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10/23/2006 05:53:45 PM · #1 |
Where's JP been?
I've been out and about. This past weekend I was out photographing the Lake Superior Pro Rally.
How'd that come about?
Well, one of my friends gave me a jingle - he was chase car / pit for one of his friends (Bryan, #67); he asked if I wanted to tag along. I (instantly) accepted!!! (not-quite)-Official (and not-payed) photographer for #67!
What's LSPR?
Basically it's a two day car race. They go all out for two days through various stages (courses) of off-road racing across the Keweenaw Peninsula. Friday from about 4PM - Midnight (or later), then all Saturday. It's quite taxing. Quite.
What did you learn?
Don't take anything for granted. I started Friday afternoon as schlep with a camera and ended Friday night as schlep with a camera and a media pass. I was not expecting getting access to stages without spectator areas, as it turned out my media pass gave me access to anywhere I wanted to go. Tip: study each and every stage of a rally event, you never know if you can get to where you weren't expect (ie - where the good photo ops are).
How'd you get the media pass?
Fat man with a big camera. And knowing people / being in the right place at the right time helps a lot. I do wish I'd have even thought about restricted areas before I went, I'd have studied the stages and found the best spots for photos, as it stands I was going in blind to stages and just trying to find a good spot - not the best scenario.
What did you learn?
Even 5 feet can make a difference, getting out to where the action is can make the difference between a good shot and a great shot. It also makes the difference in life and death situations so be extra careful. Extra.
One of thee shooting spots I scouted on day two is where a car lost control, it would have made for great photos but it also would have made for a flat JP - lucky for me I wasn't there at the same time that car was. Here's a look from exactly where I wanted to stand before the stage started, had I not moved I would have wet myself. Seriously wet myself.
How'd Bryan and Jerry do?
Bryan and Jerry finished second in their division!!!!! Hot dog!
What tips do you have?
Assume you're going where others can't go and study all potential photo-op areas, you never know if something good happens and you're granted access. I so wanted photos of the cars catching air, I was less than 1/4 mile from the primo spot, a fact I didn't know until the stage was over and I was leaving. Poop.
Tip #2: have good fast glass. However you can get it, get it. Well ... don't hork it, get it legally.
1. Ask for media creds, it doesn't hurt.
2. Study all stages of the race, it helps knowing what's going on.
3. Have appropriate equipment.
4. Always be aware of where the really fast vehicles are, don't wander or become distracted.
5. If all else fails tell them JP sent you, it can't hurt.
Anyway,
Our hero just before the race:
Our hero during a pit stop in the middle of the night of day one.
Our hero 1/2 way through day two:
Our hero and his co-driver after two days of racing:
Comments on crops / shots / tips etc appreciated, we can all learn from each other. Feel free to post here.
A boat load of photos are in this gallery, feel free to peruse.
And yes, he just crashed and is trying to get cell service to let people know he's ok. He's the co-driver for the car that would have run me over had I been standing where I thought I wanted to stand:
Message edited by author 2006-10-23 21:59:28. |
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10/23/2006 06:02:46 PM · #2 |
Dang, you're trying to go all Skip Rowland on us, but without the cooler first name. :P
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10/23/2006 06:08:23 PM · #3 |
| I know there are pretty, scantily clad girls that hand out trophies at car races. Stop holding back the good stuff and post 'em! |
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10/23/2006 06:19:17 PM · #4 |
The pretty, scantily clad girls were wearing thermals - it *was* snowing :/
Speaking of Skip:
I was 8 frames into shooting on day one when I remembered to switch from RAW to JPG - as per Skipman's advice. There is no need to shoot RAW for 99% of these shots. Had I been trying anything fancy-dan I might have switched back to RAW, maybe next time.
Tip # whatever
IMO editing of something like this is more quick crop, maybe some levels and that's it ... and maybe a pass of smart sharpen if needs be. Being someone who's uber-anal about everything in the photo this was a hard thing for me to do, but if anyone wants a print / publish one I can work my analmagic later.
Tip # whatever +1
I would have loved two camera bodies, one with the 70-200 the other with the 17-55. |
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10/23/2006 06:21:20 PM · #5 |
| Very cool story AND images brotha'! |
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10/23/2006 06:45:00 PM · #6 |
Very cool post and pics, JP! Sounds like you not only had a good time, but you done good, too. And Skip may have the cooler first name, but JP ain't bad either. Plus, I don't think Skip is Polish. There's that.
Off to look at the pretty pitchers! (And glad you aren't a flatter JP, too.) |
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10/26/2006 03:52:56 PM · #7 |
| Great shots. It's nice to see local guys race with the big dogs and do well. Didn't get a chance to see any of the LSPR myslef, too many other commitments. Keep up the good work. |
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10/26/2006 04:00:08 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by muckdizzy:
Great shots. It's nice to see local guys race with the big dogs and do well. Didn't get a chance to see any of the LSPR myslef, too many other commitments. Keep up the good work. |
Holy stink - another yooper?!?!?!
And a Toivola challenge entry??!?!?!
:) |
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10/26/2006 07:33:49 PM · #9 |
Transplanted yooper actually, but I have been up here for 7 years now. Wouldn't want to live any where else but "God's Country".
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