BTCC Championship Donington Park

Exhilarating weekend overshadowed by tragedy 

Race 1

          1. Aiden Moffatt Mercedes A - Class 

          2. Matt Neal Honda Civic Type R

          3. Rob Austin Toyota Avensis 

Race 2

          1. Tom Ingram Toyota Avensis

          2. Rob Collard BMW 125i M Sport 

          3. Ashley Sutton Subaru Levorg GT

Race 3

          1. Colin Tarkington BMW 125i M Sport

          2. Adam Morgan Mercedes Benz A Class 

          3. Ashley SuttonSubaru Levorg GT

          

FIAWEC Silverstone England

Pure Endurance and Prototypes. Mighty stuff from Silverstone.

 

RACE RESULT

1. Toyota Gazoo Racing

2. Porsche 919 Hybrid

3.Porsche 919 Hybrid

BTCC Test Donington Park

The test session for the BTCC is great, a chance to see the new cars, line up's livery ....

2016 in Pictures

2016 will be a year remembered like no other apparently, but I'm not here to talk about all that happened. More my year snapping away, how I fell out with things I loved to shoot, and found what I wanted and should be have shooting. How it happened and what happens next.

Malvern looking at Brecon Wales

Malvern looking at Brecon Wales

 

 A year which gave me the chance to join the dots, work out what worked for me. How made the decisions and how I got my eyes. It started easy enough, more landscape, forests, mountains that's was the plan. Off out into the wild it was all good stuff but, I still didn't feel connected I didn't wake up thinking, YES!!! lets plan. It was more OK I don't get amped for sunsets, or such. Now I'm not saying there's a lack of engagement for that stuff but, I struggled to find narratives.      

 

Worcestershire England.

Worcestershire England.

 Unless it was rainy, foggy, reminded me of horror and si-fi flicks it was dare I say a chore to motivate. Heres the thing, this all sounds really dour and negative, not at all. Everything happened and with good reason I really had a blast snapping away, it just seemed earlier in 2016 it wasn't what I should have shot.

Old Trafford England

Old Trafford England

See, here's the thing I chased and tried to force myself into areas of photography that just stopped moving me or just failed to keep my mind happy. But you keep snapping away some of it sticks, lots didn't. As the months moved forward I searched high low for a clue, nothing. But then slowly it was calling me, there had to be a logical fit everybody has one right? I walked round football stadia pre game, a totally enjoyable and fun thing that you should try. Football though has left me cold over the years and i didn't feel the love from way back when I was a kid. So you scratch your head confusion, frustration, thinking where are you??! Every other Sunday watching racing cars on TV, then going out snapping more Landscape, more football but not seeing the connection that every other Sunday there was something that kept you so tied and locked in you missed the link.

Old Trafford England

Old Trafford England

And still every other Sunday I would watch cars make shapes, defy physics, watch talented brave types pushing. Slowly it hit home, not having to push itself, often seeing my mind drift to thinking  shutter speed or a corner. Slowly it hit home, colours tone texture. There was a point during the 2016 F1 season where I didn't actually watch the race I spent two hours looking at corners, kerbs, the landscape from a photo making perspective. I don't remember which race it was but I remember  thinking, there's a shot, there's a shot. Bang!!! that was it a natural absorption of where my eyes lay. My childhood watching, Senna, Prost, Piquet had endured to the point were it was all second nature but I had missed the link as it was maybe too obvious? Finally I had it, so with that it was off to see how I would fare. Safe to say comfort zone was fine, challenge massive hampered only by nagging doubt on whether it would work

Kevin Magnussen, Silverstone.

Kevin Magnussen, Silverstone.

Pre-Visualisation came easy, as I mentioned earlier i'd struggled in 2016 with pre seeing scenes due to a lack of real connection. This was different, constantly looking, thinking writing, stuff down. How do I want tell my story of motor racing? How do I see that world ? Will people feel it? Crazy but its working, crazy I didn't see it sooner, crazy that I was too into following a trend or crowd for internet likes. Now it feels like the shackles are off and with that onto 2017, time to smash that ceiling share my love of cars and motorsport 

Trick is try it you never know, you don't need special passes or hook ups, think of the each trip as an editorial adventure. Picking subjects or a theme to play with help me, colours are great the endless scope of colour is nuts. Shutter speed, tricks from landscape work, ICM and long exposure all come into play. Now, now I get it everything starts back up in March until then more learning fine tuning the chase continues. 

