All:

It was decided today that the straight from 3 to 4 between the bridge and 4 would be the area for the main Laguna shot since the sun is ideal at this time of day and it is a fairly straightforward, relatively easy to set up shot considering we only have a 30 minute window for the shot and the parade laps. Attached are four shots of Turns 3 and 4. We will try to get a good elevation at track level using the ladder and as an alternate, if not from there, we will use the bleachers with a telephoto lens. Initial plans call for the 72 cars to enter the track from the Turn 5 gate and proceed around the track in normal track direction to the shoot location. Camera car/truck will go from Turn 5 gate and proceed on the track in the opposite direction direct to Turn 4 to set up. May require use of a flatbed (VegasRacer?) to mount the ladder on to get extra elevation. The car formation is planned to be starting out 4-5 abreast and spreading out in a fan shape and each car pointing towards the center of the first row. We basically have 300 feet from the bridge to Turn 4 and figure we need aobut 250 feet for the formation. Under discussion is if we will have tops on/off or driver in/out of the cars; we may attempt a few variations time permitting (?).

1. 3 to 4 at track level, 60mm focal length

2. 3 to 4 (coming at you) form bleachers. 85mm here but can go to 300mm if necessary.

3. Other side of bridge going from 3 to 4. sun not as ideal, (i.e. bridge sign in shade) shot would be against traffice flow.

Ooohhh! That sign right below the tire looks PERFECT for photoshopping "WCC 2004" onto.

Jen

4. Similar to last pic. Still have shade/sun problems.

I can post these shots and more of Laguna (Rainey Curve/Corkscrew/Turn11/finish line etc.) if someone gives me the go ahead; not sure if we want to anounce the details until they are firm.

Heres the track layout again for reference.

Jen:

I like your idea of a Photoshopped WCC sign!

I like pic 2 from the bleachers. Maybe a little more zoom.

30 minutes doesn't give us much time. I doubt we will get time to rearrange. Shots 1 and 2 are taken in proper track direction so we don't have to turn everyone around for the pictures and then around again for the parade lap.

Looks great!!!!! I would have never dreamed that we would get a group shot like this nor a parade lap!!

Demick

Great shots Tom.
I think the 2nd picture taken from the bleachers is perfect.
We could try the trailer / ladder thing if you think it would be better, but I don't know if it would give you a higher angle to shoot from than with a telephoto from the bleachers.

Attached is a photo of my traler. I could construct a platform on the tire rack. That would give you an extra 5 feet. What is the footprint of your ladder?

The roof of my van is 2 feet higher, but it is not sturdy enought to stand on. Did you talk to Bernbomb about his tow vehicle? Does he have a RV with a roof you could put the ladder on?

I will be at the track all day on Friday. I joined the NCRC for the day and am going to be driving the track with them. My last morning session is over at 10:40 so I have plenty of time to help you get ready for the photo. (I am in the 1st group back out after lunch at 12:00)

The more I think about it and taking everyone's feedback (at the track and on the BBS) into consideration, the ladder at Laguna is not worth the hassle. I'll plan on going with the bleachers; likely a 2-300mm shot. Boy, I wish we had more time! Thanks for all your advice Jonn and thanks for the trailer offer too!

If we use all the space available (track plus run-off's) we could get more cars in each row. If we can go 12 wide we would get 72 cars in 6 rows. Isn't that better than having so many cars so far back where they can't really be seen?

The more I look at the pictures, the more I like #2. Shooting with a bit longer telephoto from the bleachers sounds simpler than rigging a photo trailer (for me at least). Not only that, the distant background is a nice composition in the shot from that height. Even if we could get the same shot of the cars a little closer with the ladder, the horizon would be lower in the frame. I like it as shown.

With only 1/2 hour we only have one chance to get our shot. There will not be time to make changes on site at 11:50. I say we go with what we know will work (shot #2). We could do a few shots with just the cars and a few more with the drivers.


Let's see 'em.

John:

I like your idea of 6x12, easiier to set up for sure. The "fan" was proposed in order to make the pic more visually interesting. I am willing to go either route for sure. If we do go 6x12, do you think we will take some flack from the racers for getting a fair amount of dirt on the track?

1. Turn 4 to turn 5

2. Turn 5 to turn 6

Turn 8 to 8A - aka the Corkscrew

Looking uphill at top of Corkscrew - you just missed Zanardi passing Herta!

Looking from entry to 10 at Turn 9 - the Rainey curve

Last turn to final straight, Turn 11

Finish line from flag tower looking toward Turn 11. Pit row on the right.

"The Rise" after the finish line going into Turn 1.

Thats about it. Did not take shots of turn 2 - ran out of energy after walking the whole track on foot w/o a hat or sunscreen! At least now I know the secret way to get on the track!

