Grand Am @ Barber Motorsports Park

[TRhoads]

Been lurking around, admiring some of the great shooters here. Thought I might introduce myself, with a first post. Been shooting for about 3 years now, after a renewed interest in photography. Mostly motorsports, but some landscape too.

The Grand Am Racing Series rolled into one of the most beautiful road racing tracks in the country this past weekend. Our car club was there, and while I wanted to mainly spectate, I could not help but have the camera out. I thought I would post some of my favorites for critique.

#1: The Rolex DP and overall race winner, the #99 Gainsco Insurance car.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/Gainsco-99_1.JPG

#2:
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/Gainsco-99_2.jpg

#3: One of the DP cars I always pull for, the Brumos #58.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/Brumos-58_1.JPG

#4: The GT winner, the #57 Stephenson Pontiac in the kink on the back stretch.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/Stephenson-57_1.JPG

#5: Our boys in black, the #70 Speedsource car. This car is not very photogenic, it is too dark IMO. But it is the team we always pull for.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/SpeedSource-70_1.JPG

And a couple others.
#6: First lap damage, took the 86 out of the running.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/FarnbacherLoles-86_1.jpg

#7: The GS race winner, and Team in 2nd place for the season.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/37_1.JPG

#8: The Championship Leader, and 2nd place in the race car.
http://www.atrhoads.com/gallery/zenphoto/albums/motorsports-photography/Grand%20Am%20at%20Barber%20Motorsports%20Park-July%202009/Rehagen-59_1.JPG

Any crits are more than welcome, and very appreciated. TIA. Thanks for looking.

[anthonyi]

Very nice set. I especially like #1 and #3 .

[TRhoads]

Very nice set. I especially like #1 and #3 .
Thanks.

#3 was a tough shot, it was late in the day, and the sun was great for the front side of the car, but the long shadows made it a challenge. But I liked the result, glad you did too. Thanks for looking.

[smachin]

nice pics coming with a Xti!

what lens?

[TRhoads]

nice pics coming with a Xti!

what lens?
glad you like the shots.

I keep seeing that comment, hear and other forums, folks always talk down about anyone shooting with a Rebel, like tht is a big deal, or that they can't possibly get good shots or know what they are doing. But, really, I don't think that the gear "makes" the shot, I think that the person using the camera can get what they want, with just about anything. Better gear will net you bigger images, and the ability to print bigger, they might be a little faster on the AF side too, and you get to pay a lot more for them, but in reality, the gear does not make the shot better. I have seen in someones sig here, that greatness is found between your ears, not in your camera bag, a nice quote from John Thawley. I might be defensive, since I am an XTi owner, and love my camera. YMMV.

the lens was a Canon 28-300L f3.5.

[Ingsy]

Great shots. I think the last one is my favourite. The 400D is a great little camera - it's all I've got and I'd like to think some of my images are ok.

The only comment I've got is in #3 & #4 - it's a shame the side of the car is in the shade.

[TRhoads]

Great shots. I think the last one is my favourite. The 400D is a great little camera - it's all I've got and I'd like to think some of my images are ok.is that what the XTi is also referred to, is that a UK reference? I like them too, it is all I could afford when I bought it, and I am working my way to a better camera...it just takes time...and something called money.

The only comment I've got is in #3 & #4 - it's a shame the side of the car is in the shade.
Glad you liked them. #3 I kinda wanted the contrast of the side being in the shade, since the race ran late in the afternoon, I kinda liked that part, since parts of the track were not as well lit, and the drivers were pointed right into the sun in places. #4, I got another crit from John Thawley that was spot on, I wish I had been more head on for that one, it would have looked better, and showed what I think, that both left side tires were off the ground. I did shoot soem more head on, and am going to look back through them and see if there were any keepers.

[Ingsy]

The front right is definitely airborne! As for the other crit you got - it just goes to show that you as long as you like it, it's a good photo. Other people are sure to have differing opinions :)

I think the Xti is the 400D over here. I'm not too sure :confused:

How much track access did you have at this event?

[alexanderig]

i saw all these cars when they came to homestead speedway nice pics i like the pontiac in tripod mode around the corner lol

[TRhoads]

How much track access did you have at this event?
I was there as a spectator, our car club goes every year. Being a pro race, and me being a rank amateur, there is no chance at getting credentials. Although, I am working on that for next year through a connection with a team sponsor. I was outside the fences, and really spent more time watching than shooting like I usually do. Typical race day for this race in the past, I would come home with 800-900 images. This time, only about 200. Barber is a track, that IMO is better from outside the fence, because it loops back on itself so much, that the infield really does not provide as many good spots. I have shot there 8 or 9 times, and always find a new angle to shoot from.

[TRhoads]

i saw all these cars when they came to homestead speedway nice pics i like the pontiac in tripod mode around the corner lol
Thanks. Glad you liked them. The #07 Drinkin' Mate Pontiac, I am certain was on the outside two wheels, they pitched off the curbing so much harder than anyone else. It was wild to watch. I think the #57 did it to, but I don't know that I got a good shot to show it.

[yandyr]

nice shots and awesome cars! :)

[Jamie Holladay]

Nice set of shots. The angles bother me a bit, but that may just be a personal thing. BMP has such great elevation change that I find no need to angle/tilt the camera.

You are right about shooting as a spectator. There are a lot of good angles all the way around the track. The upside of shooting inside the track is getting the crowd and some of the art in the back ground. I actually did some shooting in the spectator areas. As a matter of fact I shot from where you shot these. It gives a totally different prespective to the cars.

I really like #6 but on my moniter it has a little yellow cast.

Nice work.

[TRhoads]

Nice set of shots. The angles bother me a bit, but that may just be a personal thing. BMP has such great elevation change that I find no need to angle/tilt the camera.Yeah, I got the same crit from another viewer, and in the ones tha I processed last night, I took the angle out, I sometimes overdo that...:oops:

You are right about shooting as a spectator. There are a lot of good angles all the way around the track. The upside of shooting inside the track is getting the crowd and some of the art in the back ground. I actually did some shooting in the spectator areas. As a matter of fact I shot from where you shot these. It gives a totally different prespective to the cars.
BMP is such a fun track to shoot, one of my favorites, the variety you can get in the course of a day is great.

I really like #6 but on my moniter it has a little yellow cast.

Nice work.
I noticed that to, on my monitor at work, it did nto show up that way on my calibrated monitor, but I do need to go back and take some of the yellow tint out.

Thanks for looking, glad you liked them, thanks for the comments and crits.

[RadAL]

nice pics, I live within 30 min of Brumos Porsche...

[TRhoads]

nice pics, I live within 30 min of Brumos Porsche...
thanks, glad you liked them.

I have a spot in my heart for the Brumos Team, not even sure why, just like the team, and the cars.