Stroud Camera Club welcomed motorsport photographer Nick Dungan last night, and he made quite an impression. Members turned up expecting fast cars and spectacle, and they got all that, but they also got a thoughtful and honest look at what it takes to succeed in a demanding corner of the industry.

Nick started by talking about how he made the jump into professional photography. He didn’t dress it up. He was open about the long hours, the travel, the expense and the sheer persistence needed to get a foothold. It was clear that his success comes from determination as well as talent. Members appreciated hearing the realities although it still seemed to be a fairytale job!

From there he walked everyone through the techniques that shape his work. His portfolio is packed with energy and atmosphere, and explaining how his work is spread over the various days of a race meet was fascinating. Nick was articulate in his talk and very happy to cover a wide variety of questions from the floor. He explained how his work covered everything from slow shutter and panning to fast shutter action, shutter drag, composites, studio setups and portraits. No matter the method, he showed how each choice serves the story he wants the image to tell. It is no surprise that he is hired for his quality.

He also shared the kit he relies on and explained why he uses what he does. Motorsport photography is hard on gear and often physically demanding, so hearing about the practical side grounded the talk nicely. What stood out most was how open he was. Members commented afterwards that it felt like a proper masterclass rather than a surface-level overview.

The evening wrapped up with a look at his portfolio, which drew plenty of admiration. The mix of speed, precision and drama gave everyone plenty to study and enjoy. Nick lives locally, and in a final generous gesture he donated his fee for the night to Longfield Hospice Care.

It was a strong evening from start to finish. Members left with new ideas, renewed enthusiasm and a real appreciation of the craft behind motorsport photography.