FOS good photography vantage points..

[thatone1967]

Hoping to take some decent shots this year as it's my first time with a zoom on my dslr. Seem a few shots of airbourne cars on the rally stage. Any idea whereabouts these were taken from? Also suggestions for other good locations?

[Gwagon111]

thatone1967 said:

Hoping to take some decent shots this year as it's my first time with a zoom on my dslr. Seem a few shots of airbourne cars on the rally stage. Any idea whereabouts these were taken from? Also suggestions for other good locations?

If you want good shots of action on the hill, position yourself near the house. If you want good rally stage shots, position yourself by the jump. It's signposted when you get up to the stage.

[scutt11]

i find the last left hand bend before the hairpin on rally stage right near the tractor pick up piont very good, went to the jump last year very good as well.

[CivicMan]

Many excellent points on the rally stage, mostly on the "down side".

[thatone1967]

Gwagon111 said:

It's signposted when you get up to the stage.

Never spotted the signs before, will look out this year..

Cheers...

[racing green]

There are a number of good vantage points all along the stage but remember the light levels change and if its sunny this will make for contrasty pics due to much light and shade. Here's a few from various places-

Near the bottom corner nearest the tractor pick up point


double sharp s bends on the run back towards the jump


second to last corner before the finish


view from behind the start line


the jump - obviously, can get crowded there


this is also on the s bends, just watch out for stones when the big guns come past. One hit a fence post just in front of a young boy two years ago, he picked it up and kept it as a keepsake after just having seen Loeb wizz past!


and not forgetting the pit area which is far less crowded or formal as the F1 pits.
Good luck

[thatone1967]

racing green said:

There are a number of good vantage points all along the stage but remember the light levels change and if its sunny this will make for contrasty pics due to much light and shade. Here's a few from various places-

Cheers RG...if I come away with one shot as good as the above, I will consider it a good days work!

[RallyRider]

Snapped this just walking through the forest stage on the way to one of the crossings, I guess all those guys got a nice layer of dust on them

[F1JHerbert]

I tend to sit opposite the house. AS the house and the display (in front of the house) always makes a good back drop.

[Tempest_5]

Lots of good places, just move around so your photo's don't end up all the same.

If you want good photos in the paddocks get there early when the place opens or stay late as people drift off.

I normally turn up, get some photos in the pits/paddocks then go to a postion in front of the free grandstand on the first corner after the start. You need to use this position earlier in the day or you get the sun on the other side of the cars/bikes. I then gradually work my way up the hill watch a few sets of runs at each position, finishing off with a bit of rallying.

This gives me a selection of stuff like this (not presented in the order I took them).

http://www.gear-tooth.com/motorsport/fos2009/fos20...

Although there are lots of people you can usually find a gap to get your pictures. I've been to 10 Festivals of Speed since 1998 & only seen one very minor moment of agro with someone being blocked out so you shouldn't have any problems.

[racing green]

Two other favourite vantage points are on the hill climb outside the entrance to the F1 paddock. This is situated just after the bridge and is good for getting the F1 cars at their slowest





And then further up the hillclimb past the wall are two free open stands which offer good viewpoints





It is of course just a quick hop and a step to the rally stage from there (well sort of!)
And of course don't forget the paddock entrance and exits and the assembly areas where there is always a buzz of excitement as to what is coming next

[chevronb37]

The yump is perhaps the most dramatic spot, but anywhere on the rally stage you're close to the action. I'm no photographer but even I managed a few last year.

[thatone1967]

The jump is perhaps the best place I took pictures this year, just as shame that, as mentioned above, it's so damned crowded!
Roll on next year!