Woodward Dream Cruise

[shadowfox]

Somewhat a combination of Todd's advice and the impression I got from looking at your pictures (flickr):

I'd put a wide angle lens on the digital, nothing like a wide angle (24mm or wider) to get those dramatic angles, in color, which could be converted to B&W when it's better that way.

I'd also bring the Bessa with 35mm or 50mm and a handful of B&W rolls to take pictures of people/people with car/people and car.

I am going to a similar event in September, so this question is both relevant and give me a chance to pre-plan 🙂

 

[bmattock]

Thanks guys. Interesting advice, and I'll consider your suggestions.

As to film - I do not have any Kodachrome and won't have any by Saturday, so that's out.

I do not have a lens wider than 28mm on my dSLR. Sorry, just don't have one. Won't have one by Saturday, either.

My sole 'wide lens' is a nice one - the "Plastic Fantastic" Kalimar (sold under a variety of names) 19-35mm f/3.5 manual focus zoom in Pentax K/A mount. So if I take that (and I think it's a strong possibility now, thanks), it will be on a Pentax SLR. I will load it with film, but not color film - B&W. I just don't shoot color film or slide anymore, there's no point to it.

I don't have a lens wider than 35mm on my Bessa R. I can really see why a very wide lens would be cool in this situation, but I've never been a wide-angle kinda guy, so I just don't have much in that line.

There is zero chance I will be buying new cameras, lenses, or film before Saturday, sorry. I have to go with what I have immediate access to.

 

[MCTuomey]

being local, my thoughts:

the dream cruise is no concours. cars aren't displayed to best advantage. people sit in front of lawn chairs fully in front of gorgeous metal work. backgrounds vary from coneys to liquor stores to furniture store and so on ... not always so nice. it's the sublime and the absurd all jumbled up.

so i'd run with a two lens set-up. one, =< 35mm to try for some interesting enviro wides. two, => 75mm to try for some details. the outrageous tattoo. the winsome child's face. a hood ornament a la Todd Hanz (dof play). you can use the longer FL for some panned car shots on the avenue too.

i'd shoot b&w, sure. the dream cruise can be grit cool, or just plain grit, but it lends itself to b&w, i think.

 

[bmattock]

[FONT=&quot]Think perspective and technique. Opening a lens up to isolate is a fine idea but also think of using a wide angle lens, =>28mm and get in tight to get some picks of the people that own these rides. If at all possible, as they periodically slow down to a crawl or even stop I would walk up to the car and say hello and smile (engage the riders) as I took some close-up shots, most with not looking through the viewfinder, eye contact with the riders, hold the camera down around your chest, look for facial expressions and interesting compositional arrangements. Not a long lens zoomed in but a wide angle a couple feet away. This will eliminate background clutter and get you inside with a more intimate feel.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]This scene has great potential but the perspective sucks.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.flickr.com/photos/wigwam/1167130912/in/set-72157601539466505/[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I would have used a wide angle lens, up close, a couple/few feet away. I’d converse with the man and take pics while doing so, the majority of which I would not use the viewfinder as this signals you’re taking a picture, I would hold the camera higher then eye level pointing in a slightly downward angle to eliminate a distracting background. The frame would include the owner and the entire background would be his car. I might attempt a few low angle shots as well. Stand further back, squat down, hold the camera a foot or two from the ground, between your knees, (no viewfinder) angled up to include the owner the car and some sky.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Think perspective and technique; experiment. Completely change your normal way of looking and shooting for a portion of the pictures. Remember, these experiments could all turn out to be miserable shots. Shoot only color. [/FONT]

Is this better?



I took your advice, as well as the advice of others in this thread. New perspective, wide-angle, used my Portragon, and shot some B&W also. It will take me awhile to get them all edited and online, here's a few early keepers:







I want to thank everyone for their advice, it was welcomed and put to use.

 

[Bobbie]

Nice Bill!
What's that effect on the second and third shots, the Portragon?

(sorry I don't know what that is. A soft edged portrait lens?)










Bobbie.

 

[bmattock]

Nice Bill!
What's that effect on the second and third shots, the Portragon?

(sorry I don't know what that is. A soft edged portrait lens?)

Yes, it is a Spiratone Portragon, and yes, it is designed to intentionally introduce soft-focus. 100mm and fixed f/4 aperture. It was a cheaply-made gadget introduced when special-effects filters and soft-focus portrait lenses were the rage, back in the early 70's. I thought it might give me a 'dreamy' look since this was the 'Woodward Dream Cruise'. I think it can be easily overdone, but it's not bad now and again.

 

[Bobbie]

Thanks for the info on the lens.

I don't think you overdid it here, the shots with it look great!






Bobbie.

 

[DougFord]

[FONT=&quot]Bill -
I checked out some of your new pics on your flickr page.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’d say that the new wide angle shots and the associated perspective variations add a dynamic to your repertoire, that to my knowledge, didn’t exist heretofore.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I see this as a good thing; impacting this viewer’s experience of your photography in a favorable way.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Keep up the good work.[/FONT]

 

[MCTuomey]

the cougar in front of the vinsetta garage should on the front of "Hour," Bill!

and the aqua chevy ain't bad either ...