The best advice I can give anyone is pick up one of those bad boys. I hear that. 98% of my photos are taken at shows. And people flock when they see the camera, like I'm giving out free beer or something. I don't know the science behind it, but it's pure photo magic. Anyways, work looks good dude. Don't get all hung up in your "equipment". Work with what you got, make the most of it. I've gotten very far with the cheapest body I could find, and a single secondhand lens.
The most popular car at a car show is the one you're trying to take a picture of. As soon as you pull out the camera people will swarm around your subject. Many will move on after they have their look, some seem to linger forever, studying every nut, bolt, and fastener and will leave just as the next wave of people arrive. Then there are the groups that decide to have a family meeting and discuss every detail of their plans for the day. I've seen fellow photographers ask people to move, but I prefer to just be patient and wait until I have a clear shot, shoot another nearby car, or concentrate on just a small detail area of the car. I figure they paid to look at the cars the same as I did and are entitled to look as long as they like.
Much respect for those with an eye for a good shot! Photo shopped pics (most times) are lame. OOooohhhhh.....the Cork Screw!! Seein Ben Bostrom go thru it at speed.....Priceless!! Fish
There is nothing wrong with asking people to move, just understand when and how, read the situation. If the car is parked, it aint like it is going to up and move on you. Shooting moving or variable subjects is a different beastie all together.
For now all I can do is make do with what I have. I am happy with what I have, even though it isn't much, but when the time is right and I have the funds to do so, I'm getting a wide-angle. After being told to pick up the Circular Polarizer, I just may do so before the weekend. Race on Saturday. Car Show on Sunday. Thanks for the complement April! Always appreciated. It seems that when I just sit there with patience, they eventually notice me and move. I think it's funny when they apologize, but I always let them know not to worry about it. Patience is definately a key. I've also kind of started to do more detail shots anyways do to so many people. I see some sweet stuff when I pay attention to the details. All I care to do with photoshop is minor adjustmenst. I don't care for the stupid stuff either. If I had actually seen Bostrom on the Corkscrew, I'd know what you mean. However, Standing on pitlane pretty much anytime I can. ALMS is the exception. No fire suit, No access to pit lane. And I am a Paddock volunteer. But, as soon as I can get a fire suit, I'm jumping out there to get me some sweet action shots. My most favorite MOTO GP moment to date on - Working the Fan Session in the open garages on Fridays. I get to hang with the riders and make sure no one gets stupid. GOOD TIMES! Yes I still consider myself an Amateur. When I start making money at it, then I'll upgrade to Still an Amateur.
Well I finally went and got myself a Circular Polarizer for my 28-135 Lens. It works wonders! Here's a sample from Saturday, even though it is a modern race car. Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang Boss 302R - Driver change/Pit Stop
I'm still working on my action shots. I need to stop using the action setting on the camera and set it up right for better visuals. Here is one from the Rolex Grand Am Sports Car Championship. This is shot from the wall at Turn 11 Gate at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Cool TV Camaro
Wow Black and white film shot in manual mode only,I remember those days. Today its like teaching a young kid how to set up point ignition.
Pictures look great, it's awesome to see that they're teaching you to shoot film. Shooting film teaches you what all of those functions on your DSLR are meant emulate. Keep up the good work. P.S. I second the notion of picking up a polorizing filter, it'll change your life.
I did end up getting a Polarizing Filter for my 28-135. I already had one for my 75-300 IS lens which is the lens I was using for the Cool TV Camaro shot. I looked at a few others and saw the difference as soon as I took the shots. I wish I would have had it sooner. I'm hoping to get some time this weekend at the track again since I will be working in the paddock and pit at the MOTO GP event. I probably won't get any time to get shots though. It's our busiest event. I'll keep the camera close by, but it's hard to not keep it on me when I have so many people to deal with. I may end up just being stuck with the iPhone only. Here's a video mine showing a Dempsey Racing driver change. I set it down on the wall so I could put my camera to use. Next Saturday I hope to head up for MIDNIGHT MASS for some great fun and to get some good use of the camera. I need to shoot some good old fashioned iron instead of the modern crap.
Well, since my external hard drive crashed a couple months back with all my photos I haven't been able to get more photos uploaded to my hosting site. Well I finally got some shots of a couple of nice traditionals when I was working the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion and Reunion weekends. Here they are -
One more thing! I recently purchased a decent 1080P video camera and will also post my videos on here. Of course, only the worthy stuff that fits this forum from here on out. But if you want to see what else I have, here is the channel link - http://www.youtube.com/speedtrap73 Some photos and videos coming soon from Friday at the Goodguys West Coast Nationals. I was really picky about what I did video and photograph.
don't blame photoshop for lame pics. blame the person who did the work. 90% of what I post is photochopped in some way... most of the time (hopefully) no one will know unless they see the original photo. photoshop does a lot more than just the oversaturated photos that seem to be popular these days in the Friday Art Show
I don't know how you define edit but there is primative software that comes with Microsoft Office. Costco has free software as part of their photo printing service. My Canon came with simple editing software which I assume is available free from Canon if you lost yours. Next step up is Photoshop Elements for about $80 that will do more than you could ever want. Charlie Stephens
Actually I get the impression that you can use a linear polarizer on a digital camera as long as you can manually focus it. Apparently the circular polarizer is required to allow the camera's auto focus to function properly. Which I guess means it applies to both film and digital auto focus systems.
Sir could you check out some of my photography..?? Mine are the photos without the date on them. Those are hotrod95's pics an their in the thread http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629401 or Last run! Pictures Galore
Todd, I don't have time to scan the whole thread, but did you know you can shoot b & w with your 40D? It should be one of the parameters you can change in the menu. I had my 350D/rebel 2 years before I realised that.
I have actually used the option on occasion. Here is one specific result and the owner of the car even contacted me for it. Yes I know it's not a Hot Rod.
The Jalopy Journal