I like your WCC sign John, you will definitely be doing the Photoshopping - that is something I have not quite mastered!

Tom,
My personal opinion, and I don't want to upset your decision-making, but I think the Turn 8 to 8A is the most interesting and visually pleasing background of all the sites.

Carl:

I really can't disagree with you there, it would make one sweet shot if it was set up right! But, as opposed to the Turn 4 shot, time, light and elevation makes it more challenging set-up wise. Attached below is a shot of the Corkscrew looking down from the campgrounds; it would take a while to get the cars set up to make it look right and also get all 72 in the shot. The shot above of the Corkscrew is looking down course so we would not want to use that since a shot with the cars facing us would look strange plus it would be a real hassle turning around for the parade laps.

Bottom line, I think it would take too much time to set up and then less time for parade laps and if the light was not right, we would have to re-shoot at Turn 4 and take the chance of not getting any laps at all. I'm game to attempt it if the majority are willing to take the chance of giving up the parade laps, however, thirty minutes does not give us a lot of room for set up/error.

Really great presentation Tom, this is real exciting.

As much as I really like some of the other locations, I think I agree that in the interest of time we should stick with the photo 2 locaiotn as we discussed while at Laguna.

I am not sure we can get 12 wide but maybe 10 wide...anyone know the wall-to wall dimension? 6-7 rows deep x 10-12 cars wide would be a nicee composition and give an interesting persepective in the photo. A vantage point high in the bleachers may be critical to getting the best view of the cars.

Nice photoshop work John...can we get the event logo on our banner that we placed on the tire bridge? Maybe one at each end? of the text?

It would be really helpful if after we get this fully resolved, to post a thread on the main BBS for WCC participants to review before the meet. It will help minimize any chaos the day at Laguna. If we can take the Laguna map posted....and indicate the staging area, track access point, car and set-up location people might have a better idea of whats exxpected of them and familiarity even before they arrive.

I propose we try two photos, both with tops off. The first with people in or around their cars looking at the camera...maybe waving? The second with just the cars. I will study the attendance list to see if it makes any sense to grouping cars of like color together, but my gut tells me that it will be impossible to do in the short time we have to set-up.

Should I have a bullhorn available?

Jeff:

Sending out some pics and a annotated map is a good idea. How do you annotate the map? That's a level of computer savvy I don't currently possess.

As far as dimensions, I know the track is 35 feet wide in that area so "eyeballing" it looks like the area is conservatively 65 foot wide in total. Figuring a 914 is about 7.5 feet wide (5.5. for car and 2 for opening the door) we should be able to fit 8 rows of 9 cars each. I notice that the wall to the right of the area angles in about 2 car widths towards the bridge, so this will take some fine tuning on site. Figuring the length of 13.25 feet per car and allowing 2 feet in between cars for a total of 15.25 feet per row, yields a depth of roughly 8 times 15.25 or about 122 feet, so we have plenty of room considering its 300 feet from the bridge to the turn. (Someone please confirm my calculations on this).

The main question then is where do we start the first row? I propose starting at the 50 foot point; i.e. halfway between the 100 foot braking marker and the turn. Setting up the first row correctly is key to getting a good formation.

When leaving Laguna yesterday I noticed that the staging area I proposed (lot 4 in the "Expo Area") was locked off. If this lot or the gate at Turn 5 are not planned to be open on Friday, we will likely have to drive into the paddock and enter the track on the front straight. However, I am not sure how feasible this is; this is something that should be figured out well in advance with the Green Flag folks. Your thoughts Keith?? Can we arrange to have the Expo Area lot and Turn 5 gate open or will we have to go through the paddock? We will save a little time going through the paddock direct to the shot site but my concern is congestion in the paddock area and possible resultant delay. Bottom line, I would not want to wait until 11:15am on Friday to figure this out.

Troy will let me know Tuesday after he meets w/Judy at Laguna. I would guess that we will have to use normal pre-grid entrance to the track. Will let you know as soon as I know.

KK

We will have to find out from the Laguna and NCRC people if we can in fact get on and off the track thru the gate at turn 5. I don't think the pits will be that crowded. NCRC will only have 75 cars (plus support vehicles). Is there an area of the pits that we could use to stage or is the vendor area or someplace else better for that?

Let me know what the parking areas, access, flow, etc. will be that we are going to use and I can make the notes on the map and post it.

You can see from this photo that 5 wide on the track should not be a problem.
Once we get our 1st row in place, the rest should be easy.



I thought the same thing about adding our WCC logo to the banner. The one I posted was a 5 minute quickie. The software I am using is a pirated version of Ultimate Paint. I will be happy to modify the final group photo, but I think that there are others in the club with more talent and better programs than could do a superior job.