Guest Blog: Anas Zakaria>> It’s Just A Camera. Nothing More.

Photography was never something that I cared about when I was just a littleboy. But just like any other little kids, the moment I cherished the most was when my father bought me little toy cars or bikes. When I was about 7, my father started to buy me car magazines and I would sit down the whole day, turning the pages again and again, staring and drooling over all the photos in it. I wasn't aware of the photographic aspect of it, only the cars attracted me –those gorgeous race cars!

But it wasn't until the year 2007, that I started my journey into photography. At that time, I was crazy about F1, MotoGP and the like. But photography? I wasn't even thinking about it. I knew nothing about cameras. Photography was more accidental rather than intentional. My good friend was the editor for a local motoring magazine and asked me to help him with his assignment for the 2007 Malaysian MotoGP because I know a lot about MotoGP. He doesn't even have a clue who Nicky Hayden was! So I got my 1st media pass and that's where it all began.

The media pass I had only allowed access into the paddock area, the media centre and the pitlane when there are no activities on track. My friend on the other hand, had the track access. But he was kind enough to lend me his camera while he was not shooting trackside, so I started wandering around the paddock and the pitlane. I know nothing on how to operate the camera.

My friend set the camera into the Aperture priority and told me 2 things: press this button to shoot photos and press this button to view the photos taken.

So there I went, shooting randomness while being starstruck at the opportunity to meet Valentino Rossi and other riders in person. The most important lesson that I got from the whole event was: if I wanted to get close to the action, I needed a camera. With a camera, I can convince my friend to apply for a trackside access for me too and in return I can help him with his assignment.

In short, I was trying to convince him to take me as his assistant, although actually the only thing I want is to get close to the action and maybe take 1 or 2 nice photos for my desktop.

That moment came a few months later when the now defunct A1GP series came to Sepang. When I receive my pass, the magic word was written on it. "Position: Photo. Access: Track, Paddock, Media Centre". I can hardly believe me eyes when I saw it! Finally, I gpt to wear the green vest with the word photo written behind it. Prior to the event, I studied a little about the basics of photography and borrowed a Nikon D70s from my friend. I wasn't prepared to buy a camera just yet. Just give it a try, I was thinking. Maybe I'll buy one later if I liked it.

After the event, I began to study a lot more about photography and how the pros work. I was blown away by the works of renowned F1 photographer Darren Heath. I've encoutered a lot of amazing photographers such as Schlegelmilch, Cahier, Martin Trenkler, Regis Lefebure, Bob Chapman, Yutaka Sasaki through hours and hours of research and browsing through the web.

These are among the photographers that I tried to emulate when I started taking photos. But as time passes by, I started to develop my own style of shooting while mixing little bits of pieces here and there that I picked up from my influences.

In 2008, I bought my 1st and only camera, the Canon 40D coupled with the 70-200 f4 L lens. Whenever there is a chance to capture any motorsports events, I will jump at the opportunity and shoot as much as possible.

Cars, bikes, rallying, drifting, karting, you name it. If it is anything motorsports related, you'd see me there. I started posting photos on flickr and met some other brilliant photographers along the way.

These guys are really the one that inspired me to experiment and explore motorsport photography in a way which I never thought was possible before. What impressed me the most is that these guys took great photos with lesser equipments.

Most of them uses entry level cameras such as the Canon 350D, Nikon D40 and such. Nothing fancy. No expensive equipment. Just some camera. I always thought that the camera was everything, and expensive gear made for great photos. How wrong I was. Your equipment is only a part of the equation, the other part is knowing how to utilize it to suit your needs.

Those flickr guys gave me the tips on how to improve my photograph. We started changing opinions while trying to better each other's work. This started a chain of healthy competition between us to push the boundaries of our photographic work and many other up and coming photographers started to join in.

Slowly, my work was recognized through the internet. I started receiving e-mails requesting for the permission to use my photos for some magazines and websites.

Australian based motorsport photographer, Matthew Mead, asked me to become a contributor for a US based motorsports blog, ColdTrackDays. I wrote to the editor, Justin Coffey, and we started the collaboration in mid 2009. That's how I get to know Linhbergh, a brilliant photographer that needs no introduction here.

2010 is another chapter of my journey into photography. I am into my 4th year of capturing anything that moves fast and sounds loud. Earlier this year, I started RaceRevo.com with a couple of friends. It's a website that focuses on motorsports scene globally with focus on the Malaysian motorsports.

The desire to form RaceRevo.com came about through a special mission to highlight motorsports culture that was heavily ingrained behind the scenes in Malaysia, the rest of the world and the photography that underpins it.

Meanwhile, on the business side, we also managed to strike some deals and were paid to shoot for some of the racing teams and drivers.

For me, the reason why I picked up a camera was simple. I want to get close to the action and capture it the way I see it.

When I look back at all the events that I was accredited as a photographer, it serves as a reminder of how privileged I am because there are so many other people out there that have the ability but not the opportunity to do it. One thing that I learned was to keep improving and try to get as many of your images published. It doesn't matter if it is a website or a magazine. Don't be too picky about it. If you put a lot of passion, effort and quality into your work, chances are that sooner or later someone will recognize it. From there, who knows what will happen.

Thanks a lot to Linhbergh for inviting me to share some of my stories and photos here for Speedhunters' photography month. Hope you guys enjoyed it. It was a very humbling experience, considering all the brilliant photographers that have been featured here.

On the final note, here's a link to an amazing collection of motorsports images. Most were not captured by the pros but by people like you and me.

These guys inspired me to become what I am today. Check it out!

Feel free to check some of my work at my website. Thanks again!

-Anas Zakaria

www.RaceRevo.com

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1

Sweet pics! It would be awsome to add a MotoGp & AMA section to this site does anyone else agree?

2

Sweet !! I'm one of your fans Anas. Proud to be Malaysian !

3

I've been following ANAS for a while now, always love seeing his work it is amazing!

4

nice one, keep it uppp dood

5

Nice write up... so from randomness to true focus!



Still photograhpy as opposed to movies is like a time machine.

Capturing motion and speed...



@Yoshimura1.: disagree

6

Impressive journey, nice to hear someone say the camera doesn't alwys make the photographer.

7

Amazing images

8

A nice photography journey. Very nice photos capturing the essence of speed

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