Thanks for your pm..in response.... In my experience luffield is an excellent vantage point either from the grandstand or the terrace as you are closer to the track than anywhere else on the circuit... if you have a roving seat (if youve got platinum) on friday and sat I would recommend walking around the track during the breaks or get there early to suss out what works for you.
there is a sweet spot on lufflield terrace where theres a specific step that allows you to see a section of the track without fence
ala
bear in mind that this is with a bridge camera so ull be able to focus closer still
(I took this during a test session so I had no "fishing chairs" in my way) u will find at silverstone especially as its the last year you will not be able to move in the cheap seats anywhere on the circuit so either get there very early, im talking gates open at 5 time to get a spot even then I guarantee someone with a giant flag will sit in front of you.
the best places to get photos are the best places to watch the races too so its abit hit and miss.
I have had limited success from the front of the luffield A grandstand
Ala
I kinda liked the elevated viewing position plus you can get head on shots as they begin to turn into the hairpin section, pans as they move through and nice rear view shots as the pull out. the cars are also moving slower through this section giving you a bit more of a chance to compose the image.
As I had previously lesser equipment (canon s3is bridge which these photos are from) I had to make the most of what I had, additionally im not that technically fluent in all the dslr stuff so ull need to take any advice I give as a guideline rather than fact.
in my expereience high shutter speeds = stationary looking cars which may be what some people want, but i hated them.
this was taken at 1/100 at f7.1 (lol i still have very little understanding of how apperture effects my photos....if it looks good to me thats what matters, im still learning). I think I heard that panning shots are somewhat mocked but for me give the best outcome ........ bear in mind that this bridge had an image stabiliser and i got maybe a 10/60 keep/bin ratio at these low shutter speeds, im yet to see how my techniques translate to DSLR but in the next few weeks ill find out. id guess that anything in the region of 1/200-400 would work just as well with a bit of editing.
I have a certain degree of ability in post process so its possible to accentuate the background blur and colour variations which is very usefull in finishing the photo off.
as for alternative viewpoints if your able to shoot through the fence the cars coming out of club looks good... difficult to adjust to the acceleration of the cars ***....fishing chair effect very apparent here plus umbreallas...nightmare .
As they break into abbey from the grandstand is also nice for side on shots with a decent zoom.
I guesse id agree that head on at copse works well although if your in the terrace the fishing chair effect still applies.
I tried at stowe a few years ago but didnt get anywhere near enough reach with my zoom.......the spectator banking fills up here with people dug in for the long haul so if your not at the front at 8 am your at the back looking at fast moving specks for the rest of the event.
theres numerous banks and things around the circuit that would be excellent during a club meet but during gp weekend its a sea of people and you wont stand a chance....... it also tends to be quite irritating to frame up a shot and Lewis, Jenson or a ferrari drives past and everyone stands up in front of you waving there arms around. I sound like a whinging old git but wait till the end, theres people behind you (sorry I'm ranting and im only 26). So where ever you are, get to the front....
Im sure people will offer contrasting advice, but in my experience this is what worked for me with equipment I had. having been going to silverstone for the last 20 years 5-6 times a year Luffield is still my choice position both for spectating and photography.
*** If you are able to source yourself a centre transfer there are a lot more oppurtunitys with banking.......far fewer people here and on the insides of corners prime example would be farm/abbey... i myself have never been able to get in here...but who knows u might have contacts lol GOOD LUCK... I might see you there, ill just have no idea who you are lol
