RACE PHOTOGRAPHY

RENO, NV (March 25) — Race Photography is an art form in itself, done to capture the whirling action the sport produces. Many have seen us photographers in the middle of an oval, by a go-kart track, on a desert course, motocross track or standing by the rails at a drag strip.

Well this time thought I’d introduce you to three of us and give an insight into who we are and what we’re doing.

First off want to introduce you to Melissa Saumer Coker from Spring Creek, Nevada. She and her husband put many, many miles on their truck and trailer as she photographs racing all over the west.

Her entry into this type of photography was a bit different.

“I was an equestrian but had to give that up due to a back injury,” she said. “Then my daughter Lisa had a boy friend that raced cars so it developed from that. Kind of like fast horses and since I wasn’t able to ride anymore and needed to use my time. I got real excited about being at the track and I’m still learning,”

Of course this meant a lot of education about photography, equipment and other things that go with doing this.

“I’ve never been a photographer so had to learn about the equipment, Photoshop and it was challenging to figure this all out. I took one introduction class at the community college then tried to do online courses,” she said. “Actually I didn’t look at a lot of other people’s work as I didn’t want to copy anyone but it might have helped.”

Eventually she developed her own style but with a twist.

“It’s more journalistic as I want to photograph from the start to the finish but also the stuff on the side and not just winning shots,” she said. “I try to get all the cars and all the racers as they are important. There are so many pictures of the people that win but where is the rest of the race?”

She explained that her posts on Smug Mug are basically a journal from the beginning to the end of an event. That way people can search through a race and find what they want to see.

Asked about equipment she said, “When I first started being independent I wanted to use Sony as a guy talked to me about it. I just got better goodies, cameras, computers and photo processing.”

She sometimes shoots both RAW or JPEG depending on the situation. Using JPEG Fine for most of her shots but when she puts it into RAW it’s about the same while at other times she’ll shoot in RAW format.

Photographing a race isn’t totally safe but not that dangerous either. Zoom lenses allow photographers to stand a distance from the racing surface, which is pretty safe.

Asked about that she said, “I don’t worry about it as I just run. Most tracks want you to wear a reflective vest as does my husband.”

Like this reporter Melissa also noticed fans in the stands are taking photos or using cell phones.

“I’ve been to tracks where fans are taking photos and filming with cell phones,” she said. “You can use old cameras but if you want to be really serious you’ll need a low light lens because our tracks here are so dark.”

She does a lot of traveling to various tracks in several states but doesn’t really have a type of event that’s her favorite.

“I’ll shoot about any kind of a race, don’t know about my favorite but I shoot mostly IMICA Modifieds due to the family. I would love to shoot motorcycles,” she said.

Her travels have taken her to Arkansas, Washington, Oregon, California, Iowa, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona not to mention across and up and down Nevada.

“In the future I’m supporting our Elko track and am the official photographer for the Wild West Modified Tour,’ she said. “I’ll shoot part of the I-80 Tour, Boone Super Nationals, hopefully the Race for Hope For Hope in Arkansas, the Las Vegas Duel in the Desert and a couple of World of Outlaws events.”

Needless to say she is one busy woman and could be called a Photo Gypsy.

“I think I have a strong feeling about myself being a photojournalist. I’m supporting our local track, making flyers, giving photos and even hero cards for local drivers, she said. “I just want to do the outside activities and help promote the sport.”

If you want to see her fine work please check the website at www.melissasoutonalimb@smugmug.com. On Face Book it’s Melissasoutonalimb.

Next is a native Northern Nevadan whose forte is photographing sprint cars. Troy White has been around racing almost his entire life.

“I actually got interested being a little kid around 3- or 4-years-old and going to TCar Raceway then to Lemmon Valley Raceway with my grandfather,” Troy White said. “He raced midgets in the 30’s and 40’s until my grandmother got him to stop. Back then it was pretty dangerous.”

White was inspired by the cars he saw and liked to play around and take pictures when he could.

“About 20-years ago I got serious and started taking pictures. Started out at first just to have fun and sell a few,” he said. “Then I realized it was more important to document this for the future. I look at it more like I’m trying to give to that and if I can inspire a young kid to get into any aspect of racing.”

