Speedway photographers in focus!

[Guest]

Here are photographers who have made an impact on the sport over the years. Sadly, I cannot detect anyone in their class these days.

(1) Wright Wood.

(2) Mike Patrick.

(3) Alf Weedon.

(4) Trevor Meeks.

::::: Here is a list of those whose work features in the highly respected John Somerville Collection: click on an album image for an enlargement and more details.

http://www.skidmarks1928.com/v/photos/john-somerville-collection

Edited January 25, 2022 by Guest

[Midland Red]

IMHO Jeff Davies is top man these days

[Guest]

Two talented photographers who I knew in the mid-1950s period were Len Birch and John Goldfinch who worked on behalf of 'Speedway Star'.

Most of Birch's work was in the days of the old Harringay speedway.

John Goldfinch was the cousin of the speedway rider Gil Goldfinch. He specialised in photo features of 'riders at home.' Three of his classic works involved Graham Warren, Ron How and 'King of Crash' Phil Bishop.

Another well known photographer from the late 1940s through to the early 1950s was John Alexander who worked for the old 'Speedway Gazette.'

Edited April 27, 2017 by Guest

[sommelier]

Mike Patrick IMO was in a class of his own in his day, iv got over 1000 photos of Mikes work all in A3

But for me now HMX images (Haggis Hartman) Just in another World!

[Sidney the robin]

The bloke at Cradley was pretty good i think he is still around John Hipkiss.

[Guest]

IMHO Jeff Davies is top man these days

 

You can view the speedway work of Jeff Davies at this Link:

http://www.jeffdavies.luxipics.com/default.asp?id=29

[Sidney the robin]

You can view the speedway work of Jeff Davies at this Link:

http://www.jeffdavies.luxipics.com/default.asp?id=29

What about others? Davies is decent but not great in my opinion the guy at Swindon is just as good in my opinion.

[Guest]

In the OP I gave these names as the best ever speedway photographers:

1) Wright Wood.

(2) Mike Patrick.

(3) Alf Weedon.

(4) Trevor Meeks.

I stand by that opinion.

It was not originally meant to be a ratings list but on further consideration I would move towards that save I would classify Mike Patrick as marginally ahead of Wright Wood, but leave the two lower places as detailed.

Other Posters have nominated some interesting candidates. IMO they are good professionals all very much on a par with each other.

Is any Poster prepared at this stage to give an overall rating for all the names so far submitted or shall we wait another 48 hours to see who else might be nominated?

Edited January 25, 2022 by Guest

[Guest]

Here's another photographer who enjoys a good reputation. Stephen Waller, the official Ipswich Speedway photographer.

stephen waller photography speedway

http://www.stephenwaller.com/cart/client/public-gallery/5ZT-CBKC/ZWC-V12T/1

 

http://www.stephenwaller.com/cart/client/public-gallery/5ZT-CBKC/000-0000/1

Edited April 26, 2017 by Guest

[Guest]

The camera work of Ron Pearce covers a speedway era that is now largely forgotten. Click on an image for an enlargement and more information.

http://www.skidmarks1928.com/v/photos/john-somerville-collection/C203056240

[Andrew]

Ken Carpenter,(always with his hat on,I seem to remember ! ) a familiar face on the infield at Owlerton and elsewhere in the 1980s/90s.A lot of his work was in the Speedway Mail.

[Guest]

Ken Carpenter,(always with his hat on,I seem to remember ! ) a familiar face on the infield at Owlerton and elsewhere in the 1980s/90s.A lot of his work was in the Speedway Mail.

 

Indeed. I remember the excellent photographic work of Ken Carpenter very well. I handled much of his work in the early 1980s when I did sub-editing at the 'Speedway Mail.' I bet Tony Mac also recalls Ken?

Edited April 26, 2017 by Guest

[steve roberts]

My uncle, Keith Lawson, used to take photographs at Oxford and other tracks. Some of his photos crop up now and again in magazines and books.

[Guest]

When I used to take photos at Wimbledon in the early 1970s, there were four photographers operating from the centre green. Besides myself, there was also dear old Alf Weedon and Mike Patrick. There was a fourth chap, a freelance whose name I cannot remember. He used to contribute to both 'Speedway Star' and 'Speedway Mail' and also the local 'Wandsworth Guardian.'

I am trying to recall his name and wonder if any Poster can help. He was a really nice chap and told me that besides his photographic work - and I am not detracting him but using it as a guide to his outside speedway background - that he worked full time as a milkman. After a few months of activity - this would have been early 1972 - he stopped attending meetings and I never encountered him again.

I just wonder? Does anyone who might read this Post have any idea who he was and what became of him?

Mike Patrick IMO was in a class of his own in his day, iv got over 1000 photos of Mikes work all in A3

But for me now HMX images (Haggis Hartman) Just in another World!

 

Here is a useful contact Link to Mike Patrick:

http://beta.mike-patrick.com

[sommelier]

What about others? Davies is decent but not great in my opinion the guy at Swindon is just as good in my opinion.

IMO his photos are second rate at best! You need to take a look at HMX work, you should know Mark, you have seen enough of my photos off him!!!

[Sidney the robin]

IMO his photos are second rate at best! You need to take a look at HMX work, you should know Mark, you have seen enough of my photos off him!!!

Yes mate you are right,real quality what about MICK KILBY forgot about him got some great photos from him from my early years at the Abbey.On the dear side you used to go up the stairs to the now FIVE STAR restaurant 😀😜🤓 and Mick's pictures were in the window they were top class as well. Edited April 29, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[Guest]

A speedway rider who later became a top class speedway and motorsport photographer was Southampton's late 1940s era rider Cecil Bailey.

http://www.speedwayatoz.co.uk/pdfs/bailey%20cecil.pdf

Edited April 29, 2017 by Guest

[Midland Red]

Mike Patrick IMO was in a class of his own in his day, iv got over 1000 photos of Mikes work all in A3

But for me now HMX images (Haggis Hartman) Just in another World!

Do you have a link, please

[Guest]

Mike Patrick IMO was in a class of his own in his day, iv got over 1000 photos of Mikes work all in A3

But for me now HMX images (Haggis Hartman) Just in another World!

 

 

Do you have a link, please

 

Midland Red - a Mike Patrick contact Link is carried in message 14 of this thread.

[Midland Red]

Midland Red - a Mike Patrick contact Link is carried in message 14 of this thread.

I meant for HMX