So far we’ve invited a handful of avid amateur and aspiring photographers to show their work here in the Guest Shooter series. I’m pleased today to welcome a photographer with quite a bit more experience and an official role at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Bob Heathcote. Bob was kind enough to share some images from the recent WSBK round at his home track, and also wrote the following about his work, his gear, and his experience on this weekend.

“As a track photographer for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca I work all their pro events and have done so officially since 2011. I’ve worked three years with MotoGP and two with World Superbike but I still call myself a rookie when it comes to shooting two-wheel racing.

“Previously I did a lot of commercial and editorial work since getting my first pro camera in 1991 after leaving behind a brief career as a recording and touring musician. It was not until I moved to Northern California in 2004 when I attended the World Superbike event at Laguna Seca that I got interested in bikes. I bought a small scooter, then a bigger scooter, two motorcycles, and well, I am hooked!

“As a Canon shooter for 2014 WSBK I decided to use my 70-200mm 2.8, 300mm 2.8, 17-40mm and a Sigma 15mm fisheye. I normally use older 1D2N and 1D3 bodies but I added a 5D Mark III this year as I’m doing more video and I love the latitude it gives me with high ISO. At 50 years-old it’s nice to work with a smaller and lighter body again.

“My fellow team members all had big glass to use so I decided not to rent the normal 500mm f/4.0 as I wanted more loose shots and not so tight, particularly as these shots are more useful for the track promotional materials. Also Mazda Raceway is unique compared to many modern tracks because here the distance from the fence to the track is not so great (Circuit of the Americas in an example where even 800mm can feel too short). Indeed many great shots are taken from spectator areas at Laguna Seca.

“I want to thank Scott for finding me and inviting me to share my work and story here and hope you will also take a few minutes to see my website at bobheathcote.com and look me up if you are ever at Mazda Raceway.”

Thanks for sharing some of your latest work, Bob!

Photographs: ©2014 by Bob Heathcote / Bob Heathcote Photography – All Rights Reserved