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ottery st mary tar barrels on november 5th, Devon, England

November the 5th is generally, in Britain, associated with Guy Fawkes and fireworks. In a corner of Devon in the South west of England, the town of Ottery St. Mary has its own celebrations of carrying flaming tar barrels through the streets. No-one knows the exact origins of the tradition but it draws people, TV crews and more from all over the world.

Is it dangerous? Yes, real flames, heavy barrels and the fact they run through a town packed with people (organisers estimate 15-20,000 visitors) mean a hefty insurance premium. Photographing this event is a skill in itself; making sure beer doesn’t get spilled on your precious equipment, nor get crushed while attempting to photograph people racing past you with blazing barrels on their shoulders. Having said that, it is fun!

ottery st mary tar barrels on november 5th, Devon, England

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Breakaway group ahead of the peloton near Shobrooke, Crediton, Devon

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Peloton of the Tour of Britain 2011 near Shobrooke, Crediton, Devon

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The Tour of Britain cycling hell-for-leather through the leafy Devon lanes near Crediton on September the 15th 2011. On the right of the two Vacansoleil riders, in the Rapha Condor Sharp black jersey, is local boy Jonathon Tiernan Locke who took the King of the Mountains jersey for his amazing climbing skills in this stage.

Despite a breakaway group of riders (including Locke) having a clear lead of over six minutes at one point, the peloton fought back and brought them into the pack. The stage which ran in its entirety in Devon, from Exeter via Dartmoor to Exmouth seafront, was won by Mark Renshaw of HTC-Highroad just ahead of his team-mate, the speed-sprint favourite, Mark Cavendish.

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On a photographic note, cycling races at this high level are very difficult to shoot due in no small part to the speed of the riders. At longer range you can get away with 1/200th shutter but closer-up you’re looking at 1/500th plus. Flash to freeze the image helps, but there aren’t many flash/camera units that will sync at anything over 1/250th and you don’t, frankly, have much time to experiment. Flash panning works but it’s very hit and miss. No surprise then that most of the tour photographers sit on the back of motorbikes in front of the riders where those issues aren’t so much of a problem.

Tour of Britain website

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