How To Photograph Automobile Races
There is nothing quite like the sensory overload of a racetrack—the smell of high-octane fuel, the roar of engines, and the blur of color as cars fly by at 200 mph. For photographers, it is a challenging but incredibly rewarding playground.
Whether you are aiming to shoot your first local grassroots event or dreaming of the F1 paddock, photographing at the track requires a mix of technical skill, safety awareness, and creative planning.
Here is your guide to shooting at the racetrack.
1. Gear Up: What to Pack
You do not necessarily need to start with a really expensive lens, but motorsport photography does favor long glass.
The Workhorse (70-200mm f/2.8): If you can only take one lens, this is it. It’s versatile for pit lane shots and closer action.
The Reach (100-400mm, 200-500mm, or 400mm+): To get tight shots of cars on far-off sections of the track, you will need a telephoto lens.
Wide Angle (14-24mm or 24-70mm): Essential for capturing the atmosphere of the pit lane, the crowded grandstands, or unique, close-proximity shots.
Stability: A monopod is essential. Carrying a heavy lens all day without one will fatigue you, leading to blurry shots.
Protection: Bring garbage bags or dedicated covers for rain, and microfibre cloths for dirt/rubber dust.
2. Master the Settings
Racing photography is all about showing speed, which means managing your shutter speed is crucial.
To Freeze Action (Fast Shutter): Use 1/1000s or faster to capture sharp images of cars, freezing them in time.
To Show Motion (Panning): This is the holy grail of racing photography. Slow your shutter speed to between 1/60s and 1/125s (or slower, if you’re daring) and move the camera at the same speed as the car. This makes the car sharp while blurring the background and wheels, creating a sense of, well, speed.
Continuous Focus (AF-C): Set your camera to continuous autofocus (tracking) and high-speed burst mode.
Aperture: While f/2.8 is great for bokeh, shooting in aperture priority at f/5.6–f/8 often gives a better depth of field to keep the whole car in focus.
3. Scout the Best Locations
The best photographers don’t stay in one spot.
Practice Sessions: Use practice/qualifying sessions to walk the track, find gaps in the fence, and test different lighting angles.
Corners over Straights: While high-speed straights look cool, corners are better for capturing action. They show suspension travel, drivers locking up brakes, and cars close together.
Elevations: Look for pedestrian bridges or higher vantage points to get a "top-down" view of the track.
4. Pits, Paddock, and People
The story of the race isn’t just on the tarmac.
Shoot the Atmosphere: Capture mechanics working, drivers focusing, and the emotion of the crew.
Wait for the Smile: Candid moments are best, but they often appear when people don't realize a camera is pointing at them.
5. Safety First
This is not a joke: Racetracks are dangerous.
Respect the Barriers: Never stand on the outside of a high-speed corner.
Stay Alert: If a car leaves the track, it often travels in a straight line towards the outer barrier.
Listen to Officials: If they ask you to move, move immediately.
Grab your gear, pack extra memory cards, and get out there. The roaring engines are waiting.
