Track Day Pictures?

Schwaberts · 08-23-2004, 4:45 PM

My brother just got an awesome digital camera (Canon Rebel EOS, w/zoom lens) and has been kicking around the idea of taking some racing pictures. He thought he would hit a few open track days, take some pictures, and offer to sell CD's to people (he's got an attachment that allows you to burn CD's right from the camera). Anyway, he was thinking 2 or 3 pictures for $12 or so, and if you wanted more, he'd figure out a price for that. He's not a professional photographer, nor does he want to be, but he does take some nice pictures. He's basically looking to re-cupe some costs, get in some practice, and see some track days. Does this sound like a decent idea, would anyone buy pictures at an open trackday? Or are there 100 other people doing the same thing? Any input is welcomed.

john954rr · 08-23-2004, 4:55 PM

I could not say about the Chicago Area, but in California most/all of the track day organizers have photographers on site during most (if not all) track days. Typical prices for a CD with 12 or more photos is $40.00. These are typically good photographs, done with telephoto lens. These photographers usually know the best place to shoot in order to get the best shots. Also, most (if not all) of the track days also have video services available. Will follow you on bike, and video your session (normally 20 minutes), for a cost of $60 to $75, and will send you a DVD with your session set to music etc.

Schwaberts · 08-23-2004, 4:58 PM

Sounds like they might frown on someone else doing it, if they're making money from it. On the other hand, nothing wrong with a little healthy, competition, right?

john954rr · 08-23-2004, 5:03 PM

I doubt the track day organizers are making money (certainly not much) from this activity. They do, however, already have relationships extablished with professional photographers so I suspect it would be difficult for you brother get started in this business. If he is determined to try it, he should contact the track day organizers - IMHO.

ccwilli3 · 08-23-2004, 5:13 PM

I don't think he'll be able to do much than "over the fence" shots... Photographers are "vendors", and therefore have to pay "vendor" fees to enter the track in which they will be making money. At least thats how it works around here.

and if you are not the "official" photographer, I doubt the track group will allow you on the track at all to take photos, even if you DO pay the fees. They have relationships setup with guys that show up each weekend reliably and they don't wanna tick them off by letting "a new guy" in on there turf...

And a digital Eos rebel with a telephoto lens isn't gonna produce the images the pro guy has with his Eos 1D Mark II and "L" series lenses...

I'm sure TAZ will ring in since he does this for a profession also...

Schwaberts · 08-23-2004, 5:23 PM

I appreciate the input. I'll let him know, so he doesn't waste his time, or have any false expectations. He'll probably do it (take pictures) anyway, but just for practice.

abtech · 08-23-2004, 5:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwaberts

Sounds like they might frown on someone else doing it, if they're making money from it. On the other hand, nothing wrong with a little healthy, competition, right?

Unfortunately, you have just described the reason one of the best moto-photographers has left the business. Some of these "track photographers" have spent years honing their art and building their business. For many of them, this is their ONLY source of income. Nowadays anyone with a few hundred bucks and some time on their hands can become a moto-photojournalist and since they don't rely on the proceeds to pay their rent, can charge a lower price than the established photographers. In a free enterprise society, the person with the best product at the best price should always succeed right? Well in this case, it seems most track day junkies aren't terribly concerned with color registration, Pantone matching, paper quality etc., they just want the most pics of themselves at the lowest price.

The person I mentioned at the beginning of this reply works only in film and everytime I hear someone say that digital is every bit as good as film, I just get one of his shots and hold it side by side with XYZ's digital print. To this day, I have yet to hear anyone say the digital image is better in ANY way when compared side to side. Maybe one of these days, but certainly not yet, especially when the film photographer does his own processing and controls the chemistry and all components of the process.

This reply isn't meant to discourage your brother, rather I just wanted to point out that just because someone bought an "awesome digital camera" (compared to the 75K to 100K a "real" photographer has invested in his gear), that doesn't make them a great photographer . . .

Schwaberts · 08-23-2004, 5:34 PM

I never really thought about it like that. My brother certainly isn't looking to put people out of business (I don't think he could) or be a professional photographer, just something he enjoys as a hobby (along with motorcycle racing).

bwhip · 08-23-2004, 8:29 PM

The last track day I went to in Pahrump, there was a professional photographer there who took some AWESOME shots all around the track. It was $30.00 for a CD of all of the shots he had of you per day, or like $60.00 if you didn't commit that day and wanted to buy them after seeing them on his website. He had a digital setup and you could go into his little tent area and view all of your shots that afternoon on a nice LCD monitor. He'd also make you a print of your favorite. His website is http://www.trackday.net/.

Yes, the images are digital, but extremely high-resolution. I was very impressed with the quality, both of the resolution and composition (my avatar is from that session).

freq · 08-23-2004, 9:51 PM

That is what TAZ is doing here in the Mid - Atlantic region. Haven't seen him here in a while. PM him or e-mail his a$$ with questions.