Raskills Motorsport Journey (DUW)

What is your personal photographic journey? In a photographic sense, how did you start, and with what equipment? How have you progressed, and where are you, and your photographic skillset, placed today?

This is a place where members may share their personal photographic journey. Some of our normal posting rules are suspended within this section. To illustrate you story, for instance, you may post more than the normal 4 or so images. In fact, we actively encourage you to share with us images that illustrate how your photography has changed since you started. So readers with slower connections please be warned that postings made within this section may be - will be - larger than the norm.

Moderator: Moderators

Raskills Motorsport Journey (DUW)

Postby Raskill on Fri May 18, 2007 5:27 pm

Well, I’ve thought about doing this for a while, and today I have the time. A quick photographic journey through the last two years, showing my embarrassing starts to my (hopefully) slightly less embarrassing current position.

February 2005 I purchased my first DSLR, the venerable D70. It came with the kit lens and the much (and rightly) maligned 70-300G.

The first motorsport meeting I took the gear to was the V8 Supercars at Eastern Creek. Suffice to say, I felt like a pro, DSLR’s weren’t overly common at that stage. The 70-300G performed admirably poorly.

Image

Image

Well, the results were fantastic. I knew I was on a winner. ‘This photography lark is easy’ I thought….. I posted my images on this very website. I was politely told, ‘no, your images aren’t great’. To soft, contrasty, shutter speed too fast and not a tight enough crop’. It’s stuck with me, you see.

Thanks guys. I mean it.

My next major outing was the Bathurst V8 Supercars. By this time I had thankfully sold my 70-300G and purchased a Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 I was starting to realise that equipment did play a part in the final images. Still, I attached it to my D70 and ‘thundered’ away at 3 shots a second. Luckily, I had media accreditation.

Image

I started at this time to realise there is more to motorsport than just the cars. The surrounding hype is great to photograph also :)

Image

Not long after this, I got my first paying gig. I covered the Australian Rally Championship for a major sponsor, Bathurst Regional Council. The gig payed very well, and the client was happy. This allowed me to purchase a second body, a D70s. I also met Jeff, who had travelled up from Sydney for the Rally. An all round good bloke, who thanks to photography and this site, I can consider a friend.

Image

Image

My next major 'play date' was the inaugural Bathurst International Motor festival. Not as big a paying gig, but with media accreditation it was good fun. I started to expand, focussing (if you’ll excuse the pun) on the smaller items that surround a race meet.

Image

Image

The next step in my ‘journey’ came from tragedy. Peter Brock was killed in an accident in W.A. It seemed natural that people would pay their respects at the famous Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit. I took images, not of cars, but of people, paying their respects. This was where I got published. Two images in two weeks in Auto Action. I was stoked, a major magazine had thought my images were good enough to publish AND they had asked me to cover the Peter Brock Memorial Service. It was however, a bit uncomfortable taking images of people at such an emotional time.

Image

Image

Next came the V8 Supercars at Bathurst in 2006. With full media accreditation and covering it for Bathurst Regional Council, a borrowed D2x and my new 120-300mm f/2.8 I felt like nothing could stop me. I had a ball.

Image


Image

I like this image of Mark Porter. Not only do I feel the image is a decent motorsport image, but it holds a bit more meaning as Porter was killed less than 24 hours later not far from the spot where this image was taken. Another reminder of how dangerous motorsport is.

Image

And that about brings us up to today. I recently covered the 2007 Bathurst International Motor Festival and met a few of the guys there, Barry, Kyle and Michael. I enjoyed this and for the first time had the chance to test my D2h, which was impressive to say the least!

Image

Image

I am now a sponsor of the NSW Hill Climb Championship, with images being used to promote the series in online and print magazines, as well supplying images to drivers.

Image

Image

When I started my DSLR ‘journey’ I had a D70, a 1 gig card, a 70-300G and a kit lens. Now, through trial and error, and figuring out what I want to do, and where I want to go with my photography I have a couple of ‘pro’ bodies, a couple of f/2.8 lenses and the ability to learn.

