Getting a Photographers pass

i was wondering how, if at all possible one would go about getting a photographers pass for a major event. I was at the edmonton grand prix last year and tracksides were lined with photographers, do you have to be with a magazine for this, or do you just have to submit all your photo's to the event.

i owuld rely enjoy having a photographers pass but i was wondering who i would talk to and how i would go about getting hired onto an advertising campain for the grand prix

i am just getting into photography and in my other thread you will be able to tell i like racing, and in my opinion anyway i am not terribly bad at shooting, i just need to invest in a new camera.

How would i go about shooting pictures for lets say the grand prix website, or magazine?

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Originally Posted by Brian001

i am just getting into photography and in my other thread you will be able to tell i like racing, and in my opinion anyway i am not terribly bad at shooting, i just need to invest in a new camera.

How would i go about shooting pictures for lets say the grand prix website, or magazine?

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I just got my first real "Photographer's Pass" to a major event in my area. It took me almost 3.5 years of shooting pix, making a couple good (albeit LUCKY) contacts, and being in the right place at the right time.

Get a portfolio together demonstrating you understand the fundamentals, are creative, and like to have fun. Don't go overboard though. Lot's of people will stuff 40 pics in their folio. A couple places I talkted to yesterday said fewer pics (15-20) will get you moved ahead in the shuffle.

But, if you're really just starting out in photography take some time, learn, and figure out your own style. Then get killer shots and make a folio, then worry about a press pass.

Overall, it takes time and experience.

Don't give up.

Brian,

It takes a lot of time to get to where you can get event passes. Sometimes, it takes a little luck or having the right friends. Or just asking the right person.

Just keep at it, take your time, and you'll get there.

thanks guys...i am working on a portfolio and getting into the jist of things.

i love what im doing and i hope to get better and better as time progresses, and geting a photographers pass is on my rather large to do list.

I have been wondering the same tihng when I am at the races. Next summer I am going to go to my local track (Mosport near Toronto) and sort of apprentice with the track photographer. Mostly I am gonna lug his gear and give him someone to talk to .. but hey .. its a start and a contact for the future. I talked with him a bit this summer when I was walking around shooting... he liked the way I approached the cars and the odd angles and such that I was trying. He's been shooting the same thing over and over for so long that he liked my fresh approach. Heck I have only been a hobbyist for a year so I must be doing something right.

But you might want to try that if you are able. I find that learning while doing speeds up the process and you get to see the way others approach the shot/subject as you work towards finding your own style.

Jay

Paul is spending the weekend (Fri-Sun) at Donington Park, UK, for the World Series by Renault. On arrival yesterday he visited the media centre and pleaded for a pass to get him the other side of the fences! Obviously his reputation came before him and he was granted a pass for the whole weekend! Just watch out for the superb shots to follow from Paul.

An just to prove it, he was spotted close to the track.........

You managed to capture car 0 of the Prema team there, I hope you got #3 as well !

Martin Plowman #3 was the first of the British drivers, and rated a grid interview, after the race a few people went along to Prema after the race for his autograph !


Mike, I see what you mean about being unhappy and wanting to send that lot back to Canon for a service. I see red/blue fringing on #3 and they all look a bit soft.
Were you shooting raw or jpeg?
Did you give them any sharpening?
Did you crop them?
Because #3 looks closer than #2 and both are allegedly 200mm acording to the EXIF.
Strange thing is that it claims to be an F1 lens :idea:
Maybe the contacts need cleaning?

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Originally Posted by Brian001

i was wondering how, if at all possible one would go about getting a photographers pass for a major event.

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Either from the organisers of the event, or from the track.
I got lucky, turned up on the Friday practice day, begged at the accreditation office.
Had to wait half an hour while they chceked with the organisers (Renault motorsport) and they said yes !

All this helped I think:
- Arriving on practice day, not race day so they weren't busy.
- I knew the normal rules, press (not web) sponsorship
- I knew freelance doesn't get a pass normally but I begged :)
- I had previously shot at the same event in Zolder, Belgium
- and DTM Brands Hatch, and Goodwood, and Jerez F1 testing
- and will be at DTM Barcelona and Hockenheim
- maybe being official Image admin and Photographer (media@thesamrtclub.com) helped ...