Probably since the dawn of the digital camera and photoshop, this question regularly comes up. So why have I come up with it? I hear you ask. I assure you my reasons are genuine. I am also very pleased with the result.
The following shot is a single RAW shot HDR.
SBR Suzuki Promo
My target for the day was to finish with images that could be used in promotional publications for the sponsors. The Team Suzuki image shown earlier is one that was used as it showed the AGV/Nationwide Sponsor well.
The other high profile sponsor that I needed to show was Suzuki. It was a 4 day meeting and within the first hour of being out scouting the track I knew where the shot needed to be. On the opposite side of the back straight there was a Suzuki billboard. It was about 20 metres away and angled away from the track. But I knew with a little patience I could work out the correct angle and speed of pan to line up the unit and billboard. While I was timing my panning speed another photographer, complete with copious amounts of lenses and monopods hanging from his belt, approached inquiring about what I was up to. After describing my planned outcome he stood for a moment and proclaimed that he couldn’t be bothered going to such lengths just to get the right shot. His answer was what “he did it all the time” – two shots and cut out the bit you want and add it to the other. He scoffed at the thought of not using the preset functions and shooting in RAW instead of jpg and left.
Please don’t misunderstand, I am far from being a photo purist or ‘pixel pincher’ but I do believe in the idea of getting it right in camera rather than always relying on photoshop to tidy up or make the image. I enjoy the process of the challenge set, proving to myself that it can be done. Using my equipment and resources to accomplish the desired result. I was even fun during the down times with the race team and pit crew as they listened to me voicing my frustration that I was still about half a wheel length out. Then joning in later with my elation that I got it.
So what am I saying here – yes I know, sorry this has been a long one – to sum it up I have to use a quote that I first heard on a tfttf podcast by Chris Marquardt – it goes something like this -
‘Pictures are created through practice not purchase’.
