If you’re heading to Monza for next week’s Italian Grand Prix, don’t miss your chance to get some great pictures of F1 cars in action.
Guest writer Jamey Price takes you on a photographer’s tour of Monza and points out some of the best spots to shoot from.
I have been fortunate enough to attend five Grands Prix, beginning with the infamous six-car fiasco at Indianapolis in 2005. I went to the United States Grand Prix again in 2006 and 2007 and was at Monaco in 2008.
Last year I made my first visit to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. I cannot speak for all the circuits on the calendar but it is by far the most picturesque of the tracks I have been to.
If you’re going there next week planning to take some photographs, make sure you spend time researching where you want to shoot from to maximize your weekend of making images.
Pit walk
The Thursday pit walk is an excellent opportunity to get pictures. There are great images to be had and may be as close to the cars and drivers as you can get, unless you are very wealthy and have a Paddock Club pass.
Many teams do rolling pit stop practice which is a great chance to play with slow shutter speeds and watch the teams practice. Drivers also mingle outside the garages signing autographs for fans.
Because it?óÔé¼Ôäós Monza, don?óÔé¼Ôäót even bother with the big-name drivers. When I was there Alonso, Massa, Vettel and Webber were mobbed by a crowd of hundreds.
Instead, take a walk down the pit lane. The further you go, the smaller the crowds get and the better images you can make of drivers and cars. Use your feet and use your eyes and get those your creative juices flowing for the rest of the weekend.
Once the cars are on track, the real fun begins. Take full advantage of all the practice and qualifying sessions. Walk around the track, with your camera at the ready in case someone bins it or pops an engine. You have several hours of practice to see what works and what doesn?óÔé¼Ôäót – and that includes the non-F1 sessions too.
Curva Biassono
Let?óÔé¼Ôäós start at turn 3, properly called Curva Biassono.
At first sight, you wouldn?óÔé¼Ôäót think that getting anything from turn three would be possible. But here we need to apply the technique of shooting through catch fences I described in “How to take great pictures at F1 races” earlier this year.
You can pretty much aim straight through the fence and shoot the cars at a high shutter speed and wide open aperture to more or less make the fence go away. This particular area will be better suited to shooters with nice glass that can go to aperture f4 or wider.
Remember, when you want the fence to disappear in the photo, stand as close to the fence as possible. Shoot wide open with a high shutter speed.
Alternatively, you can shoot a wider angle photo with pretty much any lens, just slow the shutter speed down to get some artistic motion blur shots of the cars screaming by you. I have seen quite a few of Darren Heath?óÔé¼Ôäós photos from inside the general admission areas doing this exact thing.
Last note: don?óÔé¼Ôäót forget your ear protection here! The cars are close and they howl past at full throttle.
Variante della Roggia
On to the second chicane. If you stand facing turn the right-hand part of this corner, you will have a clear shot at the rear of the cars as they make the quick left then right of the turn. Use the ?óÔé¼?ôshoot through the fence?óÔé¼?Ø technique again, just play with it.
Once you?óÔé¼Ôäóve had a few minutes to try this spot, walk around and head up onto the grandstand. There is a photo hole facing directly up the track toward turn three where the cars will be coming straight at you. Kneel down on the front row and shoot through the hole in the fence. Just be sure you don?óÔé¼Ôäót block anyone?óÔé¼Ôäós view.
I also recommend heading up toward the very back of the grandstand and shooting some nice pan shots of the cars as they exit over the rumble strip at turn five. However, when I was shooting this spot during P3, I was one of probably 50 or 60 photographers trying to get the same photo.
If you want to be a professional photographer, you should see this mass of photographers and immediately keep walking. Make images that are different than everyone else?óÔé¼Ôäós or you will never stand out in a crowded world. Every one of those photographers probably has the same image, or something very similar.
Still, it is worth sitting for a few minutes, getting some pan shots and listening to the car?óÔé¼Ôäós engine bouncing over the exit rumble strip. It is an amazing sound for sure.
Lesmo 1 and 2
Walk up the track toward the Lesmo bends. These corners create a particularly difficult challenge and you will need to be proficient at panning to make anything of it.
As I mentioned, Darren Heath has used this spot to make nice images of cars ripping into the second Lesmo with the big tall trees to create a very arty shot which clearly shows the beauty of Monza. Slow the shutter speed as much as you dare. It’s a difficult shot to nail, but it is possible: practice, practice, practice.
My favourite shooting spot is a little further on where the modern track passes underneath the old banking. The cars come screaming at you at over 200mph and the noise is something I will never forget.
This is a spot that not that many people know about or use to its full advantage. Wander around until you find a clear vantage onto the track and get to work. You can try panning but the speed of the cars and the direction of travel make getting anything with a slow shutter speed extremely difficult to get. But if it does happen to work, it works really well.
