Preparing for a Car Photo Shoot

Over the next several weeks, I will be spending a number of days at Calabogie Motorsport Park (CMP), just 45 minutes from Ottawa, Ontario. I’ll be there photographing the BMW Car Club of Ottawa’s Advanced Driving School, the BMW Motorcycle Club rider’s day, and the IMSA Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup weekend. SpeedMerchants, one of our local businesses will be competing in the Porsche GT3 Challenge cup race.

While preparing for the shoots, I thought I would share some of the things that need to be ironed out before going.

My first major action is to check and test the on-car camera mounts and equipment for stability, re-familiarize myself with the set-up and check the components for cracks and wear.

After that comes the packing lists. I won’t go into too much detail, just give you an idea of some of the things required in spending 12+ hours at a race track shooting cars, competitors, crowds and the general atmosphere:

Polarizers, Neutral Density filters (ND), bug spray (but not the rub on kind: it gets on the camera), lots of water, clothes for sunshine, rain, wind, hot and cold, wet weather camera protection, batteries, chargers, ladder, notepad, car cleaning supplies, screwdrivers and wrenches to remove licence plates and lunch money.

And that is all in addition to lenses, cameras, camera bags and the other usual paraphernalia of the photographer. At least I don’t need to bring any lights, diffusers or reflectors. Overall, it adds up to more than a trunk-full.