He explained that the photos mean different things to many people. While it might not seem important an image might be very important to some people and maybe, down the road, become collector’s items.

“I give exposure to the sport and see pictures but I’ve found that’s not the main goal,” he said. “Before people wanted prints and not a digital file so I try to keep the prices reasonable.”

White is grateful that former Carson promoter Les Kynet gave him a chance to take pictures from inside the oval. Later Chris at what is now 95A Speedway also gave him a chance.

“From there I graduated over to the Northern California tracks as well as other Nevada tracks,” he said. “A big challenge at the very beginning was to be able to get credentials or passes. When you’re a nobody and trying to establish yourself it’s hard to get a chance.”

While it may look simple, proper technique is a challenge to any photographer covering racing. Panning is an art one must master for good shots and equipment is also important.

“I’m a die hard old school person so started out with Minolta using color print film. When everybody else went to digital at first I was against it,” he said. “What made me change was when Sony bought out Minolta as the first generation of the Sony cameras could use my lenses.

Even now the current generation of Sony cameras can use Minolta lenses. Finally in 2009 he switched to digital.

“I changed with the times and it is so much easier,” he said.

Photographing a race, as he explained means changing settings as one usually starts in the afternoon but the event runs into the night. Not only keeping up with changing light but safety is also a consideration when shooting from the inside of an oval.

“For sure, I’ve learned how to shoot with both eyes open because you need peripheral vision since when you look into a view finder you have tunnel vision,” he said. “They are going so fast I don’t have time to react so I always scout out where I have somewhere to go, like behind a tire or something. Safety is a big thing.”

His advice to spectators wanting to photograph a race is, “if possible invest in a good lens, in my opinion glass is everything. Get a decent SLR then a good lens and you’ll need something you can zoom in.”

Looking ahead White is also involved with a group in the Boise, Idaho are working on reviving Super Modifieds, the same class of cars that really began his spark of interest in racing. He helps with a reunion providing t-shirts and other things.

“In the future I mean to continue doing what I can document, going to try and do everything I can with racing here and in Northern California,” he said. “It’s about getting young kids involved and if I can inspire kids with a really cool picture.”

To see White’s work please either go to his website, www.twracefotos@smugmug.com or twracefotos on Face Book.

Next up is this reporter but my background is a bit different than Melissa’s or Troy’s.

I actually became a fan of racing while stationed in the Far East with the Army. Back then I could only see reports in magazines but it kindled a love that is still here today.

I attended the final race the SCCA held in the parking lot of Candlestick Park then met a guy, who told me about being a corner worker. In road racing each corner has a crew of people handling flags used to signal drivers things like something to be cautious ahead, oil on the track and if you’re being overtaken.

I soon found out it was somewhat risky as we stood less than 20 feet from the edge of the track with nothing to hide behind. My first experience was at a driver’s school at the old Vaca Valley Speedway.

Since I was the new guy my job was to hold the yellow flag and I had have my back to the traffic so my life really depended on a guy I only met at the meeting that morning. Nerve wracking would be a total understatement but it was almost terminally exciting as well.

I often tell people that day the part of my brain that controls common sense shorted out and I’ve loved it ever since.

Worked many events including helping open Sears Point, now Sonoma Raceway as well as the old Riverside course.

During my time in Southern California attended Brooks Institute of Photography then later lived in Los Angeles and worked at one of the Hollywood Studios. Once our daughter arrived my former wife and I decided we’re not raising her down there and wound up in Reno.

I got back into racing as a reporter, who takes my own photos, through the Sparks Tribune. Started with the now gone speedway in Carson City. Since then I’ve expanded so I do everything from go-karts, oval tracks, hoping to add drag racing and area motorcycle events.

This marks the first year that I’ve given up on Air Races. After 35 plus years it was time for a change.

Photographing racing has challenges particular to that sport. Yes you need a good to decent camera, lens and flash but one prime skill is panning, where you are photographing a moving object, car, motorcycle or aircraft.

