Interview about Moments of Speed Photographs, winner of the A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award 2024
In Moments of Speed, speed becomes impressively visible. At first glance, the images reveal the aesthetics and dynamics of movement and allow the intensity and energy of the moment to be felt. At the same time there is an interesting shift from visualized speed to calmness in the motif. In the movement depicted, the images radiate a serenity of their own that creates a pleasantly relaxing effect. This change in perception allows the viewer to experience a new, deeper level. Composition, details, colouring, sharpness and blurring create dramatic and at the same time an image of calm in motion.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsSpeed – we are in motion, or something around us is moving, and we follow it with our gaze. On site, the perception of this movement becomes a flowing, fleeting sequence of countless individual moments. The faster the motion, the more the details merge into a continuous temporal stream. Due to this speed, we no longer perceive the individual elements – though they still exist within the motion. From this, I developed the idea of exploring what happens when we isolate a single moment and return to it the possibility of still observation. Can such an image convey a sense of calm amidst all the movement? Perhaps a kind of serenity that arises through full concentration – like the focused flow one feels while driving at high speed on the track?
As already mentioned, it was precisely this contradiction that fascinated me: in situations of intense concentration – especially at high speeds and on challenging tracks – drivers often experience a sense of calm and relaxation that lends a unique harmony to the flow of driving. One becomes one with the vehicle, moves at the limit, and yet remains completely at ease. Capturing this relaxation within the tension was the idea behind the Moments of Speed series. To immerse the viewer in the same calm that can surround the driver in full concentration – this special kind of stillness at the peak of motion, a stillness that doesn’t arise from standstill, but from within the very edge of dynamic intensity.
Safety first – a principle that remains paramount both on and off the track. Since the sessions in question were not competitive races but organized track days, the photographic work could be planned and coordinated more precisely. When shooting from the trackside, it was done exclusively from designated safe zones – only during brief moments such as high-speed drive-bys. In cases where GoPro cameras were used, they had to be mounted with absolute security to ensure there was no risk of detachment, even at high velocity. Capturing images from a moving support vehicle required prior clearance from race control. Drivers were briefed in advance, receiving precise instructions on how to drive to facilitate the planned shots without compromising safety. Throughout the process, camera equipment had to be thoroughly secured to eliminate any possibility of parts coming loose or causing incidents on the track. Every precaution was taken to ensure that the pursuit of compelling images never came at the cost of safety.
With the exception of the pre-positioned GoPro, all images were taken handheld. The shots from the trackside were captured at a height of approximately 150 cm using panning techniques to keep the vehicle sharp while rendering the background in motion.Driving shots from the escort vehicle were taken from a lower perspective, around 50 to 70 cm above ground. A key element for achieving the desired effect was using a medium aperture – wide enough to keep the entire car in focus, while still creating a shallower depth of field to gently blur the background. This impression was further enhanced by intentional motion blur in the surrounding areas of the image, achieved by selecting a longer shutter speed relative to the vehicle's speed. The result is a carefully balanced interplay of sharpness and blur that emphasizes the moment’s dynamic energy and makes it visually tangible. For example, in the main image, the exposure settings were 1/160 s shutter speed, aperture f/5.6, and ISO 100.
Weather is not a disruptive factor but an active part of the visual language in this series. Challenging condition – such as heavy rain or an approaching thunderstorm – offer powerful visual elements that add drama and depth to the image: the spray behind the vehicles, reflections on the wet track, or the unique play of light against dark clouds. Through deliberate framing and perspective, the weather becomes a narrative element – one that not only reflects the driving challenge but also evokes an emotional response in the viewer.
When selecting fleeting moments, the images needed to exhibit a clear visual language: on the one hand, creating an impressive visual impact; on the other, enabling the transformation of speed into a moment of stillness in the viewer’s perception. Despite being in motion, the vehicle is perceived as the still element – the calm center of the image – while speed is conveyed through the blurred and smeared surroundings. If an image revealed precisely this visual balance between energy and calm, it became a strong candidate for my final selection.
Even though track days don’t follow a strict racing schedule, the time frame for capturing specific image concepts is often limited. However, thanks to my many years of experience in this environment, I’m very familiar with the procedures and typical situations. This allows me to handle technical settings and positioning with confidence and routine. As a result, there's less pressure – and more freedom to respond spontaneously to new impressions, to further develop creative ideas, and to translate them purposefully into images.
My post-processing is not an alteration of reality, but a deliberate enhancement of my personal perspective. Through careful adjustments – in specific color ranges, color balance, depth, contrast, and brilliance – the feeling of the moment is brought out more precisely, and a harmonious color atmosphere is created, without compromising the image’s authenticity.The editing is not meant to dominate the image, but to reveal what is already inherent in it – it’s a process of refinement.
Receiving the A' Design Award is a very special form of recognition for me—especially because I tend to view my own work with a highly critical eye.Whether or how a series like Moments of Speed might influence motorsport photography remains open – but perhaps it offers a source of inspiration. Motorsport photography is filled with top-tier photographers, each with their own style and visual language. It’s always wise to stay open to inspiration from beyond the familiar, to think outside the expected, to prioritize emotion over pure technique, and to continuously evolve one’s own perspective.
The book offers a visual journey through moments and scenes captured during various track days throughout the year. To fully bring out the impact of the images, two photographs are presented across single full pages, two span double-page spreads, while the lead image draws attention as the book’s cover. When selecting images for facing pages, it was essential that subject, composition, proportions, direction of gaze, colors, and focal points harmonized with one another – creating a calm, cohesive narrative that flows naturally, also in relation to the other photographs from these events.
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