Jay Watson Photography

Here is the Palatov D4 race car designed by Dennis Palatov being track tested at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Ca. One goal for this outing was to compare the results against a race simulator by Simraceway. These are some of the images which ran in the British car magazine EVO, and in Sympatico Autos (Canada). Above is Brian Makse, an auto racer and automotive journalist driving the Palatov D4. Makse lives a life of constant travel test driving new production models and exotics for various publications. Tough life huh? One of the highlights of this job was shooting on the track from the back of an open SUV while the Palatov zigzagged alongside. It was just an SUV, but the driver was a racing instructor who knows the course inside and out.

• • •

Brian Makse with his GoPro helmet cam at Infineon Raceway. At one point there were more cameras mounted to the Palatov than tires.

• • •

Auto racing expert and journalist Leo Parente was also called in to get behind the wheel of the Palatov. Leo provides great insight with is knowledge of racing. It was fun to watch him play back his video clips from the car mounted cameras. He was a kid in a candy store. Racing heads might appreciate the full report of the Palatov D4 on Leo Parenete’s YouTube channel. Some of my photo gear shows up in the background on a few clips.

• • •

Behind the scenes of Brian Makse at the wheel and my Nikon DSLR with a wide angle lens double suction cup mounted to the Palatov. Image shot with my iPhone.

• • •

Results from the DSLR suction cup mounted to the Palatov body. Shooting with in-camera blur (panning) is risky. It takes multiple attempts which is not always possible while on assignment. With too much blur the driver and car will blur into the background. Too little blur causes the car to look like it is parked which is the opposite goal of auto racing! This image was triggered with the in-camera intervalometer set to fire every 2 seconds. That gave me coverage of the entire course and allowed me to pick the best lighting/background combo later when behind the computer.

• • •

Here’s Brian Makse heading out for a lap via my Nikon DSLR. This image was processed through both the Snapseed iPhone app and Photoshop. Just because and just to experiment.

• • •

The Palatov D4 race car shot in the studio after it’s track session. Dennis Palatov is an amazing designer.

• • •

Under the shell of the Palatov race car. Two D4 models were brought down from Seattle just for this special closed day at the track.

• • •

Behind the scenes set up for the car studio shots. 8 lights and 2 power packs, 13-14 light stands. A new technique for shooting cars has involved walking around the set and hitting each wheel with a gridded strobe while the camera is on a tripod. The images are then combined in Photoshop. It saves time on the set and reduces the amount of equipment needed.

• • •

Opening tearsheet spread in EVO Magazine, a British performance car publication.

• • •

Center tearsheet spread in EVO Magazine.

“Introducing…… Dario—oooo   Franchitti—iiii.” Here are some pre race photos of Indycar race driver Dario Franchitti at the office. On this day the office was at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

click to enlarge

Dario (freaking!) Franchitti

Dario Franchitti’s introduction at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (The awesome filmmaker Eric Goodfield at left.)

Dario Franchitti works the crowd.

Franchitti Facts
• 4x Indycar Series Champion: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
• 3x Indianapolis 500 Winner: 2007, 2010, 2012
• 239 starts under his belt between the CART and IZOD IndyCar Series
• 151 top-10 finishes
• 108 top‐five
• 26 poles
• 31 wins
• Has raced: CART, NASCAR Truck, NASCAR Sprint Cup, AMLS, Indycar
• Born in Scotland
• Married to actress Ashley Judd

Mr and Mrs Franchitti. Ashley Judd with husband Dario Franchitti before the race.

Dario Franchitti during his pre race ritual.

Some Info About Shooting Motorsports

1. Don’t even think about bothering the crew, the drivers, and definitely stay out of the way.
2. Cars move faster than people so bring plenty of media storage cards. You’ll be shooting/editing more than a handful of images and maybe a few thousand.
3. If you take a souvenir home with you from the track, just consider yourself uninvited to ever shoot there again.
4. Better have some liability insurance if you want access. $2,000,000 in coverage should do. This isn’t your local pinewood derby race.
5. Carry everything you need via backpack or speed belt. Your chapstick, sunblock, earplugs, energy drinks, and snacks are just as important as your camera.

Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta

These images are from the Petit Le Mans Race at Road Atlanta. They are outtakes from a shoot for the online gaming company Simraceway. If you are a gamer or race fan check out their product. They are very passionate about auto racing and have worked with some of the best drivers in the world in order to develop their game.

The camera work for Petit Le Mans involved hiking with an overloaded backpack full of gear over the race course for 12 hours. It’s another example of how some of my assignments are more similar to a construction worker’s job as opposed to the preconceived vision of a photographer working in a plush studio. Photography always seems to involve some level of sweat. If I am not building a studio set on location then I’m probably lying in the dirt somewhere with a camera. It’s not always pretty. Shooting auto racing is loud and somewhat physical work. It has given me a glimpse into the sleep deprived world of sports journalists. The air travel, early location scouting, and race schedule lead to a full weekend of work, but a few preparations can help make it more comfortable.

click to enlarge images

Entering turn 2 at Road Atlanta. Petit Le Mans

How To Survive Long Shooting Days On Location. What’s In My Camera Bag?

Items that get me through long shooting days include: trail mix, chap stick, suntan lotion, Cliff bars, ear plugs, Tic Tacs (has to be mint flavor), Advil, and 5-Hour Energy drinks. All this stuff goes in my camera bag and I wouldn’t be caught without these life savers. If it’s over 85 degrees, skip the sandwich.

A Tank Worth Carrying:

The Nikon 400mm F2.8 lens. This monster weighs 16lbs and requires an extra carrying case, designated backpack, or it has to be carried over your shoulder while mounted to a monopod. Well worth the haul. Even with good access to the course the 400 opened up some creative doors.

In the image below of cars racing in a line, the Nikon 400mm F2.8 allowed me to shoot directly through a fence without it being noticeable in the final image. The fence is still there, but it so blurred out that it becomes invisible. This would not have been possible with a standard 70-200 F2.8 zoom lens.

Turn 4. Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta

Dusk laps at Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta

Since Le Mans races are either 12 or 24 hour sporting events, I had the opportunity to shoot motor sport racing at dusk. This is also a time when the track is considered faster for several reasons. Tires have good traction since the course is still warm, visibility is better than overhead mid day sun, drivers are familiar with their lines, and as the air cools engines run a little quicker. The headlights also became highly noticeable. They’re moving at laser speed. This unexpected light show overtop of the pounding engines was not a sensory overload. It was Petit Le Mans, and unlike any other experience I’ve had on the job.

Porsche Teams. Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta

The “Esses” at Road Atlanta

Below are portraits of two time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon (2005, 2011) shot at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. Mr. Wheldon is an INDYCAR race driver from England who is currently living in Florida, and driving for the team of Bryan Herta Autosport (owned by former driver Bryan Herta). These images were shot for Simraceway which is an online simulation racing game. It’s available for free in beta, but a kick ass game controller is right around the corner! I am not a gamer, but after seeing a demo of Simraceway this past weekend I can see why a race fan might get addicted to this one.

The second image is from a studio set up we built inside a garage bay not far from the racetrack. The coolest thing about shooting the 2x Indy winner was seeing his professionalism on set. He was all business! However once the shoot was wrapped up he was personable, humble, and incredibly thankful. I dig that.

click to enlarge