NHRA Nostalgic Drag Racing - C&C Please

I am sharing a selection of images from the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend, Kentucky. The event put me in a funk and I'll explain why. I'd been granted "full media access" months in advance, but I arrived to find out that still wasn't "photo access", which was what I requested in the first place. I was really excited to have the chance, because last year I shot as a spectator, so finding out I wasn't allowed bummed me out and kind of pissed me off. This year was even more crowded than last, so it made finding clean shots a real struggle. I guess I'm down on this selection because I wasn't feeling it at the time and there were certain shots I really wanted that just weren't possible without the extra access. I also didn't shoot very much, so my panning keeper rate was slim (my fault). Anyway, the only one of the set that I'm pleased with is #2. C&C welcome. Am I just being too hard on myself?

1.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nJws​kf

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o1g1​7b

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nXBW​zj

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nZnh​78

I think you did well, man. I haven't really tried shooting drag racing before, but from what I have seen (and I have looked thru tons of drag photos), it is all to easy to have a set of the same shot over and over. You did well mixing up focal lengths and locations to tell the story. Keep up the good work.

BallerStatus wrote in post #16979338
....but from what I have seen (and I have looked thru tons of drag photos), it is all to easy to have a set of the same shot over and over. You did well mixing up focal lengths and locations to tell the story. Keep up the good work.

I agree 100%, and nice work. And that goes for any type of racing, or even speaking more generic than that.....any type of sport shooting. When I shoot sporting events, I look for the different shot. More or less, behind the scenes kind of stuff. Unless you have true full access for the event, you are going to get the same perspective as the rest of the general admission.

For big drag racing events, I always shoot outside of the box. I might grab some shots from high end the stands, but I'm still looking for that shot in which the media section can't grab. I honestly spend most of my time at NHRA races down near the starting line, or in the pits.

Not to spam your thread with my own pics, but here is a link to what I just posted from the NHRA race in Bristol TN from this past weekend. Gives you an idea of my perspective.....seems you have similar.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1383527

# 1...the Willys Americar...fabulous. The sensation of speed you have, the tire smoke, the business of the stands in the background and of course the Willys....wonderful shot.

#2 Is a great capture that could be from almost any era.

Thaanks

Like the black & white

https://farm4.staticfl​ickr.com …42775934_e158d5​25a7_c.jpg

Love the first shot

Thanks all for the comments. I guess I was just being too hard on myself because of being disappointed from my lack of credentials.

#2 is really nice.

Its not an easy door to open regarding media/press credentials for drag racing. They all look good to me except the panning shot . To practice panning what I do is find a cloverleaf or an on ramp to a highway and pan the vehicles as they go past you. Start at 1/200 of a sec until you are good at it, lower the shutter speed and see what you get. You will have some difficulties with a clear pan when you have 2 cars in the same frame. Start the panning at approx. 458 before they get to you and continue to 45* past you. When cropping a panned shot I crop very tight, only showing approx. 12" infront and behind the car. There is nothing wrong with the other pics, just practice at panning

Thank you for the comments, Ontario.

I have been credentialed for many events in the past which is why I was a bit confused when I was granted "full media" but later found out that didn't include photo.

Which panning shot is it that you have issues with? (1, 3 & 4 are all pans) 1 and 4 are at 1/50 and 3 is at 1/15. If you're referring to 3, I don't like to shoot all of my pans so tight because I think it gets too repetitive. I also like shooting very wide and showing the atmosphere as well.

Feel free to view my Flickr photostream for more of my pans.