Frustration at Brands Hatch - DTM

[pumaknight]

I think I may have reached a plateau. I was at the DTM race at Brands this weekend and I found myself becoming more and more frustrated as the day went on. Not because of the cars - they were awesome. Not even because of the heat - although it was close to unbearable at times.

Nope, I had run out of angles to shoot from in the public enclosures. The crowds were large and I had to pick a spot and stay there for the most part. I could see the shot I wanted, but couldn't get an uncluttered background, or a decent fence free angle.....okay rant over!!

Here are come choice shots. As always, do let me know what you think.

Thanks
Michael H
1. Close up of my bosses-bosses-bosses-boss's helmet:-)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-1.jpg

2. I love the bling grey on the grey tarmac.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-2.jpg[/URL]

3. Yes I know it is at an angle (ahem) but it is deliberate!
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-3.jpg (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-1.jpg)

4. Artistic framing - does it work???
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-4.jpg

5. The closest racing shot I got:-( throug a hole in teh fence 5ft wide - try panning on that!
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-5.jpg (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-4.jpg)

6. Long lense - Padock hill style - thankfully early on so no heat haze
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-6.jpg

7. Sunny, shiny, bright, and bullish
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-7.jpg (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-6.jpg)

8. Okay another racing shot
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-8.jpg[URL="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pumaknight/DTM-8.jpg"]

[Kevin]

I wouldn't be to disappointed, several of these shot are very good. The framing and action are good in three, five , six and eight. Events are hard to shoot when the crowds are large.

[KevB]

Very nice shots. I love that 3rd shot especially. Pin sharp and great colour.:D

Kev

[Dave_G]

Very inventive with the angles and shots Michael, good work.

That's the trouble with the Indy circuit at Brands, you need to work hard when it's busy at popular meetings to get good angles.

The only gripe I have is that your shots appear a little over sharpened and over saturated for my liking.

[pumaknight]

Oversharpened? I am using the recomended Canon sharpening (300% Threshold 0 Radius 0.3).....do you have a preferred sharpening settings that I could try?

Thanks.

[DavidMansfield]

race day was a bit busy for taking photos, but you still have the best DTM race day pic ive seen so far, number 8.

I knew it was going to be hell on race day so didnt bother trying to shoot the race, so all my shots are from the 2 days before so no car on car racing shots :confused:

[Dave_G]

Oversharpened? I am using the recomended Canon sharpening (300% Threshold 0 Radius 0.3).....do you have a preferred sharpening settings that I could try?

Thanks.

Yes - 300% Threshold 0 Radius 0.2

That's what I use most of the time. If I have to use 0.3 then I will almost certainly use the 'Fade Unsharp Mask' feature.

Just because Canon recommend it, it doesn't mean that it will be right to look at.

Here are 3 examples, 1st one no sharpening, 2nd one 0.2, 3rd one 0.3, tell me which one you prefer the look of.

http://images17.fotki.com/v323/photos/1/105162/2337834/nosharpening-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v323/photos/1/105162/2337834/point2sharpened-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v15/photos/1/105162/2337834/point3sharpened-vi.jpg


[If you want I can embed them into the page so you can compare easily, I don't want to hijack your thread with my photos]

[keith baker]

I Think there good
Well Done

[R Mutt]

Nice shots, and I like the artistic?? shot.

I don't know about the sharpening forumla, I usually just go by how it looks. However, when you resize to a small digital display size you have to tone down the blanket sharpening (PS fade adjuster) or use the tool to work certain areas. Otherwise you'll start getting the jagged edges that are usually noticeable around advertisements and numbers or other non fluid shapes.

[rbush83]

What is that strange piece of japanese temple architecture on the rear of the Siemens Audi?

http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/aircraft-ww1/red-triplane.jpg

+

http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/p/images/pagoda_jap.horyu.lg.JPG

[Samiad]

Yes - 300% Threshold 0 Radius 0.2

That's what I use most of the time. If I have to use 0.3 then I will almost certainly use the 'Fade Unsharp Mask' feature.

Just because Canon recommend it, it doesn't mean that it will be right to look at.

Here are 3 examples, 1st one no sharpening, 2nd one 0.2, 3rd one 0.3, tell me which one you prefer the look of.

http://images17.fotki.com/v323/photos/1/105162/2337834/nosharpening-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v323/photos/1/105162/2337834/point2sharpened-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v15/photos/1/105162/2337834/point3sharpened-vi.jpg


[If you want I can embed them into the page so you can compare easily, I don't want to hijack your thread with my photos]

What size image file has been used with these settings (makes all the difference). Or have you taken an unsharpened image, resized to 800x533 and then applied 300/0/0.2?

Thanks

[colinburke]

number 8 is a fantastic shot,I'd be over the moon if i'd taken it.

Colin

[pumaknight]

Thanks everyone for kind comments. I am happy with the shots. I think I meant that I wanted to take different shots, those that were really special, but he circuit crowds, fences and access for us Joe Public, was just so restrictive that I could not get what I wanted. I suppose I will just have to dream of being a professional one day, and put up with it:-)

I will give the sharpening suggestions a go. I am split, if I am honest, between 0.2 and 0.3 in your examples, Dave_G. But you are right, I must play with Photoshop more to get the right balance for the image. I tend to be a lilttle hap hazard with my PS skills, just doing a quick saturation (if needed) , levels (if needed), crtop (if needed) and sharpen, all within 10 seconds. I have this attitude that if it is not right out of the camera then it is not right full stop. Probably not a good attitude for digital shooting :-)

Again thanks all. it is such a compliment to have nice comments from this site, given to quality of work on display by others.

[Dave_G]

What size image file has been used with these settings (makes all the difference). Or have you taken an unsharpened image, resized to 800x533 and then applied 300/0/0.2?

Thanks

yep, 800x533

[Samiad]

Cool - I actually use 100/0.3.

I've just done a comparison, and I cannot see any appreciable difference between 100/0.3 and 300/0.2. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts?

[Dave_G]

First up, I'm no expert - on photography and or related post processing techniques so...

I went (like Michael) on Canon's recommendation of 300/0.3 and found on some images they looked over sharpened so dropped it to 0.2, a limited number of my images need no sharpening so sometimes I don't add any USM.

By using 100/0.3 you are adding to one value and taking away from another so it's not beyond the realms of possibility to get a similar effect to 300/0.2 is it?

[PeteDyer]

Very nice shots. I love that 3rd shot especially. Pin sharp and great colour.:D

Kev

I agree, the 3rd pic is fantastic

[Camo 757]

love the audis

[Samiad]

First up, I'm no expert - on photography and or related post processing techniques so...

I went (like Michael) on Canon's recommendation of 300/0.3 and found on some images they looked over sharpened so dropped it to 0.2, a limited number of my images need no sharpening so sometimes I don't add any USM.

By using 100/0.3 you are adding to one value and taking away from another so it's not beyond the realms of possibility to get a similar effect to 300/0.2 is it?

No, I agree.

I had always thought (and used) the 300/0.3 on full size images in the past (on 6MP 10D files). Had never thought about resizing first.

[Dave_G]

Ah ok, whenever I'm putting stuff on the www I do any corrections first, then resize then sharpen

[phylet]

i really like these shots, they have inspired me to try to get to a motrosport event. (and spend more money im sure

[GSH]

A nice set. It looks like you put a lot of thought into those to avoid posting the usual angles :)