20 replies to this topic

[gouldo]

Morning.

I am heading to the States in May, and will be attending the ALMS race at Laguna Seca. For the photographers on the board, is the place accessible for decent pics by amatuer snappers? The corkscrew, turn 1 etc,. I dont want to impeded by wire fencing all around the place, so if anyone can give some advice, best spots from inside the track turns or outside the track , any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

[Marc Sproule]

Laguna has changed massively since I started going there in the '60s and shooting from '74 through '97 that my best advice would be expend some energy as soon as you get there and check out as much of the track as you can.

I reckon outside turn 1 on the hillside is probably still a decent place to shoot.

There may still be decent fence-free sight lines in the infield section out of turn 5 and up toward turn 6.

If you have enough glass at least 300mm 35mm equivalent you should be able to get some decent stuff shooting the corkscrew. Shorter glass will work if you can find sight lines still in the corkscrew at the top of the hill on drivers' left.

You'll see what I'm talking about as soon as you get up there.

There may still be some decent sight lines as you work your way down the hill toward the last turn and paddock.

Unfortunately there is a lot of fencing on drivers' left as you get about 1/2 or 2/3 of the way down toward the paddock.

I would expect that there won't be much in the way of crowds, even on race day, so that should make it easier for you.

If you're up for a lot of uphill and downhill walking you should be able to get some pretty decent images.

Good luck.

I've put together a set of my pics from Laguna.....

http://www.flickr.co...57633184376288/

All my sets......

http://www.flickr.co...81980@N03/sets/

[E1pix]

Hi, Gouldo:

I've only photographed once there, but it was with a credential and 20 years ago.

Regardless, if I personally were to go back I would recommend getting there a day or two in advance if you want to maximize your shots. There's no better way to strategize your shots — no matter your experience. Others here on the BB have been there more recently so hopefully you'll get more current advice. Who springs to mind here is Marc Sproule and TooTall. They're somewhat local and have lots of experience there, and are longtime shooters so should offer more current info than I can.

We were there in 2008 for a few hours mid-week (though in November), and they actually had the gates open to wander around — or just because there was a Driver's School going on. Neither of us recalls a fence in the way at the Corkscrew — but we were not there to shoot, just reminisce. There's lots of great photo angles but IMHO that's the best turn for photographs and is downright spectacular!

Be prepared for exposure to dry conditions and lots of sun, and bring water if they'll let you in with it. It's a surprisingly hot place, though May should not be unreasonable.

Have a Blast!!!

[TooTall]

I haven't been to Laguna since 2001, but I'm going back this August.

You can "drive" the track using Google Streetview and even walk the footpaths in the spectator areas. Using that you can get an idea of areas where you may still get decent sightlines. It's an easy track to walk, very compact. While you are there, make sure to visit Carmel, great places to eat and drink.

Cheers,
Kurt O.

[gouldo]

Thanks gents. just looked at your pics Marc, and the ex Newman Bud Lola from 78 is now in Australia. Rosberg drove it according to your notes. Again, thanks to you all.

Brad

[Dale Harvey]

Seems like you might walk off a few kilos Brad.

Dale.

[David M. Kane]

Laguna has changed massively since I started going there in the '60s and shooting from '74 through '97 that my best advice would be expend some energy as soon as you get there and check out as much of the track as you can.

I reckon outside turn 1 on the hillside is probably still a decent place to shoot.

There may still be decent fence-free sight lines in the infield section out of turn 5 and up toward turn 6.

If you have enough glass at least 300mm 35mm equivalent you should be able to get some decent stuff shooting the corkscrew. Shorter glass will work if you can find sight lines still in the corkscrew at the top of the hill on drivers' left.

You'll see what I'm talking about as soon as you get up there.

There may still be some decent sight lines as you work your way down the hill toward the last turn and paddock.

Unfortunately there is a lot of fencing on drivers' left as you get about 1/2 or 2/3 of the way down toward the paddock.

I would expect that there won't be much in the way of crowds, even on race day, so that should make it easier for you.

If you're up for a lot of uphill and downhill walking you should be able to get some pretty decent images.

Good luck.

I've put together a set of my pics from Laguna.....

http://www.flickr.co...57633184376288/

All my sets......

http://www.flickr.co...81980@N03/sets/

i agree with Marc, I'd take a monopod too. It's a great area.

[Marc Sproule]

Glad I could help.

And here's a food tip....two restaurant recommendations.

Casanova in Carmel and Cafe Fina on the wharf. It's been some time since I've been to either one but I would expect they're both worth investigating.

