Note: There are 200 (TWO HUNDRED) photos in this thread. Allocate ample of time to let the pictures load and read the essay. Yes?I?m insane. Every year the number increases. 
____________________________________________________________
?Are you insane?!?
Yep, that?s what my wife said to me when I told her I will be covering the 2011 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang for FIVE whole straight days.
But she should have anticipated that. Every year in April, my attention will be focused to Sepang. Every year in April, I will prepare my camera and equipment for the greatest show on Earth. Every year in April, my life gets refocused.
#1. Every year in April, they come.
http://img101.imageshack.**/img101/2912/avi0411.jpg
But what was different THIS year was, for the first time out of the many years I?ve been to the Sepang circuit to enjoy Formula 1 as a guest, THIS year, I went as one of the official photographers for Sepang International Circuit.
For 9 years I?ve covered Formula 1 using Paddock Club passes which allowed me access to the Paddock Club Suite and the roof of the paddock. That was it.
This year however I was able to access all other places such as the track, back paddock, paddock, some access to the pitlane, EXCEPT for the roof. Ironic wasn?t it?
I was granted a green pass and not the holy grail of FIA passes, the all-access RED pass (which would have allowed me access to the roof). But even then it was a dream come true. I reckon many other people would have done unspeakable things to get one of them green passes.
But why the late post?
It took me a while to decide whether to post another photo essay or just dump the pictures in one thread without any essays or stories. After 5 straight days at Sepang under the scorching sun and crazy wet weather, I was drained. Plus, I had to deliver the photos to SIC after the race. Then LIFE came along and threw a monkey wrench into my plans to select, process and compose for the photo essay. That, people, is why this photo essay is over a month late.
Let?s get on with the story though.
Head photographer called for a meeting on Monday 4th of April 2011 with the other photographers and volunteers. We were briefed on what we will be tasked to do. Responsibility were handed out and also the kind of shots that were required by SIC. Shooting for SIC is way different than shooting for oneself. The kind of shots photographers might consider ?artistic? may not be suitable for press releases or SIC usage. For that we were told to get the ?normal? shots in the bank before going out and do our ?feel? and ?artistic? shots. It was not easy I tell you.
____________________________________________________________
?Are you insane?!?
Yep, that?s what my wife said to me when I told her I will be covering the 2011 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang for FIVE whole straight days.
But she should have anticipated that. Every year in April, my attention will be focused to Sepang. Every year in April, I will prepare my camera and equipment for the greatest show on Earth. Every year in April, my life gets refocused.
#1. Every year in April, they come.
http://img101.imageshack.**/img101/2912/avi0411.jpg
But what was different THIS year was, for the first time out of the many years I?ve been to the Sepang circuit to enjoy Formula 1 as a guest, THIS year, I went as one of the official photographers for Sepang International Circuit.
For 9 years I?ve covered Formula 1 using Paddock Club passes which allowed me access to the Paddock Club Suite and the roof of the paddock. That was it.
This year however I was able to access all other places such as the track, back paddock, paddock, some access to the pitlane, EXCEPT for the roof. Ironic wasn?t it?
I was granted a green pass and not the holy grail of FIA passes, the all-access RED pass (which would have allowed me access to the roof). But even then it was a dream come true. I reckon many other people would have done unspeakable things to get one of them green passes.
But why the late post?
It took me a while to decide whether to post another photo essay or just dump the pictures in one thread without any essays or stories. After 5 straight days at Sepang under the scorching sun and crazy wet weather, I was drained. Plus, I had to deliver the photos to SIC after the race. Then LIFE came along and threw a monkey wrench into my plans to select, process and compose for the photo essay. That, people, is why this photo essay is over a month late.
Let?s get on with the story though.
Head photographer called for a meeting on Monday 4th of April 2011 with the other photographers and volunteers. We were briefed on what we will be tasked to do. Responsibility were handed out and also the kind of shots that were required by SIC. Shooting for SIC is way different than shooting for oneself. The kind of shots photographers might consider ?artistic? may not be suitable for press releases or SIC usage. For that we were told to get the ?normal? shots in the bank before going out and do our ?feel? and ?artistic? shots. It was not easy I tell you.