What’s Your Preference?

SwissJon · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 02:30 PM

I'm curious, more than anything.. How does one, as a keen sports photographer (Which I'm not really) come by trackside and pit lane tickets to events such as Formula 1, MotoGP and Airshows and similar?

I'm curious as to how enthusiasts go about getting heavily involved with certain sports photography to the point where they're able to get decent photos that the rest of us couldn't get, simply because they manage to get into places us mere mortals cannot..

I used to be heavily involved in hot air ballooning, I really wish I'd been a camera enthusiast back then, because I know very well that I've seen balloons at angles and in scrapes that other people who are not have not..

So how do you get your tickets? Do you just buy them from the organisers at a premium, or do you get to know a little birdie and sing sweet nothings in their ears??

dlambert · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 04:01 PM

Some of it depends on the venue, I think. You can buy pit passes to a lot of tracks and end up with pretty good access, though you won't get one of those "leaning over the pit wall" shots. A friend of the family got "participant" passes for my brother & Dad to an American LeMans race earlier this year. I'm going to see if I can get in on that action next year, but I'm not sure how close to the action they'll let me.

NathanFranke · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 04:05 PM

I made "friends" with a driver/car owner. He was a complete flake, so nothing came of it. But if it had: I would have had pit access to his pit, and trackside during the race.

Hill Country Hack · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 04:08 PM

I accidnetly came across a motocross practice area driving home from an Estate sale. I pulled in and started talking with a couple of folks there. When I found out they are there most Saturdays, I asked if it would be ok to come and take photos. (I already had my camera with me and had taken a couple of shots before talking with them). I now have permission to go as often as I wish and I'm sure I'll get down close for some hopefully cool shots. If this pans out, I may be able to get access to competitions.

So I'm taking the "whisper sweet nothings into the bird's ear" approach.

#5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 04:35 PM

I have connections with the promoters and get tickets/passes that way.

Also, having a pedigree for automotive stuff allows me access more times than not.

~Eric

SwissJon · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

I accidnetly came across a motocross practice area driving home from an Estate sale. I pulled in and started talking with a couple of folks there. When I found out they are there most Saturdays, I asked if it would be ok to come and take photos. (I already had my camera with me and had taken a couple of shots before talking with them). I now have permission to go as often as I wish and I'm sure I'll get down close for some hopefully cool shots. If this pans out, I may be able to get access to competitions.

So I'm taking the "whisper sweet nothings into the bird's ear" approach.

Now there's an idea.. The guy that runs our local motorbike shop is also the president of the local bike group, and they have a motocross area not far from me.. He knows my name.. Maybe I'll have a word with him, see if he'll let me come and shoot the boys getting muddy.. It'll be nice to shoot something other than mountains and lakes for a change,

RichardTaylor · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 05:58 PM

You may find this thread of interest.

photo vests at sporting events.

jdepould · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlambert

Some of it depends on the venue, I think. You can buy pit passes to a lot of tracks and end up with pretty good access, though you won't get one of those "leaning over the pit wall" shots. A friend of the family got "participant" passes for my brother & Dad to an American LeMans race earlier this year. I'm going to see if I can get in on that action next year, but I'm not sure how close to the action they'll let me.

Depending on the venue, ALMS is pretty good for access with the pit/paddock pass. I went to a race at Mid-Ohio a while back, and had really good access, especially during practice.

I just wish I would've had better glass and more knowledge at the time.