Feature

Shutter Speed: 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix proved chaotic as Formula One made its first visit to Jeddah. This week, Shutter Speed returns to showcase F1's fight under the lights.

In this edition, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team and Motorsport Images photographer, Glenn Dunbar, shares his favourite shots from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and explains the subtle details from behind the lens.

Shot on a Canon EOS R5 with a 14mm lens

"This shot creates a great sensation of speed, but capturing this image is all about technique. To get the effects, you need to use the flash in conjunction with a longer shutter speed while panning with the car. With all of that in mind, you get the lovely lines and highlights coming off it.

"The AMR21 looks like it's going incredibly fast, but it creates a strange perspective in that the wheels aren't really rotating. It's quite rare that you see this shot in F1 as it only works at night because of the lighting but, as a photographer, you have to use every tool available."

Shot on a Canon EOS R5 with a 14mm lens

"Because the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a night race, the shadows in the garage were darker than usual, so that created a visually moody atmosphere. Because of the shadows, the LED lighting is also emphasised and that illustrates the presence of the Halo.

"The Halo has changed the way drivers get into their cars, and every driver has their own unique way of getting in and out of the cockpit. Both Lance and Sebastian do it differently, and that shows how techniques vary from driver to driver."

Shot on a Canon EOS R3 with a 24mm lens

"I’m proud to be one of the first people in the UK to get their hands on the new Canon EOS R3, which is the latest buzz in the photography world, and this image was taken on this new camera. I didn't shoot much on-track action over the weekend, but this is an image that I deliberately went out to capture.

"This was taken at the end of FP1, and shows the collection of many different components. The position, the car and the sunset create a lovely image. The slow shutter speed creates a sense of speed, but it also shows some of the construction of the track, which was built in an impressive timescale."

Shot on a Canon EOS R3 with a 28-70mm lens

"The lighting in the garage entrance was new for this weekend, and as soon as I saw it, I wanted to take a photo of the drivers coming into the tunnel. I also find it funny that Seb is jogging through the tunnel, which shows that, like every racing driver, he wants to get from A to B as fast as possible.

"Despite the LEDs, the lighting was quite poor, which pushes the camera's capabilities, but the image is pin-point sharp and the EOS R3 held up perfectly."

Shot on a Canon EOS R3 with a 50mm lens

"When I'm in the garage, I would usually over-expose a shot to place a focus on a driver's eyes and face but for this, I decided to expose the highlights to emphasise the fact that it was a night race by creating a dark and moody feel.

"By shooting it wide open, there is a lovely drop off in the depth of field which draws attention to the Aston Martin branding on Lance's visor strip and the contouring gives the image a 3D feel."

Shot on a Canon EOS R3 with a 50mm lens

"This is my favourite shot of the weekend, which was shot wide open with a minimal depth of field. You can see the concentration etched on Seb's face, and it shows part of his preparation. In hot and humid conditions, Seb's trainer often provides him with a spare helmet bag filled with dry ice, and he has that on his lap, which is where the vapour is coming from.

"When he wants more cooling, he then adjusts the fan to spray out more dry ice, which creates a lovely ploom. I shot a lot of frames of this because I wanted to capture it perfectly. I just love the concentration and focus."

Thanks to Glenn Dunbar for sharing his passion and creative talents: #IAMCREATIVITY.

Discover more of Glenn’s photography on his Instagram: @glenn_dunbar.