Hang In There
by Judi

Comment:
Ok, your hat actually jumped because of a frog AND it peed on your head? That's priceless!

Did it help at all to get over the fear?

FWIW my wife is afraid of earthworms, one of the most harmless animals possible.

Captain to engine room, need more power!
by cycleboy

Comment:
Thanks for the comments. I knew the backdrop would be an issue, but had no time or $ to do better (no time even to iron the sheet). I was actually outside, but there's a stucco wall and window behind the sheet, so that wasn't an option. Being that I was shooting alone (that's me on the bike), it was impossible to try to do a motion shot. I've actually tried that before and it is impossible to get clipped in and pedaling nicely before the shutter releases. The B&W and posterization on my leg was intended. The set up was the camera on the ground with a chair next to it to toss the shutter release onto once I got on the bike and clipped into the pedals. The light is sun coming from almost directly behind me.

I wish I had more time for challenges so I could do better, but you make do with what you have. At least I learn things from this place.

Beer erases all kinds of smart
by kolasi

Comment:
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

- Benjamin Franklin

Sense of Speed
by cycleboy

Comment:
The comments are interesting. I understand what you guys mean and I agree as far as the shot itself, but I wonder if you have shot much racing from the fan side of the fence?

I had very little choice about background because not many spots around the track are close enough to get a shot at speed, aren't crowded with people, or have fencing blocking the view.

As for the composition, these guys are going over 100 mph. I've been going to this race and taking photos for 9 years and it is really tough to put everything together at once. I actually only cropped out the background a bit, the back of the car was cut off in the original and there wasn't anymore space in front of the car.

Anyway, just a bit of explanation. Like I said I get what you mean and I agree, but doing those things in the situation I was shooting in is pert' near impossible. Maybe I also didn't choose my best shot to enter due to lack of time. Now that the challenge is over I'll put a few others up.

Stormchasers
by mpeters

Comment:
That very much brings back the feeling of racing my bike through Altamont Pass - brutally windy!

Precision Landing
by owen

Comment:
The most amazing things to me here are the perfect timing (feet not quite in the water) and great clarity. Stunning shot. I love the tips of the wings.

The Rock
by bryanbrazil

Comment:
Nice shot, I know exactly where you were standing as I have shot from the same point before! It works well in B/W too if there are some clouds in the sky.

Octopussy
by neolestat

Comment:
I don't believe this image is about art or good photography.

I believe the image, especially combined with the title are 100% about provoking a reaction as can be seen in the comments and that it has 700+ views. It is meant to make people gasp and whisper.

The definition of art is a moving target, so I don't think it is fair or logical to say it is or isn't art.

However, it is an image meant to be nothing more than shocking and offensive. I don't think a lot of people would see this and go, "Wow, what an amazing shot!"

As a photo, it seems like the focus is off - stuck somewhere between totally sharp and deliberately soft - which makes it just look out of focus. The colors are fairly uninteresting since they are all in a similar range. The lines aren't interesting as an abstract image, the only thing the lines might cause is for some people to want to see what is under the octopus, in other words - porn.

A similar image could be done with more interesting lighting and from a different angle/not so close up, and would be truly an interesting image. How would it look shot from the side, a couple feet away, with directional lighting, a soft focus, and perhaps black and white? Might be interesting and beautiful.

Audispeed.jpg
by cycleboy

Comment:
dwterry - yes, the brakes really do that. These cars run carbon fiber discs and carbon pads and the brakes get well over 1000 degrees F during hard braking.

Sadly, this car (Audi R8) has now been retired and the new one (R10) while very cool has brake vents that actually hide the glowing from the viewer as the car goes by. It is a faster car, but not quite as exciting.

Nicky Hayden, winner of the Dutch TT MotoGP
by Azrifel

Comment:
Challenge or not, that is a great motorsports shot. Anytime you can get them at speed and can see the pilots face and particularly eyes, you have captured a great racing shot.