Tag: illustration

Bumsted

Bumsted

This image is another photo from the NSRA Streetrod Nationals in Louisville, KY. I processed this image using the Topaz Adjust Spicify preset. Not a lot to add about processing except to point out that the fact that when using presets such as Spicify there is always the potential for excessive noise in the image. I processed this image at a time when I was just starting to use Topaz Adjust and looking back at the image I would probably dial the strength of the preset down some in an effort to reduce the noise in the sky and the reflections in the paint on the car.

I like the composition for a couple of reasons in particular the low camera angle that really emphasizes the voluptuous form of the car. The placement of the subject creates a tension as the car seems to be moving forward in the frame. I did this to showcase that massive grill and front bumper and to emphasize the front vanity license plate. The complimentary colors of the orange car with the blue sky add interest from the standpoint of color balance.

Pixoto Photo Duels

The image above was taken in South Dakota with an iPhone 3S which fits my personal mantra that the best camera you have is the one you have with you.

For the past two months I have been participating in Pixoto.com photo duels. I have been able to see work from around the world and compare my efforts with those of my fellow photographers. The plus side for me is the satisfaction of winning an award for my work and the knowledge that photographers from around the world have seen my work and voted yea or nay on it.

I don’t know where Pixoto is heading but I feel pretty safe putting my images on their site. They watermark everything with a simple copyright © symbol with the photographer’s name; in my case it is  ©Nick Roberts. They state up front that the photographer retains all rights to the images that they submit to Pixoto.

I find it interesting to see what they pair up in the image duels, (I participate enthusiastically), which show the varied approaches to photography from around the world. It is very gratifying to see that your image has been selected by your photographic peers as the best in the duel, and ultimately the category, whether it is for the day, week or month.

I encourage all of you who come here to view my work to take a serious look at the Pixoto.com site and try it out for yourselves. I think you will find it very gratifying and helpful. By the way I need to mention that it is free for the present time and you can earn posting credits simply by participating in the “Image Duels”

This link will take you to a page at Pixoto.com where you can see many of my images that have won awards from the Pixoto Community. http://www.pixoto.com/speeddemon2/awards

Self Portrait with the Devilhog

This self portrait was taken a couple of years ago at the entrance to the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway. I used Topaz Adjust bring out the details and colors in the scene.

I’m still feeling my way through this startup of the Speeddemon2 blog and trying to wrap my head around the WordPress analytics that show how many visitors the blog gets each day. There have been days where over 200 people viewed the blog and there have been days when as few as 30 people have stopped by. I’m trying to correlate those numbers with the posts from those days to better understand how I can deliver photos and information that will lead people to return each day or each week. I truly want to be a resource for photographers and ordinary folks to learn more about the work I produce and to find help, or inspiration, to further their artistic vision.

I would really appreciate hearing from you, the visitors, about what worked over the past few weeks and what didn’t. I studied fine art in a school that valued critiques as a way to grow and expand an artist’s thinking and inform his or her work. I’m asking anyone who has something constructive to say to post it in the comment section. I’m sitting here writing these word though and I’m wondering how I’ll deal with the possibility that no one will say anything. Oh well I can’t control the universe so I’ll take my chances with this post.