Neil Herries Photography

24/02/2025

Following in the Footsteps of the Fearless
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This work based around the excitement and anticipation of attending a rally, and instead of shooting photos of the cars like I normally would, I have taken photos of what I see from my perspective while I drive, walk and get set up in the stage. Both photographers and spectators in the earlier years of the rallying would walk to a spot they liked and stood dangerously close to the cars. After seeing the competition cars come past, they would then fly along the public roads following the chase cars of rally teams to try and see the cars at the team’s service area or on to the next stage.

I had planned the movements and timings of where I had to be well in advance, so everything ran like clockwork. I also decided to shoot everything on my phone as it is easier to use to take a quick snap in the moment as well as being a better for getting a
“point-of-view” perspective and depth in an image. I also enlisted the help of one of my friends to capture a few extra moments, especially while I was driving or while I was busy doing other things.

I initially had twenty images that I felt would have made a good story in itself, but having that number cut down to seven makes the project more concise. To do this, I cut out any shots of me setting up gear and any shots solely of cars in the rally stage. This was done to create a more editorial, photo essay style within the project as if it were being created for a magazine.
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22/02/2025

Route to the Past
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Route to the past is a project around photographing rally stages that have been used through history in Scottish Rallying, but having the image be devoid of any cars. These stages were included in rallies like the Carlisle Stages, Jim Clark Memorial Rally, Arnold Clark Scottish International Rally and the Colin McRae Forest Stages.

I wanted to take these photos without a car being there to give the viewer a sense of eeriness, as if they were looking at a ruined building. This is done by framing the images as if there should have been a car there in the first place. From this eeriness you can then almost hear the engines of cars screaming in anger off in the distance.

I have chosen to name the images after the stage that they are showing, but then also include the earliest use of the stage that I can find which gives you an idea of how historic some of these places are. The sequencing also takes this into account with the ordering being from earliest to latest.
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1. Kershope - 1961
2. Cairn Edward - 1964
3. Castle O’er - 1967
4. Dalbeattie - 1972
5. Grizedale North - 1981
6. Hyndlee - 1996
7 Ayton - 1999
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21/02/2025

Pilgrims
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Spectators at rallies are like religious pilgrims. These fans will travel long distances by car and by foot to see these events and gives the idea that motorsport and fan culture dedication in general could be seen as a religion in some ways.
The project was inspired by the historical images and videos from rallying in the 70’s and 80’s where people would, sometimes in their hundreds travel to the same location. They get so close to the cars that they could literally touch them as they fly past at high speeds, leaving their lives in hands of the drivers and their skills. The drivers in this era were also seen as gods of the road and forest track which also lends itself to the theme of this project.

With spectators and volunteer marshals, who keep the events safe for both competitors and spectators alike, being such a large part of motorsport, it is crucial to include them at points during an event when taking photos.
This project serves to put them in the limelight instead of the competitors.

The sequencing of this project is crucial to it as it depicts the spectators on their “pilgrimage” to where they wish to stand, with the final image being one of some watching, videoing and taking photos as a car flies past.
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20/02/2025

Vanishing Point
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This project initially stems from my love of motoring which began when I would sit and watch Top Gear with my dad. But it is also from my broad love of music. This is translated into images of cars creating light-trails, which both represent the passage of time, but also the soundwaves of music.

Music has always been a huge part of my life and has been a constant for me when others weren’t enough. No matter your situation, there will always be a song to go with the moment or to change it, whether it’s keeping you up and moving through the night, helping you chill out or just helping you feel something.

Vanishing Point is an ode to music that has helped me in one form or another, and the images are named after song lyrics to reflect this. From my highest of highs, to my lowest off lows. Some photos are based around more depressing songs, and some around more uplifting songs. With the lyrics already in mind, I chose locations that would mimic the lyrics in a sense whether that be from an object or an element. The titles of the images also include the titles of the songs that they are from, to try and get people listening to more music and share the emotions behind the words.
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1. “Working On Our Night Moves” from Night Moves by Bob Seger

2. “Lights Flashing Blue, Four Knocks on the Door” from Four by Brave Giant

3. “I Want to But I Just Can’t Stop” from Girl by Anouk

4. “But Now, The Night Belongs To You” from Euclid by Sleep Token

5. “As You Fade Into The Night, Who Will Tell The Story of Your Life” from In The End by Black Veil Brides

6. “On My Way Back Home, By Chance I Though Of” from On My Way Back Home by Band of Horses
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19/02/2025

(S)no(w) Time to Loose
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2024 Anglo Caledonian Rally
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SS2 Kershope - 23/11/24
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After a treacherous drive to and into the stage, the adrenaline soon wore off to reveal how cold it actually was.

As expected, the conditions made for great viewing with drivers showing their best Dancing on Ice impressions. The rear wheel drives really put on a good show with the slides being spectacular.
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05/02/2025

And there we have it, the finale of another season! A big thank you to B&S Rallying for the invite to the SRC Awards Night and congratulation to everyone that won an award.

Sadly this past year with the loss of both family and friends, and uni work on top of that, decisions were made to not attend as many events.

There is however more work to be posted. That being images from the Anglo Caledonian Rally as well as my course work from last semester. So keep an eye out for that!

The last event on the Scottish calendar may have only just happened, but the rallying circus never stops and work must be done!!

21/12/2024

I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year!!

I wish everyone happiness and safety in 2025.

17/08/2024

22/07/2024

The Circus Returns
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2024 RSAC Motorsport Scottish Rally
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Stage 3 - Dalbeattie - 20/7/24
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Well after a lull in posting, we are back at it again!!!

For the second year now, the Scottish is my home event and is a huge pin in my calendar. Many a car has come unstuck in these stages and this year was no different, with 21 of the 76 starters not reaching the finish line on Dalbeattie High Street.

David Bogie took home the gold in both the overall and SRC ranks, extending his winning record at this event to 8 in total and Jonny Greer finished 2nd overall, but he wasn’t in the running for SRC points. That position came down to a last stage battle between Euan Thorburn and Finlay Retson. It was by only 1 second that Thorburn took the No. 2 spot.
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26/02/2024

Regular viewing will resume shortly.

East Riding Stages Rally kicks off the 2024 season for me with brilliant weather and great viewing.

I attended Stage 1 - Wawne Common and could hear the cars well before I saw them. The sound carried so well across the flat ground.

Hopefully the rest of the season will go as well for me.