Long Beach Grand Prix Photo Guide: A Photographer’s View and Tips
Words and photos by Rami Garcia
An insider’s perspective on photographing the Long Beach Grand Prix, with practical tips and personal insights
The Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of North America’s longest-running major street races and a beloved fixture in motorsport. When it comes to street circuits, the Long Beach Grand Prix is the gold standard. This year, it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Starting out as a round of the SCCA Formula 5000, it was quickly picked up as a round of the Formula One World Championship. Once F1 outgrew the venue, in 1983 the Indycars filled the void and have never let go. Over the years, sportscars joined the support bill. Starting in 2007, the series once again known as IMSA took over the role of providing the Saturday feature race.
Porsche’s IMSA Dominance at Long Beach
For the IMSA race, Porsche dominated both the GTP (prototype) and GTD (production-based) classes. The GTP-winning #7 963 from Porsche Penske Motorsports remains undefeated this season, with Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy taking their third win in a row.
Also undefeated in IMSA this year is Laurens Vanthoor. He was the third driver for the #7 GTP car at Daytona and Sebring. Last weekend, he was reassigned to the #177 Porsche GT3 R, affectionately known as Rexy. Fielded by AO Racing, Rexy made a one-off appearance in the GTD category, normally contesting the GTD PRO championship, which wasn’t present at this race. Jonny Edgar, in his first appearance at the track, co-drove the car to victory.
IndyCar Race Highlights
In Sunday’s main race, Kyle Kirkwood piloted the #27 Andretti Global racer from pole position to victory in a masterful display. This was his second Long Beach win, the third of his IndyCar career, and all on street courses.
Coming home in second was championship leader Alex Palou. The winner of the first two races of the season, Palou kept within touching distance of Kirkwood for most of the race, with several moves to take the lead before consolidating his position.
My Experience as a Credentialed Photographer
This is my third season photographing the race with a media credential. Among my friends in the SoCal automotive creative community, having one is a badge of honor. It is also one of the most difficult ones to secure, since every news outlet in Los Angeles wants to cover the race in addition to the many worldwide who already cover IMSA, IndyCar, and the other series all season.
Much of the credential’s desirability is the ability to capture the cars up close and without fences blocking the way.
The odds are overwhelmingly not in favor of everyone getting a photo vest, but in spite of that, it is absolutely possible to turn out awesome photographs from the normal spectating areas. I did that for more than 16 years at this track!
Here are six locations to check out, where you can push the limits and improve your trackside photography skills. To prove that point, I shot Sunday’s IndyCar race without the benefit of my vest. I’m also including some awesome shots from friends who know what they’re doing, or are on their way to being really good, but haven’t earned their way to a credential just yet (and I’m hopeful they will).
Trackside Photography: Six Must-Try Locations
1. Main Straight
For most people, this is the go-to spot to watch the race. If you have a grandstand ticket, aim for higher seats, which allow you to capture some awesome panning shots. The way this section is shaped reminds me of being in a superspeedway oval.
2. Turns 1-4, AKA the Fountain Section
This area is tight, with stairs and fences that deter normal spectators, but for photographers, it’s a hidden gem. Let’s say it’s a photographer’s paradise. There are a few spots where you can see straight into the entry of the fountain. Use a telephoto lens: 200 to 400mm works; anything else is overkill. Take advantage of the photo holes, bypass two layers of fences (and credentialed photographers) to get the shot. This spot is perfect for the morning sessions because the quality of light is a bit haunting, especially if the marine layer persists.
You can also get the cars as they exit the fountain. There’s no shortage of angles here!
There are balconies and elevated positions, too! You’ll find pros and amateurs alike at these spots.
3. Outside Turn 6
Security may ask you to move as you search for the best angle, but the reward is a clean shot of cars nailing the apex of this 90-degree-ish left-hander. You can absolutely dial down the shutter speed to about 1/15 and make some fun art. I shot the 997 RSR at that spot in 2010!
4. Turn 8
The track drives past the Long Beach Convention Center and a large elevated walkway. There’s plenty of space to catch the racecars on a long braking zone and passing opportunity here. Use a telephoto lens to fill the frame with the car, or use a wide angle and capture the whole environment. This was our favorite spot to watch when I was a kid; I haven’t been back to the spot in many years. Very nostalgic! The Porsche-Penske RS Spyder shot is from the first IMSA/ALMS race held in 2007.
5. Turns 9-10
The cars run through a concrete canyon between turns 9 and 10. You’ll be battling for a spot with fellow amateur shooters on the spectator side, as well as the professionals who occupy the parts with the fence removed. You may also be battling heat haze and distortion if you’re using an extremely long focal length so keep that in mind. There’s a large break in the fence on the driver’s right of turn 10. You can try to capture the rear of the car from as low an angle as you dare.
Also, take advantage of the grandstands to get some awesome environmental shots. There is so much more to motorsports photography than getting one car to fill the entire frame. Don’t just show me a car; dazzle my eyes with a good visual story!
6. The Hairpin
The cars are the slowest here, so if you’re not experienced at tracking fast-moving objects, maybe start here. There are photo holes to shoot through, but they’ll limit your framing. Panning makes this a non-issue.
Final Tips
My biggest tip: Don’t stay in one spot. Shoot, move, repeat! Also, spend some time in the racing paddocks. The IMSA paddock is free; the IndyCar paddock charges a small fee. The access in the former is second to none!
Maybe see y’all there next year.
Check out our 5 Questions With Motorsports Photographer Rami Garcia. For more of Rami’s work and insights as a motorsport photographer and journalist, follow him on Instagram at @Rambos5G and @OldSpeedisGoodSpeed.
