It really started with the Hillclimb Championships at Mt Cotton last November and although I finished early this year the last couple of months have been preparing a portfolio, business case and gathering references for my CAMS photographer accreditation application.
The Hillclimb Championships were great fun, even though I was only there for the day, I had a ball and there was some very tidy racing from both the WRX Club club members I usually support and also non club members. From a personal perspective I had an image of the second place overall getter printed up in Leaded Magazine and was pretty chuffed about that.
I also attended my first major drag meet (outside of Sports Compact) at Willowbank, that being the Tin Top Titles! From this event I managed to become a finalist in the Stuart Bishop photographic competition, being in a group of 5 finalists for my section. The first time I'd had a photo as a finalist in a competition, it was great seeing it on display at the Ipswich Museum and Art Gallery!
2008 also saw a goal come to fruition, that was to be on the line with full media accreditation for the Top Fuelers at Willowbank during the Winternationals! What a great event this was, exciting and really gives you a different perspective on just how awesome the Top Fuelers are when they thunder down the track.
Shooting the V8 Supercars round at Queensland Raceway was also another achievement, but not one that I had wanted as much as the Top Fuelers. The weekend of racing gave me such an appreciation for how well a raceday can be run, the schedule was tight yet they race organisers kept to it! Amazing. I shot a few good shots from the weekend even getting two of them published at a later date in the year, although not the ones I wanted printed but still.
A middle ear infection put the Jamboree at risk, but I battled and at least made it out there for Day 1, got to try some new techniques at night for some super results, it is all learning and experience and taking photos at night of drag cars is not the easiest thing in the world!
I have to say some thanks to specific people from throughout the year, Vicki for letting me pursue my other business and putting up with me spending time getting photos done, Joe for the support throughout the year, he attended many events with me even giving me pointers at the drags, Rob with his support through late last year with the Hillclimb champs, he was very busy with work this year unfortunately, and lastly but definitely not the least, Simon, your generosity is boundless, you are a true gentleman! I must also thank all my fellow members of CircleWork, you've all been an inspiration throughout the year and your support invaluable as well as all the people here on DSLR!
Finally to finish off the year I received notification from CAMS that my application for 2009 photographer accreditation was successful, this means that my portfolio of only 10 photos, my business case and references were good enough for a group of my peers to acknowledge that I am not only serious about the business of motorsport photography but I meet their standards in my images.
For those interested my CAMS portfolio consisted of these 10 images.
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