Grand Am @ Barber Motorsports Park

[John Thawley]

Interesting place to shoot. Probably the prettiest track and most "detailed" facility you'll ever see. But, like Utah, (same track designer) I found the stadium type layout awkward. At times there can be as many as three (maybe four) sections of track running opposite directions in front of you. Hence, background issues become problematic. It seems to contradict the beauty of the place... but that's how I saw it. There are some terrific features to the landscaping and surrounding perimeters of the track... including huge sculptures of insects... but they are near impossible to gracefully include into your shots. And.. anything wide enough to embrace the scope and beauty of the facility requires you reduce the car to miniscule portion of the frame.

But, I liked it and I'd like to shoot there again. After the fact and viewing what I shot, there are some other things I'd like to try. But... here are a few samples of the weekend.

JT

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aaw.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aat.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aar.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aam.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aal.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aai.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aae.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aab.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aaa.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aas.jpg

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/albums/albuq10/aaj.jpg

[Austin Langley]

Looks like an amazing place to shoot. My favorite is the Playboy/Uniden car through the trees.

[Dennis Murray]

I think you captured the elevation change very well. I especially like #2, although it makes it look like it was empty there.

[Jamie Holladay]

Awesome shots JT. I was there on Sunday, I would have like to have met you.

Jamie

[Jeff Kapic]

Nice, I like the through the trees and going away shots the best.

[Kurt Dahlstrom]

As always nice shots, but I have a few comments on 2 6 and 7

2. I see what your trying to do but something about the curve of the track on the left really bugs me. Not sure if more motion blur is needed or if it should have been a wee bit tighter shot (your going to hate me for that). It makes it feel very empty. And the left angle of the track makes my eye fall off the page. Maybe you should have used your long glass ;-) (sorry inside joke everyone)

6. I would have liked to see a bit more of the track under the car to make this flow a little better, might add a bit more drama to the shot. Kind of like in 8

7. I like the concept but would have liked to see a bit more motion (like you did in 3) the cars look parked.

I really like 1. Nice sharp shot of the car with a nice capture of the fans along the side of the track really tells the story. And number 3. really pops for me, nice motion, great use of the trees.

Looks like a nice track to shoot, green, green wonderful grass

Kurt

[John Thawley]

As always nice shots, but I have a few comments on 2 6 and 7

2. I see what your trying to do but something about the curve of the track on the left really bugs me. Not sure if more motion blur is needed or if it should have been a wee bit tighter shot (your going to hate me for that). It makes it feel very empty. And the left angle of the track makes my eye fall off the page. Maybe you should have used your long glass ;-) (sorry inside joke everyone)


I don't know that I was "trying" to do anything other than show the expansive feel of the track. The left looks odd to you because it's going back uphill. That is what I found intruiging... the multiple shifts in the tracks elevation changes from that spot. Check the EXIF... I don't think I shot that with wide glass... probably shot at 70mm. I chose it because I simply liked the feel of it. The image felt the same as it did standing there.



6. I would have liked to see a bit more of the track under the car to make this flow a little better, might add a bit more drama to the shot. Kind of like in 8


Couldn't agree more... I will say, the left rear is clear of the frame though. On the full size image it's sitting in its own shadow. But a touch more foreground would have been nice. I find one of the trade offs of hand holding my 400 is you lack the constant position a mono-pod gives you. The slightest dip and you're off by a mile. I still liked this shot, though.


7. I like the concept but would have liked to see a bit more motion (like you did in 3) the cars look parked.


Hmmm...considering I'm shooting about 30ft away from an 18" hole in the foliage and you can't see the cars comming ahead of time, I think this is as good as you're going to get. #3 was tough enough with a sparse 20' opening and spaces betweenyounger thinner trees. This shot was snipered through the only hole I could find in the leaves. Took about 10 minutes just to find the right sized hole. :)

I'm not sure what you're describing is even possible. I guess I'll just have to live with the fact that I'm probably not that good. :eek: :)

Thanks for taking the time and the feedback. I appreciate it.

JT

[Mark Delbrueck]

Nice stuff (as always), good to see the Brumos car out and about! My favorites will have to be numbers 7 and 8, I tend to like the more 'artistic' shots if you will.

[Chris Clark]

I very much like #'s 1,2,3,& 7.

You are right though, the super-wide shots are almost too wide: I didn't notice the car at first in #4.

The color in #1 is amazing! I can't pinpoint what it is exactly, but I just can't stop looking at it. Looks like the light was hitting the front of the car "just right" to reflect the iridescence of the paint. I can't stop looking at it.

Same for #2: The panning shows the sense of speed, but the composition really shows the elevation change. and what I assume is the "personality" of the venue. It looks to be a beautiful place, I've never been there, but after looking at that shot, I want to go.

All in all, a nice collection of shots. As usual.