Formula Drift Sonoma

[Mike Gniewosz]

I know that some people aren't a fan of drifting on here, but I really tried to take interesting pictures that are more artistic than event coverage. Let's hear some feedback, good or bad.

The rest are here. (http://www.autosportsphotography.com/gallery/formula-d-sonoma-2009)

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc1815_1.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc1375_1.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc0335.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/6.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc9876.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/2.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc0837.jpg

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc1105.jpg

[Jason D Cole]

I'm a fan ! haha

# 2 is a great shot,but the large copyright is killing the image .

#4 Is my favorite,the tilt & angle gives it style. I would have liked more blur in the wheel though,as you captured in #1.

Some shots have distracting blownout highlights (#5) ,but overall ....awesome shots !

[Daniel Lo]

A little bit of variety never killed anyone right?

I really like the idea of #3 but a bit too blown out IMHO :P Nice solid shots all around. I agree with Jason on the copyright size/positioning. Protecting your images is fine and should be done but at the same time shouldn't obstruct the key elements of the photo either.

[Mike Gniewosz]

Yeah, I like the idea of #3. I couldn't get the shutter speed that low without sacrificing the highlights. And I do need to change the copyright to be a little less unobtrusive in the future. Thanks for the comments.

[Jacob Leveton]

I dig 4 and 5, but don't understand the appeal of 8. To me it just looks like a missed shot.....

I wish we could have shot from the Supercuts flagger station... I still think that location is the best spot to shoot tandem from!

These shots from your gallery really caught my eye:
http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/3.jpg
http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc0586.jpg
http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc1549_1.jpg

Ps - I'm shocked I haven't seen more coverage from this event. There were sure a lot of photographers, but I haven't seen much coverage online!

[Aaron Kupferman]

Yeah, I like the idea of #3. I couldn't get the shutter speed that low without sacrificing the highlights.



You can use an ND filter to let you use a much slower shutter speed without needing to stop down to f/32 or over expose your image. I typically shoot all of my panning shots with either a two or three-stop ND filter.

Overall a more creative set of images from a drift event than I've seen in a while. If you take away the "earthquake" angles of tilting the camera, the photos would be much more solid though. As is repeated over and over on this forum, tilting the camera does not make the image more edgy or creative. I usually see it as a crutch that people lean on when they can't find a truly good composition. What makes some of your images work is the great lighting. Kill the earthquake camera and you'll have some really nice work.

[Jeff Kapic]

I agree with what Aaron said.
Also, I don't think that it's about people here not liking drifting. This is a photography forum that is focused on motorsports. Show some unique shots and you'll get some positive feed back. Just be prepared to get the opposite or no feedback at all if they are the usual shots. Not every shot is going to be a portfolio piece. But you should always be looking for new and different perspectives.

Like Aaron said, these are different from most drift shots I have seen. For that I say GREAT JOB! The first shot is really nice, great light. I would like the 3rd shot a LOT more if it was straight and the exposure was better. I don't really like the tilt on these either. Except maybe the last shot. I like that, although I don't know why, just that to me it feels right.

Jeff

[John Thawley]

I saw these when you first posted. Sorry... I just haven't had the time to comment.

Granted, I'm not a drift fan, but I really haven't seen any drift photography that grabbed my attention. These do.... for whatever reason, the effort is to be commended.

#3 and #4 are terrific. I'm not sure you've perfected #3... but there's something going on there and I like it. #4 is MONEY. Great color, lighting and drama. I realize for drift people there may not be enough drift... but for me, you nailed it.

The last shot is an "almost." I see where you're going, but the balance is not quite right.

JT

[Mike Gniewosz]

Thanks for all the kind words. I tried to make these more artistic rather then "snapshots" as I've seen a lot of in drifting. I'm glad my efforts paid off.

I'm going to have to disagree about the use of tilt in motorsport photography(obviously since I use it). I think it adds a bit of visual interest and helps draw the eye through the frame. It especially helps when the backgrounds aren't that interesting and you are limited to the number of spots you can shoot from. I took a good number of regular shots, but only a few caught my eye. Maybe the tilt makes up for an otherwise boring photo.

About #8, I also think I almost had it. I wish it could have been a bit wider to get more of the scene in. I included it though because I thought it was still a cool shot. Would this be better or does the guy standing there make it good?

http://www.autosportsphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/fd-sonoma-2009/_dsc1073.jpg

[Rob Stewart]

8 is a cool shot Mike just a bit crowded at the front, that's what makes msport photography so tricky, 1000th of a second here or a twitch of the arm there makes the difference between a good shot and a brilliant shot or a poor shot and a good shot.

That last one you posted is nice but the guy spoils it for me.

I think the angle debate will rage forever, IMHO it can add a touch of interest and drama to what would otherwise have been a tedious shot. This is useful in times of restricted viewing and when shooting from the wrong side of the fence, the angle can always be over done though. I think that other photographers especially get bored of it because they know of the technique and say 'oh that old chestnut' but the viewing public might not dislike it.

I cut down on the angling in my shots a few years ago when I noticed my wife was viewing them by tipping her head on one side!:)

[Jeff Kapic]

Would this be better or does the guy standing there make it good?


I like the guy standing in front. What makes it for me is that he is looking at the car. If he was not looking at the car, it probably would have been a missed shot for me.

Jeff

[John Thawley]

I just think the guy is too prominent. He's dominating the foreground instead of being part of the foreground. It also doesn't help that he's adding to the "clip" of an already clipped car.

The idea and concept is sound.... but the execution needs developing.

Here's a similar approach. Let the dirty sensor give you an idea of the shutter speed. LOL

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=50218&g2_serialNumber=2

This shot was ultimately cropped to a panoramic to remove the offending (albeit perfectly exposed) guardrail. :) Dust spots removed too.

[Darren Pierson]

Actually, I quite like drifting, just dont see many interesting drifting images. #3 & #4 work for me. The blown sky in #3 works really well, not sure i'd like it as much if the sky was there. It invokes a sense of place rather than space. #4 is just just sweet. Thanks for showing them

=Darren