25hrs of Thunderhill

[Curtis Creager]

Here's a few images from todays practice and quali.

1.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431121171_sDnAf-L.jpg

2.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431076543_7JiWh-L.jpg]

3.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431122391_xaB6H-L.jpg

4.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431123875_V3oLL-L.jpg

5.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431125781_27mGb-L.jpg

[Aaron Kupferman]

Nice Curtis! I really like number 1

What lens were you using on these? You didn't include the exif.

[John Thawley]

Amazing light in 1-4. Talk about the "magic hour."

JT

[Todd Corzett]

I love the wide-open and unobstructed view in #1... really great!

-Todd...

[Dany Flageole]

I really like the 3rd one

[Steve Stein]

1-4 look great. I love the composition on #3. Nice background mix of colors.

Are those Miller Cup Mustangs?

[Chris Clark]

1 and 2 are magic. I love the empty background in #1.

3 and 4 are pretty nice as well. I am torn on 5 though.... would like to see the same shot without the green light for comparison.

Nice job. Looking forward to seeing the race shots.

Chris

[Chris Clark]

Are those Miller Cup Mustangs?

Steve, I obviously don't know for sure in this case, but several of those Miller Cup 'Stangs showed up at several of our NASA events throughout the year. So I wouldn't doubt a few are at the 25 hours.

-chris

[Curtis Creager]

Hi

Thanks for the comments everyione I've been looking forward to this event most of the year.
Sorry for not including the meta data. I am using a 500 f4 and my 70 -200 2.8 and a few others.
All of these shots where taken with the 500.

I was invited down with one of the Miller Cup teams, TC Motorsports to cover there efforts this weekend. There are about six Miller cars here. I will post some more later. It's 1pm and time to take a break and eat a little food.

[John Thawley]

My only gripe with #1 (in case you get another chance) is I wish you'd given the crop the same amount of breathing room you gave the car in #2. I think I'd opt for the right side of the frame too.

JT

[Bob Chapman]

On #3, the way the sliver of light between the netting and top edge of the window frame falls on the drivers face is magic.

...although, it's too bad that the damn drivers can't be bothered to race without sunglasses! ;)

I agree in part with JT's assessment on #1. It's a really nice shot that would be excellent with a bit more space between car and left side of the frame. JT mentioned possibly putting the car on the right side of the frame, but I like it on the left...just not quite so crowded.

[Curtis Creager]

Here is the frame before the first one I posted it's not as tight. Is this what you are talking about John?

http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431787024_LFHGD-L.jpg

[John Thawley]

Here is the frame before the first one I posted it's not as tight. Is this what you are talking about John?

http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/431787024_LFHGD-L.jpg

Yes... minus (of course) King Kone. :) And just to be picky... a little higher would be nice too. But has Bob Chapman said... you just need a little more space around the car. It has a really serene feel to it.

Otherwise, for this shot... Senor cone, meet senor clone.

JT

[E. John Thawley III]

I kinda like the cone...

[Bob Chapman]

I kinda like the cone...

Cone doesn't bother me either. In fact, I kinda like how it gives some perspective/depth to the shot. Oh well... 6 of one, half-dozen of the other.

[Curtis Creager]

I got home today around 8:30 after leaving Thunderhill around 5:30am. Here are few more additions to this post. This was my first time at thie race and it was very cool in more ways then one.

The team I came down with had engine trouble and had to swap out an engine from the spare car, it took them only four hours to pull two engines and get the car back on track. Then the fog rolled in and the race was stopped around 6pm and didn't re-start until 5am Sunday. I was planning on staying up the entire time so I did and I'm paying for that decision.

I had two impromptu photo shots, one was with Samuel Hubinette and the other was his wife Stina

1. Mad dash to turn one.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/433314857_hgHFK-L.jpg

2.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/433322676_SFncS-L.jpg

3.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/433314622_YzXx4-L.jpg

4.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/433343215_62XiQ-L.jpg

5.
http://creagerimages.smugmug.com/photos/433359936_uj2h2-L.jpg

[Dany Flageole]

I love #3 Muscle Milk, so peaceful

[Todd Corzett]

Wow - that's a lot of cars - great start shot! Sounds like a fun race... 24hr races are a bit crazy for photographers, especially when you add in the time before and after the race... every photographer should have that experience at least once. I clearly remember LeMan and trying to sleep under my desk in the media center (stupid mid-day harsh light).

-Todd...

[Steve Stein]

I like the cone. It kind of shows where the car is supposed to go. I'd keep it.

On the second batch, #3's background looks really good with that slow pan. Soft, but still shows some form in the hills.

#1 looks like the 405 on a Friday afternoon.