Top Tips for Rally Photography

12 December 2008 14:26

Sports photography can present a new challenge to photographers and motorsport is no exception. Slow-action sports like lawn bowls or croquet offer a little time to compose, adjust and set up your desired shot but fast-paced motorsports like rallying don’t offer this luxury. Rally photography can be fast and unpredictable and it’s difficult to tackle a subject you may have never photographed before, so we’ve constructed a few top tips to make sure you get the very best shots from your first rally...

Allow plenty of time

If you’ve never photographed a car rally it’s important to know that they generally start early and finish early. This is good news for the photographer and means you’ll be out of the door early, photographing in the rich morning light. Always allow an extra hour for parking and walking to the stage. Generally you’ll find there are dedicated car parks set up within the forests for spectators but it’s not unusual to walk a mile or two until you reach the stage, so the leaving that extra hour earlier will mean you won’t miss the first cars through.

Decide what shots you want

Before you set off for the rally, have an idea of the types of shots you’re trying to get. You can find inspiration on the Internet and on the WRC gallery, which features some of the most spectacular rally images from across the world. Try not to limit yourself to just one type of shot, either, and experiment with fast and slow shutter speeds for different effects. The panning shot is a regularly used technique with rally photography but it can be harder than you think when you’ve got cars travelling at speeds in excess of 80mph. If you’re struggling to keep the subject sharp, increase your shutter speed by a couple of stops and try again.

Find the ultimate vantage point

Every rally course is different but try to research the most popular spectator vantage points on the stage. If you haven’t been able to find any information about the course beforehand, talk to a trackside marshal on the day about the most popular spectator areas on the stage and they should be able to point you in the right direction. If you’re feeling adventurous and want a unique shot, try to find a slightly more unusual vantage point that no one else might have thought of.

Don’t let detail shots pass you by

When shooting sporting action it’s easy to forget about those smaller, detailed shots and keeping your camera over your shoulder means you can spring into action almost instantly. Detailed shots can strengthen a set of images and you’ll end up with a healthy stack of documentary-style shots that don’t just focus on the cars. The minutes between the changeovers of cars on stage are a perfect time to go looking for these types of shot.

Respect the rules and regulations

Motorsports wouldn’t be able to run without dedicated volunteers and marshals whose job it is to keep the track completely clear of spectators and to keep spectator safety a priority at all times. If a marshal is unhappy about your positioning on the course and deems it to be unsafe, take their track knowledge into consideration and move to a safer location. Remember, as a spectator you’re there at your own risk and you are responsible for your own safety.

Protect your kit

If you’re photographing on a gravel stage it’s likely that rocks and stones will be thrown out to the side as the cars slide around corners, so make sure you position yourself far enough away to prevent any debris hitting the front of your lens. If you want to get some slightly closer action shots, turn your back to the car immediately after you’ve fired the shutter and hide the camera in front of your chest; any stones kicked up by the cars will hit the back of your jacket, not your lens. If you’re worried about lens damage, attach a UV filter, which is cheaper to replace than an expensive lens.

 
Personal safety

Safety should be your top priority when photographing a rally and if at any stage you feel you’re in a vulnerable or dangerous position, always move to a safer location. At the most popular rallies designated spectator areas are set up and while these are a good idea, they’re often overcrowded and it may be better to explore the course yourself behind the spectator tape. Once the final cars have passed through the stage you’re allowed to walk back to your cars along the track, but keep an eye out for the recovery vehicles that pass through the stage afterwards.

There are masses of superb action shots to be had from local rallies, so if you’re interested in motorsport and fancy giving fast action sports photography a try, find the next local rally in your area by clicking here.