Motorsports on Film by Tim van Driel

Did you know that the F in F1 stands for film? Well, not really, but we love seeing Formula One and other automobile racing series captured on film!

A "fast sport" being documented through "slow photography" may seem contradictory, but film photographer Tim van Driel proves that these two are indeed compatible and opposites do attract. In this interview, Tim shares with us how he combined his two interests by going to different race tracks with a camera in hand, ready to freeze subjects going over 200mph.

Hi Tim, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you introduce yourself and tell us when and how you got started with film photography?

Hi, I’m Tim! I’m a photographer from Haarlem, a beautiful old city in the Netherlands. I started out with digital photography, but got fed up with the process of editing and culling hundreds of photos every time. Because of that, I got inspired to try film by people like Jason Kummerfeldt, Brae Hunziker, and Kyle McDougall. Their slower, more thoughtful process really spoke to me, as well as the beautiful colors they were getting from film. I bought a Canon A-1 on a whim, and haven’t really looked back since.

How would you describe your photography style? What subjects do you typically shoot?

This is always a difficult one for me because I don’t see myself fitting into one of the classical photography styles like landscape, architecture, wildlife, etcetera. My goal is to integrate storytelling into my photos. I find that I'm drawn to using buildings and cars to create those stories. Whether it’s the countryside, the city center, or the race track, I’d say at least 80% of my photos use a building, a car, or both, as the primary or secondary element.

How did you get into motorsport and when did you start shooting it on film? What inspired you to get started?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a ‘car guy’. Italian supercars, sporty German sedans, screaming F1 cars, endurance races like Le Mans, I love all of it. Despite that, I never really went to a lot of car or motorsport-related events, I guess mostly due to a lack of interest from the people around me. When I got into photography, it inspired me to go to things like car shows and track days by myself as a way to combine my interests. The first motorsport event that I shot on film was the 2021 Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort (although it was actually named ‘Zandvoort Race Classics’ that one year). Because of COVID, the event was open only to competitors and media. I was a spectator, but somehow got in anyway. That was amazing because it felt like I had all the cars to myself, with barely any other people around to get in the way of my shots!

Which forms of motorsport have you tried shooting? Which is your favorite and why?

I’ve shot multiple different series on a few different tracks. From professional racing series like Formula One, DTM, and the World Endurance Championship, to local events like Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort and Zolder, the Spa Summer Classic and the American Festival Zolder. They all have their own charms. Large events have the atmosphere of big crowds, and the latest and greatest cars and drivers. My favorite event, though, is the Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort. Because it’s a local (semi-)amateur event, the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed, and you can walk all over the paddock and get up close with the cars. That also makes it much more suited for storytelling through photos.

How would you describe the experience of shooting the sport specifically on film?

I started out on digital. That helped me a lot, actually, because the instant feedback helped me generate a feeling for the shutter speeds I can get away with when panning, i.e. moving the camera with the car to create the feeling of speed. When I started shooting motorsports on film in 2021, I was already accustomed to this technique. It’s always a bit of a gamble, though, because you can’t see your result, and there’s an additional factor alongside exposure and composition. Increasing the shutter speeds makes the effect more dramatic, but it rapidly decreases your hit rate, so it’s partly a matter of how much film you are willing to waste!

What photography gear do you consider your essentials when shooting and how do they help achieve the shots that you want to capture?

Honestly, the only thing that’s crucial is knowing if you’re in focus, so a large and clear viewfinder is a big plus. Fast autofocus and shutter priority with a good light meter both help you get the shot, but I’ve shot with manual focus cameras and manual exposure as well. When you’re shooting action shots, it’s mostly about technique. When you’re shooting static cars around the paddock, any camera that you’re comfortable with will work.

Have you tried any Lomography product while shooting races/cars? Tell us about your experience.

I have! I’ve used Lomography Color Negative 400 several times to shoot car-related scenes. The saturation of that film plays quite well with cars, especially when they’ve got wacky colors and during golden hour.

Can you walk us through your typical process when shooting at these events?

Usually, I’ll start by walking around the paddock because that’s usually where my photography brain quickly gets activated. I’m trying to get a feel for the place. The atmosphere, the light, the people, and of course the type of cars at the event. I find that my most interesting photos during this time happen when I’ve placed a car and/or person in the context of what’s happening around it or them, and tell a story that way, so that’s often what I’m trying to look for. Then, when I’ve got some shots in the bag and I feel like I’m getting more comfortable, I’ll go and stand trackside at different locations to get my action shots. By the time I’m finished there, it’s usually nearing the end of the event, so I’ll get back to the paddock to see what’s changed in the meantime, or if there’s anything I’ve missed. The light will have changed by that time as well, so that’s what I’m keeping my eye out for.

How do you balance enjoying the race as you watch while also making sure you get a good shot of important moments?

While you’re at the track, it’s hard to follow the race anyway. If you want to know exactly what’s going on, you’re better off sitting at home in front of the TV. Going to the track is about the crowds, the noise, the smells, just having a good time in general. So I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything while I’m shooting. Often enough I’ll take a break from shooting to admire and walk around a certain car, or to watch some racing action for a while. And while I’m shooting I can still hear and feel the cars around me, so I’m still right in the middle of the action.

Do you have a favorite shot? Tell us the story behind it.

For the 2022 Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort, I was able to get media accreditation. Because of that, I was able to get to places the public can’t reach. For this shot, I’m standing a few meters above the crowd, on the outside of a banked curve. It’s a shame the general public can’t get this view because it’s a great one. I love this shot because in my mind, it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of an event like this. A lovely sunny day, with a crazy 1980s F1 car screaming around the corner to make its way into the beautiful dune section of the Zandvoort race track.

What about a memorable behind-the-scenes moment?

During the event in my previous answer, a German photographer noticed me shooting with my Bronica GS-1, a big medium format camera. In comparison to modern DSLRs, it’s comically large, so he thought it was the best thing in the world. The rest of the day, every time he saw me he would give me two massive thumbs up with a big smile, and yell things like: “it’s crazy, I love it!” I got a real kick out of that.

What advice would you give to anyone who plans on taking their analogue camera to shoot a race?

If you want to shoot moving cars, I’d say practice with a digital camera first, to know your shutter speed limits. Alternatively, I’ve brought a digital camera to the track while shooting film, so you can get comfortable shooting a certain angle at a certain shutter speed before you get your film camera out. When you’re shooting static cars, make sure to mix it up. There are plenty of intricate details on every car, but there are also larger scenes to photograph if you look for them.

What does the rest of 2025 look like for you? Any plans to shoot more races?

I’ll be going to the 2025 Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort in June. Other than that I don’t have too many plans yet, but I’ll definitely be at the track a few times!

Thank you to Tim for taking us to the track through his lenses! Follow him on Instagram and check out his website if you'd like to see more racing action on film.

Comment below if you're also an analogue lover and a motorsport fan!

written by francinegaebriele on 2025-03-01 #culture #people #racing #analogue #f1 #film-photography #motorsports Share Article