The full Monte-Carlo story : Top 5 atmosphere location

Shooting at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix in Monte Carlo is not only about the action imagery of course.You have to include the atmosphere and the incredible landscape to get the full story.

A1-Pit Lane
A1-Pit Lane

The pit lane is superb place to shoot the cars waiting to head out onto the track with the old town up on the hill in the background.17-40mm f11 1/125th second

Casino Sq
Casino Sq

No Monte Carlo visit is complete without shooting in Casino Square, There are about three different position to shoot from but I like this view best. 50mm f11 1/250th second.

Massenet
Massenet

Peeping through the armco crops this Alfa Romeo nicely with the high end stores in the background to give context.17-40mm f8 1/500th second

Rascasse
Rascasse

The Rascasse turn is the second last before the finishing straight with cars often tustling for position around the restaurant stuck in the centre of the corner, nicely framed by the Alps Maritime in the background.17-40mm f11 1/250th second

Fairmont hairpin
Fairmont hairpin

If you are lucky enough to know someone or get a pass onto the roof of the Fairmont hotel this is the view you can capture.17-40mm f11 1/125th second.

These images were all taken  the fantastic Historic Grand Prix de Monaco which happens every two years. The races are short , just ten laps, so to shoot at different locations you have to be quick and plan ahead thinking about where the light will be at different times of day. If you are fortunate enough to shoot the Grand Prix itself it is much busier and harder to move around but at least you have the luxury of a two hour races to get yourself into the best position to capture all the glory of the what surely is the most exciting Formula One race of the season.

Top 6 places to shoot action on the Monte Carlo F1 circuit

I’ve just come back from a great weekend taking pictures at the Monaco Historics Grand Prix.This is held every two years  a couple of weeks before the modern GP and is one of the highlights of the classic racing season.

I’ve covered the event every year since it’s inception and each time I go I learn more about the circuit and find new places to shoot.So I thought I’d offer my best half a dozen places to photograph action at one of the most exciting race tracks in the world.

It is a confusing place to work however with access to the best track-side locations via a series of tunnels, secret stair-ways and lifts within the cliffs of the ancient principality .

Map of Monaco circuit
Map of Monaco circuit

I’ve numbered the turns on this lovely old map of the circuit so you can see where each image is taken.Most of these places are only accessible if you have a track-side tabard after signing on with the Automobile Club de Monaco.

Turn 1-C Type
Turn 1-C Type

This is one of the best paces to shoot the start St Devote, turn 1 accessed via a tunnel under the track and a guarded stairway.70-300mm f5.6 1/640th second

March at Turn 7
March at Turn 7

Crossing back under the track this great head on shot at Turn 7 is looking down the straight due south towards the sea, the harbour is immediately on the right. 300mm f4.5 1/800th second

Allard at turn 9
Allard at turn 9

Walking back down the pit lane and down the stairs to the second set of swimming pool curves this shot needs you to keep your nerve as the cars thunder past a few feet away.A high shutter speed is needed and a short pan. 70mm f5.6 1/000th second.

Maserati 250F at turn 10
Maserati 250F at turn 10

Turn 9 is in the background of this shot with photographers visible but there’s another good shot in this complex by turning around and photographing at the second corner turn 10. 70-300mm f5.6 1/500th second.

Formula Juniors at turn 8
Formula Juniors at turn 8

This is the first swimming pool complex.Again this is very fast with cars traveling at nearly 100mph coming towards you. 300mm f6.7 1/640th second.

Tec Mec at turn 4
Tec Mec at turn 4

There are lots of other locations to shoot a race from but if you have to go to one place then the Fairmont hairpin curves, formally known by all as Lowes , is a good place to head for.You can shoot about 4 action shots here with the cars usually bunched up and traveling a lot slower. 70-300mm f8 1/400th second