Nostalgia Dragster 2007 March Meet
There's nothing quite as fun for a motor head, other than driving, as taking pictures of cool burnouts.
There's nothing quite as fun for a motor head, other than driving, as taking pictures of cool burnouts.
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Apr, 2018Views
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Awards
Zenith Award
Community Choice Award
Contest Finalist in Fast Photo Contest
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Genius
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Top 10 rankSame photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Taken at AAA Fomoso Raceway in Bakersfield CA in 2007 at one of the nations oldest drag races, the March Meet as it was called years ago. Today it is a nostalgia drag race event that happens every March. I was covering the event for Vintage Fuel Magazine as a staff writer and photographer.Time
The photo was taken about 3:00 in the afternoon and like all drag race photos, timing is everything. It is rare to catch the throttle opening on the blower during a burnout because it takes so little throttle to 'light 'em up' that you rarely see them open.Lighting
The lighting was just as nature provided.Equipment
I shot this with an old 6.3MP Canon EOS-10D with a Sigma tele lens at 340mm. It was my first digital camera and I still have it as a backup.Inspiration
The 'burnout' is something everyone enjoys watching. The purpose is to clean and heat the tires to improve traction. When the heat vapors from the engine obscure the background and the smoke still clings to the tires with the blower not yet closed while the drivers peers down the track from behind a 5000hp engine it presents one of those moments only the camera can capture. You just can't see all this with the naked eye.Editing
No post processing other than to correct exposure.In my camera bag
At the time I carried an 18-75 Sigma telephoto and a 100-400 Sigma telephoto. I use a battery grip because I often shoot sequential shots and they last longer than a single battery. I keep a UV lens filter on for lens protection more than anything else.Feedback
Get a press pass any way you can. It'll put you where shots like this are possible. Plan your shots carefully. Study the process of the race because you're going to have to trip the shutter about a half second ahead of the shot you want. That means you have to know what's going on. Always shoot RAW format so your post processing options are the best they can be. Wear ear protection. Don't be scared, drivers don't like to get hurt either.
