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
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>Date Taken:</TD><TD vAlign=top>2011-09-24 19:11:09</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>Camera:</TD><TD vAlign=top>Canon EOS 50D</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>Exposure Time:</TD><TD vAlign=top>0.3s (3/10)</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>Aperture:</TD><TD vAlign=top>f/3.5</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>ISO:</TD><TD vAlign=top>800</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=110 align=right>Focal Length:</TD><TD vAlign=top>18mm (28.8mm in 35mm)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

BCSPhotoguy

I like this! It reminds me of the calm before the storm! Good for you noticing that you had to mix it up! I have seen many track photogs that just repeat things year after year with no real spark!

JBHotShots

BCSPhotoguy wrote: »

I like this! It reminds me of the calm before the storm! Good for you noticing that you had to mix it up! I have seen many track photogs that just repeat things year after year with no real spark!

Thank you! I've been wanting to try some different stuff and it took a good shove from my friend to get me going and boy am I glad he did.

torags

Nice use of context Lou, it rounds out a series of competitive shots.

those tangents are fun

Rags

JSPhotography

Great shot, for once the dust was good!! In know what you mean, week after week it just gets to be the same stuff over and over.

JBHotShots

JSPhotography wrote: »

Great shot, for once the dust was good!! In know what you mean, week after week it just gets to be the same stuff over and over.

Yes for once!

This week I will have another opportunity to try again, maybe with the same setup, as they are running time trials and not heat races. I honestly had a blast doing and it made taking pictures fun again.

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)

moose135

Love the shot of the car in the pits, Jamie! The light and dust give it such a terrific atmosphere. Well done, and good job on getting out of your comfort level - that's something we all need to do from time to time to keep the creative juices flowing.

JBHotShots

moose135 wrote: »

Love the shot of the car in the pits, Jamie! The light and dust give it such a terrific atmosphere. Well done, and good job on getting out of your comfort level - that's something we all need to do from time to time to keep the creative juices flowing.

Hey thanks a lot!

austinado16

That really IS a fantastic shot. The comment, "the calm before the storm" is sooooo fitting. Love everything about it. I like photography that makes me think, "Dang, I would never have thought to take that shot!" For me, you nailed it. If there's a magazine for the sport, that should be the next cover.

JBHotShots

austinado16 wrote: »

That really IS a fantastic shot. The comment, "the calm before the storm" is sooooo fitting. Love everything about it. I like photography that makes me think, "Dang, I would never have thought to take that shot!" For me, you nailed it. If there's a magazine for the sport, that should be the next cover.

I can't come up with anything else to say but thank you very much!!! That just made my day!

JBHotShots

So I just got my 24x36 print of this yesterday and it looks AWESOME! This by far is one of my best captures and prints!