Jenson Button leaves the garage in Barcelona, Spain during the 2013 F1 Winter Testing Session (Jamey Price/James Moy Photography)
The following is special guest editorial by Jamey Price, a professional motorsports photo journalist who is passionate about Formula 1. Jamey has photographed Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR and other sports car series; for more of his stunning images, visit www.JameyPricePhoto.com.
// Barcelona Testing 1
Having covered one of last year's Barcelona tests and the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix in Austin last February and November, respectively, I was far less intimidated walking into the paddock for the first of the Barcelona pre-season tests at Circuit de Catalunya.
As a photographer, I have grown a lot since last February when I had my first chance to cover F1 testing. I shot almost an entire year of racing during 2012 in five different countries covering eleven different series. I felt far more prepared this year. I knew the track well, and I knew my own capabilities more than I did last year. It was like starting fresh again.
What I love about Formula One is that they will pretty much run the cars in any weather condition. My job as a photographer has been called "cushy" by one particular F1 blog, however, I assure you it is anything but. When everyone else is wrapped up around a heater with dry clothes on, the photographers are out in the cold and freezing rain making interesting images that tell stories. They don't just appear on the web or in print without someone breaking their back to make them. It is grueling hours in sometimes arduous conditions but I wouldn't trade those days for the world.
I am at peace when shooting Formula One cars screaming around the first corner and up the hill, listening to who has their foot planted on the pedal and who is lifting off a little bit. The devil is always in the details, and the details in Formula One are ENDLESS. And that makes our job capturing it all, immensely gratifying and fun.
Enjoy my images from the first Barcelona pre-season test. More to come next week!
