My take on the Border Counties Rally

[petrolhead]

Been a while since I posted here. Have been busy selly and buying camea gear mainly due to change of persoanl circumstances

Its also my first date with my new (well second hand) Sigma 120-300 - Yes folks I have gone to the dark side

Had a very enjoyable day with Geoff, also met up with Kev and the Makem crew (hehe). Today was like a summers day but very dusty

So here they are:

A very sideways MG
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4781b.jpg

WRC Focus
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4829b.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4833b.jpg

Jenny, my girlfriend, commented on the unfortuneate name. Women eh!
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4836b.jpg

And now for some escorts.........
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4861.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4866b.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4867.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4878b.jpg

CCs wlecome

[petrolhead]

\\\

[Jimbocan]

Some great shots there, the lense looks a good investment. I particularly like the Escorts, plenty of debris flying around - hope it missed you.

[petrolhead]

Some great shots there, the lense looks a good investment. I particularly like the Escorts, plenty of debris flying around - hope it missed you.
Managed to get hit a few time but them its all for the love of art :)

[Simon Harrison]

The first of the Escort shots is the pick of this selection Peter. There's one or two look a little soft, but there's great action in all of them.

Simon.

[Pete Owen]

Have to agree with Simon here,that 1st mk2 is brilliant (is that a picture of McRae & his mk2 on the bonnet?) but some of the others do seem a touch soft on the focus

[GSH]

I'm not entirely sure that "soft" is the right word to use.

Considering we had very little time to track the cars due to the trees and the fact you were using a completely new lens i reckon you've done rather well.

The 1st one is a bit too loose for me and i deleted a shot of the Blue Impreza that looked very similar to that but 2,5,7 and 8 all look pretty good to me.

Looks like we missed a spot of gardening though ;)

[Biffbradford]

Those are big rocks on the road.

[petrolhead]

The first of the Escort shots is the pick of this selection Peter. There's one or two look a little soft, but there's great action in all of them.

Simon.
I would agree that they do look soft on the forum and this I have always seemed to not be able to get to grip with. I checked these against the ones on my computer which look much better and sharper

Any idea or suggestions?

[Simon Harrison]

I would agree that they do look soft on the forum and this I have always seemed to not be able to get to grip with. I checked these against the ones on my computer which look much better and sharper

Any idea or suggestions?

Use something like Web Presenter Pro from Fred Miranda's site. It does a great job when re-sizing images for 'tinternet.

If this was your first time out with the 120-300, then I agree with Geoff in that you have done well. I first used my 120-300 on the Grizedale 2 or 3 years ago, and didn't get results as good as this. It actually took me 3 or 4 events before I had fully got to grips with it.

Simon.

[kipper]

Nice work Peter especially 1st time out with the siggy, it's taken me a couple of rallies to grow into mine also. Like the framing, especially in 3 & 5, capturing the rocks behind the cars. I agree with Geoff on the gardening, I would however site lack of time for gardening due to being dragged to the back of beyond by him anyway!;):lol: Enjoy the Rallycross

[AzzA]

Yo, nice shots. The 2 blue Escort shots are bang on, good action and very sharp. The others do look a tad soft but I'm sure it's something you'll get used to once you get used to the new lens. Looks like the sun was very bright, my camera/lens can get a bit confused by the reflections n stuff sometimes, maybe that was a factor. cheers :)

[chrispons]

That first blue Escort is an absolute stunner,great work.
Some do seem oof to me.
Interesting comment by Simon re Freds site,cheers .
Pons

[Rhodri.Lew10]

Agree with the above, the first Escort is definitely the best of the bunch. Absolutely tack sharp and great action with the rocks kicking up. One or two do look a bit soft, but for a first attempt with a new lens I'd say you've done really well.

Rhod.

[jaglad]

Great series!!

[petrolhead]

Cheers Simon re the upload. Talking to Geoff today he suggested getting Capture One Pro, he reconed it was much better that whet he used and batching is very good

This has been playing on my mind as I know that 80% of the photos I took yesterday were sharp. Here is POO 331R again, nothing different done re processing but this time instead of batch resizing and final sharpen I did it manually in PS

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4878b.jpg
This is the orgional from the first post
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j25/1st_petrolhead/Forum%20Links/Border%20Counties%20Rally%202009/IMG_4878.jpg

So I am going to redo the others that seem off and replace the off ones in the first post

Any idea what went wrong the first time?

I have to say I am very pleased with my new lens. You can imagine it was hard moving from the Canon to the Sigma but worth it and I now have etra money to spend on new toys :) (Maybe a 500)

[Pete Owen]

That looks much sharper :D
Spot on!

[petrolhead]

That looks much sharper :D
Spot on!Thanks

[GSH]

Much better Peter, even the blue Scoob looks like a different shot :D

I've never really got to grips with batches in Photoshop, particularly if you're throwing sharpening actions into the mix which is why i used to sharpen them manually...C1 has done away with the need for that, thankfully. I only dip into Photoshop to re-size a few shots for here now.

[petrolhead]

Much better Peter, even the blue Scoob looks like a different shot :D

I've never really got to grips with batches in Photoshop, particularly if you're throwing sharpening actions into the mix which is why i used to sharpen them manually...C1 has done away with the need for that, thankfully. I only dip into Photoshop to re-size a few shots for here now.
You know somuit, your rights, opps there were two within a couple seconds of each other but I think the point is the shots were fine out the camera and it was the batch processing that buggered things up.

So onto the next upgrade.................the processing software. Over to you Geoff ;)

[KevB]

Excellent set Peter. Look nice and sharp this end. Good to bump into you and Geoff again.

[petrolhead]

Excellent set Peter. Look nice and sharp this end. Good to bump into you and Geoff again.
Cheers Kev