What am i doing wrong.

[Dal]

I'm flicking through all the threads at motorsport events on this site and the pictures are bright colourful, full of life and have that WOW factor.

Now, I took this at the BTCC at brands this year and i've had to brighten the picture up, but can't really go anymore as its starting to be over-exposed on the roof.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/DemonEscortS/BTCC%20March%202008/-0095.jpg

What can I do to improve my photo's as the majority of them come out like this.

I'm using a Nikon D50 with a Sigma 70-300mm APO DG lense.

Is it purely the camera thats letting me down, or is it me thats the weak link (i'm guessing its me to be honest).

Please feel free to edit the photo to help me out. I won't be offended by any C&C.

[mrgubby]

Couple of points with this shot :-

car is heading away from shot (look better with a bit of front showing)
moving objects look better if they have space in the shot to move into
the side of the car is in shadow (losing detail / problems with highlights)
maybe use a shallower DOF or lower shutter / faster pan to blur the background
the light is very 'flat' , photo could do with a tweak

all with the usual caveat "In my Opinion" ;)


I had a quick play with the shot (if you've got the RAW version you could do MUCH better :D) :-

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brian.pitblado/example/0095.jpg

[turbotoes]

Any clues on how you did that would be nice, Mrgrubby :wave:

[Dal]

Couple of points with this shot :-

car is heading away from shot (look better with a bit of front showing)
moving objects look better if they have space in the shot to move into
the side of the car is in shadow (losing detail / problems with highlights)
maybe use a shallower DOF or lower shutter / faster pan to blur the background
the light is very 'flat' , photo could do with a tweak

all with the usual caveat "In my Opinion" ;)


I had a quick play with the shot (if you've got the RAW version you could do MUCH better :D) :-



Thanks for the help. Its more the lighting levels that’s bothering me, just grabbed this shot from my photobucket account out of the bunch of them.

What exactly did you do to the image and what program did you use as that’s a Massive improvement on the orignal in my eyes.

[Dogfish_magnet]

Have a look at this thread (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30650) it should help.


http://www.toddjones.co.uk/tpweb/car.jpg

[mrgubby]

Any clues on how you did that would be nice, Mrgrubby :wave:

Thanks for the help. Its more the lighting levels that’s bothering me, just grabbed this shot from my photobucket account out of the bunch of them.

What exactly did you do to the image and what program did you use as that’s a Massive improvement on the orignal in my eyes.

I use Photoshop Elements for tweaking (can't afford CS3 :'()

Adjusted the balance of the shot with the highlight/shadow tool then a little fiddle with the brightness/contrast.

Nothing dramatic, just brings up the detail & gives it a little punch