Speedway photographers in focus!

[Guest]

I meant for HMX

 

 

Out of interest I did a Google search for HMX Images. Several appeared but when I tried to use the Links they were all refused. I have no idea why.

[BOBBATH]

I don't even know what HMX means. Does anybody recall my favourite photo of all time-the one of the 1964 British Final with Brian Brett, who was the leading qualifier and hot favourite to get to the World Final sitting on his keyster at Wembley after falling in his first ride. He looked bemused thinking I've lost my chance-which indeed he had. I assume the photo must have been taken by Alf Weedon who gets my vote as the greatest photog.

[Sidney the robin]

My favourite all time pictures that i have in order are 1.Tom Farndon with Dicky Case 1935 Wembley 2. A Briggo picture leading Mauger at Hyde Rd 1970/71? and Tommy Jansson a superb action picture in the Mike Patrick book 1976.

[Guest]

Here is a useful contact Link to Mike Patrick:

http://beta.mike-patrick.com

 

I have had a Facebook message from Mike Patrick who tells me that he is in hospital recovering from a hip replacement operation. I am sure everyone will join in wishing him a speedy recovery.

[sommelier]

I meant for HMX

If you go on to FB you will find HMX images, He is all ways at Somerset sometimes Poole and Swindon. I'm a big photo collector, his work is out of this world!

[Midland Red]

If you go on to FB you will find HMX images, He is all ways at Somerset sometimes Poole and Swindon. I'm a big photo collector, his work is out of this world!

Thanks for that. Not on "FB" so guess I won't see any

[Guest]

 

I have had a Facebook message from Mike Patrick who tells me that he is in hospital recovering from a hip replacement operation. I am sure everyone will join in wishing him a speedy recovery.

 

​Here is an update message from Mike Patrick following his hip replacement operation:

I'm glad to say that I escaped from hospital yesterday and am now settled in comfortably back home with a nice new shiny hip installed. Everything went really well and it's so good to be able to do some basics once again without being racked with pain.

Thank you once more for all the wonderful messages that have been left to encourage my recovery, they've certainly helped to keep my spirits up. It's physio time now, so onwards and upwards

[TonyMac]

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.

 

Ken was a very fine photographer, technically very good - he even taught photography at college where he lived in Sheffield. It was because of the superb quality images he produced and the reliable service he provided that we took the plunge and decided to add full colour, glossy covers to Speedway Mail in 1987.

 

But what I loved about Ken, too, was his humility and lack of ego - unlike one or two snappers who think they are God's gift. He always remembered that the riders were the 'stars' and he was just there to photograph them.

 

In his trademark hat, he snapped away for the Mail from 1982 until the mid-90s. Quiet, unassuming and simply doing his job.

 

He and his wife emigrated to one of the Greek islands some years back but he still keeps in touch.

 

And I'm delighted to say, his brilliant photography still adorns the pages of Backtrack and most books we publish at Retro Speedway.

 

Another part-time snapper, who could also churn out many words for the Mail, was Coventry-based Bruce Grainger, who sadly died of a sudden heart attack at home in the 90s. Bruce liked to puff on his pipe and had a laconic, unflappable way about him.

[rusky]

Ken was a very fine photographer, technically very good - he even taught photography at college where he lived in Sheffield. It was because of the superb quality images he produced and the reliable service he provided that we took the plunge and decided to add full colour, glossy covers to Speedway Mail in 1987.

 

But what I loved about Ken, too, was his humility and lack of ego - unlike one or two snappers who think they are God's gift. He always remembered that the riders were the 'stars' and he was just there to photograph them.

 

In his trademark hat, he snapped away for the Mail from 1982 until the mid-90s. Quiet, unassuming and simply doing his job.

 

He and his wife emigrated to one of the Greek islands some years back but he still keeps in touch.

 

And I'm delighted to say, his brilliant photography still adorns the pages of Backtrack and most books we publish at Retro Speedway.

 

Another part-time snapper, who could also churn out many words for the Mail, was Coventry-based Bruce Grainger, who sadly died of a sudden heart attack at home in the 90s. Bruce liked to puff on his pipe and had a laconic, unflappable way about him.

So true about Ken and his ego Tony. A true gentleman, and it was always a pleasure to be in the pits when he was around, and you are so correct about one or two who thought they were gods gift..... lol

[Guest]

So true about Ken and his ego Tony. A true gentleman, and it was always a pleasure to be in the pits when he was around, and you are so correct about one or two who thought they were gods gift..... lol

 

Sadly some of them around these days! But let's not deviate from what this thread is about to name them! The concentration should be on photographers from what were the great old days of speedway.

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.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Guest

[TonyMac]

Someone mentioned John Hipkiss in a previous post. John took some excellent pics at Cradley, Wolves and Birmingham (his regular haunts) in the late 70s and throughout the 80s and supplied Speedway Mail on a weekly basis. He is still producing good work for Speedway Star today.

 

Of course, when comparing photographers, you have to bear in mind the circumstances (and in some cases) restraints in which they worked. Wright Wood and Alf Weedon operated for decades at very poorly lit tracks using archaic camera equipment, whereas Patrick and those who followed had the benefit of more advanced cameras and improved track lighting, as well as being allowed to snap away using flash.

 

Without being disrespectful to current snappers, it's much easier taking speedway pictures today compared to the pre-digital age when old-fashioned film (or glass) were used. Auto-tocus, much faster shutter speeds, better track lighting, the option to choose from many frames of more or less the same image . . . how Wright and Alf would have enjoyed that luxury.

[iris123]

Ian Charles,who takes pix at both Belle Vue and Buxton also taught photography at college and is also a very friendly,no ego sorta guy

[TonyMac]

If you want to check out the most comprehensive, unrivalled collection of speedway images sourced from numerous different photographers through the ages, then look no further than John Somerville's superb site at http://www.skidmarks1928.com/v/photos/john-somerville-collection

[Guest]

If you want to check out the most comprehensive, unrivalled collection of speedway images sourced from numerous different photographers through the ages, then look no further than John Somerville's superb site at http://www.skidmarks1928.com/v/photos/john-somerville-collection

 

To see my name on the list of speedway photographers also recalled memories for me of that period when I also used to cover football at Millwall, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Dulwich Hamlet. There was also rugby union at Blackheath and Old Colfeians, athletics at Crystal Palace, motor racing at Crystal Palace, cycling at Herne Hill, while I also did a few stock car meetings at Wimbledon Stadium. However most of the photography was nearly 50 years ago. But speedway was always my favourite sports coverage.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Guest

[Guest]

Some years have passed since this thread originated. I would be interested if any poster could provide - if that's possible? - an update to previous comments?

Edited January 25, 2022 by Guest

[Lefty]

As a youngster I loved the Wright Wood piccys and the Craven and Hyde Rd classics are still on my living room wall (and I'm a Wolves fan!). In later years I was amazed by the quality of action pics in the Arena Essex programmes, you could count the wheel spokes with ease. Apologies for not knowing the name of the photographer.