Jade MacRae launches the new Audi A4 with the help of half a dozen parkour runners. I definitely had the best spot for this one!
The day finally came where I was given the opportunity to be properly paid to cover an event. Alan Jones, editor and social media manager of News Limited’s Cars Guide website, CarsGuide.com.au, contacted me wanting to get an alternate perspective on the Australian International Motor Show. Essentially, he wanted to get a rock photographers take on such an event. This was a pretty big chance for me, and a risk for Alan and I hope he thinks it has paid off.
I attended the morning session of the Media and Industry day at Darling Harbour on the 11th of October as a freelance photographer working for CarsGuide.com.au. On arrival we got our goody bag and breakfast before heading out, camera in hand, to play with the toys. Well, shoot them at least. I must admit it felt a little daunting being surrounded by professionals with twin Canon 1D cameras, Lowepro belts with additional lenses and a more flashes than you could care to imagine. For a person that rarely uses flash, mainly because I don’t have an external unit, it has been interesting to look at the shots that others had taken. Also I realised post event that it would have been nice to have a second full frame camera with a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 lens L on the front for the wide angle shots. Perhaps next year. Instead I had my trusty Canon 20D, my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L and a brand new Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens, purchase to replace my Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 after some accident caused the front element to move in/out by 3mm on its own accord, making focus difficult in live situations.
The day was absolutely fantastic, running around trying to score the best positions, and so forth. Unfortunately I had a meeting to attend for my day job so I could only take a half day off. I headed back to work unable to upload the shots immediately. When I got home I spent the time getting shots up, and as they were uploaded I received the following message from Alan:
it was my idea to send a rock photographer to a motorshow but i didn’t realise Joel would be this good
from twitter
Definitely made me feel more comfortable about the work that I did for them. Despite issues getting the shots to the CarsGuide.com.au team, I finally managed (4 zips to ensure that they met the email limits of News Limited) and hopefully you’ll see them sometime soon (probably on the event website). Further shots will come this weekend as I head back, this time with the crowds, to get the shots I’ve missed - lots of the public inspecting the cars they can afford, and ogling over the cars that are beyond their means.
Once more a big thank you to Alan Jones and the team at CarsGuide.com.au for giving me the opportunity.
View the entire set at flickr.
Update
First shot being used by CarsGuide is on their photo competition page - w%t!
Damn, there’s some great work here Joel! What a slick idea from Jones to throw a music photographer onto a car show. That’s thinking outside the box. Sure as hell paid off!
Congrats Joel, you hard work and passion has paid off. The pics are really good.
Perhaps we can now schedule my shoot for Playgirl.
Rocking.
Hey Joel,
I stumbled upon your webbie, nice shots you have there of AIMS! I shoot freelance too back in Malaysia (currently studying in Sydney) and back then when I just started, I always get intimidated by the “machine guns” carried by the much established professional photographer. FYI, I carried only a Canon PowerShot G5 with a 580EX, at least my flash was cool (LOL), so I’m pretty sure how you felt!
Anyhoo, the point is, it all comes down to the pictures and the expriences you have, not your camera. You’ll be surprised with the amount of people who carries those big “machine guns” hardly know how to use it well (really)! Cheers!
Thanks heaps for the support Chung. I still am hesitant to get a flash - I prefer the natural light (well, to date) but I can see myself grabbing a 580EX in the near future.