If I had any advice for anyone wanting to photograph motorsports? Find a niche that needs filling. Grass roots motorsport is the best place to start. Get your images published. Acknowledgment is worth more than money. And have confidence!!!

Now all I need is more money, more gear, more talent and more opportunities and I’ll be set.

Thanks for looking!!!!
2x D700, 2x D2h, lenses, speedlights, studio, pelican cases, tripods, monopods, patridges, pear trees etc etc

http://www.awbphotos.com.au
User avatar
Raskill
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2161
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:26 pm
Location: Rockley, near Bathurst, Home of Aussie Motorsport!

Postby Alpha_7 on Fri May 18, 2007 5:38 pm

Great Journey mate thanks for sharing, it's great to see your work presented like this!
User avatar
Alpha_7
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7259
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:19 pm
Location: Mortdale - Sydney - Nikon D700, x-D200, Leica, G9

Postby Reschsmooth on Fri May 18, 2007 6:18 pm

Great story - thanks for sharing.

P
Regards, Patrick

Two or three lights, any lens on a light-tight box are sufficient for the realisation of the most convincing image. Man Ray 1935.
Our mug is smug
User avatar
Reschsmooth
Senior Member
 
Posts: 4164
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:16 pm
Location: Just next to S'nives.

Postby Old Bob on Fri May 18, 2007 7:00 pm

It's a great journey you're on Alan, and interesting to see that you have reached such a high standard in such a short time. The only thing that money won't buy is talent, and you have demonstrated plenty of that.

Bob
User avatar
Old Bob
Member
 
Posts: 389
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:18 pm
Location: Parkes NSW

Postby Killakoala on Fri May 18, 2007 7:17 pm

That was a great read. It's great to see so many newbies come to this forum and then in a very short time become very competent and original photographers. I look forward to seeing your images over the next two years. Keep up the good work and please keep showing us your images.
Steve.
|D700| D2H | F5 | 70-200VR | 85 1.4 | 50 1.4 | 28-70 | 10.5 | 12-24 | SB800 |
Website-> http://www.stevekilburn.com
Leeds United for promotion in 2014 - Hurrah!!!
User avatar
Killakoala
Senior Member
 
Posts: 5398
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:31 pm
Location: Southland NZ

Postby Kyle on Fri May 18, 2007 7:21 pm

Alan,

While I have not known you very long, I have come to look at you as an inspiration to my photography.

It is fantastic to see that you have been able to achieve such greatness in a short time, and I trust that it will grow year after year...


It goes to show what a man with a hobby and some inspiration can achieve!


I throughly enjoyed your story in this thread. A1+ will cone again :P


Kyle :)
User avatar
Kyle
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1148
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 10:28 pm
Location: Penrith, nsw

Postby sirhc55 on Fri May 18, 2007 7:36 pm

Alan - excuse the pun but you have travelled a road and gained experience with each kilometre. You have come a long way but you have many more experiences to enjoy and many more posts to titillate us all with your motorsport photography - well done :)
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10

Postby Big V on Fri May 18, 2007 7:43 pm

Thanks for sharing...
Canon
User avatar
Big V
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2301
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:37 am
Location: Adelaide

Postby Jeff on Fri May 18, 2007 8:19 pm

Well Alan a great story and thanks for your kind words.
You have given me inspiration and motovation to improve (at least I like to think I have). The main thing for us all to realise from your journey that by determination you can achieve success as you certainly have.

Jeff
User avatar
Jeff
Senior Member
 
Posts: 726
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Terrey Hills

Postby Yi-P on Sat May 19, 2007 1:27 am

That is a great story, thanks for sharing!!
User avatar
Yi-P
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3579
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:12 am
Location: Sydney -- Ashfield

Postby marcotrov on Sat May 19, 2007 12:12 pm

Thanks for relating the interesting, insightful and motivational journey. Good luck in your on-ward and ever upward travels. How do you like the 120-300 Sigma? I love it but if it had VR/IS oh boy would it be a giant killer! :)
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby Raskill on Sat May 19, 2007 12:45 pm

Thanks folks, I really enjoyed looking back through my images, cringing a little inside. I look back at what I once thought was good and I'm struck with a sudden panic, that what I think is good right now, will in a couple of years be embarrassing. I sure hope not!!! :lol:

I appreciate all the kind words, and really do consider myself lucky in having this hobby, developing a skill and meeting some of you folk.