Valtteri Bottas, Silverstone England

Valtteri Bottas, Silverstone England

Passion of Ferrari

Images from amazing Passione Ferrar event at Silverstone England, a gathering if the greatest from the greatest. 

Speed freaks

Summer in England means normally one thing, rain, this can be an issue for most no good for days out, no good for holidays to Cornwall for example. But it has its benefits, one being the ability to watch Formula One cars bang around a racing circuit. Luckily the Formula One family have an idea, see after the British GP weekend the teams stay around for a test, no Lewis, no Nico, no Sebor even Max but still some stellar talent to watch and the rain. A chance for folk to take in the noise and skill that pay the bills. The day I arrived the likes of Fernando Alonso and Valttrie Bottas were to bang around Silverstone in Northamptonshire's rainy muggy summer offering.

Fernando Alonso Nikon D750 x 24mm Sigma Super Wide

To say I love F1 is a bit of an understatement ever since watching Rene Arnoux and Michele Alboreto (what amazing names) flying around Monaco as a kid I've had the bug. Senna, Mika, Michael and now Lewis all of them daredevils, have I ever mentioned that Lewis Hamilton is the most undervalued sports star in Britain? No well he is... What these guys do is nuts good, dangerous always on a limit they know the tragic risks but but they thrive on being on the edge.

Bottas Blur Nikon D750 x 50mm

 

As a visual I've always been drawn to the immense speed and bonkers physics involved within motor racing and F1 is the don, the driving and technical pinnacle of the game. This is something I considered when shooting, do I want the stock image of a racing car ? or do I need to show the magic off, when you spend many weekends watching you get an idea of what story you need and want. As a tog I was interested in seeing how you could tell that story of the dynamic aspect, so armed with some rough ideas off I went hoping for rain. Along with my fandom for the sport there are the photographers who get paid to tell that story that I admire and Darren Heath tells a damn good F1 story. Not just the cars but the colour's and depth behind the circus of F1, check him out if you don't already know @F1Photographer is his twitter, his book the Art of of the Race is amazing too. I love his works as it comes from the creative school and not the long lens pixel hunter gang. With that said for the gear geeks used here were a Nikon D750 a 30 quid eBay find 24mm Sigma Super Wide, a 1989 70-210mm f4 and the nifty 50mm, no mega dollar lens here.

Merc. Nikon D750 x 70-210mm

Rain was a key element for the day, it adds a dynamic with the cars showing full on aerodynamic wizardry so with that said i'll shut up and give you the pics. I need more of this in my life, they say shoot what you love I love F1 but F1 is like some holy grail gig hardest ticket to shoot in town...  but I like a challenge and I'm aiming for more...

Spray Game Nikon,  Nikon D750 x 70-210mm

If you have a chance go find some cars running round a track, one for the skill on show and two its a great photo workout, planning, panning, slowing the world down with the shutter or finding a corner to zone in on. This won't be the last of me in the rain watching the cars go by... Oh and if anyone knows how to nab an F1 accreditation let this fanboy know!!!

Alonso at Club Nikon D750 x 24mm Sigma Super Wide

Amsterdam and a camera

I have said it before apart from New York, this is the best city in the world. This was the first time I have had the chance to take the xt1 for a whirl overseas so here's some pics with that camera in that city.  

That Dutch Skyline  

That Dutch Skyline  

This city never gets boring, give me Chocomel and some sunshine and I'm set. Exploring, hearing languages from all over the world, Amsterdam is beyond cosmopolitan full of street smarts. Even as someone who visits often I still find new things to see and snap. 

Tags  

Tags  

The New Dutch skyline  

The New Dutch skyline  

Catching Fish  

Catching Fish  

This classic BMW 2500 sat cool as ice in the city and the xt1 loved it's colour and steez. 

