Tips for first visit to Brands.

Gadget-Guy

Gadget-Guy

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Going to make the trip down to Brands on Saturday for the BSB's.

This will be my first ever visit to the track so can some of the Brands regulars give me some pointers as to spots and focal lengths please.

:thumbs:
 
Have a search, i did a post a few years ago on some basic spots for the Indy circuit.

I will also throw this map into the mix which i made for a friend showing decent spectator spots to photograph from.

If the arrow is facing down the track then its a headon or rearward shot. If the arrow is square into the corner then its a position typically for panning.

958284873_Mrvy2-L.jpg
 
What lens do you have.... Some of the safety fences require longer lenses to focus past the mesh. Druids is good on the inside, slow corner, but you'll require more than 300mm to shoot from the outside of that corner. Its the GP circuit so there's far more opportunities to take shots, but I would also recommend a step ladder for us poor unfortunates that don't have the easy and luxury of no barriers or safety fences to contend with like the media togs.
Hawthorns and Stirlings are also great spots to shot from.
 
BSB will be busy around the whole circuit - but the majority of people will be on the indy circuit, which will restrict you a bit.

Here's my guide starting from the start finish straight.

First real options are shooting down from the banking of paddock hill as they exit the bend. 300mm will do it here, but it is tricky to get good shots.

Head up toward druids and cross to the infield section. Great shots exiting paddock hill bend can be had from here as well as pans into and out of hairpin. The inside of druids is a great spot for close ups too. 70-200 is fine for all around here.

Head back to outside and you can shoot through fence and get the top of the hill shot. 300-400mm here.

Follow round druids and get onto the south bank - you can get some nice stuff on graham hill bend and on the Cooper straight - but there are a lot of speakers and posts to get in the way. 300mm plus here.

GP Circuit - there are some great spots here and it's worth moving around a bit.

If you head up to druids there is a gate where you can take a walk through woods and it leads you to an area just under the bridge as the heading down into Pilgrms drop - good for fast head on stuff - can be tricky in terms of speed and the strong shadow cast by the bridge. 70-200 or larger works here

Crossing over by druids you cut through the woods and you end up at hawthorns, then westfield. Great shots from here - 70-200 again ideal.

Moving on you can get some nice stuff dingel dell - will be toward 300mm.

Then you get to sterlings - great shots to be had on the exit - 200-400 works well. You can also get some nice stuff from the entry too.

Clearways makes for some nice pans. There is a nice clear shot to be had from where the indy circuit rejoins -but this can be fast when the GP is in use. 70-200 shoud do it.

There is a TV window at Clark curve - if it's not in use by a crew you can get some nice stuff - but it is popular and when there is a lot of people trying to use it I think it's better to head off elsewere - 200-400 good here.

Hope this helps - it's not definitive - and a bit rushed!!
 
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Have a search, i did a post a few years ago on some basic spots for the Indy circuit
Click to expand...

That guide was so useful the first few time I went with a camera - much appreciated!
 
Cool Thank you for all the replies.
Will be taking the usual with me so will have 70-200 f2.8 and the 300 f2.8 + TC's and some wider stuff to lug round for the day but am really looking forward to it.
 
Greenninja said:
BSB will be busy around the whole circuit - but the majority of people will be on the indy circuit, which will restrict you a bit.

Here's my guide starting from the start finish straight.

First real options are shooting down from the banking of paddock hill as they exit the bend. 300mm will do it here, but it is tricky to get good shots.

Head up toward druids and cross to the infield section. Great shots exiting paddock hill bend can be had from here as well as pans into and out of hairpin. The inside of druids is a great spot for close ups too. 70-200 is fine for all around here.

Head back to outside and you can shoot through fence and get the top of the hill shot. 300-400mm here.

Follow round druids and get onto the south bank - you can get some nice stuff on graham hill bend and on the Cooper straight - but there are a lot of speakers and posts to get in the way. 300mm plus here.

GP Circuit - there are some great spots here and it's worth moving around a bit.

If you head up to druids there is a gate where you can take a walk through woods and it leads you to an area just under the bridge as the heading down into Pilgrms drop - good for fast head on stuff - can be tricky in terms of speed and the strong shadow cast by the bridge. 70-200 or larger works here

Crossing over by druids you cut through the woods and you end up at hawthorns, then westfield. Great shots from here - 70-200 again ideal.

Moving on you can get some nice stuff dingel dell - will be toward 300mm.

Then you get to sterlings - great shots to be had on the exit - 200-400 works well. You can also get some nice stuff from the entry too.

Clearways makes for some nice pans. There is a nice clear shot to be had from where the indy circuit rejoins -but this can be fast when the GP is in use. 70-200 shoud do it.

There is a TV window at Clark curve - if it's not in use by a crew you can get some nice stuff - but it is popular and when there is a lot of people trying to use it I think it's better to head off elsewere - 200-400 good here.

Hope this helps - it's not definitive - and a bit rushed!!
Click to expand...

This stell you all you went to need. Nice one:thumbs:
 
Gadget-Guy said:
Will be taking the usual with me so will have 70-200 f2.8 and the 300 f2.8 + TC's and some wider stuff to lug round for the day but am really looking forward to it.
Click to expand...

You'll have plenty of chances to use those - thats the perfect setup to be honest.

Watch out for the time of day - sun direction.

Add a small step ladder though as there are a few places you can get some better shots with it - for example, over the fence as they come up the hill to Druids (you'll spot where) - morning shot. Over the top of the fence on the outside exit side of Druids late morning onwards. Outside exit of Surtees - there is a cracking shot there from a ladder of them popping wheelies onto the straight - 420mm (300+1.4x) - afternoons. Exit of Stirlings shooting into the corner at 420mm (afternoons) - go a bit shorter (70-200) to get them on the gas out of Stirlings too, they pop the front wheel on the power out of there. The bikes look striking against the dark tree backgrounds - but make sure you get your metering right or it will overexpose to hell! Like this:

bsbaug2.jpg


Thats taken public side of the fence...

Westfield always looks like it might be a good shot, but its not - light is always behind the subject unless really early and the background is naaaaasty.

If you get a chance on the Friday, use the TV hatch at Clearways for an excellent late afternoon shot (not quite as good as on the Indy circuit, but good none the less). Need about 420mm upwards for that one.

Anyway, enjoy - I am missing this one as will be in Switzerland!
 
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Thanks Andy and Kev,will only be down there on the Saturday so will have a bit of a limit on getting to all of the spots if I'm carrying loads but will see how I get on. Thanks again for all the info :thumbs:
 
Limit?!

Work out your battle plan - download the schedule from the Brands website, mark up on it where you will be at what times, keep checking your watch and keep moving :D

Oh and finally... collapse in a heap at the end of the day and not process your shots until Tuesday :D

Works for me!
 
desantnik said:
Limit?!

Work out your battle plan - download the schedule from the Brands website, mark up on it where you will be at what times, keep checking your watch and keep moving :D

Oh and finally... collapse in a heap at the end of the day and not process your shots until Tuesday :D

Works for me!
Click to expand...

LOL, Cheers Andy.
 
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