View Full Version : The 33rd Plum Pudding Yuletide Races, Mallory Park, Boxing Day 2006
So, we went. And yes it was cold!
I think there must have been other events going on at the Mallory Park complex, because we queued forever to get in.
The light was really quite bad. I was shooting at 1/200 f2.8 iso 200, and it was under-exposing by around a stop or so.
The cars/nikes that were racing including single seaters (a very poor turnout – only 4 cars started, of which only two finished – last year they had 20+ for the same race!), Caterham Sevens, bikes (a motely collection as usual!) and sidecars (these are the most fun – see pics below!)
Onto the pictures:
The Caterhams:
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_3916-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4229-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4264-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_3957-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_3933-01ab.jpg
The bikes:
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4101-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4086-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4061-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4098-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4082-01ab.jpg
The trikes/sidecars:
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4162-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4191-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4181-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4158-01ab.jpg
http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4153-01ab.jpg
Ive tried to brighten them up in PS, but they still look quite dull imo. The light was truly awful!
All shots are uncropped as usual. If a shot needs cropping to make it look right, then imo I didnt take it properly in the first place.
Anyway, hope you enjoy. Comments appreciated. :)
h.r.ford
27-12-2006, 09:44
May I ask what the heck a scooter was doing there?? Considering the aweful lighting conditions I think you did very well!
Given the poor light I think these ain't too bad Joe. Nice to see that you got a good variety of positions around the track, always makes a set look more interesting than 20 shots from the same corner IMO. Well done for not cropping, that's something I need to work on
nice technique
I think they have lost something while being resized for the web though
what lens did you use? poor light shouldn't be an issue if you were using the Sigma 120-300 f2.8!
RickMezza
27-12-2006, 11:10
Nice shots Joe, considering the conditions. Bike shots #1 and #4 are particularly good IMO :thumbs:
I've just re read this:
I was shooting at 1/200 f2.8 iso 200, and it was under-exposing by around a stop or so
Why not try ISO400 then? Or is there some strange explanation for you not wanting to use this?
Thanks for the comments all. Im not particularly pleased with them to be honest.
Dave, I didnt go to iso400 because i find a perceptible amount of noise starts to creep in, and I dont really want to add a third piece of software to my workflow to try to remove it. I'd rather use exposure compensation in RSE instead (which I know can add a little noise, but its not bad at all).
Grendel, nice of you to notice that I moved around. In fact I didnt really. I used two different positions that were less than 100 yards apart! :p
Edit: just remembered that I did move up to the hairpin at then end oops!
Noise at ISO400, are Ninkos really that bad?
Personally I'd have taken the noise Joe, even at 400 it shouldn't really be that bad. I used to never go above 400 but nowadays I'll happily go to 800 if needs be to make sure I'm getting a decent exposure.
Hey, I'd be well made up to have results as good as that in any case, so to get those in poor light is pretty dam good in my book! :notworthy:
I like the way you post the camera settings on your website... very useful for aspirers like me. Cheers! :thumbs:
photostar_1
28-12-2006, 12:06
Well done in such poor light.........I particularly like the bikes.
Thanks folks, your comments are much appreciated.
Im starting to like the shot of the Caterham (no. 3). When I'm back home later today or tomorrow I might well have a go at sprucing it up to make it look more interesting.
Thanks again. :)
Wish mine came out that good ......... oh well give it time ..............
Wish mine came out that good ......... oh well give it time ..............
Bit of practice and the correct technique should sort you out mate. Thanks for the comment :)
Buttkicker
04-01-2007, 19:24
my 2p
looks like the lighting has spoiled the party somewhat here Joe... I have seen a lot of your shots in the last year or 2 and you have got better and better with your motor sport shots
however I must be honest and say these are not the best you have posted, I personally would of liked to see them cropped tighter
and as I said the lighting has not helped at all
but you did nail this one to the mast http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4098
picture no 9
tack sharp using a slower shutter speed, for me this is the best of what you posted here
Chris
Hey Joe - Nice shots, what is the white blur in some of the shots, usually in the background ?
Hey Joe - Nice shots, what is the white blur in some of the shots, usually in the background ?
Its a lake! :D
my 2p
looks like the lighting has spoiled the party somewhat here Joe... I have seen a lot of your shots in the last year or 2 and you have got better and better with your motor sport shots
however I must be honest and say these are not the best you have posted, I personally would of liked to see them cropped tighter
and as I said the lighting has not helped at all
but you did nail this one to the mast http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album06/plumpudding/slides/DSC_4098
picture no 9
tack sharp using a slower shutter speed, for me this is the best of what you posted here
Chris
Chris, thanks for your comments.
Yes they arent the best I have taken, I certainly agree with you there. I think I should PP these a bit further when I have a moment. Maybe try to bring out the colours.
The one you like actually has the same or faster shutter speed as the others. However, I agree it certainly one of the best.
P.s Chris do you think you could make you sig a little shorter (i.e. put it all on one or two lines?)? Its a pain when it takes up over half a page when viewed on a 1024x768 screen. Thanks
Is it mist then ? Most eveident in shot 2 ?
Is it mist then ? Most eveident in shot 2 ?
Its the sunlight reflecting off the lake.
OK - Fair do's. Not has the chnce to snap much motorsport - quite challenging I should imagine ? Looking forward to having a go at some point.
OK - Fair do's. Not has the chnce to snap much motorsport - quite challenging I should imagine ? Looking forward to having a go at some point.
Its certainly worth a go. It can be challenging to start with, but once you've learnt a few basic techniques then it is more straight forward. One of the key techniques is panning. This takes some practice, but allows you to achieve the photos where the background is blurred but the car/bike is sharp.
Its a shame that you are so far away, otherwise I would be willing to show you some of the basics sometime like I did with Grendel.
Sounds great Joe, I was going to try and get out and snap the Welsh rally, but weather was awful. I think whitewash went and got soaked... That being said it sounds like a good possibility for a mini-meet at soem point. Might make a change from landscape ? Otherwise I'll take up your offer. Where do you go in Northampton ?
Silverstone isnt far away from here. It isnt the best circuit for photography due to the fences along much of the track. Mallory Park (nr Leicester) is much better.
This thread might be useful: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15078
the event I went to above is really a one-off. There is very little motorsport this time of year (except for the rallies - something I need to try sometime). The season doesnt really kick off till March/April time, so perhaps we can arrange something then.
You're on. Used to be a big F1 fan. I can do Leicester in March/April for definte.
Cool. We will sort something out nearer the time. :)
Liberalis
05-01-2007, 19:32
Cool shots Joe, is it my monitor or could these all do with a tiny bit more contrast ?
Cool shots Joe, is it my monitor or could these all do with a tiny bit more contrast ?
Quite possibly! The light made all the shots look really dull, and I dont think Ive done sufficient PP to sort them out properly.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.