Petit Le Mans

[Matt Campbell]

Ok so this is my first post here and when it comes to this type of racing I am a newbie. John Thawley was nice enough to share some good locations with a few of us so I tried a couple out. Feel free to leave c&c, harsh or easy, I am new but only one way to learn is to get honest feedback. :o

Thanks for looking.

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/7.jpg

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/66.jpg

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/72.jpg

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/74.jpg

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/82.jpg

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/99.jpg

[Fritz Kloepfel]

Matt,

In the first photo I feel the whole bottom third (The part in the shadow) is wasted. I would have "picked the camera up" and put the prototype car very near the bottom of the frame.

The second one is very "centered" and the wheels could use more motion. Work on getting your pans so that you can use a little slower shutter speed, and you'll create a greater sense of motion.

Third shot: Centered again. As JT frequently reminds us, get off that center focus point and try using the bottom one. Put the car "down" on the road where it belongs.

Fourth shot: it appears you are shooting toward the light. It may not have been possible, but if you could have found a place to shoot with the late day light behind you, you may have gotten a bit more color pop. Again, the wheels are stopped, and a slower shutter would have helped us "feel" the speed.

Fifth: Much better with the wheels. Although I'd like to see more color, and the car lower in the frame, this leaves me with a greater feeling of motion.

Last shot: While I like the brake glow, and the lights at night, the back of the car being cut off leaves me feeling like you "missed" the shot. The glow from the tail lights might have "framed" the back of this shot.

These are just some ideas, and one man's opinion. You've certainly done a fine job of capturing some neat cars on the race track. Hopefully some of these ideas can help you take it to the next level.

I look forward to seeing more from you and seeing how you progress.

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks Fritz, that is pretty much what I am looking for. I was shooting with a Canon 70-300 so it was straining trying to get the shots I did get. Not the fastest nor sharpest glass but for my first time I really didn't know what to expect or what I would even be able to get.

[John Thawley]

You're colors look good... but your pans are all a bit too tight and too high in the frame. Lift the lens UP.

The Corvette shot really doesn't work. I realize it's probably exciting to catch the brake glow... but it needs to be in context with a good shot... sorry, I think this one is just a miss.

Keep up the good work.

JT

[Matt Campbell]

You're colors look good... but your pans are all a bit too tight and too high in the frame. Lift the lens UP.

The Corvette shot really doesn't work. I realize it's probably exciting to catch the brake glow... but it needs to be in context with a good shot... sorry, I think this one is just a miss.

Keep up the good work.

JT
Thanks John.

The vette is actually the wrong one I wanted to post. I have another that has the whole car in frame and focused. I will post it up tonight.

Thanks again for taking the time Friday morning to talk with us and give us pointers and advice. It was really appreciated.

[Matt Campbell]

Here is the one I thought I had posted. Not perfect but better than the one above.

http://www.importatlanta.com/upload/files/14/101.jpg

[Steve Alvine]

Much better, I really like the gritty feel w/ the brk dust ect.. on the bodywork, It really gives that endurance look and feel

Also, what ISO was that shot at, you may have been able to come down a little

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks Alan. If I remember correctly I was shooting at 1600.

[Jason T. Barker]

Thanks Alan. If I remember correctly I was shooting at 1600.yep, ISO was at 1600 w/ a shutter speed of 1/160 @ F/4.5. Gotta love stored image data :)