Professional to take pics!

[sl!ck]

In the Dallas/Ft.Worth it is hard to find a photogragher!




(http://www.dfarmerphotography.com/)




(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h239/aint2slick/IMG_2328.jpg)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h239/aint2slick/IMG_2443copy.jpg)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h239/aint2slick/IMG_2371.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h239/aint2slick/IMG_2437.jpg)

[pyro]

:rolleyes: Wow, those are great.
(Image link restored. :reddevil: That "creative blur" is such a cool effect, everyone should be able to see it.)
http://i37.tinypic.com/2rh7nup.jpg

[dorton]

I thought the same, but didn't comment

[Casey]

I thought the same, but didn't comment

i think you just did ;)

[Liberator*21]

I feel your pain, I take great photo's of everybody else in their boats, but I don't have any of my boat that are as good as I take of others............seems a little unfair doesn't it...:(:(

[Scream And Fly]

I'm going to be brutally honest here. She is not a professional sports photographer. I looked at her website and she's billing herself as a professional, but I think the core of her work is portraits, not sports. I don't want to come off the wrong way, and I try to help people shoot good photos any way I can, but I'm also critical of people that are charging money for work that is not very good.

A professional photo should be well composed, sharply focused, with creative and constructive use of light. Photo processing should be respective of the subject without being excessive. For a professional sports/action photo shoot, those guidelines are essential and are generally not open to interpretation.

You have a really cool boat. :)

http://i38.tinypic.com/5angyh.jpg

[Liberator*21]

Now we're talk'n PROFESSIONAL Photo's, no question there for sure...........Great Photos !!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Scream And Fly]

Now we're talk'n PROFESSIONAL Photo's, no question there for sure...........Great Photos !!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanks :) I'm not trying to put anyone else's work down here, but I am trying to illustrate what people should expect from a professional photographer before they pay for work.

I guess as a photographer myself, I've become critical of people that provide shoddy work, just as someone here would be very critical of a bad mechanic. I just feel of someone is paying a professional for a service, they should get professional results.

Greg

[pyro]

It de-values the work of true professionals when people give credit to poor work.
There's a lot of wannabees out there who will shoot for free if you help promote their work. ;)

Greg , your work always impresses me. :)

[sl!ck]

I'm going to be brutally honest here. She is not a professional sports photographer. I looked at her website and she's billing herself as a professional, but I think the core of her work is portraits, not sports. I don't want to come off the wrong way, and I try to help people shoot good photos any way I can, but I'm also critical of people that are charging money for work that is not very good.

A professional photo should be well composed, sharply focused, with creative and constructive use of light. Photo processing should be respective of the subject without being excessive. For a professional sports/action photo shoot, those guidelines are essential and are generally not open to interpretation.

You have a really cool boat. :)

http://i38.tinypic.com/5angyh.jpg


So your saying that for a guy in Texas that want's high resolution pictures of his boat should call you for pictures ? :icon_bs:The pictures you guys have are very good but when your land locked finding a Photographer to venture out to the lake and take pictures of your boat is not an easy task. If you live on the coast where the boating industry is very large it is much easier.
I think the pictures I got are great and when you consider the passes by the photographer each was about 8-9 seconds I got a lot of very good pictures . My boat is not a flashy yellow or red but thats not what matters to me . It's my boat which makes the pictures special and they look Kick-*ss on my 24" monitor desktop. You can take pictures of anybody else and they are just pictures but to the person in them they are special.

I also am amazed that there are no rates for getting pictures done by you two professionals . Sure if I send you my picture you will print it but Walmart does that . I wonder if other than taking pictures at an event or for this forum if you have even been paid to take pictures . Sure Pyro has some wedding pics with shadows but surely someone didn't pay for those.

Bottom line I like what I got and thought it would be of interest to others with a budget. And if you guy's are going to be in Dallas and are setting appointments to do a session maybe you would like give us your rates . P.S. we can't all afford to have a helicopter to shoot from.:nonod:

[baja200merk]

I didnt see a sales pitch from Greg any where. What hes saying is just get a digital elf and have some one stand on the dock, youll get the same quality as hers if not better :thumbsup:

im sure you know a kid or friend with that has never used a digital camera to prove my point ;)

you wouldnt like it if greg took pics of your boat, you would be able to see every scratch :thumbsup:

Kevin

[dorton]

I think the pictures I got are great

Thats all that matters :cheers:




I also am amazed that there are no rates for getting pictures done by you two professionals .