Make sure you walk over the bridge. There are a few holes in the fences but they were all filled up by photographers when I was there.
Parabolica
The last spot I recommend is turn 11, Parabolica. Use the grandstand on the outside of the turn which sits high enough over the catch fencing that you can shoot over it.
Try using a pan shot, but I will tell you it is difficult. I recommend a fast shutter speed to freeze the car as it powers through the tight 180-degree turn.
Finally, don?óÔé¼Ôäót forget to enjoy the race! Make sure you’re in a position to run out onto the track once the marshals allow the crowd to do so. It was an absolutely amazing experience that I will never forget. And I’m glad I have the photos to re-live it.
No pass needed
I saw several comments on my previous F1 photography articles saying that my tips and tricks, while helpful, didn?óÔé¼Ôäót apply to those who don?óÔé¼Ôäót have press access.
All the vantage point I’ve described above and all the photographs you see were taken without and kind of press pass whatsoever. All that got me into the circuit was a standard three-day general admission ticket.
I?óÔé¼Ôäóll say it once, I?óÔé¼Ôäóll say it a hundred times: There is absolutely no reason that anyone with a camera at a Grand Prix can?óÔé¼Ôäót take photos that will rival any professional?óÔé¼Ôäós images from the weekend – certainly at a gorgeous track like Monza.
What sets the professionals apart isn’t just their access, it’s their creative ability. Now get snapping!
For more tips and tricks see my guide to taking F1 pictures published here in April:
Find other F1 fans who are going to the Italian Grand Prix:
Jamey Price is a professional freelance sports photojournalist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. His work has appeared in F1 Racing Magazine, The Racing Post and many sporting websites. More of Jamey?óÔé¼Ôäós work can be seen at www.jameypricephoto.com
If you want to write a guest article for F1 Fanatic you can find all the information you need here.
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Images ?é?® Jamey Price
MattB (@mattb)
3rd September 2011, 11:11
Great tips!
Quick question for you: how much work do you do on each photo on Photoshop / Lightroom / other processing program?
Jameyprice
3rd September 2011, 12:46
Not very much. These are cropped and color adjusted but that’s it.
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd September 2011, 11:22
I really hope to see some very nice pictures again from F1Fanatics visiting Monza and taking advantage of these wonderfull picture tips.
Thanks Jamey!
andy.price (@andy-price)
3rd September 2011, 11:22
Great article, I have never been to Monza but hope to do so one day. I have enjoyed all of your tips. I am am amateur snapper and have taken phots at several GP’s (without press pass)and the thing is the more you do it the better you get. I wrote a piece about Barcelona which I attended in May and explained the locations I used. http://www.f1planet.co.uk/spanish-gp-fans-view/
Neil
3rd September 2011, 11:34
Impossible to enjoy the action when you are staring down the lens of a camera. Put it down and make the most of what you paid for rather than taking photos of cars there are already hundreds of photos of.
Just my opinion, as an F1 fan.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
3rd September 2011, 13:14
I’m inclined to agree with you, but only for the race and qualifying. There’s plenty of time to get some good pictures on Friday without really missing out on the action.
kobi
3rd September 2011, 14:18
I is agreed with you neil. I also take photo in hungary gp but I am always concentrated on photo than on race & miss almost all the action. I always tension about proper photograph if is capture clear or not. why take own photo when profesional photographer is taking same photo & uploading on the internet for free?
i should say better watch race than being tension on photograph & fuss.
Jameyprice
3rd September 2011, 12:45
Neil,
Maybe some people (mainly me) get the most enjoyment out of capturing the action. Because I see things through my camera that I might not ever see with my own eyes.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
3rd September 2011, 13:12
I doubt i’ll be taking any particularly great pictures but I will try my hand at a few. I’ll probably end up taking better pictures around Milan.
Very excited!
alonsodz
3rd September 2011, 14:17
u need a red bull camera ;)
raymondu999 (@raymondu999)
3rd September 2011, 14:34
Great stuff Jamie.
I’m going to the Singaporean Grand Prix this year with my Canon 50D. Do you have any advice for shooting in the night?
Florida Mike
3rd September 2011, 15:20
I like to capture scenes to remind me of the event, but not necessarily during the race. I took this video standing along the fence at the exit of the Prima Variante in 2007. Just to remember what 18,000 rpm realy sounds like:
http://youtu.be/oXjs6vulz24
Philip Williams
3rd September 2011, 16:03
Great article and beautiful photos Jaimey. Perfect timing as I am off to Monza next weekend, equipped with my D90 and 80-200mm (f2.8). Can’t wait!
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd September 2011, 19:16
Good luck and great time at Monza!
iceshiel
3rd September 2011, 16:47
I’d like to see a guide for motorsport photography at night for Singapore!
Jameyprice
4th September 2011, 14:53
I can help you some. Ill write something for Keith and he can post a quick post….
