Motorsports through the Lens: Through the eyes of a rally photographer- Gibons Miller

Timothy Albrite

Have you ever wondered who is it that captures those heart-stopping moments at the rally? 

Autonews set out to find the unsung heroes who make it all possible – the talented photographers who are true wizards behind the camera, braving the dust, noise, and crowds to bring us up close and personal with the action.

Even for those who attend the rally, their photos often reveal moments that they missed. Follow along as we interview one of the best in the game – Gibons Miller, a seasoned photographer based in Nairobi, Kenya, as he takes us on a thrilling ride behind the lens of a rally photographer.

Through his eyes, we’ll explore the captivating world of rally photography that makes us all fall in love with the sport.

Q: Who is Gibons Miller?

Gibons Miller is a Travel and Documentary photographer based in Nairobi. I have a passion for travelling and exploring Africa through road trips. House music makes me happy.

Q. How would you describe the 2024 Safari rally? What are some of the standout moments for you? This year’s rally had so many speculations being that it had new officials in office and a few challenges.

But I’m happy with the new CEO. His team delivered. The rally was awesome.

What stood out for me was the reversal of some rally routes like Miti mbili which gave us iconic images.

Q: What are the preparations needed for a photographer in terms of equipment, physical health and fitness, and skill to capture nice shots of the rally?

I believe the Safari rally is one of the most popular and important events in the Kenyan calendar that nearly all photographers look forward to. Photographers have different ways of shooting and that contributes to their choice of equipment.

I am a Canon person and my choice of lenses for the rally is always a Wide lens and a Long lens. I also carry a few more accessories to handle any unexpected challenges that may come up during the event.

Being fit and healthy is also a plus because we wake up as early as 3 am and get back to our respective rooms late at night.

We also have long days of moving around chasing where the action suits what shots we want to achieve.

Q: What drew you to specifically rally photography?

I love speed, I love Cars, and being the sport involves those two things, you will definitely find me at the Rally, not only to enjoy watching but also to use my photography skills to capture the moments.

Q: The weather. Does it worry you when shooting the rally? What factors come to play with the different types of weather and how do you feel about different weather conditions? 

Weather is a big factor for us photographers, the event organizers, and the rally drivers. Different types of weather contribute to different preparations for the rally.

During rain, you have to prepare your gear not to be rained on by carrying waterproof camera covers, and when it is hot that means a lot of dust thus carrying cleaning equipment.

Q: What is your ideal shooting weather?

My ideal shooting weather is during sunny days and that means fesh-fesh. I love seeing cars blowing dust.

Q: What’s the craziest moment you’ve experienced at a rally?

My Craziest moment was when a Giraffe was crossing the road while a Rally car was approaching. For a minute, I was worried the rally car would knock it down and I panicked. Luckily that never happened but it was beautiful watching that.

Q: Any memorable mishaps?

Mishaps are many. From the memory card getting full while shooting to a rally car arriving where you are just when you are changing the lens and even your battery getting depleted while shooting.

Q: How do you keep your cool in such situations?

I prepare well before the rally goes live and also have in mind what type of shots I’m looking for. 

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring rally photographers?

My advice would be to prepare well and try to shoot with other photographers who are more experienced than them. That way, they get to learn a lot. 

They should also enjoy the rally while shooting. 

Q: What challenges do you face as a rally photographer, and how do you overcome them?

I mean sometimes we face a lot of challenges. From the weather, Officials, and even from equipment. You might go out there and suddenly the weather changes or rally officials who are just stubborn or don’t want to assist you. I always deal with every situation as it has come and yeah that’s it. 

Q: How do you approach editing and selecting photos after a rally event?

I erase photos that I don’t need from the camera so they don’t even get to my computer and that reduces my workload. Once they get to my computer, I will back up as I edit. 

My editing process is simple I will always start by choosing my best photos and then photos that I should send to the client are a priority as well.

Q: Finally, being a rally photographer, have you had the desire to be in the driver’s seat?

Well, I love cars and speed but not the point of being a Rally driver, maybe a Navigator 🤣🤣🤣

If you’re looking to have your special moments captured by Miller, you can reach out to him through his socials or email.

IG: itsmillerg 

Twitter: ItsMillerG_

Email address: gibonsmiller69@gmail.com