I don't think i've ever read them call themselves pros. Lots of people on this board all over the country enjoy taking pics, but don't call themselves pros even if they take good pics :thumbsup:

[pyro]

Very true. I contribute to the site mostly for the enjoyment of it. I can't help myself, I have a compulsive obsession with performance powerboats and photography, and an eye for detail. :p If it's a paying job, that's even better. :thumbsup:

Greg's work is phenomenal, and he IS a pro. He has helped me a lot along the way.
His photos have been a great inspiration to me, and have helped me to set my goals higher.

The handful of wedding pics on my Flickr page were done a couple of years ago for one of my wife's friends.
The bride's Mom gave me $100 to thank me for shooting (I don't really do weddings)

You're right, it's probably hard to find people with the right type of experience in your area. It would be very costly to pay for someone's travel expenses to come out and shoot. I'd consider a road trip like that if there was a group of boaters interested in getting framed, it's right up my alley. :D

-Chad

[Scream And Fly]

So your saying that for a guy in Texas that want's high resolution pictures of his boat should call you for pictures ? :icon_bs:The pictures you guys have are very good but when your land locked finding a Photographer to venture out to the lake and take pictures of your boat is not an easy task. If you live on the coast where the boating industry is very large it is much easier.
I think the pictures I got are great and when you consider the passes by the photographer each was about 8-9 seconds I got a lot of very good pictures . My boat is not a flashy yellow or red but thats not what matters to me . It's my boat which makes the pictures special and they look Kick-*ss on my 24" monitor desktop. You can take pictures of anybody else and they are just pictures but to the person in them they are special.

I also am amazed that there are no rates for getting pictures done by you two professionals . Sure if I send you my picture you will print it but Walmart does that . I wonder if other than taking pictures at an event or for this forum if you have even been paid to take pictures . Sure Pyro has some wedding pics with shadows but surely someone didn't pay for those.

Bottom line I like what I got and thought it would be of interest to others with a budget. And if you guy's are going to be in Dallas and are setting appointments to do a session maybe you would like give us your rates . P.S. we can't all afford to have a helicopter to shoot from.:nonod:

Wow.

I wasn't selling you my work for a simple reason - I do not solicit photo work. It's that simple; I am much too busy. I shoot for this site, our advertising clients, at events and for feature articles. If we happen to get a photo of a member here and they would like a photo print, we'll do that - but that's it.

As for this:


I wonder if other than taking pictures at an event or for this forum if you have even been paid to take pictures

I'm not even sure why you're asking this, but that would be a long list. I've shot for the Mercury Racing calendars, Mercury catalogs, Poker Runs America Magazine, National Geographic, offshore races and many other events and magazines. Mercury Racing used my photos for product introductions at boat shows as well. The list is very long. I'm betting you've looked at many of my photos without even knowing it. You asked, there's your answer. :)

I was offering some friendly advice - I'm sorry you misunderstood. Not all photographers produce equal work, just like not all mechianics produce equal quality work. The more you know about what you want, the better off you'll be when you need the service. I was merely offering up some tips, should you choose to do this again. It could only help you.

As long as you're happy with what you got, that's great. But I happen to share a differing opinion on her product in general, not your boat.

Good grief, lighten up.

Scan from calendar:
http://i14.tinypic.com/855qat0.jpg

Scan from catalog:
http://i14.tinypic.com/4ze2hqt.jpg

[oldskier]

I would wager if you go to your local motocross track on any given Sunday and find a guy with a professional looking camera, tap him on the shoulder and you could get some real nice pics of your boat done. They won't be as good as Gregs but they would be pretty good.

Greg, just curious, how many shots did you take to get that one of the Checkmate above? Surely even a pro can't get results that good every shot? My son wore his D50 shutter out at the motocross track trying to get a few nice shots like that...he's an amateur trying to get better.