I hope you have a good time.

[David McKinney]

I found several superb restaurants both in Monterey (Fisherman's Wharf) and Carmel when I was last in the area. Mind you, that was 1988...

[Ray Bell]

Getting food is never a problem in America...

The problem is usually there's too much of it!

You might put on a few kilos, Brad.

[RA Historian]

The greatest clam chowder I ever had was at the Fish Hopper on the Wharf. Great dinner (stuffed flounder) at the Sand Bar, situated below the wharf, believe it or not, with a piano bar and large picture windows overlooking the water and the frolicking seals. Been a few years since I was there, so I hope that those restaurants are still in business.

[DogEarred]

I found several superb restaurants both in Monterey (Fisherman's Wharf) and Carmel when I was last in the area. Mind you, that was 1988...

There are one or other things you can do in Carmel too - where this picture was taken...

I once had a meal there in Clint Eastwood's 'Hog's Breath Inn' restaurant. I've no idea if it still exists though.

[buckaluck]

I don't get credentials anymore so have had to find good places to shoot from and there are plenty. I'm only 5'7" so just a bit short to shoot over the fences but if your taller or cheat like me and bring a step you can get some great shots (again as previously explained) you need at least 300MM lens I have a Cannon 100-400MM that works great. I only go up to 350 once in awhile and really to 400 I have tried my doubler on ocassion but found I wasn't going over 200 which kind of negates the use of the doubler at that point bottom line it was to much so a 100-400 zoom is an idea lens not sure if you shoot Cannon or Nikion or? but when your there and if you have Cannon digital I can let you try mine if i'm there. Email me to find out m7buck(AT)att.net.
With a step over the fence go to turn 2 Andretti curve. Since first turn is flat out this is the first turn for action and passing on first few laps another over the fence shot is turn 5 you go up the hill a bit and you get a nice angle of them coming into and out of turn then zoom in for some side pan shots. Because of the hill in the cork screw you can get above the fence but can still get a nice shot of cars going through the turn you can go down the hill a bit towards turn nine and shoot back up at cars coming out of the corkscrew. Corkscrew is not that great in the morning it's best in the afternoon and I think they took out the bridge over turn 9 (I know you can't cross it anymore) inside of turn 9 is a fast shot so use a fast shutter speed there are a few trees/bushes to shoot around but there are some places. Inside going to turn 10 I didn't really like but you can get a shot but with so many other better places to shoot why waste time. Outside of turn 9 is ok still but need the long lens and sun is never really right going all the way to 10. The grandstands at 11 down the front straight even at top is not the best of shots that turn is best for Credentialed people who can shot through the fence. If you want to hike to inside of turn 6 save it for afternoon when light is best just watch out for the snakes! My fav for not having credentials is turn 4 they moved the grandstands so one angle is from the dirt hill but over the fence no problem and by moving around in the grandstands you can enjoy maybe 5-6 angles on the turn and is the easiest to get to when your old like me time morning to afternoon on the lighting just bring sunscreen and a brimmed hat is a good idea too. What can you say about the corkscrew great shots but wait till after 1 PM for light to be best. Turn 2 is most likely best in AM to early afternoon till about as much as 2 PM same for tune 5. It may be a small track but you need to be in good shape to hike around it as we all seem to be in a hurry to get to the next shot so we tend to get more of a workout then fans that are not shooting so bring lots of water they will let you bring in your own water but not so sure how they are about beer.

Credentials are probably easier to get for ALMS or Grand Am but for the Historics it's a nightmare in the past 5-6 years they now get requests for nearly 1000 and early on they didn't have enough vests or flags or what ever they use now and they may get more for moto GP but when your out there shooting your going where is every one of those 1000 well it's TV and radio and internet reporters and a whole lot of people that don't go out to the turns to shoot it really hurts the photographers that are just there to shoot they are low man on the totum pole hey but it's worth a try for ALMS or Grand Am although they combine next year so who knows maybe Indy cars will return!!!!!! Even if they are to ugly to shoot, LOL they seem to be providing good competition this year.

Good luck hope this helped sounded like some others gave you good advice too, main thing is to enjoy and if it moves shoot it!

Mike

Edited by buckaluck, 09 April 2013 - 01:30.

[buckaluck]

As a PS all of the info I gave you for time and lighting well all bets are off if its overcast which may be the case at Laguna so all spots are good if it is overcast. weather is an issue with Laguna so you can take advantage of it shooting from turns that don't work at certain times of a sunny day so take care if it's overcast you will be busy.