Equipment has changed as well. In journalism, and maybe in all areas but fine art, you really can’t use film anymore. It just takes too long and you actually have more creative tools with digital than you ever had with film.

So you need a good low light lens if you can afford it but many times that can be overcome with the modern camera.

Melissa explained she’s always learning, well even with my background so am I. She showed me how to use Auto ISO and now I have a camera that can do that.

ISO is like film speed, the higher the number the lower the light level it will react to. In this case the camera chooses the ISO for each shot.

This eliminates the need for a flash. Dust is a problem with dirt oval tracks so that is eliminated. The catch is that you need the area to be brightly lit or the results can be less than desired so I go back and forth.

For spectators smart phones or video cameras will work very well. If you’re using a camera, and shooting through the fence, try for a slower shutter speed when panning. Many times if you get this right the camera won’t see much of the fence you have to shoot through.

If your up against the fence you can probably just shoot through it.

I like the other two wear a reflective vest for safety as I want to be easily seen. One also needs to check out an escape route just in case something happens and it’a time to run for it.

Not only am I watching what is going on but I’m also listening using two pieces of equipment.

Using ear buds I listen to a Raceceiver that the officials use to talk direct directly to the drivers. In addition, which adds more hearing protecting. I have earmuffs that are plugged into a scanner so I can listen to the track officials.

They also know if something is coming my way and I don’t appear to have seen it they can use the radio to warn me. My take on safety is to never take it for granted. Doing what we do has hazards and you want to be prepared.

While I do sell pictures if requested my goal is to have enough so I can illustrate the articles I post on my website. I also try and get as many other winners as I can as well.

I like Melissa and Troy want to promote the sport. They use photographs, she also helps a magazine, while I’m using my reports and photos to do the same thing.

More than a few times young racers have come and expressed how my articles have been printed and might be on the walls of their rooms. I’m always gratified that my work has had an impact on someone’s life.

Hope this helps all my readers understand what some of us in the infield, by a motocross, off-road, go kart track or drag strip are doing.

If you see any of us please say hello and check out our work. Of course my site is here www.nvracingnews.com and it’s also on Face Book under nvracingnews.

In our region there are other photographers that do the same thing but weren’t part of this article.

If you race in MRANN check out www.amyfyephtography.com and for motocross Josh Peterson’s site is www.jspfilms.com. At American Valley Speedway in Quincy their track photographer is Kealey Froggatt, who does a very good job. Her website is www.facebook.com/k-froggatt-photography.

Currently I don’t know if Fernley 95A Speedway, Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville, or Lovelock Speedway have track photographers. The photographer for Top Gun Drag Strip is Alvin Clark and his website is, www.problemchilddesigns.net

Please support these race photographers as it helps their efforts to promote your favorite motor sport.

OTHER RACING NEWS:

• Due to health issues I was unable to attend MRANN’s latest event at Blue Wing Flat. Thanks to Mike Marcum there are the top 10 finishers: 1.Corey Fletcher, Exp., 2. Dan Capparelli, Exp., 3. Ryan Johnson, Exp., 4. Willy Heiss, Exp., 5. Austin Wilson, Exp., 6. Mason Stone, Exp., 7. Stephen Hetrar, Exp., 8. Jacob Kinkel, Exp., 9. Red Herrera, Ama., 10. Caleb Bohneville, Ama.

•     Remember Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on from 2 until 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The show covers all things automotive.

I have a preview section at 2:15 and this week most of my voice will be back. We’re also live on Face Book.

If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.

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We now have five very appreciated sponsors that support his site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue.

Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.

Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.

Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.

The next shop, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again the shop has a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.

Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.

The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs

The original owner is Gill Grieve, a long time racer and supporter of racing. He’s now in the process of retiring and the new owner will be Brian Saul, a car enthusiast himself, who is also committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work.

Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.

If you are in to karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing please check out Nevada Kart Sport, the only full service kart shop in this region. Owner Rodney Rivera will maintain, build or store your kart.

The shop is located at 894 Deming Way, off East Glendale, in Sparks, Nevada. The shop’s website is www.nevadakartsport.com, and the phone number is 775-219-4184.

Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports.

If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like minded people.

The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.

Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.

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