You might think the picture just above is terrible. You might think it grand. The sun is behind the car, the angle is kind of weird, but hey, it brings out certain elements you might like. Either way, taking pictures at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is uniquely challenging. And we might have just the person to help.
Taking pictures at racetracks like Sebring is comparatively easy. It's flat, it's wide, it's Florida. But Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is all hills and valleys, with sharp crests, long ascending sections, and a corkscrew. That messes with setups and lighting, and can totally make or break a shot.
And with the TUSC race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend, you're going to want all the best shots.
So if you still have no idea what I'm talking about, compare the photo above to this one below:
Both were taken yesterday, but instead of the a quick shot from pit lane, you've now got huge elevation changes, race cars at different angles, and a big goddamn tree shadow right in the middle of everything.
Like I said, it can be difficult.
Luckily, we've got someone like Justin Altus taking care of us. Justin is a senior at Colgate University, studying physics, and recently took a class studying geographic information systems. That requires brainpower. And Justin's brainpower brought us this awesome infographic, showing you where you need to be, and at what time, to take the best pictures all around the track.
Oh, and in a pinch, it can help race engineers, too. All that solar data can tell you a lot about how the track heats up, and what it's doing to the tires. So if someone in TUSC wants to call Justin, we totally understand.
Photos via Getty Images