Heres to the next two years!!!!
Last edited by Raskill on Sun May 20, 2007 3:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2x D700, 2x D2h, lenses, speedlights, studio, pelican cases, tripods, monopods, patridges, pear trees etc etc

http://www.awbphotos.com.au
User avatar
Raskill
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2161
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:26 pm
Location: Rockley, near Bathurst, Home of Aussie Motorsport!

Postby Mr Darcy on Sat May 19, 2007 1:07 pm

Thanks for the journey. I can't say I'm into motor sports, but even I can see the improvement from #1.

Keep up the great work
Greg
It's easy to be good... when there is nothing else to do
User avatar
Mr Darcy
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3414
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:35 pm
Location: The somewhat singed and blackened Blue Mountains

Postby Jonesy on Sat May 19, 2007 5:47 pm

Thanks for the story, and congrats on the journey so far. I love my motor sport and fingers crossed will get to bathurst this year, taking the oportunity to stretch the skills a little futher
D4, D700, plus glass from 14mm to 200mm
Gaffa Tape is like the FORCE... it has a Light side, a Dark side and it holds the universe together
User avatar
Jonesy
Member
 
Posts: 498
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:41 pm
Location: Mount Gambier SA

Postby radar on Sat May 19, 2007 7:04 pm

Alan,

thanks for sharing your story, very inspiring. You have been going from strength to strength, learning lots along the way and the most important, having a good time to boot :up: :up:

Cheers,

André
(edit spelling :oops: )
Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution. Ansel Adams

(misc Nikon stuff)
User avatar
radar
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2823
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:18 am
Location: Lake Macquarie (Newcastle) - D700, D7000

Postby barry on Tue May 22, 2007 1:54 pm

Great story Alan. Keep up the good work. Its good to see someone grow with there hobby in the way you have. Certainly the shots you were taking now are very professional. You deserve the success.

Barry
D700, 50 1.8, 14-24 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 70-200VR, 80-400VR, SB800 plus a lot of gadgets
User avatar
barry
Member
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:25 am
Location: Emu Plains NSW

Re: Raskills Motorsport Journey (DUW)

Postby Pehpsi on Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:31 pm

A great read! Love my sport, love my photography, and I can hopefully see myself heading down the road you have travelled..

Think I'll jot down my own little journey so far :)
Nikon D70
12-24 DX, 18-70 DX, 70-200 VR

20" iMac Intel C2D
Aperture 2.1
PS CS3

http://www.jamesrobertphotography.com
User avatar
Pehpsi
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:24 pm
Location: Kingsgrove, Sydney

Re: Raskills Motorsport Journey (DUW)

Postby michael_ on Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:50 pm

cool story hansel :P

I must say having worked with Alan on a few gigs recently and the soon to be Kidney Kar Rally he is not only a great photographer but also a great person to know, always willing to share his insight and experience and more than happy to bend over backwards to help even though he doesnt get phone reception when you need him inhis little town :P *cough* sandtrap *cough*, its inspiring to see somone come from 2005 to now and i hope i am close enough to where he is now when i hit 3 years (thats another 2 years away)
User avatar
michael_
Senior Member
 
Posts: 605
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:40 pm
Location: alexandria, sydney, nsw, au

Re: Raskills Motorsport Journey (DUW)

Postby Raskill on Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:29 pm

Thanks guys, sorry I didn't see this thread had been updated! :oops:

Michael, leave my little one horse town alone. I'm the sheriff in these parts..... :wink:

Appreciate the kind words.
2x D700, 2x D2h, lenses, speedlights, studio, pelican cases, tripods, monopods, patridges, pear trees etc etc

http://www.awbphotos.com.au
User avatar
Raskill
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2161
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:26 pm
Location: Rockley, near Bathurst, Home of Aussie Motorsport!


Return to Personal Photographic Journeys

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests

cron