Barcelona Testing: Day 1

//The following is a featured article from guest contributor Jamey Price, Jamey Price Photography, an American sports photojournalist on his first Formula 1 project.  You can read more about Jamey and his passion for his work in our feature: Intro to an American F1 Photojournalist - Jamey Price.

Feb 21, 2012

After a long travel day Sunday and Monday, I finally arrived in the sleepy town of Montmeló which lies just north of Barcelona. With the sound of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" playing in my dreams, I woke bright and early to pick up media credentials and get to the press centre Tuesday morning.

Mercedes launched it's 2012 contender close to 830a. Dubbed the W03, which like most of its competitors has the unique 2012 spec "broken nose" look. Despite early hesitations, they don't look as bad in real life. And thankfully the cars still sound tremendous.

After the Mercedes launch, where Michael and Nico arrived in the new AMG Mercedes, I headed to the end of the pitlane to shoot pit exit photos.

Now, contrary to what you may have ever read on other F1 blogs, the business of F1 photography is neither cushy nor easy. Though being a diehard F1 fan myself, it is a long hard days work with nearly no break and no food or drink and as I write this, I'm completely exhausted. If you're doing your job right, you simply won't have time for anything but picture making. I walked the inside and outside perimeter of the track twice today looking for photo spots I found pleasing and engaging to viewers, and as always, looking for the best light and maybe something unique.

The 2012 spec cars, though unique looking, are still very much F1 cars. It is still and incredible sight and sound to see a modern F1 car power away from the pitlane. One moment they sit in front of you a roaring machine ready to release its energy. The next, it's several hundred yards away and seeming only got there in the bling of an eye. It's something that photos not video can properly convey. You'll simply have to experience it for yourself in Austin this November.

My day wrapped up shooting the cars coming into the last 3 turns. The light was stunning and I seemed to be the only photographer in sight. I have no idea why. Following the last session of the day, I joined the World champions for a few minutes of pitstop practice before retuning to the media centre to upload the last batch of photos from the day.

Tomorrow's challenge will be doing something different than today. I don't like seeing myself take the same images but I have a few tricks of my sleeve. Well see if it works.

Intro to an American F1 Photojournalist - Jamey Price

When is a photograph more than a photograph? When it falls in the category of photojournalism.

Photojournalism is different from photography in that it “complies with a rigid ethical framework which demands that the work is both honest and impartial whilst telling the story in strictly journalistic terms.” If a single photograph can be equated to a single paint color, then photojournalism is the art of turning singular photographs into a Monet or a Van Gogh. Photojournalists create pictures that contribute to the news media. It is possible then, that the short definition of photojournalism is simple: A picture is worth a thousand words.

On that note, we’ll spare you our words and spend the next few days transporting you to Barcelona, Spain for Formula 1’s second round of testing. The expedition will be lead by one of America’s most promising professional sports photojournalists, Jamey Price.

Jamey Price, PhotojournalistJamey was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina – which is obviously no stranger to auto racing, as it is nestled deep in the heart of NASCAR country. A self taught photographer and experienced athlete, Jamey attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, where he competed as a varsity swimmer all four years. Upon graduation, he moved to the United Kingdom to broaden his horizons and expand his professional experience on the international scene. Back in Charlotte, Jamey now competes “in the occasional triathlon” (just a walk in the park, eh?) and can frequently be found on the back of a race horse as a steeplechase horse racing jockey.

What about the other type of horsepower, the kind with four wheels? Jamey’s deep passion for covering racing has taken him from photographing lawn mower racing and grass roots dirt tracks all the way up to NASCAR, Indycar, American Le Mans and Formula One. Jamey’s award winning work has been featured around the globe in print and online publications such as Sports Illustrated, F1 Racing Magazine, Southern Living, The Racing Post, Autosport and the Charlotte Observer, to name a few.

With over 40 races and 11 wins to Jamey’s riding career, he adds:

I am no stranger to the highs and lows of life as an athlete and the pressures to produce results.

We hope you enjoy the highs and lows of testing from Jamey as he sends us his stories from Barcelona this week.