Took some images...

[GregWeld]

Like most things --- most of the time it's really not the equipment but the hands and mind controlling it.

Some very good shots are taken with some pretty inexpensive stuff...

Don't get me wrong -- equipment is what we all live for. Just sayin' that just as Scott just showed us - you don't need a studio to take studio shots. A cardboard box - a cheap lightbulb and some fiddly fooling' is all that is required.

I did take about a 1000 shots at a Formula One race -- with borrowed lens from my semi pro buddy... that I would never be able to get without the lens. And I know a couple of those were in the 1000's of dineros but the best stuff I got was because he guided me in the set up.

[DFRESH]

Scott, when I have more time, I'd love to learn more about photography. Did you pick this up as you went, or have you made some concentrated efforts (ie taking a course, read a book)? It's amazing how great those pics of your car are--I also remember some of a trip you took (hiking I beleive) and those pics were also very well done. Would like to think I will one day have the time to have another hobby.

Doug

[Shmoov69]

WoW!! awesome pics Scott..AWESOME!!

[Vegas69]

He's posting his handy work on Facebook as well. And I'm not talking about cars only. Photography is one hobby I enjoy.

[Spiffav8]

More amazing work. My favorite is still the skateboard action shot.

Thanks for sharing.

[Scorpner]

Cool stuff Scott. Makes me want to get back into photography again.

[XcYZ]

Thanks again, everyone! I really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Scott, when I have more time, I'd love to learn more about photography. Did you pick this up as you went, or have you made some concentrated efforts (ie taking a course, read a book)? It's amazing how great those pics of your car are--I also remember some of a trip you took (hiking I beleive) and those pics were also very well done. Would like to think I will one day have the time to have another hobby.

Doug

Doug, I haven't ever taken any photography classes. I've learned a lot just by shooting a ton and for a very long time. I've always loved photography and I've always been the guy that was carrying a camera with me all the time, even back in the film days. What's helped me personally is, say, when I shoot 600 images at SEMA, but I only pick out 60 to share online or with friends - I really look at why I picked out those specific images vs. the rest of the lot. I try to analyze what makes those specific selections better than all the others, then the next time I shoot, I try to do more of what those were and less of what I rejected. I do that every single time I shoot. I think another thing that has helped me develop is by using consumer bodies and lenses. They have shortcomings, and by having to work with, around, and fully understanding the character flaws and sweet spots that we have to work with, we become better using them. It's the same as any other tool, really.

Ah, you're talking about the how I spent my summer vaction thread. It was a great day with the family and really explains why I love having a camera with me.

[chr2002ca]

Holy sheep sh_t. Those are rediculous photos Scott. You're ready for prime time with that camera and car of yours.

[Chad-1stGen]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Actually, it's the opposite. You don't need much of an investment to produce this shot. I used a tripod, but a 5 gallon bucket upside down would be the perfect height. I used a $13 wireless remote, but you can just get a friend to hit the shutter release for you instead. I used a 3rd party wide angle lens for the shot, but only because I couldn't get far enough back inside my 2 car garage - with enough distance between you and the subject, you could use the kit lens. My light source was a 40 watt light bulb with an extension cord dragging behind me. Stick the light bulb in a long, narrow box and open a the long side that's facing the car, and cover the opening with a white sheet to diffuse the light. Set the camera to Manual, stop the lens down to f/14 (don't forget to pre-focus then turn off AF so it doesn't hunt when all the lights are off in the garage), use a 20" shutter speed, then dial in the exposure with the ISO. I started at ISO100 and ended up at ISO200. That will all very on how fast you walk, how difused the light is, how close the light source is to the car, etc. You can't have ANY light leaks in your box, and you can't have ANY light coming into your garage.

So you don't need a whole lot to reproduce this shot. The most important part is having a camera that you can use in Manual so you can control the ISO and aperture.

thanks for taking the time to explain some of that. Any idea if a Canon T3i can do those kinds of settings? I assume photoshop or similar is a must to touch up the shots afterwards right? Those aren't they way they came out of the camera are they? Finally, I'm having trouble picturing the set up. Are you walking with the light in front of the camera? Sorry for noob questions but I love your photography and wouldn't mind learning a bit how it all works since my wife recently got a T3i which I understand is a pretty good camera (lenses are a whole nother ballgame though).

[Sieg]

Chad - Here's a good site to review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/19

Your T3i is no slouch, it put's you in the "more the Indian than the arrow" situation IMO.