A day in the life of a car photographer at an international motorshow

Tim Andrew in action in Giugiaro Brivido Concept car


Ever wondered what happens on a Motor Show press day? The doors open at 7:30am in Geneva – better have your press pass in your hands, or get ready for a long queue. After a 10 minute walk and 25 minute bendy-bus ride from downtown Geneva, photographer Tim Andrew presented his pass and sailed through the turnstyle. First stop was the press room to nab a table, and more importantly, an ethernet cable to upload photos to the client’s server. Excess gear dumped, lightweight necessities grabbed, it was off at a trot to bag the first important “reveal”.

Bendy-bus to the airport after the show

The car manufacturers unveil their cars at 15 minute intervals, so unless you have a team of snappers and journos, it’s impossible to cover them all live. In any case, as a photographer, it’s best to have left the video crews catch the excitement of the covers been whipped off the “world Premieres” and turn up 20 minutes later once the scramble has subsided.
Click through to watch the video!


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Lotus Elise - a light weight contender

That Old Weight Vs HorsePower Question

A guest post by Neill Watson, photographer-writer-blogger

Yellowwheels editor Timtim posed me a really intriguing question today over a quick email chat – which is best, a lightweight car with minimal horsepower or a car with a bit more weight but a lot more power? A very good question and one that I believe I’ve answered to my own personal satisfaction this year. However, as the Americans are fond of saying, “your mileage may vary”

BMW M3

To put this into perspective, let me explain one of my day jobs. In addition to being a car photo-journalist, I’m also a track instructor. I spend a significant slice of my waking hours sitting in a variety of cars, from a 640BHP Lamborghini LP640 to a 120 BHP Lotus Elise and pretty much everything in between, either driving or imparting my limited knowledge. From BMW E46 M3 (a personal favourite) to Ferrari 458 Italia, I have a fair bit of seat time in them all. So, which is best? A 640 Bhp projectile or a 120 BHP mountain goat?


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2011 Geneva Motor Show - Porsche 918 RSR

Up close with Porsche 918 RSR Hybrid

A year ago Porsche’s 918 surprise at the Geneva Motor Show blew us away. Looking small and dainty but extraordinarily desirable it was pitched as a Carrera GT replacement. Yet it didn’t quite have the commanding presence of the GT, even if it’s spec and integration of hybrid technology made it worthy. If it’s 7:30min Nürburgring lap time is anything to go on, then it certainly qualified on speed and agility. Something about the folded paper look, lack of roof and delicate detailing of the show car made us want to put some horny rims on, install a loud exhaust and wake up the neighbours.

Geneva Motor Show 2011 - Porsche 918 RSR - embroidered seat and electro fill cap

Now exhibited in racing trim at the 2011 Geneva Show, that desire is mostly answered. the fixed roof, arch-filling racing slicks, additional carbon aerodynamic aids and orange “racing” decals vaguely recalling Gulf Oil sponsorship of the past, give it a butchness it was otherwise lacking. If Batman turned up in this beast, Gotham City would stand back and know what was coming. If Batman had turned up in the 918 “prototype”, he’d have Robin mince out slyly, while he conducted proceedings from his iPad3.



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Limited edition Lexus LFA unveiled before 2011 Geneva Show

A $375,000 supercar, of which only 500 will be built, not exclusive enough for you? Good news: the petrolheads over at the Lexus skunkworks have honed a special lightweight, track day version of their already awesome LFA for you. Only 50 will be made and christened “Nürburgring Package”. These special, limited edition cars are tuned to deliver exceptionally fast track times and sport large aeordynamic aids to keep downforce and consequently cornering speed high. To compensate there’s an extra 10bhp to push that huge wing through the air, supplemented by a 100kg weight reduction that sees acceleration maintained and, no doubt, braking distance reduced. To keep the connection with the Nürburgring going, buyers will be given free tuition and a years pass for the Nordschleife – this car is, after all, built to celebrate class victories there.

That massive carbon wing is fixed in position, unlike the standard car’s retractable one. There’s a huge front dam/tray that reduces effective ground clearance beyond the 10mm ride height lowering. Subtle chin winglets help channel air where it’s wanted, whilst at the rear, just over the tail-lights, Lexus have added small flaps. Inside, a liberal dose of carbon fibre and Alcantara replaces the standard leather. The Geneva Motor Show will be the car’s first public appearance on 3rd March.



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Winning render by Team Belgium

Results of the Autemo World Champs

Back last January we were intrigued by a very special new service offered by Australia based website Autemo.com . They gather artists from around the globe whose calling in life is to transform ordinary car images into extraordinary renditions. They don’t take prisoners in this game; if you want just a wheel change, they’ll be hankering to do a full body swop. A subtle lip spoiler? Nah, fire breathing tailpipes and outrageous slats, vents, not to mention assault helicopters plus strafing SWAT team, is more their battlefield. This transformation is what they term a “chop”.

Main attraction for the artists is to join like minded people, show off their skills and earn some money in the process. Ultimate ambition, though, is to end up designing cars for manufacturers and body modders. Autemo funnels work to their flock by being the meeting point for industry and artists.

With 1760 artists vying for attention, Autemo organised a world rendering challenge to sort the men from the, errrr, lesser photoshop-men. National pride was at stake too as members were sorted into teams by country. 4 rounds, plus quarter, semis and final would decide which of 35 participating countries prevailed. Judging was ultra democratic, with the entire community eligible to vote for each round.


Worthy winning entries based on Lotus Elise

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Porsche 918 RSR on the menu at 2011 Detroit Auto Show

Take a Porsche 918 Spyder, a GT3R Hybrid, a 917 short-tail, a 908 long tail, mix your ingredients in a Stuttgart bowl. measure out 70% Gulf Racing blue and infuse with 30% liquid metal chrome. Pour into a CFRP oven-proof container and bake for 9 months in a moderate autoclave. Carefully place 917 fan into top cover and insert front splitter and RS Spyder racer’s wing, and allow to become cool. Now decorate with orange stripe and “22″ to recall racing glories. Voila, a “racing laboratory” and PR exercise neatly baked, with a Michelin 4 rubber ring rating. However, this is an experimental recipe and should be tasted with reserve until a full race version has been prepared to perfection.

Ingredients:
1 RS Syder V8 race engine and drive-train (563 bhp – 767 bhp when blended with flywheel)
1 GT3R Flywheel accumulator and electric motors (204 bhp, care, may spin viciously)
1 918 Syder monocoque and body (peel and grate, cover with fold forward doors)
1 917 fan cooling system (boil 40 years to reduce)
1 908 Body styling cues (free lunch)
add a liberal dose of racing heritage
(CGI rendering optional )

Read on for master-chef’s full description and baking tips – a foodie’s feast



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