Inspiration

How I tell stories via motorsport photography.

How I tell stories via motorsport photography: SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

- Jürgen Tapp

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

After finishing my architectural studies, I traveled the world to photograph windsurfers. I soon realized I could make a living from it and knew I had found my dream job. From there I concentrated on developing my skills. As a photographer I strive to bring the viewer of my images into the world I am seeing on their behalf. Not only should they see what I am seeing, they should also feel it. I am trying to make them want to go to the places where I have the opportunity to take my pictures.

I think that each photo should tell a story. Whether it is the motorsport circuit or the surf beaches, I am trying to find the extra element in every location.

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

I am driven to find a new perspective, even in well documented events like 24h Le Mans or Formula 1 races. One of my most spectacular shoots was on a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 plane covering the weightless flight of Formula 1 driver Mika Hakkinen and a McLaren F1 car. It was physically and mentally very demanding to shoot in a huge plane falling from the sky, being weightless and feeling sick. But I am still very thankful for having these kinds of experiences that only a very few people in the world will get to encounter.

My approach is to provide the best possible quality combined with an artistic twist. I push boundaries as far as possible and good equipment is crucial to bring my ideas and vision to life. 

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

In a two-week period I was covering three races for Porsche Motorsports in Portimão in Portugal, Nürburgring in Germany and Monza in Italy, and I had a surf shoot at Guincho Beach in Portugal. For these events, I used the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports and the Sony α7 III.

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

This lens was great for the job. It is compact, robust and very good to handle. Most importantly it has a very fast autofocus and is extremely sharp. I had cars coming up to me at Nürburgring Nordschleife with a speed of 260km/h and this lens got it perfectly sharp. The Dual Action Zoom is a feature that helps a lot by being quick to operate when the cars fly towards me. It’s fantastic!

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

Another big advantage is the lightweight construction of the lens. It helps a lot when it comes to travel the globe. Covering numerous races on all continents, this lens is my primary choice.

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

At the beach shooting the surfers in the waves the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports showed its full potential, displaying an exceptional level of detail, fast and precise AF and brilliant handling. 

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports, Sony α7 III

Behind the Scenes

Jürgen Tapp
Sports and motorsports photographer

The founder of the Hoch Zwei Photoagency. He works for brands including Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Red Bull, McLaren Racing, Hugo Boss, Siemens and many more. He used to be an architect but soon shifted his career to photography as his love for imagery and surfing helped me shine as a surf and motorsport photographer.


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