Track photographer barely escapes with his life on the drag strip
Nov 29, 2016
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Automotive photographer can be very dangerous stuff, especially when it comes to racing. Over the years, some very close calls have been caught on camera, but few are as close as this. When Canadian drag racer Shawn Mcfalls had a 4 link bar break at the start of a race at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Ontario earlier this year, he was quickly sent off course.
This sent him and his Camaro right into the guardrail, then flying above it, straight over the head of an unnamed trackside photographer. Fortunately, the photographer had lightning reactions and was able to get out of the way. This could’ve ended up far worse.
Hopefully this photographer isn’t pushing his luck and has switched over to remote cameras with radio triggers for future races.
It’s only a short video, but, oh boy.
It’s a difficult and dangerous position for most of us to imagine ourselves in. I’m not sure I’d have been able to react so quickly. I think I’ll stick to portraits and animals.
What’s the scariest surprise situation you’ve found yourself in as a photographer? Did everybody make it away unscathed? Tell us your stories in the comments.
[via Speed Directions]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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4 responses to “Track photographer barely escapes with his life on the drag strip”
Yes… but did he get the shot?
That’s why professional photographers NEVER stand this close to the track :) People have created long lens, with gazzillion horsepower just inches away from you, it’s not OK to be there :)
While photographing car accident scenes, I’ve had drivers go through barricades, crime scene tape, flares, around officers directing traffic, etc. because the driver needed to be on the other side of the accident. Usually, I had enough situational awareness to avoid trouble or had someone watching my back give a shout, but twice, I’ve been pushed out of the way by officers just in time or I would have been going up over the hood and into the windshield.
Ever have one of those days when you nearly get killed and someone else get the shot?