Ideas for photography themes and stories - Speed Week 2022

[YellowHound]

I am a full-time freelance photographer based in the UK and am visiting Speed Week this year to photograph the event.

One of my picture themes will be the experiences of the UK teams running on the salt but I'd like to ask an open question as to what picture ideas or themes/stories that would be interesting?

I'm sure the event has been photographed to death so I'm looking for any fresh ideas to inspire me!

It will be my first visit.

I have some UK magazines interested in my images.

What would be fresh and interesting? Please do suggest some ideas. I'm particularly interested in stories.

Thanks in advance.

[Stan Back]

. . . "as to what picture ideas or themes/stories that would be interesting?"

Interesting to who?  The audience you find on this site is very small, even in the racing world.  I'd bet your largest audience would be about your racers in their home country.

It would be very hard for you to show up and intrigue the audience of this site without knowing what we already know.  And you couldn't know what that is because it's so specialized.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Ah, the age old question of "who/what will be cool or touching or special in some way?" is hard to answer is often hard to answer 'til you get there, I'm sorry to have to say. 

Last year, for instance, a bike racer showed up from overseas with his electric bike.  He ran well but was kinda difficult to talk with 'cause he didn't have much English, so not many folks knew much about him.  Well, in retrospect it turns out that he was from Ukraine and would have been a great subject for a story, what with the current goings-on in his home nation.

Lurk about on this Forum and see what catches your eye for subjects.  There are quite a few Facebook groups and pages that will give you more racers and teams to examine for subjects. 

Best idea:  A feature-length production showcasing the extra-superb radio announcer would be great.

[manta22]

If you want ideas for stories and need an example of a story well told, watch the movie "The World's Fastest Indian". Yes, it is a racing movie, yes, it is a motorcycle movie, but it is far more than that. It is about a man pursuing his life's dream. Even non-racers loved this movie.

[WOODY@DDLLC]

There are 8 million stories in the naked city and this ain't one of them! 
Seriously, look through the build diaries to get a feel for what you may encounter! 
Start with this one that has a little UK connection: http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?topic=4087.0
Or you can walk the pits or starting lines and develop a story just from those conversations! 

[aircap]

As a long time photographer who wrote many stories for automotive magazines (including about the salt) - it's about the people. So my advice is do your research - NOW. Crawl this website, and any other website or story about salt racing. Find the old articles and learn WHO goes to the salt and WHY. Learn the history of salt racing, and its traditions. Buy some Speedweek programs and hot rodding magazines off eBay and study the info and photos inside on salt racing. Come here and ask questions on the regular. Get up to speed on your subject.

When you get there, remember what you've learned, and have fun.

[Stainless1]

Newbie from the UK goes to Bonneville...

I suspect a lot of folks from the UK know about UK history at Bonneville... there will be guys there making history....
Pork Pie did an article with pictures of a Rookie driver just misses 200 MPH Club at 199.977 at speedweek... then a follow up that he went 202.800 at World Finals for Fast Facts... UK based Mag about speed racing.
Look for Lemming John on here... a build diary... hook up with him... he needs stimulation to get moving...
 

[kiwi belly tank]

A new car or bike first time on the salt might be a good story to follow as apposed to here it is again & it went this fast this time.
  Sid.

[jim b]

There's so many great things to point a camera at during a Speedweek all providing opportunities for great photos. I've been to Bonnevile multiple times to photograph and always leave amazed by the whole of it.  Shameless plug, you can see my photos at jimbenning.com

Getting to know the location and timing of the event beforehand will help a lot. Activities tend to happen in waves with lulls between them. Inspection in days before start of racing. Early mornings pre sun up for preping and record runs, In the pits  during morning as teams get ready for runs or in afternoon as they work on cars between runs. Lighting changes from dramatic early and late to unbearably harsh at mid day, adjust subjects accordingly.  Starting lines are always active but I prefer early or late in day. Also off the salt events like the hotrod show at the casinos are all good. The people stories are there also but I've found they take more time and attention than the event photography

Hope you have any enjoyable trip

[mc2032]

! would suggest you get in contact with the Bockscar team (I/BFL #1000) for insider access.  Great bunch of guys who have been doing this forever and from what I hear they have a darned good looking driver (very photogenic and humble).  They even brew/bring their own beer.  Reach out to Stainless on this thread and others (he is an admin).

[PorkPie]

albeit you be a full-time freelance photographer....

be aware...photography at the salt is totally different to any kind of photography you maybe have done......

[gowing]

For off course yet Speedweek related subject matter, you could document the scene at the "Bend in the Road".
I hear that some wild times have happened there.
Could be an interesting side story.

[donpearsall]

If you can stay around for two weeks, the next major event after Speedweek is the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. This is a major motorcycle event that draws entries from around the world. There are usually 200-300 entries all trying to break a speed record.  Check out https://bonnevillemst.com/

Don

[Stainless1]

! would suggest you get in contact with the Bockscar team (I/BFL #1000) for insider access.  Great bunch of guys who have been doing this forever and from what I hear they have a darned good looking driver (very photogenic and humble).  They even brew/bring their own beer. 

Ross, you are not all that handsome.... but you do make good beer....

YH, write for your target audience... with any luck we will have the Brits racing with us this year....

[7707]

Yes the 7707 team will be there.