Jassim Al Bastaki and Mohammed Fakhurddin are among Bahrain’s leading Formula One photographers

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Racing photography is a complicated world. Stakes are really high with speed and precision emerging the number one deciding factors.

Among the talented team of Bahraini Formula One photographers, Jassim Al Bastaki and Mohammed Fakhurddin stand tall for their experience and recognition across global Formula One circuits.

“It has been an enjoyable, but tough journey,” said Jassim during an interaction with The Daily Tribune at Bahrain International Circuit.

“Initially, the cameras were much slower. Now things have changed as cameras match racing cars in their speeds. “When I began covering Formula One over one-and-a-half decades ago, the technology was not this advanced and we had to carry lights and other heavy equipment to get the best visuals.

“Now with the best technologies in place, we enjoy shooting day and night, though the job offers its share of challenges,” said Jassim, who entered the world of racing photography by shooting rallying and drag races in the nineties.

Mohammed has very much been a co-sailor in the boat with Jassim. “When I started shooting Formula One in Bahrain in the year 2006, it was all together a new experience,” he said.

“Before that in the nineties, I had been the lensman for Bahrain Rally, drag racing and many other races. “F1 is totally different from other motorsports as we have to deliver excellent visuals to fans not only in Bahrain but also across the world. They bestow trust upon us and it is a huge responsibility.”

According to Mohammed, every track is different from the others. “I’ve covered F1 races in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Australia. “Everywhere I have to deploy different styles of shooting. What we need to understand is that there exists a healthy competition among F1 photographers.

No one can afford to remain in second place as each of us strive to deliver the best visuals. And this itself is the biggest challenge.” Mohammed’s advice to those who pin their hopes on making it big in racing photography is simple.

“There is no shortcut to success,” he said. “You can only reach the top by climbing steps. “You have to start with small races, must know or learn all camera techniques, the car techniques. And most importantly you must understand the race, especially the rules.

“Formula One is the best race on earth and the photographers must also match the best of all standards. “We, photographers are always students as the process of gaining new experiences hardly stops.

Machines can fail any time, so you need to have backups. It’s definitely an expensive affair for which an aspirant should be prepared. An F1 photographer must have at least two cameras and many lenses.” The veteran lensman said some circuits offer the best of facilities to racing photographers while others are tough terrains to deal with.

“Some circuits like Bahrain International Circuit have best service roads while there are circuits with very poor service roads and there are high chances for photographers to get injured while shooting.

“Racing photography embraces only talented, dynamic, innovative and enthusiastic photographers. There is no space for a marriage with mediocrity here.”