Yet another ALMS @ Portland

[Shane Parker]

Zerin sent me an invite to this board; so howdy everyone! This was the first time I've shot ALMS and the first time I actually had credentials (shot for a couple small-time local pubs). So go easy on me:)

Quick bit about meself: I've been shooting weddings, portraiture, and bratty school kids for the past 6 years. I've always had a passion for motorsports and decided; hey, since I'm too old, fat, and poor to actually try my hand at racing, why not try and mix my two passions? (photography + motorsports)

The rest of the photos can be seen here: http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/web.html

A few teasers; these were all shot with a 5D and 100-400L IS or 24-105L IS.

The obligatory #2 TDI panning shot:

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/220-01_alms_audi_2.jpg

007 trying to catch the mighty Vettes:

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/228-09_alms_aston_007.jpg

And probably my best pan of the day, the sucker was tack sharp @ 1/60. Unfortunately, the background wasn't great:

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/300-aston-fa_02.jpg

By the way, for those yahoo's at the back table, you may remember that one of you was asking for the location of a Mac store in Portland. I was the one who told you there was a Mac-based store in Lloyd Center; you know, the geeky looking guy in the white shirt sitting in one of the outer "loser chairs" near your table:)

And yes, I'd appreciate any criticisms on the photos. Thanks!

[Todd Corzett]

I really like the b&w conversion of the 009... very contrasty, nicely done. I like the sky in the second shot, but the car is just a little too dark for my tastes. Very nice... I want more!

-Todd...

[Shane Parker]

Thanks Todd! I agree about the car being a bit dark; for some reason it's the one I've gotten the most comments on so far. Here's another where the car is a bit lighter:

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/232-12_alms_porsche_6.jpg

By the way, I posted a link above with the rest of the shots (well, at least the ones I've had time to go through). I didn't want to post 25+ photos on here:)

[Todd Corzett]

By the way, I posted a link above with the rest of the shots (well, at least the ones I've had time to go through). I didn't want to post 25+ photos on here:)
I know... that's why I clicked the link and checked them all out... I really like the last shot of the Porsche with the sun behind it. Maybe a slightly tighter (less centered) crop... just getting rid of the pole to the left.

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

I disagree... the sunset shots are your best and the car is spot on. It doesn't need to be in your face... these are "right." IMO

Your pans are technically sound.. composition needs work... I think the cars are too high in the frame.

Not sure about the black & white conversion.... it's a bit black... and the composition still bugs me... I'm just not sold on this one. But... I'm a tough black & white critic with pretty strong personal tastes and preferences.

And.... for a guy who misses HUGE RED LETTERS that instruct you to sign up using your real name, I wouldn't be calling other people Yahoos, Sonic. :) :D LOL

[Shane Parker]

I disagree... the sunset shots are your best and the car is spot on. It doesn't need to be in your face... these are "right." IMO

Your pans are technically sound.. composition needs work... I think the cars are too high in the frame.

Ya, that's the first thing I've noticed about the majority of my shots; definitely something I need to work on.

Not sure about the black & white conversion.... it's a bit black... and the composition still bugs me... I'm just not sold on this one. But... I'm a tough black & white critic with pretty strong personal tastes and preferences.

I've seen your b&w stuff and I wouldn't expect you to go easy on me! (that's a compliment lol) I've found that I often times prefer b&w's to be a bit 'darker' than most people. Then again, I haven't calibrated my screen in a couple months...

And.... for a guy who misses HUGE RED LETTERS that instruct you to sign up using your real name, I wouldn't be calling other people Yahoos, Sonic. :) :D LOL

Ha! I knew that one would come back to bite me in the ass:D

[Drew Phillips]

Possibly my favorite set yet! They are so sharp. I really like these:

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/231-11_alms_aston_009_wreck.jpg

http://www.shanelparker.com/res/sites/alms_portland/originals/210-15_alms_bmw_21.jpg

[Joel Parker]

Possibly my favorite set yet!

I actually agree. Of all the sets of Portland ALMS photos I've seen posted on various forums so far I like yours the best. I think you have some of the more visually appealing shots (in general.. as a group of photos) than many others I've seen.

I also initially signed up with my nickname :D. I'm so used to being 'rootrider' nearly everywhere on the Net it's still an odd feeling to see my real name online

[Dennis Murray]

I think your sunset shots are pretty solid. Exposure is on I think - the ambient light look of the taillights of the Aston is better than what I see on the back of the Porsche (the mudflaps look over flashed). Nice work.

I like the pan of the Audi with the colorful background, but the roll hoop yellow blends a lot with the yellow in the signage behind it.

[John Thawley]

Guys.... just an FYI, as we have seen this problem in the past.

Regarding comments like "the best you've seen." While you're certainly free to think that, please do not make those kinds of comments or comparisons. It's not fair to others who have equally good images. You may have praised one person... but you just slammed four or five others.

We should not get into comparing images. For critique purposes, images stand alone. People post to receive comments on their work... not have their work compared or ranked. Comments should be directed toward the images of the poster and each individuals body of work.

We have seen lots of fine images from Portland... each phtographer has his or here own style. It is nt anyone's place to decide "publicly" who's is the best. That is what the assignment board is for.

No one here is the final word in judging who's work is the best.

Hope everyone understands and see's the negative potential of judging and comparing.

JT

[Erik Anderson]

Nice set. I agree with the composition and B&W conversion comment but think these are solid images! I really like the sunset shots and that pan look really nice! Thanks for sharing!

[Shane Parker]

Thanks for the critiques guys. Luckily, for the ones that are not framed all that well, I can cheat and do a bit of cropping (I posted them as they were taken). I certainly need to work on my composition skills when panning. I think that I was so caught up in getting a good pan that I missed the boat on composition:)

Again, thanks for looking.

[Jeff Boerio]

You took some nice shots, Shane.

- Jeff