almost all of my automotive shots are four wheels. I went out last week and attempted some two wheel stuff, and errrrr...they ALMOST embarassed me. I had to go on their second day just to do some of the shots again.

Here are the ones I like most C&C welcomed

 

Nice shots...

Constructively, I would try and find a better vantage point with the sun at your back. The harsh light being so high in the sky, and in front of you, can create a real problem with exposure and contrast on the subject. On my monitor which is calibrated, the contrast is just a bit over the top. Did you shoot these RAW?

Moreover to add drama and convey a sense of speed, I would lower my vantage point.

 

Yup, shot in raw.

I knew the light was going to be an issue, but there wasn't a cloud in sight and I suppose I could've shot from another corner

I couldn't go down any lower because my feet were literally touching the wall when I shot this; and to go any hower, well I'd be shooting the wall lol; I think I'll try another spot next time out however as you're not the first person to tell me I needed to go lower.

I do agree; first pic would've been mind blowing if my lens was on the same level as the front fairing

Thanks!

 

Another thing you can do is get ahead of the rider down the straight and aim for the apex.. It can be especially dramatic if you are shooting from a lower vantage point with long glass.. The photo below gives the illusion that I am lying on my stomach on the track, but I am actually quite far away and composing the background first and foremost, then looking for a trend on where the bikes will be. I pre-focus, wait, then capture once the rider comes into the sweet spot of my DOF.

Sorry I had to remove the image, people here are printing them... frown.gif

 

Norm:

I've seen your site, your pictures are absolutely breath-taking.

I don't have glass that can have a 1000 focal length however, even with a 2x TC

However, I do see the point you're trying to reach Gonna try that at the next event I'm going to shoot.

 

wow.. thank you very much. If you have a map of the circuit, eliminate the variables in the background that will distract like telephone poles, vehicles, stuff like that. Then notice where the sun will be, overcast... even better! It's hard to get good shots from the outside of turns for safety reasons. But, if you can contact the track beforehand, see if you can get on track and on the inside if at all possible.. That's where you will get your best panning shots.

 

Good shots. I went to Laguna Seca last year and got some shots of the MotoGP race. Definitely harder than it looks. I only had an 80-200 F2.8 - so framing wasn't optimal for some shots.

Here's one I liked.... not a typical angle shot perhaps, since all you see is the backside.

 

One more for fun - taken at the famous cork screw of Laguna.