Toronto Photography Meetup Group

What: Free Friday at The Honda Indy
Where: Exhibition Place
When: 11AM (updated) Exhibition Go Station at the GO ticket booth (South of the Station)
Bring: Camera stuffs, water, comfy walking shoes, earplugs if you're not aware of racing engines (if you are you know if you need em)
Cost: Free to get around and shoot, just get yourself there with some money for vittles (not Vettel, different series).
Additional Info:

http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/
http://www.indycar.com/

My planned schedule is:

- 10:00 arrive at Exhibition GO Station
- 10:15 meet TPMG peeps at the Exhibition GO station ticket booth and head in to scout a spot to shoot Indy practice 1
- 11:05 to 12:05 Indy practice 1
- 12:05 to 12:20 hydrate and rest and find a spot to shoot the Ferrari practice (mmmm 458s)
- 12:20 to 12:50 Ferrari practice

I have no interest in the Mazda series so perhaps this would be a good time to head into one of the indoor pavilions to pay too much for a hot dog and a cola while basking in the AC until 1:55 when practice 2 for Indy begins. If someone really wants to shoot the Mazda series that's fine by me too.

- 1:55 to 2:55 Indy practice 2

At this point we can evaluate whether to call it a day and get a pint off track (suggestions?) or stick around for the Ferrari qualifying at 4:20 until 5:00. I'm not big on the heat and like cold beer so the math here is pretty easy for me.

I have Friday off and am tempted to go down. If I'm not lazy, and it's a nice day, I'll join you

Looking at their site, there seem to be some restrictions on camera, does anyone know how strict they are in enforcing these rules?
http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/spectator-guide#md

No tripod/monopods in grandstand rule? That doesn't seem restrictive -- there's nothing about the size of lens. I've been to this event for the past five years with a D/SLR and never had an issue. They are sometimes restrictive about food. (Water bottle seems ok, and there are refill stations).


Taking the shot by ofermod, on Flickr

... but she was working with the Dr. Pepper girls. I still don't understand the flash -- would have been better with her people photos by just putting a sheet of white cardboard in people's laps.


... I'll blurb a bit more about doing the friday open visit. I don't know if I'll manage to meet up with anyone.

You can bring in a SEALED bottle of water. Or they will ask you to empty it before letting you in. (NO cans/ glass bottles allowed)

Uh, yeah there is a lens restriction. Under the media device section they restrict lenses to 10". And they use the vague term professional camera. Plus since most new DSLRs do video they are technically restricted under the no video/audio device rule. They may not enforce it consistently, but it is there and it only takes one ornery security mutt to make it difficult for you.

From the web site link provided by Mings.

DG

This looks interesting and I have Friday afternoon off but I don't know if I'll be able to get the 100mm f2.8 macro lens in time for this and I don't have the proper media credential, are they going to kick me out??

In all honestly I don't think there'll be a problem on the free day but who knows.

R u going????? u have not yet registered!

huh but i don't wanna be kicked out. and there's a fence i'll have to shoot through...

I'm sure that you'll be ok with the usual gamut of lenses less than 400mm. Definitely stow the lens hood. I often show up with a 2-stage backpack and security just checks the top half without seeing the camera gear at the bottom.

And there's this guy:

You call that a lens? by ofermod, on Flickr
... I'm pretty sure he didn't have photo credentials since he's on this side of the fence.

sounds cool..... maybe next year. I have a date with the dealership to get my creeky doors fixed.

It's just the wrong time of year...it's too hot, and there's too much pollution in the air. They should run this race in early May!

We've had snow in early May before (2003 and 2004). Great time to run a race....

ok, i'm going to pack my holga and fisheye on the top half of my backpack and i sneak in the other one at the bottom and i'll put my tripod inside my yoga mat bag and if the security guy asks me i'll just tell him that i'm going to a yoga class after this


[quote="ofermod"]I'm sure that you'll be ok with the usual gamut of lenses less than 400mm. Definitely stow the lens hood. I often show up with a 2-stage backpack and security just checks the top half without seeing the camera gear at the bottom.

