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08/07/2003 05:37:28 PM · #1 |
This weekend I was at the track again, but for a change I started pointing my camera at people instead of just cars. It doesn't help that I'm painfully shy and have to resist the urge to pretend I'm shooting something else if my subject spots me, but I gritted my teeth, smiled at the girls, and came home with a much more varied set than usual.
It was my first visit to Rockingham Motor Speedway, Britains first and only oval. Shooting locations were much more restricted than at a road course. There was no way to get near the corners without a huge fence in the way :-/ I ended up settling for a spot on top of the garages on pit lane.
The two shots I would dearly like some critiques/suggestions on are here and here, though please feel free to pick holes in any of the others : ). The results have convinced me that pointing my camera at people may not be such a bad idea after all, but my low hit rate tells me it's an area that could do with some improvement.
The day was rounded off with a gig by The Sugababes so I also got my first attempt at concert photography, although it was outside on a bright sunny day! I did have to struggle with a lot of screaming kids, waving arms and giant balloons though.
Click here for the full set.
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08/07/2003 05:56:00 PM · #2 |
Bod I now exactly how you feel. I love doing candid photography and whenever I have someone in site and want to take their pic they look at me. Always! Then I try to pretend I am taking a pic beyond them or sumthin!
Your pics are very very good I like them, good stuff!
The Brazilian Beauty is (of course) my favourite. The only thing I could critique on there is that the background should be really blurred out, the background is blurred already for sure, but I would prefer it more blurred. Completely blurred even. I don't know what kind of tele lens you have or at what distance you took the shot. Anyway she is a real beauty and I envy you. But I envy you more cos you got to see the Sugar Babes!!! Lucky devil! They are awesome! Your shots of them are good, a couple are a little blurry but the rest are fantastic.
And last of all, of course I will never forgive you for not inviting me to that photo shoot, and next time I want an invitation at least a week before the next concert! Be warned :-)
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08/07/2003 05:59:09 PM · #3 |
I like the one of the brazilian beauty, the reflection in the glasses looks good.
The one of Alan Van der Merwe looks good too, the only problem is the girl with the camera in the background, it`s a bit distracting maybe a tigter crop or more blur in the background.
George
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08/07/2003 06:00:34 PM · #4 |
Blimey, never knew about Nelson Piquet junior! They're OK those shots bod mate: especially the second of the two specifically linked ones - get the feeling she'd close her mouth if she knew you were taking the shot, and that gives it a real candid feeling.
Kiwi: more blurring than that impossible with the fixed lens on the 602, without PS work.
Does this mean no more toasters?
ed
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08/07/2003 06:01:23 PM · #5 |
Hey Bod,
You've got the same problem as me. I think I can frame a subject fairly nicely, but our 'prosumer' cameras still don't have the shallow DOF that is needed for this kind of shot. The background is still a bit too busy to be a really effective portrait, though there's not al lot you could really do to improve. I usually usethe on-board fill flash to even out the lighting on the face (could be used in the Brazilian Girl shot).
I got some shots at a wedding this weekend...I was a grommsman so I couldn't get a lot of 'em but what i did get are linked below. Same problem, too much focus depth even at max. zoom and f/2.4. Backlit and challenging light but my camera did OK...
(warning: my 'Future' shot is contained within)
wedding shots |
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08/07/2003 06:07:10 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by e301:
Kiwi: more blurring than that impossible with the fixed lens on the 602, without PS work.
ed |
Kay ED, didn't realise he had a 602!
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08/07/2003 06:20:25 PM · #7 |
I see what you all mean about the blur, though I thought I'd actually got a fair bit of blur for the 602! Looking at the exif (which is available on each photo btw - click 'photo properties') the shots were at f4 and f4.5 so I guess I shoulda used Av mode (I used P mode and AE lock - my usual setup when I'm in panic mode!). I'm not sure how much more blur that would have introduced though.
@Kiwi - the Brazilian Beauty was my favourite too. Unfortunately she seemed rather attached to Nelson jnr :-/ Damned racing drivers get all the fun! Oh well, I *did* have the Sugababes to console me, and I swear Keisha was checking me out ; )
I'll invite you next time if you bring me my 10D :P
@George - yep, if that girl hadn't been stood there then the background would have been the very nicely blurred grandstand. Shame.
@ed - I see what you mean about the mouth, I like that shot even more now!
What if I take my toaster to the next meeting I know she'll be at? You reckon she'd pose with it? : )
@jimmy - I couldn't use the flash 'cos that would immediately alert people to what I was doing. I'm way to shy to be that obvious! I can see it being more necessary on overcast days though. |
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08/07/2003 06:24:48 PM · #8 |
Deal Bod!!! 10D for you in exchange for a date with Keisha -
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08/07/2003 06:27:57 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by bod:
@ed - I see what you mean about the mouth, I like that shot even more now!
What if I take my toaster to the next meeting I know she'll be at? You reckon she'd pose with it? : ) |
Naturally - but i still think she'd close her mouth. (is this rude?).
I promise you though that if you get that shot I'll buy a 20x16 print :-) That help you get over the shyness thing?
Ed
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08/07/2003 07:28:00 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by kiwiness:
Deal Bod!!! 10D for you in exchange for a date with Keisha - |
That'll probably be easier than getting $ out of the 10D owners : )
Originally posted by e301:
I promise you though that if you get that shot I'll buy a 20x16 print :-) That help you get over the shyness thing? |
Um, I doubt it :-/
A bottle of Jack Daniels might do the trick though!
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08/07/2003 08:40:00 PM · #11 |
bod:
checked out all your shots from the shoot. Having the people shots in there was definetely a lot more interesting to me as I am not a racing fan. Perhaps for that reason (that I don't know who any of the people are), my favorite shots were 10, and the really colorful saturated one of the two helmets. BTW, that singer was definetely checking you out, she's looking right at you in most of the photos. Maybe she just loves to be in front of the camera, or maybe she's singing just for you. ;)
nice work.
jason |
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08/08/2003 05:31:33 AM · #12 |
Cheers Jason.
Any more for any more?
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08/08/2003 08:18:52 AM · #13 |
I like 10 the best very great shot...may try to lighten her face a bit the rest are great too...
and no one took you by the camera and threw you to the ground so that is a good thing!
later |
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08/08/2003 08:45:21 AM · #14 |
| I really like the first one of the two you posted at the start. His expression makes me think he is preparing for a race mentally-- a bit nervous... and then he has someone, or others, around him that are completely oblivious. You've caught a real expression of a person focused and determined |
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08/08/2003 09:40:26 AM · #15 |
| I like how you captured more mood. The cars on the raceway are interesting shots, however, the people show the flavor of the event. I left comments under a couple of your photos. :) |
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08/08/2003 11:04:31 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by rll07:
I like 10 the best very great shot...may try to lighten her face a bit |
Thanks for the suggestion. Sounds like a good opportunity to try out that dodge (or is it burn?!) tool I keep meaning to learn.
Tom & Karen, thanks for your comments too. I'm a lot happier myself with the variety and mood in this collection compared to my usual efforts.
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