BMW 2500

BMW 2500

Waiting  

Waiting  

below is some low light magic, the xt1 has a good feel for high ISO.  

Night Moves  

Night Moves  

Art Attack  

Art Attack  

Stacked  

Stacked  

how did the xt1 get do? Proper . simple as, everything is stepped up from the xpro1. I never not wanted to have the camera with me. When I had a DSLR I would get weary of carrying that lump, even the xpro for some reason did the same thing. this is different plus the addition of the wifi transfer was slick for me. shoot export edit in VSCO upload and go again. I enjoy this camera a lot, I really do it has even more stealth quality over my old Fuji great for trekking though the urban. I have had chats about people ditching Fuji for Sony full frame yaaawwwwwrn it's a boring debate for me. I don't see it for one reason the glass, if Sony ever came close to this glass then maybe but they don't so why change? You can have all the full frame sensors you want if the glass sucks game over.  

Commuter  

Commuter  

So there it is some images wth the xt1 in Amsterdam. Well done Fuji still killing it ... 

Eye Film Institue  

Eye Film Institue  

Perfect beaters for the Amsterdam Streets. All Star slippers 

Perfect beaters for the Amsterdam Streets. All Star slippers 

X-T1 v Slum Village and some low light

So, recently I made the upgrade from my loved Fuji X-Pro1, my mind told me the jump from the X-Pro to X-T1 wouldn't be that big... wrong it is. So with that in mind I was curious to see how the low light would work in the real world. Luckily I found the right event to see its game. Slum Village making a stop in Birmingham at the Hare and Hounds to show love and play a bit. If not aware Slum Village have been around for 15 years and are hip hop gold from Detroit founded by the late great J Dilla they have a mainstay. On hand to support old friends and cohorts A Few Good Men who I don't think I had seen for 10 years!!!

 "you heard Tribe have split up?!" I still remember who and when told me my favourite group of all time had split up, A Tribe Called Quest had gone no more... rows, bust up's and time had done for them what had happened to many great groups. The void was there and big, hip hop was changing more glam more glitz. Tribe filled the void along with De La Soul but what next who and from where? the answer came from within, see Tribe had been using the studio skills of a guy from Detroit. The late and great J Dilla aka Jay Dee he was key to the last Tribe Called Quest albums but beyond he had produced for Common, Busta Rhymes even Janet Jackson, but he also had a group Slum Village containing Dilla, T-3 and Bataain and in 2000 the void was filled. They put out an album Fantastic Vol 2, in 2000 which to this day in hip hop is regarded as a classic, myth surrounds it from bootlegs to delays release. I could write so much about Slum as a fan but, those who know don't need the history and for the rest of you search the web, there are better that can tell the story than me it's worth it to find out how influential they became. For me to have a few images of a group who have two songs, Fall in Love and Thelonious in my 20 of all time and one of my most treasured albums of all time was a thing for sure. 

 As for the Fuji 35mm 1.4 standard issue glass, ISO up, up, up too 2500 no higher than 2.8 on the aperture and away we go. No you will never get the cleanest image but workable and fitting of environment. Thoughts it's light years on the X-Pro1 speed is one big difference faster more consistent. Big notice was in the EVF this new X-T1 kills the old camera hands down serious detail under these condtions. Now, the depths of Kings Heath Birmingham at 1.30am isn't the best place to try and edit upload and deliver, but the Fuji APP works a treat. Shoot, export via the network set up between iPhone and Camera and an edit in VSCOCAM and its good to go. Slum came went ,I caught up with old friends reminisced about the old and new. The Fuji delivered big time and for that I'm happy. 

www.fujiflim.com

http://www.slumvillage.com

Thrill on the Hill : Shelsley Walsh Worcestershire

Over the weekend I was able to visit a pretty cool event hosted by Morgan Cars, for owners and lovers of all the British sports car maker has to offer. The venue Shelsley Walsh, one of the oldest motorsport venues in the world hidden nestled the Worcestershire countryside. The course a steep hill climb is a real test huge inclines, rising 328 feet over 1000 yards with 16 degree inclines its nuts steep, so raw power needed indeed.  Morgan Cars have been hand building sports cars since 1905. Based a few miles away in Malvern skilled craftsmen caring build some of the best handling cars that are loved by owners and fans, not just in the UK but globally. Thrill on the Hill is the event which brings them all together. Cars of all ages are then given licence to fire up the run, pretty cool stuff seeing these cars running in their natural habitat.

