[HR1966]

Hey guys, need your input into something. I changed the way I took drag photos at Round 2 on the weekend and would like some input from drag racers into whether you like this style of photo. Or whether you can't tell any damn difference, lol.

Usually I would 'pan' with the car producing shots like this:






I found the movement against the background helped isolate the car and make it pop out of the photo.

This round I used what's called a large aperture lens. Never mind the technical side of things, the results are what matters!

Now, it won't make your average street car lift the wheels at launch, but do you like this style, or notice no difference?













Using the last style allows me to get shots later into the night without using flash and gives greater consistancy across the day.

But I take shots for the racers, not me so you tell me what you prefer!

[dwaynE]

for the cars that can produce launches that 'look' like there is action happening the new style works great...
stuff like the falcon funny car thingo don't look too dramatic... but the butterflys wide open does tell you its moving, you just don't see much of that...

cars set up softer like the comp cars and stuff that squat, show visable tyre deformation, lifting of the nose, all that kind of stuff look great with a real sharp picture like you've got...

the street cars look a little faster and more like something is happening if you use the old style...
so its much of a muchness... the new pics look great, but the old ones do too...

i think it depends on the car and the timing of the shot...???

[PSI086]

I think I like the new style. You can see a lot more finer detail in the shots

[RICEFRYER]

Adam, far from wanting to criticise someone with as much talent as yourself, I would like to see some more side on shots. On your question of which shots look better, it depends on the colour of the car or maybe the age of the colour. I know I really like my car shots in the night that you've done in the past as they show off the black paint really well. As I said though keep up the good work and dont worry about experimenting mate, even Picaso's worst works are worth a fortune now. Jokes Boyley

[HR1966]

RICEFRYER, on Oct 22 2008, 07:26 PM, said:

Adam, far from wanting to criticise someone with as much talent as yourself, I would like to see some more side on shots.

Haha, I've got no talent, I just sit there with an expensive camera and hold the button down. At least that's what a guy told me I do at the drift the other week, lmao.

I appreciate anything and everything everyone has to say. The only time it's annoying is if someone says a shot a great steaming pile of crap but doesn't say what they'd rather see instead.

So, back to the point, more side on shots of burnouts and launch? I will give it a bash at Round 3.

RICEFRYER, on Oct 22 2008, 07:26 PM, said:

I know I really like my car shots in the night that you've done in the past as they show off the black paint really well.

Like the first one below?

The second shot I've played with in Photoshop quickly to get the blacks as black as they can be. Any good? Prefer night ones?







Also, what do you guys think of flash shots? There are 2 very different ways of doing things; the first is a traditional flash shot like the one of the Falcon, the second is called trailing-curtain and comes out like the shot of Dwayne.

Thoughts? Input?







Eventually I will be able to get flash shots like this one below, but unless someone gives me a $1000 injection it won't happen until February-March.

[RICEFRYER]

HR1966, on Oct 23 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

So, back to the point, more side on shots of burnouts and launch? I will give it a bash at Round 3.

Like the first one below?

The second shot I've played with in Photoshop quickly to get the blacks as black as they can be. Any good? Prefer night ones?

Also, what do you guys think of flash shots? There are 2 very different ways of doing things; the first is a traditional flash shot like the one of the Falcon, the second is called trailing-curtain and comes out like the shot of Dwayne.

Thoughts? Input?

Eventually I will be able to get flash shots like this one below, but unless someone gives me a $1000 injection it won't happen until February-March.

Firstly I prefer the first shot its slightly more natural, but I also like the wet look of the second shot.

And the shot above is unreal, do you need a sponsor?

Boyley

[HR1966]

Yeah, it's a wicked effect, uses wireless flash modules and remote triggering from the camera.

[stevem]

Adam,

Before the AUS dollar took a dive I bought a wireless trigger and receiver from the US. When you get around to looking don't just stick with the same brand as your camera. They are trick little gadgets, if you want to have a play let me know.

Steve.

[HR1966]

Thanks Steve, I'm going to get Flashwaves, they are the best bang for buck ATM. I found the eBay triggers crap build, and PocketWizards are way over priced. These fall somewhere in the middle.

Thanksfor the offer mate, might just have to take you up on that

[PSI086]

I think that pic of Craig Gerdes' HK looks a bit more natural in colour. Like what you would actually see standing next to the track under the lighting from the towers. Definitely worth the investment in my opinion if thats what you will get out of it.

This post has been edited by PSI086: 24 October 2008 - 01:31 PM

[dwaynE]

the wireless flash modules seem to give a nice shot
if you were to have 3 or 4 of them positioned perfectly at around the 20' mark to just get the cars evenly lit when at full launch it'd look awesome... ohhh yeah