A couple of nights ago, I went out for a mini photoshoot with some friends. I knew of a good location that would set an interesting backdrop and luckily, the cars didn’t have too many issues getting in position. The photoshoot went into the wee hours of the morning and I was more or less satisfied with the shots.
First of all, I would like to apologize for the time it took for me to edit these photos. I had to meet a stringent application deadline. The write up to such an event would be much better if I wrote it immediately after it had happened. Nonetheless, it was an awesome experience! I’ve never been that close up to the action! Although some details are hazy, the sound of tire-squeal, the screaming crowd, the smell of the tire-smoke, and the debris hitting my face remains vivid in my memory. Northwest Nissans really know how to throw events! A free-admission drifting showcase is unheard of but these guys pulled it off!
It was my first time being so close to the action and I didn’t know exactly what I was supposed to photograph. Tried many techniques but it was all pretty panicky at the time. As the day progressed, I managed to calm down and be more selective of my shots. Thanks to Gaelen Norman for giving us the media passes! Here are the results of the day:
Here are some car show photos.
After we checked out some of the cars at the car show, we proceeded to the media meeting at the Northwest Nissans booth. Now originally it was only me that applied for media pass online for Richard and I. We found out later that we were supposed to apply for a media pass seperately. The media pass gives us access to the track for photos as well as a pit pass. So after I grabbed my pass, Richard stood nervously on the side to see if there were any extra to be given out. Luckily Gaelen from Big Boy Media had extras. So with a sigh or relief we headed to the track with our friends from Dodologic. I would personally thank Gaelen for the media passes and giving us access to photograph a great event.
We walked out to the sidelines of the track and found out from track workers that we were allowed to shoot from the two center columns in the middle of the track. Of course when we heard this there was a mad dash from us and other photographers to camp out our spots. Richard and I have been to Evergreen Speedway last year for Formula D but we shot from the stands (click here to see the coverage from Formula D). This event however would be the first one where we’ve been on the track and the experience was great! No fence to get in the way and having a car slide across in front of you made for some great photo opportunities. Something that we should of taken advantage more was we should of moved around the track more to get more point of views around the track. The sound of the screeching tires and powerful engines was deafening, the smell of burnt rubber was poisoning, and the dust in our eyes were blinding. That didn’t matter, cause Richard and I would do it again in a heartbeeat. Thanks again to Northwest Nissans for putting on a great event! Be sure to check out Part One here!
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I’ve always loved having access to the pit area, you get a closer look at the cars. This gives you access to the cars without the fear of them crashing into you :). Like being on the track, it gives you a different perspective of the event than you would get from the grandstands.
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The drift cars seemed so docile when they were parked. Until the driver starts up the engine, then the beast under the hood roars to life. I thought it was interesting that while some of these cars were stripped out, there were a few where the interior wasn’t completely torn apart. Some even still had stereos still intact!
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We headed out of Vancouver at 7am to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA to cover Nissan Fest. We flew by our friends in the border lineup and took the 2 hour drive down south. We arrived just after 9am and after getting our pit passes, we checked out the car show before heading to the media meeting. What surprised me was that the car show weren’t all just Nissans, not that I’m complaining. I’m open and eager to anything. Here are my shots from the show.
Stay tuned for Richard’s show photos soon! Also the drift photos will be coming this week!
Hatchbacks aren’t just useful for hauling things around, they can also be used to haul photographers! Tom sits in the back of my hatch to get a rolling shot of the trio of Kouki S14’s.
Recently I was asked by Vincent Tong to come photograph some Kouki S14s. Vincent owns a green 1997 Nissan 240SX, his second one after owning an earlier Zenki model. Two more Kouki S14 owners, James Kent and Nick Louie were also able to come out for our photoshoot.
