Sebring - Transition of Light, Part I

[Bob Chapman]

As I tried to edit some Sebring stuff to post here, I noticed that 95% of the images that caught my eye were taken during the 5% of time during the transition of light. I suppose that's not really all that surprising. What IS surprising is that I missed BOTH sunsets. ...poor execution of a lousy plan. Shrug.

Part I...

1)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070311-b-8054.jpg

2)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070315-d-3036.jpg

3)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070313-c-1579.jpg

4)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070313-c-1592.jpg

5)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070313-e-1701.jpg

6)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070313-e-1758.jpg

7)
http://www.autosportimage.com/auto_photo_net/2008/sebring/transition/20070313-e-2065.jpg

[John Thawley]

Boy... you couldn't have made a truer statement about the light. After the start of the race, I walked around and questioned myself... "why am I out here?" Likewise with the sunset and the morning warmup sunrise, "why does this have to end?"

The situation wasn't helped by the inability to move around quickly either.

Meanwhile, nice stuff, Bob. The loose Ferrari shot catches my eye the most though... just has a great atmosphere feel.

JT

[Aaron Kupferman]

Love the rear panning shots, 3 & 6. 1/6th of a second... very nice

The rest ain't half bad either. :)

[Doug DeVetter]

My insightful, thoughtful C&C :) :
1) Wow
2) Wow
3) Wow
4) WOW
5) WOW WOW
6) Wow
7) Wow

I think the tilted horizon works on all but #2. #3...I wish the rail didn't clip the car.

Technically and creatively stunning Bob!

[Todd Corzett]

#4 is really stunning (not that the other ones aren't). I really like #1, very well done! #2 almost looks 'plain' compared to the rest of the shots... really shows how spectacular the images are. Very well done!

-Todd...

[Chris Clark]

Wow.

I always look forward to your posts Bob. Excellent stuff as usual.
I saw #5 and said "Oh My God"....out loud, to no-one in particular. Wow.

I am a fan of #1 as well. Really nice.

-chris

[Matt Mead]

wow thats all i can say

what shutter speed where they all taken at??

[Nick Koske]

I noticed that 95% of the images that caught my eye were taken during the 5% of time during the transition of light.

There's a reason the Landscape guys call these times the "Golden/Magic" hours.;)

All the more reason to lobby the ALMS for more into the night racing.

#4 and #5 are really cool. I also checked out all of your shots on the Lizards website...one word...Amazing!!

On #7...the white lights...Are those strobes you're controlling to get the back lit effect? or other photographers with their flashes?

[Dennis Murray]

4 and 5 feel so open...not a feeling I usually get at Sebring, but wow.

I'm trying to place #7, where is that? It's been a couple of years since I was at Sebring. And same question as Nick there...I assume you are timing other Photographers there.

[Bob Chapman]

...and said "Oh My God"....out loud, to no-one in particular.

-chris

You sound like my wife when I'm downstairs working late and she's upstairs counting sheep.

...but I digress.

BTW, thanks!

[Bob Chapman]

On #7...the white lights...Are those strobes you're controlling to get the back lit effect? or other photographers with their flashes?

Those are others' flashes. When the shutter is open for 1/8th of a second on the outside of the hairpin during night practice, there's a pretty good chance you'll catch someone else's flash on the inside of the hairpin.

[Bob Chapman]

4 and 5 feel so open...not a feeling I usually get at Sebring, but wow.

I'm trying to place #7, where is that? It's been a couple of years since I was at Sebring. And same question as Nick there...I assume you are timing other Photographers there.

The back side of the track (after the hairpin and before 13(ish)) is mostly very open. ...at least compared to the rest of the track. Plus, blurring the background gives the illusion that there aren't a half-zillion drunken campers just on the other side of the track.

#7 = outside the hairpin. Most photographers opt for inside the hairpin. I opt for outside the hairpin because most photographers opt for inside the hairpin. :)

[Tim Hulme]

Brilliant work! I love #1 and #4!

[Cedric Marcadier]

not bad, not bad...

:-))))))

Well, in fact it's symply stunning !

[Jeff Kapic]

These are fantastic Bob.
I have been working on getting shots like #5 lately. That is one tough shot to get!
Thanks for posting these...inspirational.


Jeff

[Dustin Finn]

Just loving 1,4,5,7 - absolutely amazing...

[Keith Schoeler]

Gorgeous. Just in love with #5. Would look terrific printed nice and large.

[Kevin DiOssi]

#5




WOW. That's one shot I have NEVER thought of taking.