These images are a quick run of edits with some post production. The sheer volume of images will keep the more subtle gems at bay till I can look over the group numerous times.
I will admit that the first couple of hours I felt like I was taking the same shot over and over again. I walked away ultimately with about 1500 frames. Once the sun got low and began to back light the track, I got visually more interested. My intentions have always been to capture the more human aspects to intermingle with pure "Hot Rod" shots, but I was carried away by what was in front of me.
Ultimately I hope these images grant me the validation that I'm seeking. There are a lot of "photographers" at these events and it makes complete sense. The subjects can be very striking especially in context. But I hope to stand out a bit due to approach and expertise. While the rattling of my eardrums, the smell of smoked slicks, and the eye candy of cars flying down the track on two wheels carried me away, my intention is still to photograph people. I prefer shooting with a wide angle to standard lens which means I need to be close. Not to say telephotos are bad, but they immediately (to me anyway) can communicate a strange sense of insincere voyeurism. If, I suppose, voyeurism can be sincere.
My last trip did not prepare me at all for this. Last time I wandered around and timidly shot when and where I felt comfortable. I didn't leave my comfort zone at all. Mostly because when I'm doing my own thing I don't want a stranger taking pictures of me and I feel most of the world responds this way (true or not). I pushed a little bit, but hid behind the fact that I was shooting cars not people.
I now feel that my first run was more of a trial of my interest and this trip turned into hopeful leverage for a more lengthy project.
