Formula One

[Steve Mitchell]

Look forward to seeing shots from this year's US Grand Prix...here is a gallery from last year's event:

http://www.dphoto.us/modules.php?op=...002USGrandPrix

[tbko]

Very nice gallery. I'm leaving on Friday, for Indy. This is my first time to Indy. I only have a General Admission pass, but I was hoping for some 8x10's for my office. Any recomendations for good photo spots? I'll have my 10d, and a 70-200 2.8 and a 50-500 Sigma. Thanks

Jeff Stevens

[mzdial]

Hi Jeff,

Depending on when you are coming into town on Friday, dbevis mentioned in another thread that there will be an assortment of Ferraris through history in Downtown Indianapolis, on Monument Circle. We have a very photographic downtown -- very clean and vibrant. I think you'll agree after visiting that Indy is a nice place to visit/live.

There are lots of crazy fans all around the track in Speedway (which is inside Indianapolis BTW) -- makes for some good photo ops.

I've been to the race every year, this will be the first I have shot it. I have press credentials, but not the "good" ones as I'm low man on the totem pole at the newspaper here in Indianapolis. But I'll also be looking for some good spots.

Good luck!
-- Matt

[dbevis]

Originally Posted by tbko

Very nice gallery. I'm leaving on Friday, for Indy. This is my first time to Indy. I only have a General Admission pass, but I was hoping for some 8x10's for my office. Any recomendations for good photo spots? I'll have my 10d, and a 70-200 2.8 and a 50-500 Sigma. Thanks

Jeff Stevens

Depends on your equipment.

You can go up in the grandstands on the west side of the track (along Georgetown Road) which is across from the pits. With a nice telephoto (200-400mm) you can get shots of the pit action.

There are large, raised mounds in the infield which give a good view of the interior turns #2 through #8. You won't need but maybe 100mm or less to shoot this area, because you are pretty close to the action.

You can get to the outside of turn #8 which is along a service road behind the museum (be sure you make time for that, too). Probably 100-200mm is good here.

There are stands along the pit area, but the view is not so hot in my opinion because it's elevated (over the garages). You'll be close enough to get by with 70-100mm.

Bring a good pair of shoes, you'll be glad when the day is over. This place is huge and you'll pobably walk 4-5 miles if you try to hit all these places.

[tbko]

Wow, thanks for all of the information. I'll be taking my 10d, 24-85mm, and a 100-400mm IS. I'm very excited about going, I'm a huge F1 fan. I'm going to check into the Friday event, but we might not make it in time.

Jeff

PS- Are there any good sushi bars in Indy???

[dbevis]

Originally Posted by tbko

PS- Are there any good sushi bars in Indy???

To me that is a contradition in terms. There are sushi bars, can't tell you good or bad. There is a place downtown at Maryland and Illinois that should be good - the Mikado. They've got a website, so they must be good http://www.indymikado.com

[tbko]

Yeah, I guess I'm spoiled here in MD, with so much fresh seafood. Were are some good places to eat (non-sushi)?

[dbevis]

Originally Posted by tbko

Yeah, I guess I'm spoiled here in MD, with so much fresh seafood. Were are some good places to eat (non-sushi)?

If you stay downtown or near-downtown, then the Malibu on Maryland, Alcatraz Brewing, St. Elmo's (awesome steaks), Morton's, Slippery Noodle (Beer, Blues and short orders), Mo's (47 S Pennsylvania), Claddagh Irish Pub (234 S Meridian), Milano Inn (Italian), just to name a few. An area on the northside called Broad Ripple has lots of unique and specialized restaurants and bars. The area is located at 62nd Street and College Ave.

There's no shortage of options, that's for sure. Various ethnic cuisines are pretty common so you name it, we've probably got it, unlike only a few years ago when fast food was king. Try this for more info:

http://indianapolis.citysearch.com/s...%20Nightlife_0

The "Noodle" is a great place to go after dinner for a drink and some fantastic music.

[tbko]

Thanks for the info!

Jeff

[mzdial]

Well.. I realized today when I got my "creds" for the race that I'm not getting anywhere special... Oh well.. Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 I had access everywhere -- damn FIA people!

I'm going to have to try to kiss up to my friends in photo at the paper and see how big of a lens I can borrow.. My photos will most likely only end up online for the paper's website, so I'll have to see what I can use that the real "working" staff isn't..

I only have a 70-200 -- so I need to score a 300 or 400 or at least a TC..

My access is basically gen admission it appears and my newspaper ID isn't going to get me anywhere out there unfortunately..

Steve -- Any tips on decent places to shoot from? For me and the rest of the fellas heading out!

[dbevis]

Originally Posted by mzdial

Well.. I realized today when I got my "creds" for the race that I'm not getting anywhere special... Oh well.. Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 I had access everywhere -- damn FIA people!

I'm going to have to try to kiss up to my friends in photo at the paper and see how big of a lens I can borrow.. My photos will most likely only end up online for the paper's website, so I'll have to see what I can use that the real "working" staff isn't..

I only have a 70-200 -- so I need to score a 300 or 400 or at least a TC..

My access is basically gen admission it appears and my newspaper ID isn't going to get me anywhere out there unfortunately..

Steve -- Any tips on decent places to shoot from? For me and the rest of the fellas heading out!

I notice the photogs all have F1-issued khaki vests with large numerals on them. Definitely and "insider" show. The 70-200 seemed to be everywhere today.

I think for the most part the viewing mounds in the infield would be the best view since you can get lined up to see easily 2-3 of the short, twisty turns. Alternately, the approach to turn 8 is decent. But you have to cross back over the Bridgestone bridge and head back to the south - a pretty good hike.

BTW, I put a link in the "Events" section with some of today's shots.

Don

[mzdial]

Yep.. I didn't get out there this morning.. I was gonna, but then I thought nothing would be going on.. I guess I was wrong (I was looking at the photos that AP pushed back through the system a little while ago.)

A very "insider" show from my understanding, very different from IRL/NASCAR. IMS doesn't even issue the credentials for the race.

I have a 300/2.8 secured for this weekend now, so that will help on the mounds, etc.

Thanks for the tips! I'm heading out tomorrow for the qualifying, and all day on Saturday and Sunday.

-- Matt

[Steve Mitchell]

I look forward to seeing everyone's pix...I miss not being there this year.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sorry...I lost this thread and did not see your question...Still need help?

[dbevis]

Well I was wrong - I should have said turn "10" instead of "8". This is the last year for that view sad to say. They are building two new sets of stands at that location for 2004.

For the "civilian" photographers, it's really tough going. I decided to try to eliminate the safety fence by minimizing the DOF. The trad off is higher shutter, which then means the wheels are frozen cleanly and not blurred. Still, the fence shows up. Oh, well. There were 3-4 minor spins that would have been much more interesting if I could have gotten way slower on the shutter.

I threw in a few Canon-gear shots for added interest.

http://www.gotodon.com/usgppractice

As a sidenote, I thought the "camera permits" were interesting. For the TV at least, there is a permit required that says, "Filming is permitted in the indicated area only if a valid camera permit is properly displayed". Wow, how strict!

The lens (shown in-total in the above gallery) is incredible as well f1.6 and 9.5mm-670mm. I hate to think what that costs.