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Public Zone 公開區 => Travelogues 遊記相薄 => Topic started by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:21:45

Title: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:21:45
I have been trying to go to see the car racing and take photos for a few years. But I was always late then too lazy to arrange.

But this year, one of my tea friends is involved in one of racing team, and I was promised the chance to go into the pit lanes to see how it works.

This is the thread for the photos, preparation trips, and hopefully some nice photos of the real racing.
Title: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:26:01
I have never been to car racing before, and never took racing pictures. So I had no idea how to photograph car racing, where could be the best spot, etc... So today I went to Macau for a few hours trying to figure out where is where, and where is the best place to take pictures.

The first thing to be noticed is that the main roads are being barricaded. (In fact they were somewhat barricaded 2 weeks ago when we visited Macau.)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:27:06
More pictures of barricaded roads.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:34:45
First to check out the Grand Stand.

It's right outside the ferry terminal, and all entrance were guarded. However after walking toward 海立方 casino, I found an entrance to the reservoir, which is at the back of the Grand Stand. The entrance to the reservoir park was freely open. From there I went into the Grand Stand.

Once inside, no one, including many security guards, bothered me. Perhaps they thought I am a quality check person taking photos of the preparation. And I acted as I really belong there.

The following is the circuit diagram from the official web site.
http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/app/home/gp59/en
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:36:22
The first dog leg after the start.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:42:19
One of the purposes of this trip is to find out what lenses I should have for various shots.

All pictures taken on the top row of the Grand Stand. The first 2 pictures at 100mm equivalent, the last one at 70mm.

The last pic was taken at 1/250 shutter and still too slow for even city traffic!
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:46:56
From the Grand Stand, I was able to walk across a foot bridge into the pit or garage area.

More views of the Grand Stand from both sides of the track.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 01:54:46
The imposing Grand Prix Building.

Where I took this picture is where the Formula 3 pit shops would be.

See the red roof of the building? I went up there to take some pictures later...
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:08:31
I actually went into the building, and took some pictures.

The 1st pic is one of the VIP lounges over looking the track.

The 2nd pic over looking a bunch of lights for the purpose of ???

The 3rd pic is signs inside the Grand Prix Building, show the access pass required to different floors and rooms. Apparently only committee members and special access (whatever it means) can go there. But today, it's free to all.  ;D
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:21:30
The roof of the Grand Prix Building.

It's right on top of the track, as you can see the effect from the 2 subsequent pictures.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:26:37
Still on the Racing Roof, from the same vantage, trying out the effect of 3 different focal length - 100mm, 65mm, & 28mm.

Note in the last picture, the 4 lanes on the right side with public traffic would be where the race track will be. The left lane (now empty) will be where the Formula 3 race cars stop for maintenance, etc...
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:31:37
Apparently each Formula 3 race car or team would have one or more of these "shop" spaces. The last pic is the back of the shop. Inside each shop there are power outlets and water tap.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:34:45
The Forumla 3 race is the highlight of the event. But there are also other minor races. The garages in these pictures are at the back of the F3 garage.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:37:27
After spent more than 1 hour taking pictures of the Grand Stand, start/finish, the Grand Prix Building & the garages, I took the casino bus to Star World. The Liaboa Stand is right in front of the Star World. But it's getting late. When all the workmen are gone, the security is getting tight, and I could not get into the Stand.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:39:04
A few misc pictures taken near the Garage, Pit & Paddock.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車 - Scouting Trip 探路 (08-Nov-2012)
Post by: chin on 09 November 2012, 02:41:43
My Macau friend gave me a few tickets to the Liaboa Stand for the final big race day.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 16 November 2012, 23:44:23
I am in Macau now, and will stay for a few days to take pictures of the Grand Prix.

Most pictures, especially the ones with cars running, will need further process.

