Finish Line Photos?

[Glen]

Over the years photographers were allowed down course, now they need an escort as some of them decided it was ok to out to the course or close to it for that picture, what do you think the driver is wondering who the hell is standing that close, the drivers don't need any distractions at any speed. Think about it
there has just been too many media and others thinking that it's ok. When I was the timer we have shut down the course because of this issue. You also need a press pass.

[PorkPie]

Glen,

you be absolute right.

Hot Rod, Ray the Rat, me are "old" veterans and know this game, we also respect the safety of the racer and the meet.

Unfortunately the "media" is getting too big....especially the one day press.....and they know nothing about safety (sometimes I got the feeling they don't know where they are, anyway) and they are not taking care in any way of safety.

it is a nightmare to see them around the starting line....NO discipline....they are more worse out on the track....when they go down the center Blvd they are not standing with
the car by the road....no, they park away closer to the course....and at last they walk 100 yards away from the car...closer to the course....just to get a better picture....
and when you tell him to go back to the safe spot on the center road, they give you the s h.....

here I can only say....get a better equipment and you can stay by the road....or much better.....don't go out there.

All the years I was aware that as a racer your view is restricted and also you have to be concentrate on the driving/riding.....and I took care for the competitors.
first safety for them and second the picture for us, the photographer..............now himself active I can only say....it was right to do so over all this years.

The "media" have to respect this too.......unfortunately they do not.....and effect so negative the work from us veterans.


But back to the thread.....with all this "rules" it is still possible to manage this picture from the finish line, when we know right on time.....but this is on the competitor...not on us, who holds the cameras....

[Event Photo]

Hello All,

My name is Jason Ashton of Kodak Event Photo. This year we will be attending Speed Week. We will be bringing out of Vending trailer and have our professional photographers on course taking action shots.

We will have our female sales professionals inside the vending trailer selling prints and posters of every single person that is racing. Posters will come with borders on the photos that include all the event sponsors as well as their speed. Similar to our Open Road Challenge Prints for anyone that is familiar.

Kodak Event Photo has been the #1 Motorsports event photography company for over 10 years. We are the contract exclusive event photography company that handles all the major Off-road, Motocross, Open Road Challenge and other Motorsports events in the USA.

We are looking forward to providing the best product in our own unique way to everyone that will be attending Speedweeks.

Anyone that has any questions can contact me at my personal email, JasonAshton@outlook.com
And I look forward to seeing everyone there!

[Peter Jack]

Jason, your announcement causes an instant negative feeling for me. There are several very well qualified photographers have been providing excellent service to the racers for a long time. They've been involved in lsr for many years and understand the limitations of where they can and can't be and what's involved in taking a good picture. I'm not saying your "professionals" can't be trained to do the job properly but I truly fear having a whole new group of photographers on the salt with press passes all at once feeling that they can go where they feel is necessary to get "the shot". I also feel like this is a move based on money and I don't like that things may be made more difficult for those who have invested time and money over the years to help the racers without making any sort of substantial profit. 

I hope things work well for everyone and if they do I wish you success but I'm definitely going to look at this with substantial skepticism until things prove otherwise.

Pete

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Hi, Jason.  I'm Jon -- a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim, the owner of this website/Forum.  Your timing is either miraculous -- or simply impeccable.  If you've read this thread you've seen that we've spent a few minutes (?!) recently discussing the saga of photography at Bonneville, and maybe you've been able to convince your corporate higher-ups (which, carrying a company name like Kodak, I assume you hew to -- vs. being a freelancer) that there's a need to be filled at SpeedWeek and other Bonneville events.  I hope you're able to provide photos that are what the racers, crews, teams, and families -- hey, and spectators, for that matter -- want.

I'll go on with the comment that if you haven't read the previous bunch of posts here -- you might be wise to see what we've discussed.  There have been some highly-adept folks on here talking about what issues they've faced - and what issues they've seen slap other, less-experience ultra-high-speed-event photographers smack dab in the face.  And I insist that no matter how many events you've attended and shot -- you've never taken photos of vehicles passing by you at speeds up to 400+++ mph -- from a quarter mile away.  It ain't like sitting trackside at Indianapolis or Laguna Seca -- so be prepared.  Read what Pork Pie and HotRod (and Ray, if and when he puts down his wrenches and posts here) offer about the difficulties. 

