American Le Mans @ Portland

[John Thawley]

Little bit of a wake up call after Utah. Portland Raceway is not what you'd call eye-candy... yes, there is Mt. Hood if the haze lifts, but that's about it. Oh... and the haze doesn't lift. :) !03+ temperatures... and it wasn't a "dry heat." Hot, hot, hot.

If you want exciting shots here, you've got to work the angles and/or work the action. The backgrounds are brutal... the track is flat. You do your best to make something happen.

1. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_9862.jpg

2. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_9780.jpg

3. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_9257.jpg

4.. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_11159.jpg

5. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_10978.jpg

6. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_10753.jpg

7. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_10727.jpg

8. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_10432.jpg

9. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_9886.jpg

10. http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/519/IMG_9791.jpg

[Daniel Buck]

I don't know much about motor sports shooting, but I love the sense of speed on #3, and the exposure on #5

The pictures of the people however, seem a bit more like snap shots I think.

the close cropped shots (6 and 7) don't really work as well as the full car shots, that is probably just personal preference however.

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

number 5 is great, i love how the sun is showing though the trees.

[John Thawley]

I don't know much about motor sports shooting, but I love the sense of speed on #3, and the exposure on #5

The pictures of the people however, seem a bit more like snap shots I think.

the close cropped shots (6 and 7) don't really work as well as the full car shots, that is probably just personal preference however.

The "people" are of great interest to those that follow the sport. The candid is of Emanuele Pirro. (a snapshot?.... sorry, I have to take exception to that.)

JT

[Daniel Buck]

sorry, didn't mean to critique the image as being a snap shot, it's what came to mind as I was trying to figure out why they don't stand out like the car shots do. I guess they just seem a little irrelevant from an outsiders point of view :)

[Joel Parker]

did you have credentials here? Or were you shooting at the chicane from the stands? I was sitting in the GA stands at the chicane for most of the race taking my photos.

[Zerin Dube]

John Thawley is a walking credential my friend ;)

did you have credentials here? Or were you shooting at the chicane from the stands? I was sitting in the GA stands at the chicane for most of the race taking my photos.

[Jeff Boerio]

JT,

Nice stuff. #5 is a fantastic shot.

- Jeff

PS. Walking Credential. That's funny!

[Jason Jenkins]

John Thawley is a walking credential my friend ;)

He must be hard to wear around one's neck... and it would look rather funny.

[Dennis Murray]

#4 and #5...great sunset! Exposure was nailed great there.

If you don't like hot weather...consider yourself lucky they have Petit Le Mans in late September/early October instead of July or August.

Tight shot (#7) is well done....nice to be able to get such a dark background for the driver's head.

And #8 makes me wonder if you were shooting ALMS or Australian V8 Supercars.

[Kurt Dahlstrom]

Have to say I really like number five, such a nice sunset, nailed in my opinion.

Number eight is also very nice lots of action and emotion with the tire in the air and fire out the side. Only thing that really bugs me is the shooters head (i know picky picky).

In number two the eyes look a bit over processed or is it just the reflection from the yellow cockpit?

Nice stuff as always John.

[Dan Neri]

John,

Looks like a real tough track to shoot at. Nice job with working with what you've got.

These don't seem to have the "pop" your other images do.. (please, no offence, just an observation).

I notice some artifacting in 6,7 & 8.

Could it be the processing or resizing??

[John Thawley]

Have to say I really like number five, such a nice sunset, nailed in my opinion.

Number eight is also very nice lots of action and emotion with the tire in the air and fire out the side. Only thing that really bugs me is the shooters head (i know picky picky).

In number two the eyes look a bit over processed or is it just the reflection from the yellow cockpit?

Nice stuff as always John.

I think the shooter is you. LOL - I love that corner... but I hate all the congregating that goes on in the background. I have shots of some guy in an orange shirt standing there chimping for THREE LAPS. I've got gorgeous shots of the Ferrari with the wheel off (several) with the corner worker standing there looking like Jedd Clampett on crack. Argh... don't get me started.

I noticed the "wash" over the face too... but if you notice, it's the whole helmet that's a bit milky looking. I shot that in the Friday afternoon session... so I'm guessing it's reflection... maybe even something inside the cockpit.

Thanks,

JT

[John Thawley]

John,

Looks like a real tough track to shoot at. Nice job with working with what you've got.

These don't seem to have the "pop" your other images do.. (please, no offence, just an observation).

I notice some artifacting in 6,7 & 8.

Could it be the processing or resizing??

Not sure about the "pop"....

I'm not seeing any artifacts on my monitor... but, I push the reds pretty good, so perhaps in the resizing and compression they've picked up some lossiness... can't see it, so can't say.

Thanks,

JT

[Joel Parker]

I'm not seeing any artifacts on my monitor... but, I push the reds pretty good, so perhaps in the resizing and compression they've picked up some lossiness... can't see it, so can't say.

it's showing up on the reds around the text in those images on my screen.

I'm in love with the shot of the porsche in front of the sunset btw. It's not something I thought of trying at all myself when i was there.

#1 just doesn't do anything for me. The colors all just kind of run together. It could be the LCD I'm using here at work or my color blindness though.

#4 I like.. but it's a bit dark. Again though, I'm on an LCD that's overly contrasty, so I'll have to look at it more closedly at my Trinitrons at home.

#9.. I love these types of shots. The Aston is so beautiful too. But it's just.. too blurry.

Your close up shots of the drivers and the cars are my favorites. You've done a great job focusing on a smaller scale than just watching a car driving by on a track. Outside of #5, #10 is probably my favorite. You captured that moment beautifully.

I can't wait to spend my next couple days off working on my photos.