London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2025 (L2BVCR)

My Photography & Lighting Adventures on The Mall – 2nd November 202

Ah, the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run — that magical annual ritual where brave souls take 100-year-old cars out for a spin in weather that would make ducks file a complaint. With a 7 a.m. start on a November Sunday, it’s basically a test of how much you love old cars, caffeine, and waterproofing.

As anyone who’s tried photographing this event knows, “ambient light” is a polite term for “utter darkness mixed with sideways rain.” So this year marked my third attempt using off-camera flash to try and bring a bit of fake sunshine to The Mall.

The 2025 Kit List (A.K.A. My Portable Lightning Rig)

• 2 × Godox AD100 Pros
• 1 × Profoto Clic Magnum Reflector
• 1 × SMDV Standard Reflector
• 2 × Phottix Padat Light Stands (just the poles — because I like to travel light-ish)
• 2 × Koolehaoda TF-19 Tripod Feet
• 1 × Godox X3pro Trigger
• Sony A7R3A
• Sony G Master 135 mm f/1.8

This setup keeps the weight manageable — at least until you add rain, mud, and the emotional baggage of realizing Profoto gear costs more than most of the veteran cars I’m photographing. (Seriously, Godox — if you’re listening, make a Clic Magnum clone. My wallet will thank you.)

Why the 135 mm Lens?

People often ask, “Why not the trusty 70–200 mm f/2.8?” Well, I used to — until I realized the 135 mm f/1.8 gives me an extra stop of light, more compression, and that magical depth of field where the subject pops and the background politely disappears. At f/2 and about 21 meters distance, I get roughly 9 feet of total depth — just enough to keep the car sharp and my sanity intact.

The Lighting Plan (In Theory…)

For 2024, I tried one AD100 with a MagMod MagBeam — it was like lighting a football pitch with a candle. So this year, I doubled down. Literally.

Setup idea:

• Two flashes on the same side.
• One up high (key light), one at waist height (fill/accent).
• Directional, “motivated” light — like morning sun, if morning sun came from a soggy battery.
• A touch of warmth with ¼ CTO gels to counter the “I’m freezing” blue tones of a November dawn.

 Pros:

• Easier to sync — no signals bouncing off Buckingham Palace.
• Can hide the stands behind trees, barriers, or bewildered tourists.
• Directional lighting sculpts those old cars beautifully — top light shows off the curves, side light adds texture.
• Faster repositioning (important when you’re dodging puddles and puddle-based reflections).

The Reality (In Practice…)

 When I left the hotel, it was “light drizzle.” Five minutes later, I was basically walking through a car wash. Luckily, the AD100s stayed dry inside their classy zip-lock raincoats, while I slowly transformed into a mobile sponge.

Lighting Group A: about 6.5 ft high, angled 45° down the road with an SMDV reflector.

Lighting Group B: waist height, 90° to the car, feathered for a bit of side magic.

When the cars actually drove through the light zone, it looked great! When they didn’t… well, let’s call those “atmospheric documentary shots.”

Started at manual ¼ power and ⅛ power, but eventually switched to TTL –1, which gave a much more consistent (and less migraine-inducing) result.

If it hadn’t been raining, I’d have played with gels — but they were staying warm and dry in my bag, unlike me.

Results & Reflections

Despite the weather, I came away with images people actually donated money for — always a nice sign you did something right, or at least right enough to be printable.

The Profoto Clic Magnum is pure brilliance — strong magnets, efficient throw, and beautifully made. I just wish I could afford another one (or three). The SMDV reflector works fine, but if you can stretch your budget, the Profoto is like comparing a Swiss watch to a sundial.

What I’d Do Differently

If I were to do it again — and let’s face it, I will — I’d go back to my old spot in the middle of The Mall near the traffic lights. It offers better sightlines and fewer obstructions. I’d also consider adding a third light, just to fill a bit more of the frame (and test my waterproofing setup to destruction). Maybe even test out those gels on one wave of cars.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned after three years of photographing the L2BVCR, it’s this: no matter how much you plan, the British weather will always have a few surprises up its sleeve