[Scream And Fly]

Greg, just curious, how many shots did you take to get that one of the Checkmate above? Surely even a pro can't get results that good every shot? My son wore his D50 shutter out at the motocross track trying to get a few nice shots like that...he's an amateur trying to get better.

I almost always get the shot on the first run. As you know, when you're in a high-pressure assignment, there's no such thing as "I didn't get the shot", or "I missed that one." Our shooting window for the right light was about one hour - and I had to shoot multiple angles of the two boats in a variety of compositions, so there was no room for error. I always set up for the shot, and get it. I never "spray and pray", so to say. Usually, my 'keeper rate' is over 99%.

That Checkmate photo was one in a series I shot for Mercury Racing. I think I posted other photos from that series here at some point.

Your son will get better if he keeps at it. If there's anything I could ever help with, just call me or email me anytime. I'll be glad to help in any way possible - 321-684-4092.

I shoot BMX on occasion, just to help out the local track here, which is all volunteers.

http://weblog.screamandfly.com/gallery/albums/userpics/justin_1.jpg

[Frank Molé]

NICE SHOT :iagree: :thumbsup: :cheers:

[pyro]

Some favorite "hobby" photos I've shot for fun...
http://i37.tinypic.com/jfdjye.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/scc9le.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2ebrdxj.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2ih4fh5.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2ibkarq.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/svo39d.jpg
Side-by-side at 85+ mph...
http://i33.tinypic.com/e7fr4p.jpg

[oldskier]

http://i35.tinypic.com/2ih4fh5.jpg




Pyro, The picture is great, but the driver looks a little "overexposed":eek: If he stuffs it, it looks like he'll leave them cojones on the steering wheel....

[Jimboat]

NICE shots, Pyro!

[Liberator*21]

Greg,

How do you get such fluid like resolution..........? I mean the sharpness of those photos are purely amazing, I think there was water dripping out of my monitor from those shots.

I'm a "Wannabe Pro" with a Nikon D200 and various Nikon/Sigma lenses from wide to 500MM, but have never been able to capture such crisp & clear detail i my photos like yours. Would you mind sharing some tips with someone who is and will be learning for quite awhile..............:thumbsup:

Thanks,

[oldskier]

Greg, Thanks, he gets a few good ones, this is my favorite. He took it on US 421 near Shady Valley Tn. It's called the "Motorcycle Playground". Some guys really hang it all out up there.


http://www.mxracepix.com/mxracepixsite/Galleries/FAVORITES/images/8.jpg

He is pretty good sometimes, but those pics of yours show the difference that a true pro can make. They're just unreal.

[Jimboat]

Sports photography is really a special skill in itself. Greg is definately a PRO!

[gfinch]

A plug for another shutter bug. Or what Dave Bush does so he can race.

http://www.motorcyclephotography.net/

[Riverman]

A plug for another shutter bug. Or what Dave Bush does so he can race.

http://www.motorcyclephotography.net/Wow! What amazing photos.

[Scream And Fly]

Greg,

How do you get such fluid like resolution..........? I mean the sharpness of those photos are purely amazing, I think there was water dripping out of my monitor from those shots.

I'm a "Wannabe Pro" with a Nikon D200 and various Nikon/Sigma lenses from wide to 500MM, but have never been able to capture such crisp & clear detail i my photos like yours. Would you mind sharing some tips with someone who is and will be learning for quite awhile..............:thumbsup:

Thanks,

That could be a long and complex discussion but I would be glad to help. The quick and condensed version:


If you're shooting sports, you need to choose your shooting locations very carefully. Study track or race line layouts, what the racers/operators will be doing at what locations, and where your light will be - many times, sports photographers cannot take much outboard lighting (or the subjects are out of reach for it) so you're depending on available light many times.
Watch your focus points closely - not the entire subject being photographed. Think if it like aiming a rifle - you'll want to focus on specific areas and at specific times, as well as predict where and when you'll be pressing the shutter for the desired result.
Get your white balance and exposure right the first time - that will go a long way toward great results. Don't assume you'll always correct exposure, white and color balances in post - that's a bad habit to get into. Sim the key is to get it right in the camera so you have a good file to work with.
Practice, practice, practice. Study your results carefully and focus on problem areas. Work each problem specifically rather than just assuming it was a 'bad shot'. There are specific reasons for failed shots, and they can be corrected. All of them. Just keep at it.

