible on practice days, but is normally a good bet.

[Gemm]

Don't be afraid to shoot through the fencing. If you can get close enough to the fencing and the lighting is right (the sun not hitting the fencing from your side), it's possible to throw it completely out of focus (although not totally sure if f5.6 is enough). Which layout are they using for BSB? Abbey used to be great for this but I think it is still possible at Club.

[david_b]

Gemm said:

Don't be afraid to shoot through the fencing. If you can get close enough to the fencing and the lighting is right (the sun not hitting the fencing from your side), it's possible to throw it completely out of focus (although not totally sure if f5.6 is enough).

You can also pan through the fence to remove it (or at least leave only enough to be an interesting addition to the picture) - you need to be at quite a low speed though (1/30 or so for the ones below), and they're often extremely quick bits of circuit which is a challenge. I took these the other weekend at the LMS race:

This is Becketts, taken from The Loop:

Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr

The Wellington Straight

Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr

And an old one taken at the end of the (old) pit straight before Copse, in the rain:

BTCC Meeting, Silverstone, 31st August 2008 by david_b, on Flickr

Silverstone have also added quite a few slots to the fencing so you can take pictures from the public side of the fence, and there are some gaps around the new Village complex where you can easily get a clear view. A few more to illustrate:


Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr


Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr


Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr


Silverstone 1000km 2011 by david_b, on Flickr

[blackcab]

Cheers for your help - I will do my best and post some results - dont laugh though Im still learning !

[Arun_D]

Yep, as illustrated above, you can focus past the fencing completly if your position and lighting conditions is favourable.

This one below was through the traditional wire fencing (albeit not Silverstone)


IMG_4004_1 by Arunweb100, on Flickr

Whereas sometimes it doesn't work out quite so well. You can just about make out the dark areas cause by the fencing wire.


IMG_4061_1 by Arunweb100, on Flickr