My photography is heavily based upon Motorsports and being able to get to and ‘spectate’ and shoot at various events
Last year there was very little opportunity to attend events as nearly all that did go ahead were closed to spectators
Just as things seemed to be getting better we were hit with the anticipated second wave so all in all I managed only 2-3 events all year
My situation is always compounded by living on an Island and nearly all events taking place on the U.K. mainland - increasing the cost, risk and time required away from home
I have invested quite heavily in additional equipment this year to hedge my bets with all shooting scenarios and am now equipped with FF Nikon Z and 70-200 f2.8 for lower light events at my local Speedway which I am prioritising, M43 for supertelephoto shots at tracks with longer subject distances, run off areas and reduced public access to favourable shooting vantage points and have recently purchased a Fuji XS10 for more casual lighter Motorsports (and perhaps other genres) with an XF 50-200
If Covid turns out to be more elusive than we are hoping with the introduction of the Vaccines we may still be restricted in what we are all able to do
If this turns out to be the case then I will be forced to consider reducing my kit to a very basic level and possibly to give up shooting Motorsports
I have made a point of investing more this year partly to compensate for last year’s lack of opportunity but also because I fear that time is rapidly running out with regard to my back injuries allowing me to continue with long stints at trackside which leaves me aching quite badly and recovering over the following days
I wanted to make a point of trying out FF and buying back into Fuji in order to make this a particularly productive year just in case my conditions deteriorates
On this note I am just in the middle of the second recent debilitating ‘episode’ with my back whereby my mobility and ability to carry out routine tasks is and has been severely restricted
Bearing in mind that this latest episode was brought about by simply picking my boot up behind me towards my right hand to pull it on was all that was required to set me back again it’s now getting to the point where I am becoming more than a little fearful of making trips away by myself to track events and having an episode where I may have severe difficulties and may need help
I’m planning to go to Silverstone this year and will camp nearby for a week or so to combine the trip with family holiday so this will be OK as I will have support nearby but otherwise I may need to think again
With Covid 19 still around this would almost certainly be the last ‘nail in the coffin‘ which would curtail my continuing to do what I love and what gives me that break away ‘from everything‘
Not sure why I started posting this but having written this post I feel like I am reluctantly admitting to myself that my time being able to do what I love is coming to an end - at least to the extent that I have previously been able to do anything I chose to do within reason and family constraints
I will hopefully be able to continue shooting local events if they happen in any case and I’m very keen to shoot speedway with FF at least for a few events before accepting final defeat
Some here may have felt that I was perhaps spending too much on gear recently and that may well turn out to be the case if I am unable to make full use of it
My recent purchases we’re perhaps my last hurrah in the field and as such am pleased that I’ve bought my gear for this years season in the hope that I can produce some great results before I really do have to give up
Apologies for a downbeat post but it was a good way for me to think about things and get them into perspective and to admit those things I struggle with having until recent years been very active and highly motivated
Ive been gradually losing the ability to do various things since injuring my back in 2014 and ive been persevering despite the difficulties rather than giving up on being able to do these things
Despite all of the above I’m still hoping that another recovery, a positive outlook, a bit of grit, determination and further perseverance will enable me to continue with my hobby - fingers crossed
On a very much brighter note - Here’s Hoping you all have a good year to come shooting whatever makes you happy for as long as you can
Last year there was very little opportunity to attend events as nearly all that did go ahead were closed to spectators
Just as things seemed to be getting better we were hit with the anticipated second wave so all in all I managed only 2-3 events all year
My situation is always compounded by living on an Island and nearly all events taking place on the U.K. mainland - increasing the cost, risk and time required away from home
I have invested quite heavily in additional equipment this year to hedge my bets with all shooting scenarios and am now equipped with FF Nikon Z and 70-200 f2.8 for lower light events at my local Speedway which I am prioritising, M43 for supertelephoto shots at tracks with longer subject distances, run off areas and reduced public access to favourable shooting vantage points and have recently purchased a Fuji XS10 for more casual lighter Motorsports (and perhaps other genres) with an XF 50-200
If Covid turns out to be more elusive than we are hoping with the introduction of the Vaccines we may still be restricted in what we are all able to do
If this turns out to be the case then I will be forced to consider reducing my kit to a very basic level and possibly to give up shooting Motorsports
I have made a point of investing more this year partly to compensate for last year’s lack of opportunity but also because I fear that time is rapidly running out with regard to my back injuries allowing me to continue with long stints at trackside which leaves me aching quite badly and recovering over the following days
I wanted to make a point of trying out FF and buying back into Fuji in order to make this a particularly productive year just in case my conditions deteriorates
On this note I am just in the middle of the second recent debilitating ‘episode’ with my back whereby my mobility and ability to carry out routine tasks is and has been severely restricted
Bearing in mind that this latest episode was brought about by simply picking my boot up behind me towards my right hand to pull it on was all that was required to set me back again it’s now getting to the point where I am becoming more than a little fearful of making trips away by myself to track events and having an episode where I may have severe difficulties and may need help
I’m planning to go to Silverstone this year and will camp nearby for a week or so to combine the trip with family holiday so this will be OK as I will have support nearby but otherwise I may need to think again
With Covid 19 still around this would almost certainly be the last ‘nail in the coffin‘ which would curtail my continuing to do what I love and what gives me that break away ‘from everything‘
Not sure why I started posting this but having written this post I feel like I am reluctantly admitting to myself that my time being able to do what I love is coming to an end - at least to the extent that I have previously been able to do anything I chose to do within reason and family constraints
I will hopefully be able to continue shooting local events if they happen in any case and I’m very keen to shoot speedway with FF at least for a few events before accepting final defeat
Some here may have felt that I was perhaps spending too much on gear recently and that may well turn out to be the case if I am unable to make full use of it
My recent purchases we’re perhaps my last hurrah in the field and as such am pleased that I’ve bought my gear for this years season in the hope that I can produce some great results before I really do have to give up
Apologies for a downbeat post but it was a good way for me to think about things and get them into perspective and to admit those things I struggle with having until recent years been very active and highly motivated
Ive been gradually losing the ability to do various things since injuring my back in 2014 and ive been persevering despite the difficulties rather than giving up on being able to do these things
Despite all of the above I’m still hoping that another recovery, a positive outlook, a bit of grit, determination and further perseverance will enable me to continue with my hobby - fingers crossed
On a very much brighter note - Here’s Hoping you all have a good year to come shooting whatever makes you happy for as long as you can
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