Event Coverage Photos from the Excellent 2023 Stray Kat 500

1952 Buick - Jim Allen

 

1953 Chevy - Dustin Milligan

 

1951 Chevy - I think someone bought this and took delivery of it at the show. It arrived on a trailer and they were having problems getting it started.

 

Dan,

I see the same cars at the SK that you do every year but my pix NEVER turn out like yours. I'm not asking for your secrets but complimenting you on your technique(s) and ability to get pix with no crowd around the cars.

Thanx for sharing them with us.

For the last 5 years I've had Clarence registered but showed up in a late model due to no/slow progress on the rebuild. He's close now and should be back on the road this fall. It's registered for the 2023 SK. I can't wait to see your pix of it if I'm there next year and you shoot it.

 

Great pics as always!

 

You're welcome and thanks Mike (@atch) and @Squablow - thanks also for your kind comments. Mike - I am actually fine with sharing my secrets to the degree I can do it in a short amount of writing. Below there is a before and after of this shot which needed a bit of work to get it where I liked it. First off, note that I shot this from a fairly low angle. That way, the cars themselves block out a lot of background noise and clutter. I always try to set up a shot where I will have the least amount of things to fix in the editing process later. The red arrows indicate things I knew I would need to remove. Then, in Photoshop (PS) I went about using various tools and techniques to remove the things shown. The actual tools used are Content Aware Fill, the patch too, stamp tool, spot removal tool, etc. There are a variety of them that are used alone or in conjunction with others and if varies with every picture. I usually try to clean up minor dirt or paint imperfections too like this roadster has on its rear fender and also minimize reflections. Then I did a mild sky replacement to make it less boring and dull. Also, I always shoot with a polarizing filter to remove as many reflections as possible. It didn't have much effect here since it was pretty close to the middle of the day and the light was not that polarized. I also, though not on this image, often do color and contrast corrections. There is a lot to it and I have been doing it quite a long time so I have gotten used to them over time.


1932 Ford - Jerry Oliver

 

Amazing what the edits do for the overall image! Looks great as always Dan!

 

Awesome pics as always Dan! I did notice your shooting from the lower angle, as I try to do (even with my cell phone) when taking car pics. I do it to replicate the images folks like Geo. B. took with the old, top viewer cameras, since they held them at hip height due to the camera style.. Anyway, GREAT pics as I said.

-Dave

 

Thanks a lot Jeff (@guthriesmith ) and Dave (@rodncustomdreams ). Dave- I love other angles too when they are feasible. For instance - I love the high up angle you have in your avatar image of your 56 Ford.
1950 Mercury - Sherry and Jim Cash

 

Really like the patine d low rider 53 Bel Air. My first car in 1962 was the same. Dustin Milligan can you tell me more?

 

I don't know if he is on the HAMB or not. I will try to find out.

1948 Ford Woody - Michael Robey

 

1937 Ford - Brad & Debra Fisher

 

Great shots,
thanks for the info about how you make the images better to really show the car!
True Art, indeed

 

Not sure if Dustin is on here or not. Mick @straykatkustoms or Travis @twotallokie likely know how to contact him though.

 

Awesome!

 

Dan,

Great explanations. I know I'll never even attempt to achieve anything close to yours but it's nice to know it's possible.

 

Dan - great work, as always! I especially like the shots where the car is in color but the background is not. Cool effect. Let us know when you head back East!
Steve

 

Thanks a lot @CSPIDY, @lippy, Mike (@atch), and Steve(@chevy57dude). Thanks Jeff(@guthriesmith ) for trying to track down Dustin. Steve - I was actually just in MD since my daughter now lives there. I would love to find some more excellent shows to go to out there, since I will be there anyway quite a bit.

1968 Chevelle wagon - Alan Von Seggern

 

1953 Cadillac - Dave and Jackie Gilkey

 

Great pics, Dan, as always - this show is on my bucket list!

 

Thanks Tom (@TomT ) - I bet you would like it. It is a similar size show to Jalopyrama although it is, of course, totally different. My daughter live in MD now so I will still be coming out that way and would love to find some more good shows or runs or whatever to go to if you know of any.

1946 Chevy Pickup - Tim Rein

 

1940 Mercury - Chris Anderson

 

Great pics Dan! Thanks for always sharing!

 

You're very welcome Scott(@Scooterville ) - Thanks!

1930 Ford - Jack Marinelli

 

Thanks for sharing your pics and the pictorial example of the work involved with your art work. You sir are Blessed.

 

@atch, I'd like to add that Dan is one photographer that will discuss his tips and techniques. I have walked more than one show with him as he shot coverage. He was more than happy to share with me the how and why of what he was doing.

 

Thanks a lot for those comments Mick (@straykatkustoms ) and Bill (@Sancho)

1949 Mercury - Scott Schmaltz

 

Great shot!!!^^^

 

Thank you Scott! (@CHITOWN 29A)

1963 Rambler - Mike Lowe

 

1932 Ford - Mike Meeker