And maybe I'm taking you at less than the value you deserve.  If that's the case -- and you can give us photos that are even half as good as the ones I've got on my walls here at home (George Poteet steaming down the track at well over 430 and yes, I can read the small print on the car -- thanks, PP!) - then you and your group oughta have a gangbusters event selling photos. 

Feel free to come visit the Seldom Seen Slim pit.  We'll be parked at the front of the pits pretty close to the main pit entrance/registration/inspection area.  Say howdy - and take a picture of us trying to help everyone in the world enjoy SpeedWeek.  I'll put it on the site.

Jon a/k/a SSS

[Event Photo]

Hello Pete,
I understand for concern. But our two photographers that will be on-site attend nothing but motorsports events throughout the year. They attend 100+ events a year. They are well trained in safety and as well in race procedures. These are not professional photographers. These are Action Sports photographers, and this is all they do.

I can promise you Pete, they won’t be a problem.

Jon- Nice to meet you, and for sure I will be stopping by to say hello. Love the site! But then you will have to check us out in the Vending area, come say hi to the ladies. I have read the previous post. We are defiantly up for a challenge. I am not saying this is going to be easy for us to shoot. But we are a very versed company, From shooting  trophy trucks, quarter midgets, motocross, supercross, R/C Cars, Open Road Cars, and everything in-between. It will be a challenge, but we accept the challenge and hopefully can provide an amazing product to all the racers that they can put on their wall to enjoy.

PS. I have seen some of the work the other photographers have done, and it is amazing. Defiantly not taking any credit away from them. We are looking forward to having a lot of fun, and truly experience one of the greatest event, and one I have wanted to personally attend since I was a child.

[Event Photo]

PPS. I am defiantly up for any advice on equipment to bring, as well as any other information or advice. My ears are always welcome and I know that people have been attending for many years, and are much wiser than myself.

[Stan Back]

Gee -- I remember 20+ years ago when a photographer brought some ladies from Wells in to liven up the car shoots.  I guess this is different -- although we've been reminded (twice) that the ladies are there and friendly.

[Event Photo]

Stan- Don't worry I'm bringing some ladies. 

[jdincau]

Gee -- I remember 20+ years ago when a photographer brought some ladies from Wells in to liven up the car shoots.  I guess this is different -- although we've been reminded (twice) that the ladies are there and friendly.

And as I remember he lost money, racers then were too cheap.
Speedweek, 1990

[Stan Back]

I got the idea that other services were available later in the day.

[donpearsall]

Jason,
I started this thread hoping that there could be automated photos at the finish line for all Bonneville events, especially BUB. There are only a few (but very good) photogs at the BUB event but naturally they can't get every shot. An automated system would get all entries. Will you be attending BUB and World of Speed?

Don

[salt27]

selling prints and posters of every single person that is racing.

our two photographers

Jason, with four courses those two photographers are going to be quite busy if they plan on a photo of "every single person that is racing".

 Just saying, Don

[PorkPie]

If that's the case -- and you can give us photos that are even half as good as the ones I've got on my walls here at home (George Poteet steaming down the track at well over 430 and yes, I can read the small print on the car -- thanks, PP!)

Jon a/k/a SSS

Jon,

the one you got on the wall was the fastest speed to today George ever run.....465 mph out of the door at the Shootout and still accelerating....picture shows George one second after he passed the measured mile marker (the one on the end of the measured mile)....just flat out.....

the small one I add to this thread the other day was some mph slower,from the last year Shootout...but historie...because it was the first run of his 439 mph record...currently fastest piston record on earth



and

Jason....you allowed me to check your picture and your ladies

[PorkPie]

...and by the way...Jason....just in case that you don't know what you will see, when you get the first time at the salt...here a picture for you.....