Laguna Seca on the Wide Side

[TCorzett]

Well, I found myself shooting way more wide shots this past weekend at the ALMS event at Laguna Seca than I thought I would. Something a bit different for me... I'm also really interested in critiques. Much of this wide stuff almost seems repetative to me. Are the cars too small? What do you think? Ok, Enjoy:


1.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081016_20049.jpg
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, ISO100, 1/800th, f/6)

2.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081016_40101.jpg
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 70-200mm f/2.8L @ 70mm, ISO1000, 1/200th, f/2.8 )

3.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081016_10297.JPG
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 28-70mm f/2.8L @ 28mm, ISO100, 1/500th, f/7)

4.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081018_20435.JPG
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, ISO100, 1/800th, f/7)

5.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081018_40021.JPG
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, ISO100, 1/800th, f/6)

6.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081018_30295.JPG
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, ISO100, 1/640th, f/8 )

7.
http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/08_ALMS_LS/20081018_50155.JPG
(Canon EOS-1D MkII, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, ISO160, 1/640th, f/8 )



-Todd...

[tracknut]

Todd, thanks for the images. I was there as a spectator and enjoyed the race thoroughly. Your images are a new view of the track that I've never seen, so for that, they're great. But yes, the cars come off awfully small if they're the main subject.

Dave

[profec291]

Kinda reminds me of a certain photog who shoots nascar. Nice shots, but the cars are a little too small.

[Bosscat]

I like them, because its different then the usual long lens tight shots. Different is good, otherwise Arby's would be in big trouble............LOL

[S.E.V.]

#1 & #5. Damn you and your fisheye shots. What the hell dude. Why do you always nail them every time. Nice set. Next time try to go a bit wider why don't you.

Sevan

[FlyingPhotog]

I think these give a very unique perspective.

However that's one mondo dust bunny you've got since it's showing up at f/7... ;)

[BALDY]

#2 for me Great work

BALDY

[TCorzett]

that's one mondo dust bunny you've got since it's showing up at f/7... ;)
Looking at it closer it's a 'polygon' so is on the other side of the iris of the lens (and not on the sensor itself). Looks like I need to clean the lens (the camera is virtually spotless). I will edit this out... I missed it before, as when it comes to dust I think much smaller... like missing the broad side of a barn with this one!

-Todd...

[Borbor]

Can't go wrong with #2.

#3 is cool, since it's not an angle one always see at LS.

Like 7 as well.

fisheyes just aren't my thing however.

[throw_n_gas]

Todd,

I like the wide open feel that the photos give, #2 is my favorite. Always enjoy your work Todd, wide open or tight.

Rick

[Jamie Holladay]

Interesting perspectives Todd!

[JHew84]

Looking at it closer it's a 'polygon' so is on the other side of the iris of the lens (and not on the sensor itself). Looks like I need to clean the lens (the camera is virtually spotless). I will edit this out... I missed it before, as when it comes to dust I think much smaller... like missing the broad side of a barn with this one!

-Todd...

When I came to that shot my eyes went straight for the blob :lol:, but I know it goes when editing pictures, concentration goes to a couple certain areas and other things are completely neglected at times.

Shots look GREAT though, I agree it is a very refreshing alternative to the tight shots most people produce, very cool!

[Sawbladz]

Loving #2 and #4 is really different.

[Sharpstat]

Great shots. Something different than the normal stuff. My favorites are probabaly #2 and #6. I looked at 6 twice due to never having seen the straight in such a unique perspective. Andrew Wheeler does a some of his Motogp shots using the UWA perspective. More to come? Or was this a one time thing?

[mike1515]

Very interesting Todd. My only issue is that being wide angle, the cars look more static that usual. Is it possible to pan w/ wide angle? And if so, does it destroy the purpose of wide angle? I would like to see one panned to judge.

I love #2. Laguna should use that for the front of a program!

--Mike1515

[Ves]

Great shots Todd, I really like them all!

Here are some of my (insignificant) thoughts:

Photo 1: Technically fantastic I think, but I'm not sure if the background is interesting enough for that shot. Had the sky had some interesting clouds it would definitely be an incredible image.
Photo 2: Fantastic. I love everything about it, honestly.
Photo 3: I think the photo is dynamic enough that you pulled it off, but it could definitely benefit from a more interesting sky.
Photo 4: This one I do really like, though I think it's a little extreme for most of the foreground to be the gravel trap. If you could somehow fit a crowd in instead I think it would really help with that.
Photo 5: Awesome, especially how there are cars running the length of the straight.
Photo 6: Same as above except more dynamic, which really makes it stand out! The winding track leads your eyes through the image.
Photo 7: Beautiful. Shows the wonderful scenery very well, and I love the Porsche centered between the trees.

Most of the things I said could have been improved were things out of your control, and considering what you were working with you did a stellar job! You're at a completely different level than me when it comes to photography, so my comments feel really out of place. :P

[john salgado]

# 1 for me , nice work all..