Static pictures, like pictures of racing girls, are easier and I am posting some here for my friends. Especially for those who REALLY want to see racing girl pictures.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 16 November 2012, 23:45:56
Here we go...
All pictures straight out of camera. No processing whatsoever, other than resized.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 16 November 2012, 23:48:14
Here we go... again...
All pictures straight out of camera. No processing whatsoever, other than resized.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 16 November 2012, 23:51:12
This is my friend's car. And this is how I get the pass to go into the pit lanes.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 17 November 2012, 01:00:50
I am staying in the Grand Lisboa this time. My room is overlooking the Lisboa Corner of the race track!

So 7:30 or so in the morning, I already heard Vroom Vroom Vroom, from the moterbike practice runs. I took the last picture from my bath tub.

This is the first time I watch racing live. It was REALLY loud!
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:28:58
Today (17-Nov Sat) I went to the Lisboa Stand, where the ticket is most expenive. Why? See below.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:34:19
The Lisboa corner is one of the most dangerous spot in the track. It's at the end of a long wide stretch where race cars can run very fast. The corner is a 90 degree turn. Thus if the driver is not careful, it's one of the most likely spot to have accident.

You can see righ after the turn, the cushing on the far side is special. The guy sat next to me said the wires can catch cars. Whatever is means. The crane at the inside corner is ready to pick up the wreckage if any car hit the side.

The first pic is an example of the driver lost control, and lost lots of position for that mistake.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:42:09
The eventual winner & the runner up.

In the first picture, the blue car #33 was in the 4th position. By the last lap, it caught up to be the 2nd right behind the front runner.

The 2nd pic shows another attempt by the blue car driver to past the front runner.

I was told by my friend that the blue car driver is a young guy doing very well in races, but always seconds and thirds. The winner in the red car #27 is a very experienced driver in his 40s.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:44:31
My friend's car.

He did not finish. I was told that he hit some oil slicks on the road, and the car lost control. He's fine without injury.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:49:16
This is how accodent can happen at the Lisboa Corner.

Car 55 is in the same team as my friend's 28. I was told that the driver of 55 rented the car from my friend to join the race. I did not ask details, but I think it means someone is trying to be in the race, but has no vehicle or certain qualification, thus rent the space and/or car from other people.

If you see the track mark, you can see the momentum is pushing the car straight to the wall. But the wheels are tured to the other way. I was told that the wheels were locked. (Again, whatever it means...)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:53:11
This is one of the most eye catching cars in the GT race. This is the qualifying round. The second picture shows how the starter directing the start.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:57:07
I saw him yesterday. Whatever is happening around him, he just focuses on his job of cleaning the wheels!
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 01:59:40
Vroom, Vroom.......

They came, then gone in half of a second.

It's hard to take good picture in the Grand Stand. Not only the cars pass fast, the wire net also tricks the camera to focus wrongly.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:01:48
The easiest subject to take pictures are either the car in display in the paddock, or the racing girls.

Since I don't know anything about cars, I have no idea what's a fancy car, what equipments are special, what insignia is whatever.... So I focus on the girls.

The following posts are all racing girls...  ;D

Again, none of the pictures are processed other than resized. In a few days, I will attempt to post process some of the pictures and compare to the originals. Perhaps you can tell how much difference it makes with post shooting process.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:07:18
港女十式之二？

In online forums, there is this joke of "10 Poses of Hong Kong Girls". All of them are very fake-ish and pose-ly, or trying to be cute (cutie in the local language.) This is a fine example...
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:10:59
This Japanese girl attacted lots of attention, from both men and women.

And I saw some guy doing something I would consider perverted. While she's posing, with 10 or 20 camera guys in front of her, one man went behind her, put the camera maybe 8 inchecs behind her butt from a low angle, and take pictures!!! From that position, with the small digicam, the one thing would show up on his picture would be just her hehind.

I am still puzzled by this girl. She had no logo or name or any insignia on her. Who was paying for her appearance? She's Japanese, and likely not local resident. Someone must be paying her cost to show up here.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:17:13
More racing girls...

