Crits, pictures, and a new opportunity.

A couple of weeks ago, I was attendting a pro race at one of my favorite race tracks with our car club. Of course I had the camera and gear with me, and of course took too many pictures. I had processed a few of those pictures, and had them posted on a photography board, and something that I consider special happened.

It starts about 4 years ago, now, anyone who knows me, is well aware that cars, and fast cars in particular have always been a hobby or passion of mine. I have always liked cars. 4 years ago, I got into going to the track in my own car. At some point, that led to taking pictures of other cars while I was there, but I was not good at it at all. I got some tutorials from a good friend of mine in the car club, and that helped a lot. But I also found a pro photographers website, that had the kind of images that I saw in my head when I was trying to take pictures, but could not replicate in the field. I studied his images, every new gallery I would pour through, studying his compositions, his EXIF data, everything about the shots he came away with. While I did not want to copy his style, I wanted to know how he did, what he did. For 3 years, I kept up to date with his newest additions, from all over the country, all types of racing events. And in that time, I have progressed, and gotten much better at taking pictures of race cars on track. SO, in the thread with the set of images I had posted from the Grand Am race a couple of weeks ago, this pro stops in to give me his crits. I am floored. HE LIKED THEM! he really had nice things to say, and, he gave me some pointers. He also challenged me to do what I have always tried to do, get that shot that makes people say...wow! Ignore what is dubbed the "keeper rate", and really push the boundaries and get that special shot, you may only get two of them a weekend, but they will be worth it.

Jump to last weekend. I was out at the track again, with a group of friends at a private track day. I decided to challenge myself, shoot slow, slow shutter speed, and really work on capturing some serious motion in the cars. They may not be the WOW! shots yet, but I think that by getting used to this shutter speed, and knowing how it works, what it picks up, what it leaves out, and the effects it has, those WOW! shots can be had.

Both of the following were shot at 1/40, over 135mm range, with the cars doing upwards of 70 mph.




I think they exhibit the motion involved at the time, and mark some of the first successful shots at 1/40th in panning on fast moving cars. When I tried this in the past, I got trash images, and gave up. But not anymore, I am going to keep trying.


Now onto the new opportunity part of the program. I have been hired by two race teams, to cover their teams for the weekend at next weekends races at Road Atlanta. All the hard work, and showing of my work to folks at the track, is finally, maybe going to pay off. I at least have my foot in the door. I am excited, and can't wait to see where this leads. It combines two of my favorite things, fast cars, and photography.

Until next time.