Yeah, go for it. Whats the worse they can do? Say you can't go in or ask you to leave. It's free, so no worries. And if you do get kicked out send a nice email to Honda afterwards thanking them for being anti photographer and mention you will not be buying their products.

DG

Now that would make for an entertaining event.

DG

Photo tips for free friday:

You can sit wherever you like, so take advantage if you're scouting for seats. I've been going for some time and until recently have always been in different grandstands every year. My friends seem to like being in turn 3 where most of the accidents will happen, which is good photo-wise if you can muscle past the crowd and get above the ever increasing and thickening fences.

The fences are really the toughest part about getting cars at speed on track -- particularly since last year when they went with thicker fencing. This sort of helps:
- Pan your shots. This helps blur at least the verticals on the fencing, blurs the background, gives a bit of blur to the wheels -- it gives the cars a sense of motion instead of being parked behind a fence. Reviewing my shots, about 1/200 is pretty nice. You can go slower, which makes things more surreal, but can be more difficult to get a majority of the car in focus.
- choose a larger aperture and pre-focus on the road. The shallower depth of field will help the fence blur more, and it keeps the AF from focussing on the fence... AF loves fence.
- Burst if you want, but I find it better to pan along and take single shots. Saves on sorting later.

I've been trading racing photos with a guy in California for a while on flickr -- he always has great head shots of the drivers and crew at racing events. Since I get more than enough photos of the cars (despite the fencing), I've been focusing on capturing driver photos from the Gold grandstands as they enter and leave the pits. It's also probably where you can get the easiest clear shots of the new cars as they motor down pit lane.

Look out for this guy:

Hinchcliffe by ofermod, on Flickr
He's Oakville native James Hinchcliffe. He'll be in the green and black Go Daddy car.

Awesome tips ofermod! Thank you! Hopefully it's Hinch we see at the top step Sunday but I fear it will be Bill Power.

great. i won't be able to make it until 2pm or so, do i still have to sign up

Nope, if you want to meet up with us PM me and I will send you my mobile number and I will let you know where we are for shooting of Indy Practice 2 at 2PM. That is if we haven't melted by then! The forecast for tomorrow is currently 36°C! Bring sunscreen and sealed water (as per the no open containers rule).

My planned schedule is:

- 10:00 arrive at Exhibition GO Station
- 10:15 meet TPMG peeps 10:15AM Exhibition Go Station at the GO ticket booth (South of the Station) and head in to scout a spot to shoot Indy practice 1
- 11:05 to 12:05 Indy practice 1
- 12:05 to 12:20 hydrate and rest and find a spot to shoot the Ferrari practice (mmmm 458s)
- 12:20 to 12:50 Ferrari practice

I have no interest in the Mazda series so perhaps this would be a good time to head into one of the indoor pavilions to pay too much for a hot dog and a cola while basking in the AC until 1:55 when practice 2 for Indy begins.

- 1:55 to 2:55 Indy practice 2

At this point we can evaluate whether to call it a day and get a pint off track (suggestions?) or stick around for the Ferrari qualifying at 4:20 until 5:00. I'm not big on the heat and like cold beer so the math here is pretty easy for me.

Sorry, I'm running a bit late and will not be getting the train I wanted to. The meet spot is the same for 11am.

i am going to be there around two pm
am hoping to meet up with the group then
just in case i cant find ya all look for the hillbilly looking guy on a mobility scooter lol

I'm coming but the Ttc is usual service, ie really slow! at st Claire now.

Thanks for organizing Chris! It was a great way to spend my day off! It was nice to meet new faces too

Nice to see you guys but man that was one hot day. All worthwhile to get a shot with Rubens!

Big Thank You to Chris.

BTW can u post that photo

No, the photographer made me look fat. :p Maybe once I find my card reader I will post it.

Maybe you need to get a better lens! or even need a better camera!

Or a diet.


Rubens Barrichello at the Honda Indy, Toronto by Christopher Brian's Photography, on Flickr