Experiments are often a good thing. They can test you in both knowledge and capability. They make you step out of your comfort zone and help you think a little more.

I should try experiments more often.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you’ll have no doubt experienced the frustrations I have suffered from during my second season shooting regular motorsport events. And the moaning and whining that has gone along with it.

I make no apology for those dulcet tones, as they are part and parcel of this creative journey.

Likewise, I’ll make no apology for flipping out the old switcheroo, and completely changing tact for this particular blog…which by now you’ll realise is a tad more upbeat.

Yes, I have found this season a frustration, mainly due to not being able to achieve what I want. I get impatient like that, a feeling of treading water and repetition.

“What repetition!?” you may exclaim.

You may not see it, but behind the scenes, operating the meatsack that takes the pictures, the man at the controls is screaming.

I strive to produce different work at every event I head out to. It’s tricky yes, but it’s what I enjoy. When I feel like I’m repeating myself – frustration!

So after last weeks grumble fest, an acquaintance on social media (it is good for certain things) got me thinking.

Mr Sidorov take a bow.

Oleg’s study of high end creative photography, and his observation into the more technical aspects of the art, was discussed at length following my last visit to Silverstone, revealing a few truths about what I was trying achieve, and what I was actually achieving.

Loud Love

It was a wake up.

In my eagerness to produce the images I wanted to capture, I had lost my understanding and focus on how to get them.

It happens, especially when you are trying too hard.

So I went to the GT cup at the weekend and challenged myself to two lenses, a 200 and a 35, to see what results I could achieve concentrating on motion and depth of field as much as possible.

The experiment worked a treat as it confirmed two things;

Firstly, creative motorsport photography is all about situation and positioning. By positioning yourself correctly, you can achieve the image you desire regardless.

Secondly…you can’t achieve the images you desire without the ability to position. Access is all important.

Of course, equipment, experience, subject matter and good old fashioned vision all help in the eternal quest for the perfect image, but if there is always a barrier in between you and your vision, then no amount of those factors will make that much difference.

What Oleg has made me do I actually stop and think. You need that from time to time to take stock of where you are and where you need to go.

Understanding what I want to achieve with my photography and how to do that is the most important and I must try not to loose sight of that again.

With my direction enhanced, my mojo has been restored and now I realise that being behind the fence will only be able to offer my imagery so much.

The hunt will continue.