I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the Mid Michigan Drift Club in Owosso, Mi. This event was my first time shooting motorsports, and I was immediately captivated by the raw power of the roaring engines.
Adapting to a New Shooting Style
While I've photographed plenty of cars before, shooting them in motion was an entirely new challenge. I'm used to capturing hockey, where the goal is to freeze every moment of action. With drifting, however, I had to find a balance—keeping the car sharp while allowing the wheels and background to blur, creating a sense of speed and motion. This required experimenting with different shutter speeds and panning techniques. The harsh November lighting also made exposure tricky, forcing me to constantly adjust my settings depending on where I was standing to compensate for shifting shadows and bright highlights.
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Immersed in the Action
One of the most exciting parts of the event was being on track, right in the center of the action. Feeling the cars roar past me and watching them initiate drifts up close was exhilarating. However, I quickly realized I wasn't fully prepared. I had no hearing protection, and I arrived late, missing the media meeting, so I relied on a friend to fill me in on the track rules. The cold Michigan weather made things even more challenging, though it did warm up slightly in the afternoon. Despite these hurdles, I had an absolute blast capturing the raw energy of the event. I took way too many photos, but every moment felt worth capturing. With this being the first time at this track for all the drivers, it was a learning experience for everyone involved.
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Looking Ahead to Next Season
This event marked the last drift event of the year, making it a fitting end to an exciting new experience for me. After getting a taste of the action, I'm already looking forward to next year's events and plan to attend as many as possible. The next scheduled event is on April 12, 2025, and I can't wait to refine my skills, experiment with different shooting techniques, and capture even more incredible moments. If this event was any indication, next season is going to be truly spectacular.
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