Formula 1 is one of the most-watched racing leagues in the world. But what makes it so fan-generic? The attention is drawn to the fast-paced F1 cars and unique race arena. With millions of fans watching it globally, it is one of the most photogenic sports that ever existed. The sport where high-octane speed can determine a winner in a split second, the sport that necessitates a unique breed of essential photographers to capture these exhilarating moments.
These individuals create amazing storytellers by blending the lines between racing and camera lenses. These are F1 photographers, the people who transform the whole racing event into captivating images and give us closure behind the wheel. In the earlier article, we covered how to become an F1 Photographer. In this article, we will try to cover the top 10 F1 photographers of all time by whom Formula 1 has now moved beyond racing tracks to films, movies, and series. Let us know about the top 10 best F1 photographers of all time.
10. Rainer Schlegelmilch
Rainer Schlegelmilch is a German photojournalist. He started his career as a motor racing photographer in the 1960s. He is often regarded as one of the best F1 photographers of all time. Rainer was known for its black-and-white images that resonated with the historic days of motorsport racing. Rainer graduated from Bavarian State College of Photography and took landscape portraits of various racing drivers who raced in a 1000-kilometer race at Nurburging. In 2011, Bernie Ecclestone awarded him the Lifetime Press Photographer's Pass for his approximately 470,000 F1 photographs. He also created his website to showcase his art of historic and modern F1 photography since 1962.
Website: Rainer Schlegelmilch
9. Bernard Cahier
Bernard Cahier was a French Formula 1 photographer. He was born on June 20, 1927. Cahier began his photographic career in Formula 1 in 1952. Before making a career as an F1 photographer, he fought as a volunteer in World War II at the age of 17. Bernard was often called the “Cartier-Bresson of Motor Racing” because of his unmatched ethnicity to snap cars with lenses at high speed. Apart from being a photographer, Cahier has also raced in a few motorsport leagues, such as Sebring, the Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio. During his photographic career, he was named one of the founders of the International Racing Press Association (IRPA). It was the organization that was appointed to organize the media role in F1.
In 1966, Cahire helped famous motorsport movie director John Frankenheimer make the film Grand Prix, a movie made on F1 and also played a role in it. After retirement in the early 1990s, he remained close to F1 photography by running the Cahier Archive, one of the sport's most renowned archives.
Website: The Cahier Archive
8. Darren Heath
Darren Heath is one of the most renowned F1 photographers of modern times. He began his career as an F1 photographer in the late 1980s and has been continuously publishing images from the paddock for over three decades. He not only covers the photos but also creates story-telling editorials that describe the image's captivating insight. Darren calls motorsport photographing an artistic work, as it takes multiple snaps to capture the final one. Heath was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in 2005. He was also appointed as the Chief Photographer for the Autocourse Motorsport annual from 2003–2004 to the 2004–2005 edition.
His works and artistic images, created in collaboration with various automotive brands, can be seen on his professional website, which is shared below.
Website: Darren Heath Photographer
7. James Moy
James Moy is a British motorsport photographer. He has been working as an F1 photographer for more than 15 years of his career. Moy is well-known for his byline and high-captive images that reflect the essence of racing. He not only focuses on track racing but also tries to capture behind-the-scenes activities and teams. He has won many awards for his imaginative styling, story-telling, and artwork, which regularly appear in international media, books, and publications. With inspiration for others, he founded his photography agency, James Moy Photography, which provides services to various teams and publications.
Website: James Moy Photography
6. Mark Sutton
Mark Sutton is a name that is peripheral to the realm of Formula 1. Sutton started his career as an F1 photographer in his 20s. His journey to begin as an F1 photographer started when he first visited a Grand Prix in his childhood. The roar of the engine and the thrill of speed profoundly inspired him to be an F1 photographer. He was named the Best Photographer by Motorsport Images after taking nearly 400,000 photos of cars through his lenses. To prove his ability and camera skills to the world, Mark laid the foundation for his photography company, Sutton Images, which delivers high-quality motorsport images.
5. Steven Tee
Steven Tee is one of the leading F1 photographers of all time. With more than 30 years of long career spans, Steven captured around 500,000 snaps through hi-tech lenses. He is a friend to many motorsport racers and also conducts interviews and post-race reviews for various sporting media agencies. In 1985, he started his photography agency, LAT Photography, which is now a part of Motorsport Images.
Website: LAT Images
4. Clive Mason
Clive Mason is a famous photojournalist. He is regarded as one of the best sports photographers of all time. He not only captures F1 photography but also maintains an interest in other sports. Mason started his career as a freelance photographer for a local newspaper in Northampton, England. He then moved to join Allsport Media in 1994. In 2000, Getty Images contacted him about a photography contract with Shell Oil, the official lubricant supplier for Ferrari Formula One. Clive has received various awards in his career. He was named Photographer of the Year in 2020. Mason also secured a second-place ranking in the Sports Portfolio in 2021. He is currently employed as a senior photographer at Getty Images.
3. Peter J. Fox
Peter J. Fox, or Peter Fox, is a renowned F1 photographer. He started his career as an F1 photographer when he was 9 years old. He started shooting images for lower-division racing in go-karts and local racing leagues. His main profession as a motorsport photographer was started in 1988. Peter travels to various tracks, covering GT racing, LMP1, and MotoGP. His extensive photogenic layout and racing images earned him the Grand Prix de La Plus Belle Photo by Festival Automobile International in 2014.
2. Vladimir Rys
Rys is one of the best motorsport photographers of all time. He was born in Prague, Czech Republic. Vladimir got interested in the photography world at the age of 13. He was inspired by his grandfather, who was also a photographer. He went on to snap some epic shorts from Wimbledon, rugby, and the EPL. In 2005, his main niche was Formula One, and his insightful byline shots and remarkable images earned him the title of F1 Photographer of the Year twice, in 2008 and 2014.
To showcase his extravagant works and portfolio to other influential photographers around the world, he co-founded the Vladimir Rys Art Archive, which shows some of the best motorsport photography around the globe.
Website: Vladimir Rys Archive
1. Kym Illman
Kym Illman is one of the best F1 photographers of the current generation. He was recognized in the F1 photography community for his adaptive and dynamic images of F1 cars and behind-the-scenes moments. Kym is from Australia and is thus the only F1 photographer accredited on social media, with his works being published in global newspapers and magazines such as TodayTonight, Getaway, Australian Photography Digit, and many more.
Illman’s journey as an F1 photographer begins with marketing and business. He is the founder of the 1988 audio-production company Messages on Hold, which is used to create on-hold business messages. He also created a website to showcase his working skills and photogenic abilities to the next generation of photographers. He is currently working with Motorsport Images and also has a YouTube channel where he explains behind-the-scenes from the perspective of an F1 photographer.
Website Name: KM Photography
F1 photographers are like gems, as they create a connection for the fans with the main sports dilemma. Who is your favorite F1 photographer? Tell us in the comments below. Subscribe to us for more insights, news, and updates from the world of Formula One.
Inspired to capture the thrill of Formula 1? Discover how to turn your passion into a career with our guide to Formula 1 jobs: Guide To Career Options In Formula 1
