Does this work?

[JamesJWeg]

I was trying to show the drivers angle at race start while still showing what was starting. I am having a hard time getting my track shots up to a photographically interesting level. (BTW, heavy PS used here)

http://jamesjweg.smugmug.com/photos/31604127-M.jpg

James.

[XO-Studios]

I was trying to show the drivers angle at race start while still showing what was starting. I am having a hard time getting my track shots up to a photographically interesting level. (BTW, heavy PS used here)

James.
After looking at this for a bit, I am wondering what this shot would look like, super wide, and closer to the racer. In essence a little more over the shoulder so I could see both the 'cockpit' (I know no cockpit in this specific cart) and the flagger, and maybe with a super wide, the orientation can go to landscape.

XO,
(who actually has a superwide as his next 'to purchase')

[DavidTO]

I think the shot suffers from being so center weighted, everything on the center vertical axis.

I'd like to see the driver lower left and the flag upper right. Seems like there would be more tension in the frame. Or some variation on that. As it stands, I don't really get a feeling that the driver's about to take off, more that his way is blocked by this guy standing in front of him with a flag.

What did you need to do to the shot in PS?

[JamesJWeg]

picsI
What did you need to do to the shot in PS?
I will try this wide and reframed next race weekend, some really good ideas from just two posts, I just couldn't figure out what was missing.

This is the original
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/31463570-M.jpg

James.

[wxwax]

I agree with David. The driver's blocking the flag man, it's all cluttered in the middle. Having the driver on a lower corner and the flagman on the opposite upper corner would balance the shot and naturally lead the eye acrss the frame, as well as tell your story.

Now.... about the harsh lighting. :evil Maybe a polarizer?

[Higgmeister]

Hi James,
I like your concept here. The lighting is harsh, but that may not be under your control. I'm seeing too much in focus here; the background is distracting and not adding anything to the shot. A more selective focus on the flag man while having the driver somewhat OOF and the background very OOF. Currently, it looks like he is about to go into the grass. Maybe a shot with the cart pointing down the track. Maybe instead of a wide angle, a telephoto shot from a distance back to compress some of the depth while maintaining selective focus. The longer lens may also help you to keep the shot down on the track without having to aim so high to get the flagman in the full frame. Some action from the flags might be nice also; time the shot as the flags are coming down (added difficulty for composition). Does the flagman ever look at the drivers just before or during the flagging? I do like the lighting through the flags, helps make them stand out and looks cool. I also like your position behind the cart.

What I'm suggesting is more of a staged shot which may not be possible.

Again, a good concept well worth pursuing,
Chris

[gubbs]

:agree Whichever way you choose to go, wide or telephoto you need more detail or more of the cart to make it more recognisable, to me it wasn't immediatley obvious what's going on.

Have a look at mercphoto's cart pictures (http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/Karts) for some ideas, he has some excellent shot's

[big john]

Hi There, I am new here but I think it's even more basic than the compositional elements. To put us, the viewers into this shot, the driver should be in focus and not the flagman. That would be more of a natural look in my opinion.

[JamesJWeg]

Thanks for the input, I will try this shot again with your good points in mind at the next kart race. This truly is a VERY helpful forum.

James.

[gubbs]

Thanks for the input, I will try this shot again with your good points in mind at the next kart race. This truly is a VERY helpful forum.

James.
Don't forget to post them :D