All the fun of the fair.Fuji X-T1 

All the fun of the fair.

Fuji X-T1 

This also gave me a chance to tryout my latest workhorse, the Fuji X-T1 a replacement for my much loved X-Pro1. I wasn't really looking to move up but some of the features sold me, Wi Fi, a faster focus system, EVF viewfinder and a tilting screen just a few nice touches. Along for the ride, a 35mm 1.4 and the solid 55-200mm. First thoughts after a week really are positive, things which started to irritate me have been removed by the X-T1, faster OS, the smaller body is good I was concerned that it might be two small but its slick as in the hand. One thing that niggled on the X-Pro was the viewfinder, it was good but never really spot on the optical finder bugged me and over time the electronic viewfinder rendered it redundant. Speed is improved ten fold, but that EVF viewfinder thing is another level. Files out of the camera really shine, images here were edited from a mix of VSCO on the iPhone and via the VSCO plugin in Lightroom, but to be fair not much was needed with the standard files.

Anyway tech talk done the images are more important and the cars on show merged with the backdrop of Worcestershire gave a real sense of theatre. A real cool day good to see the guys at Morgan and kudos to them for putting on a killer show. Even got a fly by from a stunt plane, next level stuff... flying skills approved.  

RechargingFuji XT1 

Recharging

Fuji XT1

 

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk

http://shelsley-walsh.co.uk

http://vsco.co

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_t1/


Robert.Fuji x-t1 

Robert.

Fuji x-t1 

All I Got Was A Grey Card

So over the weekend I did my first photowalk and popped over to the NEC for the yearly Photography Show. Fujifilm organised a stroll round my old home town of Birmingham led by Matt Hart brill street shooter and one of their X--photographers looking for interesting street scenes on the way. Finally got to meet new faces saw some old ones too. Then Monday the show primarily to see prominent British Photographer Martin Parr talk about his career, there was motivation if ever you needed it. It also gave the chance to loan a 50-140mm Fuji lens for the day, such good glass it's silly! I'm sure there will be lots of words about the show but thats not here, just images of a cool few days. There was so much stuff to please the tech nut, me? I ended up with a grey card...

Theres More To lifeFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

Theres More To life

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

listed AlphaFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

listed Alpha

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

eyes downFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

eyes down

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

HI!!! MirrorLessonsFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

HI!!! MirrorLessons

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

Fuji manFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

Fuji man

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

Bill, BenFuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

Bill, Ben

Fuji XPro1 35mm  VSCO

X-MenFuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

X-Men

Fuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

thinking of?

thinking of?

the bored and the hordesFuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

the bored and the hordes

Fuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

off...?

off...?

Frank Doorhof in sessionFuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

Frank Doorhof in session

Fuji XPro1 50-140mm  VSCO

my shade of grey

my shade of grey

Sabbath Town: Black Sabbath x Fuji X-Pro

As a native of the city of Birmingham there a some things that make me proud to be a child of the town. HP Sauce, Duran Duran, UB40, and the original Mini to name a few. But there is one thing that stands above all of that, a band well, more than that an entire sound that shrouded the city then now and forever.

Bucket List. Fuji x-pro 35mm 1.4

Bucket List. Fuji x-pro 35mm 1.4

The story is well known, four working class lads from Birmingham who got together because there was chuff all else too do in Brum at that point in time. A real smoking sooty furnace of a place, the city was and still is a fairly hard place and for over 40 years Black Sabbath has been interwoven within that. The heavy bluesy soul that Birmingham emits is the heart of Black Sabbath even now. 

