P42 catches up with Motorsport Photographer Simon Phillips

As we ready ourselves for another season here in Europe, our Australian colleagues are in the middle of their summer, so Paddock42 thought it the ideal time to sit down with one of its regular ‘tog’s, ace lens man Simon Phillips…

P42: Now that you are back in Australia, how do you find dodging Taipans when you are out on remote parts of the track trying to line up a shot?

SP: Well its always a thought in my head when I’m walking around the outside of a circuit as we have some very poisonousness snakes here in Australia. Tiger snakes are one particular type you have to be on guard for, I’ve been told from the staff at Barbagallo Raceway that there are many around the track and plenty of sightings of them. As of yet I’ve never properly seen one and frankly don’t want to as I am sh#t scared of the things…I have thought about dressing up as a knight and taking out a sword to defend myself against the beasts! At the end of the day I don’t go to certain spots in summer at Barbagallo and Collie Motorplex, the main circuits close to my base in Perth, when the snakes are most likely to be out. A few times since being back at tracks in Australia, I’ve heard and seen things moving in the long grass so I try to keep away from these areas purely out of my own safety.

P42: Fair enough…we have got Adders here in the UK…so they tell us, but you never see them and most people have never even seen one! What event would you like to shoot the most ?

SP: Definitely the Le Mans 24 hour race as I’ve seen a lot of really cool images come out of that event and I want to be there making some of my own – it is a legendary race, steeped in history I just have to go. Plan is to be there soon – just need to save up for the flights and accommodation as its going to be expensive….Any teams out there want a team photographer for the event? Do get in touch!

P42: Its a helluva event – on a visit once, we remember discovering the old pits hidden in a trees outside the town, you stand in them and you can only imagine what it was like back in the day…What do you prefer shooting cars or bikes ?

SP: Tricky one that as I love shooting both but if I had to choose – bikes. I like the fact that often you can see more rider reaction, eyes staring mega focussed through visors to them head shaking when they are not happy and they have just got away with something or its going wrong. Getting low to get the shot, capturing the rider you can get so much more to add to that image… I find with the bikes to need to shoot tighter and not do the wide shots as often as you would do for the cars…With the car stuff I’m able to get more creative with angles and with the wide shots so they don’t look like a small dot within the frame…

P42: Plenty of ‘togs’ struggle with bikes – they are tough to shoot well. Whats been your favourite event that you have shot so far ?

SP: There’s a few but overall Goodwood Festival Of Speed (2015) has to be a favourite, it is a great event, some serious cars and bikes and it was a hell of a experience…a knackering 2 days hauling heavy photography kit and dodging the huge crowds but worth it all the way. I think some of my favourite images from last year were taken at that event – because of the variety of machines I had to push my camera skills and carefully choose my spots The media team ran out of vests for the togs which although I was accredited, limited where I could shoot a bit unfortunately…good to meet fellow photographers and make new contacts though.

P42: Its a great event, basically almost the UK motor show now these days..from the other meetings, shows and events you have been to in the last few years what has been your favourite track ?

SP: Brands Hatch GP because out the back on the GP section it a different world, the tall trees on either side of the track which looks great in the photos – love greenery in my images and the hills are something special. I photographed historic’s there last season and I experienced the classic Formula 1 cars for the first time – they are the real deal, amazing sound and you could hear them coming a mile away – they put a smile on everyone’s face.

P42: Those old F1 cars, once you have seen one up close and witnessed them on the track your respect for the guys who used to drive them increases massively…interestingly we can’t think of any drivers who survived driving them professionally currently driving them in any historic championships…Plans for 2016 ?

SP: Well my plans for 2016 are simple, travel to world covering motorsport along with organising photo shoots of plenty of interesting performance cars and bikes. I am planning on partnering up with another photographer friend to help make this possible as I need the extra pair of hands. We have big plans that will eventually allow us to travel while doing what we love and making a living from it, we will need to put in plenty of hard work to bring this to life but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Event wise, Le Mans 24 hour race in June, some British GT and the Goodwood Festival Of Speed are on the cards. Hotel costs should be low as I have friends and family who I can stay with fortunately when I am over…

P42: You have started to sell images after events through your website, how is that progressing?

SP: Good but I am now also selling images on the day in the way of prints and downloads. I’ve invested in a A3+ printer, ink and paper – best part of $2,000AU ! The reason being I want to bring something different to the paddock and dealing with customers in person is a wonderful feeling – something you don’t get when you have a order come through on the website…

P42: Sounds good. The discussion continues on equipment, Nikon or Canon what is in your kit bag?

SP: Canon. Currently I use 2 camera bodies, 3 lenses, 2 extenders and 6 speedlites. Its all Canon, I trust them and have only ever had their cameras and lenses and have only had good experiences with using this kit since buying my first digital SLR camera in 2009 which was a 1000D. Today in the bag is a 1DX and a 5D Mark III; the 3 main lenses I use that are a 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II and a 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and I also have the 2x and 1.4x Canon extenders the latest series III versions. Speedlite wise I’m using a old Canon 430EX-II speedlite that I’ve had for 4 years now, its been dropped, got wet and yet it still keeps going. Then for my main lightening kit I use the latest Yongnuo YN600EX-RT speedlites that have the remote operation when using the on camera controller I have 5 of theses units at the moment. SanDisk memory cards manage all the data…

P42: No one seems to change on this they are either in one camp or the other…Biggest inspiration? Favourite photographer and Why?

SP: Well I have two, firstly Corey J. Coulter from GeoCrash Photography. Corey is based in California he has helped me work out what I need to do in this industry and I can call him a true friend as well as an inspiration check him out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Secondly, Jayson Fong from Form and Function – this guy really made me open up my eyes and see things that I would have normally over looked. Jayson says theres no such thing as a bad angle or spot… I found this out when we where having a beer in a restaurant at a track and he picked up his camera and took a shot towards the track by shooting through the window. The crowds were in the frame which meant you could not only see what was happening on track but the crowds view too. His work is amazing and he is a seriously talented guy as he does a lot of drawing and painting all of which he sells online. Jayson is now one of my many friends I made while I was over in the UK and I’m hoping to meet up with him at Le Mans this year.

P42: Agreed – we have seen Jayson’s work stunning stuff – just been nominated MSA Photographer of the year too! Simon thanks for taking the time and we look forward to working with you again this year.

We asked Simon to put together some of his favourite images…enjoy the gallery.