Personal Challenge

[JBHotShots]

So for the better part of the year I spend most of my Saturday nights at a local dirt track. I am the track photographer at one and have the opportunity to travel to several other tracks in the South/Southeast part of TX. A few weeks ago I realized that I was stuck in a rut, the kind that almost every picture looks the same even though there was really nothing the same about them. So I decided I had to do something to try to set myself apart from other photographers in the area. With the help and encouragement of a counterpart in MN I have forced myself to think outside of the box.

So instead of taking 300-350 "action" pictures I decided to spend the first half of the night in the pits and spend the feature on "action" shots. Even though I had a little hicup the first night out, a stand and old 430EX got run over by go-kart, I have stuck to my plan and have been really pleased with the outcome.

Last night I took it one step further and kept the L lenses in the bag and used a cheap 18-55 kit lens that came with my Rebel 5 years ago for the pit shots.

I am very pleased with the results but wanted to share this one shot with you. It's very special to me for several reasons. The driver is one of my closest friends, he is by far my best customer and last night he won his 3 track championship. This picture was taken before he wrapped up the championship but fits so perfectly.

C/C welcomed.



Set up information:
Hand held, no flash, ambient light
Date Taken:2011-09-24
19:11:09Camera:Canon EOS 50D
Exposure Time0.3s (3/10
Aperturef/3.5
ISO:800
Focal Length18mm (28.8mm in 35mm)

[texxter]

I like it a lot! The image conveys the smell of gas and burned tires. Nicely done with simple means!

[JBHotShots]

Originally Posted by texxter

I like it a lot! The image conveys the smell of gas and burned tires. Nicely done with simple means!

The dust was from the cars in the heat race right before him pulling out on the track. The track was wet/slick for the heat races but they didnt't water the pits.

IMO the stars aligned just right for this picture!

[tukaniray]

I dig this shot alot.

I commend you for being able to think outside of the box.

I am in the same situation as you ... though I don't shoot as often as I like(which I am trying to become more active), I also feel I need to set myself apart from the other photographers.

I have also began bringing lights to locations to challenge myself as well.

For your shot, I love that you found a way to make the kit lens to work for you, and the neutral, blown out colors around the car just really help set the car as the main subject. Love it.

From my stand point, there is nothing bad to say about the shot. Like you said, stars aligned and bulls-eye.

-Ray-

[groovyone]

Very cool. I really dig the effect of the lights in the dust.

[JBHotShots]

Thanks everyone. I'll see if I can't dig up another one a post later.

[JBHotShots]

Once I made it out on to the track for the features I couldn't shake the good feeling I had from what I had done in the pits. There was an early caution so I wanted to try my hand and see if I could merge art and motorsports. This is what I got:



This one was taken with my 24-70 2.8, since it was on for my feature pictures. I call it Tools of the Trade. For those that don't know, this is a sheepsfoot and dirt tracks use it in preperation of the racing surface. C/C welcome.

Date Taken:2011-09-24 19:52:27
Camera:Canon EOS 50D
Exposure Time:0.4s (4/10)
Aperture:f/3.2ISO:800
Focal Length:24mm (38.4mm in 35mm)