Wow! My first win! : ) - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

06/21/2004 02:39:49 AM · #1

I'm completely giddy right now after logging on and seeing that my entry "Midnight Run" for planes, trains, and autos took a blue ribbon!
This was my 9th challenge entered so I wasn't expecting to win anything. This totally made my month : ) I'm really happy that so many liked my photo. I had a blast shooting it and have plans to try more ideas along the same lines. Thanks to those who left comments and compliments on it as well - and also thanks to those who voted so favorably for it.

Since a few have asked, I'd be happy to write up a tutorial of some sort (I even took pictures of the homemade rigs and setup) but I'm not sure how to post the how-to in the tutorial forum?

However, there was a slight buzz-kill to my win after someone requested a DQ for it. I recieved an email from the site asking for the original photo and post-editing details. Oh well, the photo was to spec and legit so I'm not worried.

jadin

Nikon D800

06/21/2004 02:43:57 AM · #2

I was under the impression they check all ribboning photos legitimacy.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/21/2004 02:46:32 AM · #3

The top 5 photos are always requested just to make sure :) If you want to write a tutorial just make a word document (or HTML doc if possible) and send it to either drew or langdon. However there is a very similar photo in the How'd They Do That section already so you could check that first to see if your setup is different enough for it to be worth your time writing a new one :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/21/2004 02:53:24 AM · #4

Aaah, I see. Obviously my green is showing through ; )

I just saw the other tutorial and it seems pretty similar in some respects. Slightly different set-ups, angles, and methodology. But the general idea is the same. I'll still post the setup on this thread if anyone is still interested.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

06/21/2004 03:03:43 AM · #5

Congratulations on your well deserved blue.............an awesome photo!

sue

caba

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/21/2004 03:05:41 AM · #6

As you went through all that work to get this shot, a tutorial is in order. Great job, well worth the trouble you went through.

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/21/2004 03:29:18 AM · #7

Well done - it was well deserved. It be as pleased as you if I'd taken a fluke shot like that. :D

Incidentally, you shouldn't worry about DQ requests. It's sometimes a sign that your photo techniques or edits have exceeded someone's understanding, so view it as a compliment.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/21/2004 09:35:07 AM · #8

Well done, Derick!!! It's a great photo! I bet we'll see more ribbons in time. ;o)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/21/2004 12:46:06 PM · #9

Thanks Laurie :) I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the ribbons.
Oh well, it's all in good fun and in the name of learning anyways. This site is just too fun and addicting!

As for the photo "Midnight Run", here is a picture of the setup used to take the shot. Firstly, it helps to start with a good subject. The same shot taken with a Ford Fiesta may not have been as dramatic ;p Here I used a Volkswagen Jetta with about 15k worth of performance and styling modifications done to it. Very nice car indeed. The pretty 19" race wheels and low-profile tires ended up becoming a major focal point for the shot.

Basically, I just mounted my tripod to the side of the car and secured it with the shoulder strap from my camera bag by slamming it in the trunk. It doesn't seem like there's much holding it there, but the laws of physics are keeping it in place. The tension from the strap and the way the weight of the camera presses against the car is surprisingly stable. I obviously wouldn't go ripping around with this setup as it would most likely fall off, but for this slow turning shot it worked great. I wrapped and taped the feet of the tripod to the car with painters tape. This doesn't hold it against the car (the weight of the setup does). It just helps reduce possibility vibration and shifting when the car accelerates and stops.

The motion was achieved in two ways. The first I drove the car in a tight circle at about walking speed. I would then shut off the engine and coast in neutral until the camera was finished taking the shot. The second way is to leave the car in neutral and push the vehicle. This works the best as there is no vibration from the engine... although it is much more work ;) Here is the same shot taken in the daytime....

And here is some near-final outtakes when the shot was done at night.

I played around with different shutter speeds to get the desired results.

bethany_marie_23

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

06/22/2004 02:09:38 PM · #10

You definitely deserved the title!!! Congratulations!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

06/22/2004 02:16:49 PM · #11

This technique was used before. SeeThis Tutorial.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/22/2004 02:34:32 PM · #12

Originally posted by doctornick:

This technique was used before. SeeThis Tutorial.

Yes, I saw that tutorial after the challenge. Like I said pretty much the same method. But with the car used in my shot, jamming a tripod into the bumper was not an option as it could have caused marring and scratching of the paint.... not a good thing with a show car ; )

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

06/22/2004 02:42:19 PM · #13

Originally posted by C-town driver:

Originally posted by doctornick:
This technique was used before. SeeThis Tutorial.

Yes, I saw that tutorial after the challenge. Like I said pretty much the same method. But with the car used in my shot, jamming a tripod into the bumper was not an option as it could have caused marring and scratching of the paint.... not a good thing with a show car ; )

LOL I can imagine the owner pulling his hair while watching you set up the tripod on the side of the car! LOL I'm too chicken to try this, I'd be very worried that my camera will fall off and get run over by the car! Eeek! Maybe I'll try it with Walmart's $50 digital camera.