A Day Behind the Lens: Vintage Car Photography at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025
I still feel the smell of petrol and freshly cut grass when I close my eyes. That’s the magic of the Goodwood Festival of Speed — an open-air cathedral for motoring enthusiasts, and for me, a playground for my passion: Vintage Car Photography.
This July, I spent an entire day wandering the sprawling grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. From the rumble of classic engines to the shine of polished chrome, it was a photographer’s dream. But beyond the spectacle, it reminded me why vintage car photography is more than just pointing and shooting — it’s about capturing history, emotion, and detail in every frame.
What is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles, held in the grounds of Goodwood House. This year, the 2025 edition ran from July 10th to 13th and drew tens of thousands of fans, photographers, collectors, and drivers from all over the world.
For over 30 years, it’s been a pilgrimage for anyone who loves motorsport heritage. From pre-war racers to modern Formula 1 machines, it’s a living museum of speed — and for anyone into vintage car photography, it’s simply heaven.
Why Classic Car Photography Matters
We don’t just take photos of old cars because they’re pretty. We do it because each shot freezes a moment of living history. A classic Ferrari with chipped paint. An old Bentley with leather that’s seen a hundred track days. These details matter.
Vintage Car Photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about character. For me, Goodwood is the perfect canvas. The paddocks, the hill climb, the garden parties — it’s all real, raw, and full of fleeting stories waiting to be caught through a lens.
Vintage Car Photography Images: How It Unfolded
I arrived early, camera bag strapped tight, batteries charged. The morning light was soft — the perfect time to hunt for warm shots before the crowds arrived. Goodwood is generous to photographers: there’s no shortage of subjects. Classic Jaguars resting under oak trees, drivers chatting next to cars older than they are, pit crews tweaking engines by hand.
I spent hours drifting between the paddocks and the track, capturing the roar of engines mid-run, the proud owners giving interviews, and the subtle moments — a mechanic wiping oil off a fender, or a family pointing out a legendary car from granddad’s youth.
By afternoon, the famous hill climb roared to life. I staked out a bend near the straw bales. Shooting moving cars is a thrill: you anticipate, pan, shoot, repeat. Each frame is a split-second chance to catch motion and history in the same shot.
Famous Faces Through My Lens
One of the joys of Vintage Car Photography at Goodwood is capturing the people who shape the sport. This year, I found myself in the right place at the right time, photographing moments that blend motorsport’s history, present, and future:
Mark Stewart (documentary filmmaker & Race Against Dementia Chair), Emerson Fittipaldi, Emmo Fittipaldi
📸 Mark Stewart (documentary filmmaker & Race Against Dementia Chair) with the legendary Emerson Fittipaldi and his son Emmo, who looks ready to step into F2 next year. It was incredible to witness three generations of motorsport passion in one frame.
Karun Chandhok, Paul Aron
📸 Karun Chandhok, ex-F1 driver turned top pundit, sharing advice with Mercedes Junior Driver Paul Aron before the hill climb. I loved catching the moment Paul was fully tuned in, soaking up Karun’s insights, a quiet yet powerful snapshot of mentorship in motorsport.
David Coulthard
📸 David Coulthard, all set to take the Red Bull beast up the hill. The sound, the anticipation, the pure theatre of the Festival of Speed — these are moments that remind you why Goodwood is so special, and why these images will mean even more in years to come.
The future meets experience, and that’s exactly what Goodwood Festival of Speed is about.
Classic Car Show Images
Practical Tips I Learned This Year
While I don’t need to describe my photos here (you’ll see them yourself), I can share a few things I learned shooting Vintage Car Photography at Goodwood 2025:
1. Scout Early: The best angles are gone by noon. Be on-site early to get clean shots without crowds.
2. Bring a Variety of Lenses: I carried a wide-angle for full cars and crowd scenes, a fast telephoto for the hill climb, and a trusty prime for portraits.
3. Don’t Fear Bad Weather: Overcast skies mean softer light, which works wonders on shiny paint and chrome.
4. Talk to People: Some of my favorite shots came from spontaneous moments chatting with owners and fans.
Behind the Lens: My Photography Gear and Approach
Vintage Car Photography at Goodwood isn’t just about turning up with a camera; it’s about choosing the right tools to capture the speed, detail, and stories that unfold throughout the day.
This year, I shot primarily with my Canon R5, a camera that balances speed and resolution perfectly for motorsport events. For the hill climb and capturing cars in motion from a distance, I relied on my Sigma 150-600mm lens. It let me pull in tight on cars roaring past while maintaining crisp detail, perfect for shooting motorsport action in high-pressure conditions.
For closer, creative shots in the paddocks, I switched to my RF 16mm lens, which allowed me to capture wide-angle perspectives of the cars while bringing in the environment and the crowd. This lens helped tell a bigger story in a single frame.
For general-purpose shooting, from portraits of owners to candid moments in the crowd, I used my trusty EF 24-70mm L series lens. It’s still my go-to for event photography, offering flexibility without compromising on image quality, even in challenging light.
Choosing the right lens is about understanding what story you want to tell. Whether it’s capturing details like the texture of leather seats or the sparkle of chrome, or tracking fast-moving subjects as they scream up the hill, your gear should match your creative intention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vintage Car Photography?
Vintage Car Photography is about capturing classic cars in a way that showcases their historical beauty, craftsmanship, and the stories they carry. It’s a blend of automotive, documentary, and sometimes portrait photography.
Where is Goodwood Festival of Speed held?
It’s held annually at Goodwood House, near Chichester in West Sussex, England.
When does it happen?
Usually every July. The 2025 event ran from July 10th to 13th.
Do I need special permission to take photos?
For casual personal photos, no — but for commercial shoots or drone use, special accreditation may be required. Always check the event’s photography policy in advance.
Why is Goodwood special for photographers?
Nowhere else combines vintage cars, a historic English estate, motorsport legends, and enthusiastic crowds quite like Goodwood. The variety of settings — paddocks, hill climb, car displays — makes it a dream location for anyone into Vintage Car Photography.
Final Thoughts
As I packed up my gear that evening, I looked back one last time at the cars glinting in the setting sun. Every festival leaves me with hundreds of images and memories that last far longer than the shutter click. Vintage Car Photography, for me, is about slowing down time — a way to hold onto fleeting moments of motoring history.
If you ever get a chance to visit Goodwood, bring your camera. Bring patience. And bring your love for stories told in metal and fuel.
