Darren Heath: A picture from Turkey or "Curvature of the Earth"

Darren Heath is one of the best photographers specialising in motorsport and a veteran of 20 years standing in the Formula One paddock. The Times Formula One weblog asked Darren to select one image from the hundreds he took in Turkey last weekend which best sums up a superb Grand Prix at Istanbul Park.

Darren has chosen this essay on Felipe Massa roaring through Turn 11 at 180mph with the TV chopper in the background. Darren did not name the image but I would say "Curvature of the Earth" seems appropriate. (Imagine the noise).

Here is Darren's own comment on the picture which will enlarge if you click on it.

"As the world  watches from the helicopter-mounted camera, Felipe Massa blasts his Ferrari up the hill on the exit of turn 11 driving towards his third consecutive Turkish Grand Prix win at Istanbul Park last Sunday. 

What I like about this picture, apart from capturing the helicopter in shot, is the light from the late afternoon sun giving the green painted concrete an almost metallic sheen perfectly complementing the dramatic sky, the red of the car and track edge.

Formula One is so much more than cars simply completing 60 or so laps on a Sunday afternoon, being  arguably the perfect 21st century sport of aesthetes. My desire to convey this beauty through the lens is what drives me to strive for pictures such as this."

A few notes on Darren

Age: nearly 40
Clients(include): Bridgestone, Sunday Times, Philip Morris, FIA
Mission statement: "The pictures I enjoy doing are the more creative, artistic side of it, a different side to the sport, not just cars going round corners. There is so much more that we see at Formula One and I aim to show that in a creative way using light and colour to maximum effect.
Favourite track: "I say Monaco because it is just the most extreme experience to see cars going so quickly down a track which is narrower than your front room. I love Suzuka and Spa, but Monaco is the best."
Favourite driver: "Senna. The charisma and the ultimate speed. Close to the top of the list of all-time memorable experiences was seeing Senna doing qualifying laps - seeing him on what seemed like a different level to everyone else."
Dislikes about Formula One: "I try to be positive about it. Like a lot of people in the sport, I am impatient, but you have to be patient to do our job."
The future: "I love it. I am enjoying this season. I enjoy each season I do more than the previous one and I can't see that stopping any time soon."
Football team: West Ham United

Darren has his own Formula One blog and website where you can read his reflections on each Grand Prix and see more of his pictures.

Pic of Darren by yours truly(The crap photographer)

Comments

[Dean Rodrigues]

quality. "a picture tells a story" indeed

[BBARRERO]

I agree with every note on Darren. Particularly, being a graphic designer, I share his mission statement.

And he has talked one of the best statements I've ever read about Ayrton: "Seemed like a different level to everyone else."

Cheers form Madrid ;o)

[IDR]

Great Pic!

In my opinion the best one you have published in the blog.

I particularly like the colours and lightness as Darren commented.

But the shadow crossing all the track and part of the field, reduce the overall quality of the picture. And as is coincident with the rear wing of the car, it seems that is a defect of the picture more than a real shadow

It’s a pity because without this shadow, IMHO the picture could be easily awarded. I think with some “photoshop work” the picture will become one of the “very best” of F1.

On the other hand, I’m pretty sure if that were the case, we wouldn’t have the pleasure to have this photo published in your blog.

For those interested on technicalities:

Camera: CANON EOS- 1Ds Mark III
Focus length: 840 mm
f nr: 11
Exposure: 1/640

But don’t expect to take that kind of pictures only because the camera. Darren is the most important device to take the picture!

For the name suggestion…

What about something like, “Faster than the earth”.

Congrats to Darren. Wonderful picture, really, and thanks a lot for sharing with us firstly. Now is part of my iPhoto library.

[David Hodge]

I have long been an admirer of Darren's work, most of it seen in print in the magazines. Ed has put a link to Darren's website at the bottom of this piece - check it out and follow the links through for even more great pictures.

[Keith]

Darren Heath makes even Hermann Tilke's worst abortions photogenic.

[Gary M]

I have seen photographs from Darren before and he certainly has a great eye for F1. This one is no exception.

Nice post Ed.

You might want to ask Darren to give you some lessons! ;-)

[javiervivaespania]

Darren Heath's web is very good. One of his best pictures is
http://www.darrenheath.com/images/blog/30_1.jpg
He pictures souls and machines equally good.

[J. Perez]

You hear that? The clicks of all the readers of this blog changing their computer's wallpaper.

[colin grayson]

100% with darren re senna ; somehow on a different plane to the others

jim clarke was exactly the same [ showing my age !]

[Anon]

Very nice!

Can we talk about Monaco, though, I want to get the predictions rolling! I'll do the stats this time if IDR gives up.

I'm happy today because I got tickets to see the Hockenheim race this year!

[bbarrero]

Talking about Monaco, I'd like to remember this great man and driver called Graham Hill, the very first legend in Monaco.

For the next GP, I'd bet on Hamilton or Kimi, though it is the only circuit where you can the unexpected on ever season.

Finally, I would like to link to a recent article in my still-to-complete-blog where I write about if an Alonso's 3-in-a-row is feasible.

http://thisisformulaone.blogspot.com/2008/05/bet-on-fernando-for-monaco.html

Just tried to write in an impartial manner and with no fanatism at all.Really.

Cheers!

[Mannersaye]

That picture of alonso is a bit daft javier. Also, i think magic's tooth has fallen out.

Monaco:-

1. Hamilton
2. Kovaleinen
3. Trulli

[Bojan]

Great picture and a very welcome post Ed. Congratulations to both authors.