F1 on the streets of Singapore

There are two types of photographers at a Formula 1 race. There are the official F1 photographers who wear fancy jackets and are allowed to shoot from almost anywhere; they are also known as “lucky bastards”. Then there are the rest of us who are confined to one location and can’t see very much, let alone photograph it. This is particularly true at a street circuit like Singapore where you are very close to the cars, but then have to be protected from airborne cars and assorted components by a wire fence which is rather hard to shoot through.

For this reason I decided not to take my serious camera to Singapore. I would take the LX3 for some general shots, and just take hand baggage with some spare clothes. Then I foolishly bought my friend in Singapore a condo warming present of a corkscrew; one of those monster corkscrews that could also be used for digging escape tunnels should you happen to be imprisoned. I then realised it would also be useful as a tool to intimidate airline pilots and that I would not be allowed to take it on the plane. Which meant I would have to check in my baggage. Which meant I would have nothing to hand carry. Which meant I decided I might as well carry my big camera after all. So I did; and once I arrived in Singapore we went straight to the track for the Friday evening practice which ran from 2130 to 2300. The track lighting provided enough illumination for the drivers, but not enough for photography without cranking up the ISO, but I got some reasonable shots. Here are some of them:

Comments 🔗

2009-09-28 | Pete says

Nice pictures there - different angles and not a wire fence in sight. Is there something you’re not telling us?

2009-09-29 | Spike says

Indeed there is, did not want to bore you; but as you asked…

The first four were taken from “our” grandstand. Our seats were at the front, behind the fencing, but on practice day I could stand at the top of the grandstand and see over the top.

The head on shots were at a corner where I could stand very close to the fence. Although the links covered the lens, they were sufficiently out of focus such that you can’t see the fence, although quality is degraded a little.

The rear view shots were taken from places where there was an access point for recovery vehicles. On Friday you could stand at a barrier and get a clear view of the track. The cars came into view extremely quickly( of course), and it was hard to pick up focus and snap them before they were gone, but it was good photographing them at street level. If you look at the larger versions you can see the heat coming off the back of the cars. On Saturday and Sunday, the access areas were blocked from view to stop people congregating.

2009-09-29 | Scubajazz says

Excellent photos given the constraints. Were they taken with your 300mm lens?

2009-09-29 | Spike says

Thanks; yes the 300mm. The speed with which it locks focus continues to amaze.

2009-09-29 | genuinej says

Excellent shots. Have you considered taking up photography as a hobby?

2009-09-29 | Spike says

I did try once, but kept forgetting to remove the lens cap.

2009-09-29 | San says

No babes at F1? or they are still inside the camera? or they were to fast?

2009-09-29 | Spike says

Outside the range of even my longest lens. Anyway, these cars are much more attractive.

2009-09-29 | genuinej says

Cars more attractive than babes?? Shurely shome mishtake, as Private Eye would have said. You need help m’thinks. Asap, or even sooner if at all possible. I thought you might have had a shot of (at) Khun Honda in there somewhere.

2009-09-30 | Spike says

There is a shot of Khun Brawn, which used to be Khun Honda. That will have to do.

2009-10-01 | farangrakthai says

Very nice pics indeed. What camera and lenses did you use?

2009-10-02 | Spike says

Thanks. Canon 1D Mk 3 with a 300mm F2.8 lens.

2009-10-02 | farangrakthai says

No wonder, pretty serious stuff :)

2009-10-26 | Amara at Blue Lagoon says

More impressed I can not be!

Love the angles and the contrasting colours, especially the yellow helmet in the black and white shot. You shots capture the drama and are in fact larger than life - a concentrate at 100% proof