Remember you can call or email me anytime and I would be glad to help.



Greg, Thanks, he gets a few good ones, this is my favorite. He took it on US 421 near Shady Valley Tn. It's called the "Motorcycle Playground". Some guys really hang it all out up there.


http://www.mxracepix.com/mxracepixsite/Galleries/FAVORITES/images/8.jpg

He is pretty good sometimes, but those pics of yours show the difference that a true pro can make. They're just unreal.

That's a great photo! The composition is fantastic too, great work! I appreciate the compliments - it looks like your son is well on his way for sure. Fantastic work there.


Sports photography is really a special skill in itself. Greg is definately a PRO!

Thanks Jim! I also need to call you, I know it's long overdue.


A plug for another shutter bug. Or what Dave Bush does so he can race.

http://www.motorcyclephotography.net/

That is some seriously impressive work! Really cool! Check out the "behind the scenes" area of the site. Very cool.

[Liberator*21]

Greg,

I'm sure I'll be giving you a call sooner or later, but at this stage your absolutely correct, I need much more practice to hone all my skills and become a better photographer. I'm heading to Jasper for the 2009 World Finals with camera in hand..............great place to practice, practice and practice some more.

Thanks,
Gary

[gfinch]

Greg, if you come to Gulf port or Jasper we will be there. He's been practicing probably forty years.

[Scream And Fly]

Greg, if you come to Gulf port or Jasper we will be there. He's been practicing probably forty years.

I may be at Jasper - I'll know very soon. 40 years? Wow - it shows in his work for sure. He's been shooting for much longer than I've been alive.:eek: Very impressive work for sure!

[Casey]

I may be at Jasper - I'll know very soon. 40 years? Wow - it shows in his work for sure. He's been shooting for much longer than I've been alive.:eek: Very impressive work for sure!

yep Dave's a bad ass for sure, pretty much in what ever he does.

[pyro]

How do you get such fluid like resolution..........? Thanks,

It helps if you make them really BIG... :D
(Still nowhere near as crisp as the ones Greg shoots)

http://i37.tinypic.com/dol4jd.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/8zirz4.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/jp7gia.jpg

[1BadAction]

You guys are brutal, but sometimes thats how being honest is. If you're going to pay for pics, they should be good.
Hell, Greg is nice enough to give alot of us pics for FREE, just because we showed up at an event. Someone can spend
thousands on a camera, and if they don't have the knowledge to use it, its just wasted.


just get a digital elf and have some one stand on the dock, youll get the same quality as hers
Don't be hatin on my point-n-shoots damnit. :p


http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2771/lizardtyy.jpg

[gfinch]

When he was a kid 10 or so, racing in motocross he would take his dads camera and between heats and take pic's.

One of my favorite pic's is of the people in the snow.

[great adventure]

http://www13.0zz0.com/2009/11/08/04/819005977.jpg

[Team Brown Stripe]

I'm going to be brutally honest here. She is not a professional sports photographer. I looked at her website and she's billing herself as a professional, but I think the core of her work is portraits, not sports. I don't want to come off the wrong way, and I try to help people shoot good photos any way I can, but I'm also critical of people that are charging money for work that is not very good.

A professional photo should be well composed, sharply focused, with creative and constructive use of light. Photo processing should be respective of the subject without being excessive. For a professional sports/action photo shoot, those guidelines are essential and are generally not open to interpretation.

You have a really cool boat. :)

http://i38.tinypic.com/5angyh.jpg

Is it me or does the guy in the picture have his life jacket on inside out??? :eek:

[pyro]

Indeed. The straps appear to be on the inside, and the USCG certification on the back.

Randy's jacket probably has a company logo on the back he's hiding from the camera.

[Riverratt]

Indeed. The straps appear to be on the inside, and the USCG certification on the back.

Randy's jacket probably has a company logo on the back he's hiding from the camera.

If I remember correctly the jacket was yellow and it was too much yellow and looked better black so he put it on inside out. There was pictures of it both ways.