Sorting my gear
Part Three
Having purchased a new Gomatic Peter McKinnon bag (25 litre) I wanted to see how much I could actually fit in it. Turns out quite a lot.
I managed to get five lenses plus the camera body in the main section, some filters in the zipped pockets and the Tech Case fits in the top compartment which still needs filling up but has some batteries and cables for now. I also put my monopod and foot stand in the side pockets for good measure.
The bag took it all but was very heavy and Im not sure I really need to take all of this so I need to give some thought to what really needs packing. I still have chargers, cables and emergency wet gear to fit in. I will do a separate post about the other gear.
All the kit in the photos are listed below with links.
Gearing Up for the Grid: Capturing the Thrill of the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona
Part Two
The roar of engines, the blur of speeding GT cars, the drama of a 24-hour endurance race – the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in September is a photographer's dream. With the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona approaching, it's time to prepare my gear and strategize my shots.
In this part, I'll be diving into my camera bag, specifically focusing on my Canon R8 mirrorless system and a selection of RF lenses that will be my companions for capturing the electrifying atmosphere of this epic race.
The Heart of the Kit: The Canon R8 Mirrorless Camera
As the foundation of my setup, the Canon R8 is a powerful and versatile mirrorless camera. Its full-frame sensor promises exceptional image quality, crucial for capturing the intricate details of the cars and the raw emotion of the race. The R8's fast autofocus will be a lifesaver when tracking the rapid movements of the vehicles, ensuring tack-sharp images even in low-light conditions, which are inevitable during the night portion of the race.
Lenses: Capturing Every Angle of the Race
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: This workhorse lens will likely be glued to my camera for a large part of the race. Its wide zoom range offers flexibility, allowing me to capture sweeping panoramic shots of the entire track, zooming in for tight close-ups of driver changes or dramatic pit stops, and everything in between. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent low-light performance, perfect for capturing the vibrant atmosphere during nighttime racing.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM: When the action heats up and I need to zoom in for tighter shots, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM will be my go-to lens. This telephoto powerhouse will allow me to isolate specific sections of the track, focus on the intense concentration of drivers, or zoom in on the intricate details of the speeding cars. The fast f/4 aperture provides excellent subject separation and beautiful bokeh effects, adding an artistic touch to my race photographs.
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM: For those moments when I need to capture the distant corners of the track or get an extreme close-up of a car speeding by, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM will be my secret weapon.This super-telephoto lens offers an incredible zoom range, allowing me to frame shots that would be impossible with any other lens in my kit. While the variable aperture might require some adjustments in low-light situations, the built-in image stabilization will be invaluable for capturing sharp images at such a long focal length.
Prime Time: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 & Canon RF 35mm f/1.8
For those special moments when I want to create a more intimate feel or capture the energy of the crowd, I'll be relying on my prime lenses – the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8. The wide apertures of these lenses will allow me to play with depth of field, creating beautiful bokeh effects and isolating my subject from the background.
The 50mm focal length is perfect for capturing portraits of drivers, team members, or spectators, while the 35mm with its macro capabilities will be fantastic for capturing details like the intricate pit lane equipment or the emotion etched on the faces of the crew during a crucial pit stop.
I will do separate posts about each individual piece of kit listed above with links to it.
The storage case in the photo is a VANGUARD Supreme 53D Waterproof Camera Case with Removable Divider System. They do two systems the D range which like mine has a divider case that zips up and can some out or the F range which has foam inserts, I wouldn’t recommend the foam though.
The Lens Cap Stickers are from Alphagvrd the stickers themselves aren’t expensive but be aware that the postage is horrendous and doubles the cost of the items. Knowing this I ordered stickers for lenses that I didn’t have but hoped to buy in the near future like my RF 100-500 I just picked up and possibly an RF 200-800 later this year. They also do very good camera skins so it’s worth ordering everything in one go. You can buy similar in the Uk on Etsy for example but these are easily the best.
Gearing Up for the Roar: Capturing the 24 Hours of Barcelona
Part One
The engines are already revving in my mind as I prepare for a photographic pilgrimage to the legendary Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this September. My mission? To immortalize the epic battle that unfolds during the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona, a grueling test of endurance for both machines and men.
The racetrack itself is a photographer's dream. With its high-speed corners, dramatic elevation changes, and vibrant runoff zones, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya offers a kaleidoscope of angles to capture the raw power and precision of GT racing.
But the magic truly happens after the sun dips below the horizon. The night sky ignites with a thousand stars, mirrored by the fiery halos of the cars' headlights. Capturing these streaks of light carving through the darkness, the glowing brake discs, and the pit crews in a blur of motion will be a challenge I eagerly embrace.
This isn't just about capturing action shots though. I want to tell the human story too. The steely focus in the drivers' eyes before the start, the frenetic energy of the pit stops, the elation (or heartbreak) on the podium - these are the moments that weave the narrative of endurance racing.
So, stay tuned! In September, I'll be bringing you a photographic journey through the heart of the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona. Get ready for a sensory overload of speed, strategy, and the sheer determination that pushes drivers and machines to their limits.
In the meantime, I will post about the gear choices and planning stages of the trip.
FOREWORD
About this blog
Im putting together this blog to journalise my trip to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in September to cover the Hankook 24h GT Endurance racing. I plan to cover my gear choices, trip information, planning stages and of course the photography and editing. There will be a video blog as well which I will post on Social Media.
My hope is that it will not only help me but others planning a similar trip or just generate interest in Automotive Photography. If you have any questions please do no =t hesitate to message me through either the contact page or Instagram (@outlawcarphotography).
Im endeavouring to add clickable links to anything of interest so look out for the underlined text and/or links at the bottom of each post.