Hey for food on track (because you can't zip to Carmel or Monterey for a quick bite you have to try the Frog Dog it's amazing no mess they take a sourdough bagget cut in half Ram a special sike down the center to make room for the dog put in mustard (god forbid ketchup) and it's no mess no fuss taste great quick energy, well maybe a good ale too.

Mike

[Emery0323]

A couple of other good Laguna Seca food stands are the Brazilian Steak BBQ (my favorite) and the Calamari stand.

[E1pix]

Nice to see you 'round.

[Frank S]

Non-credentialed at two Historics events, and never with a first-class camera, I came away with a few photos, among them a few that seemed to me to be worth the trip.

There are quite a few portals in the chain-link, for photographers and marshals. Early days not many of them are occupied, and you can get a pretty good view of, for instance, the exit of Turn 2. A nice long lens makes Turn 3 exit and Turn 4 pretty interesting from the Turn 4 grandstand. I don't know what security is like in the IMSA-style world, but at Historics I was able to find my way to the pit wall for a while on Thursday and Friday, which will explain a few of the angles. Otherwise, my favorite spots turned out to be the exit of 2 and the track exit to the paddock.

Even if you leave your camera at home, it's going to be giant fun.

[layabout]

Morning.

I am heading to the States in May, and will be attending the ALMS race at Laguna Seca. For the photographers on the board, is the place accessible for decent pics by amatuer snappers? The corkscrew, turn 1 etc,. I dont want to impeded by wire fencing all around the place, so if anyone can give some advice, best spots from inside the track turns or outside the track , any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

I'm going a little off-topic here, but since you're a photographer you might want to visit Point Lobos, about 5 miles south of Carmel down Highway 1. It's a beautiful coastal park & was the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. China Cove alone is worth the trip.

As for food: The Fish Wife on Foam Street in Monterey....

[P0wderf1nger]

Morning.

I am heading to the States in May, and will be attending the ALMS race at Laguna Seca. For the photographers on the board, is the place accessible for decent pics by amatuer snappers? The corkscrew, turn 1 etc,. I dont want to impeded by wire fencing all around the place, so if anyone can give some advice, best spots from inside the track turns or outside the track , any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

Hello Gouldo

I envy you! Here are a few thoughts from a Brit who had a fabulous time there at the Monterey Historics in ’10 and ’11.

The paddock is a very informal place. Crowds permitting, the most amateur of photographers (ie, me!) can take reasonable shots of drivers, crew and standing cars. The circuit is ringed by modern debris fencing which restricts non-accredited photographers from getting reasonable racing shots around much of the track. However, the local topography literally provides ways around this problem.

The hill inside the circuit is steep and will make most people breathless, but its summit and the bank below it which faces the Corkscrew are sufficiently high that one can take unimpeded shots of the cars as they first drop left. Walk a hundred yards or so to the left and point your camera back up the track, and anyone with a decent camera who has a modicum of cropping skills can get good shots of the cars hugging the right hand curb at the exit. Side-on shots with blurred backgrounds are also feasible here.

A few miles away, there is a photo opportunity you simply have to experience. Immediately to the north of the Bixby Bridge on Highway 1 there is a track running inland. Walk along it and find a suitable perch, and you can take shots of cars, bridge, Pacific and rocky outcrops.

I thought that stretch of Highway 1 was a joy to take photographs along, but then I discovered the Laureles Grade, the road which winds south from Highway 68, near the track, over the ridge and down to Carmel Valley Road. The views, and the cambers on the bends, just have to be experienced. And if I remember correctly, at that junction with Carmel Valley Road lies Pat Phinny’s Baja Cantina – great Tex-Mex food and home to a ‘drive-in’ each Thursday evening through the summer (ie, probably not next month).

My other favourite places to eat there are Isabella’s on Fisherman’s Wharf (great fish, great wine, charming staff) and the place opposite it, whose name I can’t recall but whose desserts I can!

Have a great time. I hope you’ll post some shots here when you get home.

Rgds

Paul

[gouldo]

Seems like you might walk off a few kilos Brad.

Dale.

hahahaha. dad has mentioned that too.....living the good life Dale.

[gouldo]

Thanks to all for the info. My brother & I will be there on Friday & Saturday, and really looking forward to the whole experience. To Mike, thanks for the offer. I will try to contact you over the next few days via pm or email.

That will be another bucket list 'must do' ticked.

Isle of Man TT, Spanish MotoGP & italian F1 to go.