Motorsport Photography at Teesside Autodrome: Capturing Speed, Energy and Atmosphere

1/60th - F5.6 panning shot for motion blur to convey speed and atmosphere…it’s a tricky business to get the settings right for a shot like this!

Motorsport photography is about much more than freezing a fast-moving subject. The best images should communicate the atmosphere of the event, the concentration of the competitors and the speed and energy of the racing.

I recently spent a day at Teesside Autodrome photographing competitors during a Supermoto event. It was a great opportunity to use a variety of photographic techniques, from documentary-style reportage and environmental portraits to creative motion blur.

Because the competitors were children, I took particular care to ensure that the photographs used for this case study do not identify individual competitors. Instead, the emphasis is on the sport itself — the bikes, movement, atmosphere and excitement of the event.

A versatile approach to motorsport photography

One of the things I enjoy about photographing motorsport is that there is rarely just one type of photograph to take.

The obvious opportunities are the high-speed action shots, but spending time around a circuit reveals many other possibilities.

Competitors preparing for their races, bikes waiting in the paddock, the circuit environment and the anticipation before a race can all contribute to telling the story of an event.

For this reason, I approached the day with a versatile set of photographic techniques, rather than relying exclusively on conventional action photography.

Great panning shot of one of the competitors from today

Reportage photography

The reportage images were about documenting the event as it unfolded.

A proud father prepares a Supermoto for his boy - a switch between 3 different photographic styles. Action/Portrait/Reportage

Rather than simply photographing bikes as they passed at speed, I looked for photographs that conveyed the wider experience of being at the circuit.

The bikes, equipment, circuit and surrounding activity all became part of the story.

This documentary approach is particularly useful for events because it creates a collection of images that works together rather than simply producing a series of similar action photographs.

Photographing competitors

There were also opportunities for more considered, portrait-style photographs.

Rather than creating traditional formal portraits, I used the environment of the circuit as part of the composition.

The helmets, riding equipment and bikes naturally became important elements within the photographs, helping to communicate the character of the sport while maintaining the privacy of the young competitors.

This is an important consideration when photographing children at sporting events. The images can still convey the excitement, concentration and commitment involved without needing to reveal their identities.

Creating a sense of speed with motion blur

One of my favourite techniques from the day was panning.

The photograph featured above demonstrates the effect particularly well.

Instead of using a very fast shutter speed to completely freeze the motorcycle, I used a slower shutter speed while following the movement of the bike through the frame.

The result is a relatively sharp rider and motorcycle against a heavily blurred background.

This creates a strong sense of movement and speed.

Panning is one of those techniques that looks relatively simple when you see the finished photograph, but getting the balance right can be surprisingly challenging.

The camera needs to move smoothly with the subject, while the shutter speed has to be slow enough to introduce movement into the background without making the subject completely indistinct.

When it works, the resulting photograph can communicate the sensation of speed far more effectively than a completely frozen image.

Looking beyond the action

For me, good event photography is about building a visual story.

At Teesside Autodrome, that meant moving between different approaches throughout the day — from wider reportage photographs to more carefully composed portraits, and then to technically demanding panning shots as the competitors came around the circuit.

Each technique produces something different.

A frozen action photograph can show exactly what happened at a particular moment. A portrait can tell us something about the person taking part. A reportage photograph can establish the wider context, while motion blur can communicate the speed and energy that you actually experience when standing beside the track.

Combining all of these approaches creates a much more complete record of the event.

Motorsport and event photography in Yorkshire

Although this particular shoot took place at Teesside Autodrome, the same approach can be applied to motorsport, sporting events and other live events across Yorkshire and the North of England.

Whether the requirement is for documentary-style event photography, action images, portraits or a combination of different techniques, I enjoy adapting my approach to suit the event and the story that needs to be told.

For me, the objective isn't simply to produce technically good photographs. It's to create images that communicate what it felt like to be there.

Looking for a photographer for your event?

If you're looking for event photography, sports photography or motorsport photography in Yorkshire, I'd be happy to discuss your requirements.

I can provide a mixture of reportage, portraits, action photography and creative images, depending on the event and how you intend to use the photographs.