Recently I have been playing with the process of creating images using HDR (High Dynamic Range). This is where you take several shots at different exposure settings and combine them into a single image. Below is one of the skull mobile from Burning Man.
The Skull Car from Burning Man.
Last weekend I was lucky enough to get a media pass for the Coronado Speed Festival here in San Diego. For those that don’t know about this event, it’s held every September at Naval Station North Island on Coronado. Vintage race cars from the past 50 years race around a course layed out with cones on a portion of the airport. There are nine classes of cars ranging from the Historic Trans-Am series to the older NASCAR stock cars. I was surprised at how hard these guys were driving the cars! I guess when you get behind the wheel of one of these machines, the competitive juices really start flowing. I am a big fan of the American cars like the old mustangs and camaros as well as the stock cars. I saw a vintage Richard Petty car there and all the great memories of watching him dominate the sport as a youth came back to me. Another great event here in Southern California. Thanks to the Navy and Historic Motor Sports Association for making it all happen.
Jimmie Johnson's Lowes #48 Car
Wow, what a rush! Burning Man was just awesome. It was a long journey from San Diego but well worth it. I never saw so many topless women and bottomless men outside of the internet. People really express themselves and leave their inhibitions at home. Lots of great art projects, some terrible drinking parties (I mean this in a good way), and crazy dancing until the early morning. The dust was pretty bad, especially when the wind was blowing hard. Hope I can do it again some day.
Tomorrow I’m off to Burning Man 2009. For those not familiar with this event it is a massive arts & culture festival in Black Rock Nevada. It lasts a week and will be one non-stop party in the desert! It should also represent a great photographic opportunity. Hopefully I can survive the extreme heat.
Went with my brother to shoot the Indy Car/American Le Mans series at Mid-Ohio race track. I will say watching the cars from this close is super thrilling! Also, The noise from the engines rattles the eardrums! It was challenging photographing the cars as they zipped around the course. I would call my brother Gary an expert at this and he was kind of my coach for the day. I did get some great shots though and learned a great deal about shooting motor sports. What a ride!
Today I went to the San Diego County Fair for a little food tasting tour. Well if it can be deep fried they had it! Deep fried zucchini, deep fried snickers bars, deep fried twinkies, deep fried avocados, and deep fried smores were just some of what was on the menu. Also, they had hamburgers and hot dogs in the super duper size. Easily enough to feed 2 or 3 people. My ass got wider just looking at the stuff! My recommendation, if your going to eat it leave your car in the parking lot and walk home.
Thursday June 25th was the Beer & Sake Festival/Sushi Masters competition here in San Diego. I had the pleasure of doing the photography at this event and of course sampling some of the product. The Sushi Masters were just that and they created some amazing looking and tasting stuff. They had 45 minutes to craft two plate sushi entres. One made a “Dragon Roll” in the shape of a dragon while another had the Transamerica Building from San Francisco jutting up from the center of the plate. Truly amazing. The beer and sake was flowing freely and everyone seemed to have an awesome time. Hosted by the Japan Society of San Diego & Tijuana, this is a must see San Diego event.
This is my new blog. Better, Faster, Stronger and for a lot less than six million dollars! Enjoy and comments welcome.