The Church of Metal. Fuji X-pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

The Church of Metal. Fuji X-pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

The first time you hear the rain on "Black Sabbath" you know its serious stuff. The humour in Fairies Wear Boots speaks to us who didn't fit into cliques, us the outsiders. So growing up with all this, wherever I went and had the where are you from? question when the response was Birmingham I and would point out... home of Black Sabbath.

Geezr's Blurred Lines. Fuji X-Pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

Geezr's Blurred Lines. Fuji X-Pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

Birmingham has changed some for the better some for the worse as all the new buildings go up scrubbing out the "old" Birmingham it's important not to forget the mighty impact of bands like Sabbath. I can think of other bands from the UK who have come from similar cities and are revered too near deity status some warranted others non so, but Sabbath have never really been given that status.

The Master, Tony Iommi. Fuji X-Pro 50mm Canon FD Vsco

The Master, Tony Iommi. Fuji X-Pro 50mm Canon FD Vsco

Creating a genre of music should ensure that, The Beatles, Oasis, New Order can be defined by the places they came from celebrated by the cities of their birth. Sabbath have too a point but they should have been celebrated even more. Heck have you listened to the new Arctic Monkeys record? its a Sabbath album as good as it is. 

Into the Void. Fuji X-Pro 35mm Vsco

Into the Void. Fuji X-Pro 35mm Vsco

The rest of the world though that was different, listen too other rock luminaries speak about them and its clear how important Sabbath are to music culture, not just metal but across the board. So with that they have gone on to become that band, the band too see an event, even now as the years march on its special. London at Hyde Park should ensure how important they are. Its like going to church, Ozzy the preacher along with Tony Iommi the riff King and Geezer Butler the heavy soul and this was a sermon.

Geezer Butler. mono tones. Fuji X-Pro 50mm

Geezer Butler. mono tones. Fuji X-Pro 50mm

The musicianship is still top of the class, Tony's battles with his health cannot diminish his craft and love of that craft. Geezer still plays bass like he is talking too your soul. Then there is Ozzy the poster boy if you want still able to excite folks like few can, sweary willing for madness within the crowd. The three still bounce off each other still enjoying the world they have owned forever.  Bill Ward isn't there we know and thats the only downer that the four horsemen can't be together anymore, remember the drums on Sweat Leaf its an education. Current drummer Tommy Clufestos is still a staggering addition to the band though. Anyway this isn't NME and its not a review I'm too much of a fan for that.

Geezer. Fuji X-pro 35mm 1.4  Vsco 

Geezer. Fuji X-pro 35mm 1.4  Vsco 

London though this was so good, per usual the Fuji X-Pro was along for the trip, seems he loved it too snapping away stealth when it needed to be and workable when to going got a bit serious. The privilege of being able too snap a few shots of the magic from the press pit was something you can tick off on a bucket list. Fighting the Canon boys who were looking for the stock shots for the press is all good I just wanted the feel the blues of it all. The 35mm and an old 50mm canon FD where all I had so you think differently, then throw the ISO up too 800 and let the Fuji tells story.

The Preacher, Ozzy. Fuji X-Pro Canon 50mm FD Vsco

The Preacher, Ozzy. Fuji X-Pro Canon 50mm FD Vsco

The madness. Fuji X-Pro 50mm Canon FD Vsco

The madness. Fuji X-Pro 50mm Canon FD Vsco

Once the two songs where done a thankful chat to the press lady who gave me the access, you have to cherish moments like this as you may never get it again so being polite is a must. Then it was time to rejoin the group of us that had gathered up in the always slightly odd VIP area to revel in Birmingham's take over of this part of London. As days go one of those unforgettable ones, we even had fireworks and rain... Thank you to JB for the hook up, btw I finally made it. Love my Fuji, love Black Sabbath and proud to be a Brummie and as Brummies should be too, we did give the world Heavy Metal and creme eggs...

"my first gig was Black Sabbath" Fuji X-Pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

"my first gig was Black Sabbath" Fuji X-Pro 35mm 1.4 Vsco

Now... please do not take these images without my permission, of which there is no permission if you do I will send out the Iron Man. non-commercial steez on these but all rights remain. So obey the rules.