Circuit 2011
By Dennis Gray
With the relatively recent advent of digital cameras, everyone can now take a great picture…but that is not to say that everyone is now a great photographer. While the ability to capture a sharp, well-focused image is now almost assured, there is still a large divide between those who can take a good picture and photographers, who can create photographic art. Dennis Gray is one of those photographic artists.
While in high school, Gray “conned” his local paper into requesting media credentials for an upcoming race at Laguna Seca, thereby starting his “behind the ropes” career. He was team photographer for George Dyer Racing when they won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1977, team photographer for Tom Spalding’s Can-Am team in 1978 and the RJ Reynolds photographer for the IMSA series in 1979 and 1980. He was a frequent contributor to On Track magazine from 1981 to 1985, worked as a professional studio photographer and has been a long-time contributor to Vintage Racecar.
In Circuit 2011, Gray has created an interesting eBook portfolio of images taken predominantly during the 2011 U.S. historic racing season. Perusing through the 70 pages of stylishly presented photographs is akin to walking through a gallery exhibit. Combining striking, on track action shots with artsy close-up detail shots and participant portraiture, Gray’s work has an intimacy, and almost moodiness, that really captures the artistic form of historic motorsport. Thanks to the eBook format, Gray has also been able to include multimedia features that add even more to this immersive environment.
Available for download from the Apple iBook store for $4.99