K. Chandra Shekhar
3rd September 2011, 16:49
Keith, sorry the track is different but I got a related question. For the Indian GP it is said that professional cameras are not allowed. I’m not a professional photographer, am a software developer. Can I take my Canon 600D camera.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
3rd September 2011, 19:50
If you look at the terms and conditions on all event tickets (music, sport, etc) you will find that they all ban professional photography equipment. I’ve just Googled your camera and it doesn’t look particularly large so I imagine you would be ok.
Don’t hold me to it though ;)
Icemangrins
3rd September 2011, 20:52
Hey, I took my digital SLR with a Canon 100-400 telephoto to Canadian GP twice. The organizers let you take pictures as long as you don’t use the pictures commercially. But, I called the organizers to confirm before I rented the lens. This is my sample from 2010. I sat in the grandstand 1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63614298@N02/
Depending on where you sit, your biggest enemy will be the fence. Good luck
iceshiel
4th September 2011, 3:59
I saw a lot of DSLRs when i went to the singapore GP last year. My guess is it will be fine as long as you don’t look like a pro photographer, you know, with huge glass and tripods and all the gizmo.
K. Chandra Shekhar
4th September 2011, 8:05
Thank you all for sharing you valuable suggestions, and I decided to take it along.
Jameyprice
4th September 2011, 14:52
I dont think it’s specifically the brand of camera or what it is capable of. Most pros, myself included can tell you that we can take crap glass and a crap body and still make images worth selling. It’s just experience with doing it and knowing where to go. So to really stop “nice” sellable images from being made without their permission, theyll have to ban the pros themselves. Which is obviously impossible to do.
So to sum up, take whatever you want to the race, just dont sell imaegs. I didnt sell anything from monza last year, but I put it in my portfolio as a way to promote myself and what I am capable of, and here I am in Baltimore this weekend shooting as a paid photographer for two teams and a wire service…..
JP
BasCB (@bascb)
4th September 2011, 18:47
Thumbs up. And thanks for these great photo tips Jamey!
graham228221
3rd September 2011, 20:40
Awesome! I’m no photographer, but I’m going to be at Monza this year on a GA ticket and haven’t really given much thought to where I’m going to put myself (and a sort of reluctant girlfriend) so this is great for some starting spots.
Any idea what time the Thursday pit walk happens? I’ve promised my girlfriend we can try to get an autograph for a couple of her favourites (Jenson, Kamui and Heikki, or “Hokey Kokey” as she calls him).
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd September 2011, 23:40
I would recommend having a look at the discussion page link in the article, there’s lots of people there who will know, it may even have been posted already:
2011 Italian Grand Prix discussion
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
4th September 2011, 11:26
Like Keith said, check out the discussion topic. I’ve posted up information about the pit walk times :)
supernicebob (@supernicebob)
4th September 2011, 10:29
This is pretty much a perfectly timed article for me. Heading to Monza, and I’ve recently made the upgrade to a DSLR. This guide should come in very useful. Been looking forward to this for ages and I’m hopeful of getting some good shots. Here are some I took at Spa last year with my bridge camera.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingness/sets/72157624857280222
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
4th September 2011, 10:56
Glad to hear it! Have fun.
Dr Harish Kakkilaya
4th September 2011, 14:01
Oh boy now im kind of worried. i ll be going to Indian Gp. i read in terms and conditions professional equipment not allowed. I was on big plans of taking canon 40D and 300mm f4. Somebody please tell me i can take it.
Jameyprice
4th September 2011, 14:54
I responded above but basically, its not about the camera you take but how good you are as a photographer. They cant ban pro shooters from coming to the race because anyone with experience can take sellable photos from any equipment. So in my opinion, take what you want…
Dr Harish Kakkilaya
4th September 2011, 15:39
My doubt was will they allow to take the cam and the lens i m planning , 40D and 300mm f4, as together they ll look big atleast in their perspective.
Jameyprice
4th September 2011, 15:42
Put them in a bag and you’ll be fine.
Fixy (@)
4th September 2011, 19:32
I won’t be there this year, but if in future I’m going to Monza I’ll re-read this article!
Josesito
24th March 2016, 15:19
Hi Jamey Price, first of all awesome article for beginners like me, second excuse me for my english as it not my speaking language. This year will be my first time at Monza and in a F1 race so I´m very exited and trying to get all the info possible. I´m a amateur photographer, specially in car racing.
I will buy weekend ticket but I have a few questions, with general admission ticket… Is it possible to walk around all the circuit and there are special areas(of course full of crowd) for this ticket?
Also, the second chance is to buy in Variante della Roggia stand #10 as this picture http://f1destinations.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/monza-map.gif but wondering if with general admission I can get better pictures as you can go around the circuit?
All info you can give me it will be great for me, as I´m travelling from far away
Thanks in advance