How would you fix Silverstone from a photography point of view

Fireproof Creative

Fireproof Creative

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Jonny
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Silverstone has been my second home since I was a kid, I've been taking some form of camera with me for 20 years so I'm used to the place. I frequently hear from pros and amateurs complain about how bad they think it is for photography, what I'd like to know is how you guys would like to see it improved and what is specifically wrong with it. I'm not talking about ripping up the track and moving it to somewhere with contours, I'm talking about actual feasible improvements that would make it better from a photography stand point....is it access?, facilities?, fences? or is it just the track layout that you don't like?

I'm interested to hear a reasoned argument - if only for hypothetical changes :)
 
Open up the infield. I've only visited Silverstone once and was lucky enough to be taken through the tunnel (by a member on a testing day) so was able to get some shots from very close to the F1 pit exit where they were doing practise starts, meaning they were still for a couple of seconds, allowing some 1/2 decent shots. Personally, I also prefer cars moving from left to right in shots, so on clockwise tracks, that = infields!

Fences are a PITA for photographers BUT are an important safety feature and if they save just one life (or serious injury), they're worth it.
 
fences, poor paths for walking, would like more tunnels, grandstands can get chilly fast.

the path copse to beckets was big gravel stones, like 2 3 inch stones, horrible to walk on
 
Paint the acres of fencing / scaffold stands black so they don't stick out like beacons in the night, easier to shoot 'through' as well. Better pathways, a couple of bridges (cheaper and easier than tunnels) From the spectator side of the fence - more access points and a lot less of the 'spectator marshals' as they tend to be a little ott (few mates have commentated on this on more than one occasion)

.DAVID.
 
Nod said:
Open up the infield. I've only visited Silverstone once and was lucky enough to be taken through the tunnel (by a member on a testing day) so was able to get some shots from very close to the F1 pit exit where they were doing practise starts, meaning they were still for a couple of seconds, allowing some 1/2 decent shots. Personally, I also prefer cars moving from left to right in shots, so on clockwise tracks, that = infields!

Fences are a PITA for photographers BUT are an important safety feature and if they save just one life (or serious injury), they're worth it.
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Its the same at virtually every F1 venue I believe... poor people on the outside, rich people on the inside :)

pingu666 said:
fences, poor paths for walking, would like more tunnels, grandstands can get chilly fast.

the path copse to beckets was big gravel stones, like 2 3 inch stones, horrible to walk on
Click to expand...

That is true the paths are crap...but like above, the fences are a necessary evil for major motorsport events.... although they could be a lot less tatty

andrewc said:
Actually from my point of view I'd like a tunnel or something the Luffield end of the pit lane.
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That would be nice, the walk is arduous - I doubt it will happen with the new one they put over Wellington straight there are plans to put one down at farm though I think

David Stallard said:
Paint the acres of fencing / scaffold stands black so they don't stick out like beacons in the night, easier to shoot 'through' as well. Better pathways, a couple of bridges (cheaper and easier than tunnels) From the spectator side of the fence - more access points and a lot less of the 'spectator marshals' as they tend to be a little ott (few mates have commentated on this on more than one occasion)

.DAVID.
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Agreed fences (and PA system) definitely need an overhaul ... G4S are quite miserable in their approach
 
Never been, But still gonna put my 2p in.

My thoughts would be a number of Hide type units. with small openings to shoot through.
 
Better signage and information would clear up an awful lot of the misery I've experienced there (as a spectator), i.e I still have no idea what the deal is with much of the infield at some events, sometimes they stop you at the pinch point near Village/Loop, sometimes they don't blink (even inconsistency on the same day depending on who is stood there). There are metres and metres of 'no spectating here' zones in the infield that are widely ignored by everyone, so no idea what the deal is there.

Polite, consistent security would be nice, but I suppose if the obvious 'don'ts' are widely ignored (such as standing between the barrier and debris fence, which many people do) they have to have a lot of staff out there.

Considering it's a significant walk to many spots it would be handy to know if it's actually going to be accessible before you get there, that's my main gripe and goes for everything including toilets, many of which are often locked at smaller events.

Generally I avoid Silverstone unless I'm really bored of a weekend, there is a real air of 'second class citizen' unless you are one of the privileged few, life is too short for that in my opinion, the likes of Castle Combe, Thruxton and the hill climb venues here in the South West are (obviously) far more accessible and much, much nicer places to be as an average punter.
 
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