Rainer W. Schlegelmilch

Top Michael Schumacher comes to the Mercedes-Benz pits at the Shanghai Grand Prix, April 17, 2011. Centre John Surtees and others do the opening sprint at Le Mans, July 21, 1964. Above Nina Rindt waiting for her husband Jochen to pass by. He had a fatal accident at Parabolica just moments after this picture was taken, on September 6, 1970.

An exhibition at the Getty Images Gallery, Freeze the Speed, showcases the work of Rainer W. Schlegelmilch, the famed Formula 1 photographer.
   Schlegelmilch began his career as a Formula 1 photographer in 1962. The 50 years’ worth of images form an enviable archive of 350,000 photographs, some of which appears at the Gallery between February 6 and March 1.
   The work includes his first race at the Nürburgring in 1962, taking portraits for his final exam at the Bayerische Staatslehranstalt für Photographie, before he set up his studio 18 months later. From 1970 he began shooting only in colour. He has attended more than 500 Grands Prix, including taking candid pit and trackside shots.
   Schlegelmilch tends to rely on natural lighting rather than digital enhancement. His work has been published in, among others, Auto Revue, Auto Motor und Sport, Powerslide, ADAC, Sports Car Graphic, Car & Driver, Road & Track and Car Review. Philip Morris, Mobil, Shell, Champion, Mercedes, BMW, Tag Heuer, DHL, and Red Bull are among the clients who have featured his work.
   Louise Garczewska, Director of Getty Images Gallery, says, ‘In the run up to the 2014 F1 season, we are delighted to represent this iconic collection and bring it to a wider audience through this latest touring exhibition.’
   The Getty Images Gallery is close to Oxford Circus, London, and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 12 to 5.30 p.m. Saturday.




Rainer W. Schlegelmilch

Above, from top Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert waits with bandaged road shoes at Monza, September 8, 1968. A portrait from Monte Carlo, 1963. A recent Monaco Grand Prix.