Trackside Camera Angles

[Websta]

I am a bit disappointed by the choice of camera angles used in F1 coverage. A lot of the time, the choice of camera angle really reduces our sense of the speed of the cars. This is an example of the sort of shot which we do not get frequently enough in F1 coverage:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPS ... re=related[/youtube]
A static, track-side camera shot really gives an excellent sense of speed, but we seldom see such an angle. During the Australian round, given the confines of the track, they are forced to use track-side cameras, and as a result I think we get a better sense of the speed of an F1 car from the Albert Park coverage than we do when they travel to Monza.

I am particularly unimpressed by the camera angles used to cover the start/finish line in qualifying. As the camera is typically set up right at the other end of the straight, you can't tell at all where the car is relative to the line, you don't get a sense of the speed either. I think it's pretty ordinary. I have an example of what I mean below - it's from Abu Dhabi, so it's probably the worst example I could have found given how short the start/finish straight is, but I wasn't able to find the particular videos I wanted:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pajmPUX0Uw[/youtube]

This is typically one of the most exciting parts of the race weekend, it would be great if they could set a static camera right on the line that filmed the cars screaming across the line to finish the lap. That would also show how far they are from the line - at a lot of races you just can't tell at all.

Now, I obviously understand that they need to show the racing during the race and they do an excellent job at that currently, and track-side cameras would be pretty useless at that, but that doesn't mean they can't throw a few more exciting camera angles into the coverage, especially during qualifying. I am interested to know if anyone else agrees? Or am I just a speed nut?

[bhall]

I had the very same thought when I saw this video last year.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgA3doqwP6Y[/youtube]

The sense of speed is absolutely annihilated with the close-up tracking shots that dominate F1 coverage. Then again, the whole point of sponsorships in F1 is so that Red Bull, for example, can build brand awareness, and that's probably very difficult if their logo reads more like "ReeeedBlurrrrr."

However, I think there's a good balance to be found, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it, because presentation quality doesn't seem to matter so much. Considering the status F1 allegedly enjoys around the world, I was utterly shocked and dismayed that it took so long for the sport to go High Definition. As if we needed another reminder, I think it's pretty obvious that we, the fans, are just about the lowest priority on F1's agenda.

[Lycoming]

I did like that overhead camera they ran at silverstone last year over luffield. Another good angle is the fixed one in the tunnel at monaco; absolutely incredible to see the cars blistering past.

I think the camera angles are generally not that bad, but the shot looking straight down the pit straight really does destroy the sensation of speed. Also, I think they have some great angles that they don't show in the broadcasts very often; you can usually find some examples in the race edits.

[Nando]

More onboard and fixed camera angles is my opinion.

And better onboards. Cameras but with the viewer in mind and not what the teams want.
I don't want to watch an onboard video where the camera is either too high up, way off-centre, is shot with 240p.


Make the camera centered, fit it below the engine intake above the drivers helmet and not facing part of a front wing that shows nothing.
And HD for ceying out loud. i can fit a GoPro camera and get better quality imafes then the F1 onboards.

[FrukostScones]

would love to see the start (and battles in La Source) in Spa from this perspective

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_p-K0t9jzQ[/youtube]

[skgoa]

would love to see the start (and battles in La Source) in Spa from this perspective

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_p-K0t9jzQ[/youtube]

That is the most boring 3 minutes and 44 seconds of motor racing I ever watched.

[agip]

I was about to make a thread on this topic too.
Why does older footage was much better in capturing the sense of speed?
I think the moving cameras plus the huge zooms are the problem.

Sense of speed:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okw3393YmzM[/youtube]

[strad]

They have gone to using really long lenses that rob you of the sense of speed. It's not the angle so much as the lenses they use.

[QLDriver]

One thing I wish they would improve is the camera for the start. With the distant camera with a long lens at the end of the straight as is conventionally used now, there's no speed differential visible between the cars - it's not immediately obvious who made a rocketing start, and who bogged down. It tends to be basically the middle of the first braking zone where it starts to become really clear what's happened to everyone.
Eventually they show the helicopter shot and you think "OH! So that's what happened!"

[strad]

QLDriver...You got that right. They use some variable length lens that shoots from a half mile away down to 20 yards...screws us..but it's cheaper for them.

[Nickel]

I like the cameras embedded in the kerbs. Also, there have recently been drivers with ACTUAL helmet cams. I LOVE that footage. You can see where the driver is looking and get a sense of speed, roughness etc. This would be EPIC for wheel to wheel battles. You would see the defending driver check his mirrors, and all that. disappointing to only get the rare glimpse of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3DY7HIjXMc

[Lycoming]

The problem with helmet mounted cameras is it puts more loading on the neck, and probably turns back quite a lot of work on the part of helmet makers to drop mass.

And I know they have plenty of kerb mounted cameras, they just don't seem to use them very often in broadcasts.

[strad]

The helmet cams are little lipstick cameras, very very little mass..and I too love them.

[Websta]

There are plenty of interesting cameras, especially the spider camera they have at Silverstone now which Lycoming mentioned, the nifty articulated camera at the Abu Dhabi hairpin, the camera on top of massive pole at the parabolica at Monza (probably my favourite), and the new helmet cameras are great. I assume it's the circuit who decide where the cameras are located, probably according to a general guideline from the FIA? It's just a shame that the Monaco tunnel and sector 3 Valencia cam (only used in practise coverage!!) are the only static cameras on high speed sections that I can remember from the 2011 season.

[Nando]

They should move the camera in Monaco.
flip it around so you see out of the tunnel and a good angle so you see the car exit out of the fast bend.