The girl in the second pic speaks Cantonese. Either she's tired or not a regular model, it took a few tries before she understood my request to turn to the right side but look at my camera. I was trying to show her figure, instead of a regular frontal shot.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:18:58
3 racing girls from South America.

Really long legs!
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:20:53
I saw them the day before. Today they look much more tired. This is not an easy job...
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:23:11
These 8 girls are all very tall. I think all of them are 1.7m or so.

This one is more eye catching with the kiss print.  ;D
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:31:17
This is the first time I take car racing picture. Also the first time take picture of racing girls.

Before I go to Macau, one of my friend was commenting that these girls would be holding umbrella. After shooting picture of them for 2 days, I now understand why almost all of them holding umbrellas.

Not only the umbrella can give them some support (standing up posing is tiring), shield them from sun and rains. But most important, when the umbrella is opened and put on the girls' back, it's a good photography background. Try compare the pictures with and without the umbrella. The ones without umbrella would easily end up with a distracting background.

Some of the girls with umbrella did not quite understand this concept of backdrop. In 2 or 3 occasions, I had to ask them to lower the umbrella toward their back, instead of holding up high.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 02:33:37
This is it for now. Maybe more tomorrow. After I come home and process the pictures, we would have more "action" photos.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 14:35:30
This was the 2nd last lap.

The car in the second position #5 hit something and started spinning. The 3rd position car 74 hit the curb and also lost control and hit the wall later.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 18 November 2012, 14:40:21
And caused quite a traffic jam.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: kai on 18 November 2012, 23:21:25
Really 流鼻血！are these photos taken by your new A99 and 70-200? 
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 19 November 2012, 03:15:37
Quote from: kai on 18 November 2012, 23:21:25
Really 流鼻血！are these photos taken by your new A99 and 70-200? 

Photo of cars racing are mainly using the 70-200 lens.
Racing girls mainly 24-70 lens, with flash.

All pictures posted here using A99 body.
I am also using the older A900 body, but not yet posted any pic from this body.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 19 November 2012, 03:20:02
After the accident, the clean up is very fast and efficient!!!
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 19 November 2012, 03:21:15
 ;D
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 19 November 2012, 03:33:09
Quote from: kai on 18 November 2012, 23:21:25
Really 流鼻血！are these photos taken by your new A99 and 70-200?  

BTW you may noticed all the racing girls, other than the Japanese girl in white, were wearing a tag - pink on 16-Nov and purple on 17-Nov.

I was told that the Macau Grand Prix organizer charge $5000 per day per racing girl brought into the pit lane. Thus the tag to identify the entry fee & authorization.

I did not go into the pit lanes the last day. From other people's pictures, there were more of these girls on that day.
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:53:53
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2415.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2413.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2459.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:54:22
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2732.jpg)

爆火
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2743.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2766.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:54:48
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2887.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/moto/DSC_2889.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:55:45
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0426.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0428.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0432.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0433.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0434.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:56:27
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0677.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0686.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0681.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0694.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0698.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:58:25
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0471.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0463.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0571.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_0573.jpg)

Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 21:58:56
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_1307.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_1320.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/pit/DSC_1328.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:00:25
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/GT/DSC_0886.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/GT/DSC_0889.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/GT/DSC_0891.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/GT/DSC_1016.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/GT/DSC_0939.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:01:15
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1456.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1467.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1474.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1444.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:02:42
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1459.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1666.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1914.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2017.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:03:19
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2101.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2167.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1691.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1728.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:04:31
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_1735.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2249.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2250.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2253.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2254.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2258.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: felix on 25 November 2012, 22:05:45
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2279.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2281.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2327.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2333.jpg)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o6/carliz77/F3/DSC_2337.jpg)
Title: Re: Macau Grand Prix 2012 澳門格蘭披治大賽車
Post by: chin on 25 November 2012, 23:06:12
Very good pictures!!!

I need to speed up my process of the photos..   ;D