Virginia International Raceway APR 06

[pl1ght]

Amateur photography here. First time out in motorsports, and I've only had my DSLR for about 3 weeks now, so any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Camped out at VIR this wknd and took shots from anywhere spectators could be. Used a 75-300mm Tamron Lense and a Rebel XT dSLR.

http://www.4saken.org/photography/motorsports/vir2006-1.jpg

Suntrust that blew the late lead for a devastating loss.

http://www.4saken.org/photography/motorsports/vir2006-2.jpg

http://www.4saken.org/photography/motorsports/vir2006-3.jpg


http://www.4saken.org/photography/motorsports/vir2006-4.jpg

http://www.4saken.org/photography/motorsports/vir2006-5.jpg


Hope someone enjoys, and I had a blast shooting motorsports for the first time and look forward to all criticism. And thanks to Croasdail for a few tips on good shooting areas. VIR is indeed a beautiful track.

[Croasdail]

Nicely done for a first try out there. As a side note, you were out there with your son with rain gear on were ya - or vice versa?

[pl1ght]

Nicely done for a first try out there. As a side note, you were out there with your son with rain gear on were ya - or vice versa?

That wasnt me. I was camped out between the snake and the cross over bridge.

[vwpilot]

Nice shots for a first time. On the last two though I would work with a slower shutter speed to give more of a sense of movement and speed. That could actually apply all of them except maybe the BMW shot, but the last two especially would have been made much more exciting with some blur in the background and more wheel movement.

The SunTrust car and the Playboy car are not bad as they are, but again, some more movement would add a bit to the shots, less to the Playboy one as there really isnt a background that would benefit from more movement and you wont get a lot since the car is not moving across the frame too fast yet in that position. But the SunTrust car could have used a little more as the rumble strips and grass would show the movement. You have ok wheel spin there, but more is always a benefit.

Dont feel bad though, I could have done the same thing in a similar SunTrust shot. Mine are just like yours and when I got back and looked at them more I wished I had used a slower shutter as well. While these are good, they arent great. We all do it. The key is we all need to learn from it and try not to do it again. ;)

http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums/Sportscar/Grand%20Am/2006/03%20VIR/01%20Practice//084.jpg

Good first time job though, keep those suggestions in mind next time and play a bit and you'll start to get it.

[pl1ght]

Appreciate the tips there. I definitely had hoped to get more blur in the background like you said for sense of speed. I see what you mean how they appear somewhat frozen on the track. Again, thanks for tips and i will keep practicing.

[mr.photoguy]

I definetly have to make it to the races one day and do the same... I am up north in New York , so it looks like lime rock is my closest track.