Ok, here is a post to hopefully generate a conversation amongst other photographers or video guys who cover offroad motorsports. I've covered my third Baja 1000 this year, you can read about it in previous posts if you've packed a lunch and are full of caffeine... long read. Anyone who's been to Baja will understand the challenge the place itself provides in terms of logistics but if you are there chasing the race as race support crew or trying to photograph it you face a whole other set of challenges. I'll outline them as a sort of commented list. Please, leave a witticism behind if you'd like to challenge my preconceptions or offer a "what works for me" type of comment or if you'd like to add to the following list.
1. Night comes to Baja.
It's true. Even in sunny Mexico, night still falls. During the Baja 1000 this means I think for many of us trying to photograph the event that you either resign yourself to a lot of flash or tripod. It limits the number of action shots you can really get. Lighting a person or motorcycle in the dark is one thing, but try it on a race car moving at speed and you find yourself quickly much closer than you might like. Also, you tend to get the same kind of shot over and over this way. So far, my brute force solution is to avoid going too far South. As the race progresses, it gets dark. Better to stay in the North where the bulk of the action takes place in the daylight. This also has the advantage of getting you back across the border before the mad exodus from Baja at the end of the race.
2. Transportation
It's a bitch. No two ways about it. The best solution is to have your own ride, and a co-driver to share driving duties or at least to help you keep aware of some dangers in Baja. So far I've embedded myself with race teams to cover their personal story. The first year, I had a little more autonomy when I covered Dan Cook's bid to complete the race in his Mount Logan built expedition trophy truck. That was my first year and I have to say, I think I got more interesting action shots that first year than any year since, despite my greater experience now. Largely this is due to transportation. In short, your own wheels is the way to go. I've thought about bringing a bike or quad down but I'm no where near good enough shape to try and follow any portion of a live race course and expect to live... let alone have my camera gear live. I'm sure there are a host of people who would rightfully warn me off such an idea anyway. One interesting option I've considered is looking into an ultra-light aircraft. They require no pilot's license and can be hauled across the border on a trailer and assembled at a location of your choice. Just remember that the Mexican military takes their no-fly after dark rule very seriously.
3. Security
With the recent events in Baja, I think a lot more about security down there now. Unfortunately, I view police with the most suspicion and caution. I know that not all of them are corrupt, or even many of them. The problem is that ones who are or seem to be complicit in criminal efforts have acted with such bravado and savagery it gives one pause now when confronted with them. The fact that they openly accept bribes of all colors presents it's own issues. Ok, so what to do? Thievery being the biggest fear still, I tend to keep my camera gear locked in a chase truck at all times when I'm not using it. Chase crews get very nervous when locals approach an open truck and so you have a little built-in vigilance over your stuff if it is in their truck but keep in mind that t-shirts, hats, tools, parts or anything really do disappear off those trucks while they are sitting an open pit where locals can just walk through. Gear insurance is a great idea for trips like this. I can't wait till I can afford it.
4. Safety
Maybe this one should go first? Oh well. All kinds of bad stuff can happen to you when you are in close proximity to guys hauling ass through the desert. You could easily be run over as happened to a spectator at Ojos Negros in 2006. This guy was standing quite literally in the same patch of dirt I was in my first year down. One big difference though is that I manage risk which is sort of clear that fellow was not doing. By managing the risk, I mean I recognize and respect the danger and then see how I can still shoot but as safely as possible. Now, in that spot there isn't a lot you can do. I wanted to shoot from a low angle to capture cars jumping the rise. Given the crowd, there is only one place you can really be. However, I never drink when working, and I try to stay hydrated, fed etc. This helps me remain alert. Also, I practiced "dry" and exercised some skills you learn when riding a motorcycle to be aware of escape routes in case of something like this. To someone who hasn't been in the situation, this may sound kind of flimsy buy the important thing is that you think about it as that is what makes all the difference. I hate to beat this safety drum too much but I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that when in Baja for the race, most injuries and fatalities happen on the highways to chase crews attempting to drive too long without sleep and that sort of thing. As long as you carry enough water and warm clothing the natural environment in Baja is actually pretty tame in my opinion so that isn't as much of an issue.
5. Logistics
This is partially a travel problem but you really need to spend some time in advance planning how much money, food, spare batteries etc you are going to need. Personally, I've always held that you ought to travel as light as you possibly can. As photographers we can't really go too light on gear. You really want the spare body and a good selection of glass, lighting stuff etc. However, you really can get by a week or so in mexico on two pairs of pants and 3 or 4 pairs of underwear, especially if you have the opportunity to wash your stuff in a hotel. There are all kinds of cool tips you could learn from backpacking, ultra-light hiking, the military and other sources about traveling light. If I have more than two carry on bags (I generally don't check luggage when I travel) then I've screwed up, is how I try to operate.
That is really all I can think of at the moment but if you you are making a trip down and are wondering about something drop me a line. If you don't see the answers here I may simply have left them out.
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