Holy crap, that's a lot of photos.

I'm really really picky with my photo taking. I think I've just learned through all of the athletic events I've done over the past year that I have adjusted my style accordingly. When clients want pictures NOW, I can't afford to sort through 1,000 photos to find a handful of keepers.

I actually shoot a burst of photos, review them, delete the ones I am not happy with immediately from my camera and move on. It saves me a lot of memory space and more importantly, saves me hours of wasting my time looking through a thousand bad photos later on in the day.

It's just my personal style that works for me. I still have no doubt I would take 1,000 photos at Sebring though which in terms of my photography is INSANE.

I shoot an entire full session football game on 400 photos. I have co-workers who will go through 1200 per game. I couldn't imagine, I'm just happy I'm not editing their work after the game! :P

 

Sick shots man, thanks for sharing.

 

daym Chris - great shots wish you'd post here more often buddy!

 

Wow Chris, wow

 

You're telling me.

It would be awesome to actually meet you. I'd make sure you bring your camera though! Plus, you can lecture me on all of the racing statistics because you know a hell of a lot more than me!

As for the new M3 - that car is sick nasty. It's beautiful and sounds pretty slick.

I wish I had the new Canon 5D - I would have taken some videos of that sucker for you guys!

 

Glad you like it!

It just bugs me that this year I am having so much trouble getting media passes again when in comparison to last year, I had no idea what I was doing and got them no problem. The irony kills me.

Go figure, I can only imagine the stuff I would be able to dream up if I could shoot at the side of the track like I did last year without any metal barriers. It would be ridiculous!

 

Really nice and crisp shots Chris! Looks like you had a great time by the track, I really have to go check out some races this year. You're shots a are a great inspiration!

 

I know what you mean. I shot a wedding this past summer (my first one) and I had no idea what I was doing so I just shot a ludicrous amount of shots and literally spent 12 hrs a day for a solid week in front of my computer doing nothing but editing photos. The bride was a close friend so I wanted to give her the absolute best work I could. I'm still not 100% satisfied with my work that day, but I gave it my best shot at the time and learned a lot.

I realized that I really do need to reduce how many pics I take and just focus on keepers. It's almost inevitable to take thousands of pics at Sebring though. Especially when you're there for half a week and have already experienced all of the trackside sights and sounds. Come race day, it's just the cars, you, and your camera. I think that's why I shot so much, anyway. Then again, I spend so much time in front of the computer when I'm either posting here or trolling FredMiranda or doing research for school, spending a few extra hours every once in awhile editing photos doesn't seem so bad anymore.

For what it's worth, Sebring is a tough track to get a press pass for, especially if you're just there for the race day. Seems like you really have to be a pro working for an actual publication and have 10+ references/samples just to be considered for a press pass anymore. I think part of the reason why Sebring has gotten tighter with press passes is because they have so much less fencing around the track than nearly any other track in the country and there was a HUGE crash last year during the ALMS practice where an LMP2 Mazda went through the tire wall and almost landed ON TOP of a spectator's bus. I haven't been there since so I don't know if they stepped up the safety fencing around the track, but that was a chilling sight to see when the crash happened. I tried to get a press pass my first time attending the race 2 years ago and was given one but I couldn't make it there earlier in the week to attend the photographer safety meetings and therefor I wasn't given a pass after all. After shooting from the spectator areas and seeing where the pros were shooting from, I didn't worry about getting a press pass the second time around as the views from the spectator areas are actually really good. It's the pit access that I was really missing out on.

Just a suggestion - if you want to avoid getting the fencing in your shots, try bringing in a step ladder with you. They're usually not too heavy and the handle can be slung over your shoulder (works better if you're only carrying one camera). This'll get you a little more elevation to peer over the fence. Just watch your balance and try not to fall!

Best of luck getting a pass this year, Chris!

 

Thanks for all the comments on these photos!

My website has been blowing up lately, much of it due to the new M3 photos I would presume.

Regardless, DJ and I have been talking and we may have some surprises up our sleeves for this forum in the very near future.

Will keep you guys updated! Until then, thanks so much for the tremendous amount of support and following, it's been mind-boggling.

 

Awesome pictures, you must love your job!! That Ford GT is SICK!!