#iamthespeedhunter: The Art Of Looking

There is one thing that separates a good photographer from a mediocre one. It’s not a case of who has the newest camera body or who has the best glass, rather it is the difference in how they both see things. You’ll often hear people say how a person new to photography ‘has the eye for it’ and this is essentially what I’m talking about. I don’t think this is something you can learn, just the same as the fastest drivers who are just naturally quicker than others. I know plenty of people who have made great careers out of being technically excellent photographers, but their work leaves me feeling empty. It’s one thing to be able to take a technically good photograph, but it’s a whole other thing to be able to inspire people.

This is something I’ve been trying to keep in mind when selecting the images for each week’s #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER.

We get hundreds of submissions, but I try to choose the images with my gut feeling rather than examining each image for technical perfection.

A good motorsport photographer in particular needs not only the ability to see things differently to others, but also the foresight and understanding of how the  competitors will tackle a course. There is no such thing as luck in this game.

Still talking about automotive photography, there’s more to it than just the action on the stages and race tracks. The story and the details all play an important part in immersing the viewer.

Consideration for subject and surroundings plays a big role too.

Learning the rules before breaking them is another aspect of it.

What’s the difference between a photograph & a photograph?

The colours …

… the composition …

… or the perspective?

I guess most of the difference really comes down to the idea and the consideration for how each element will work together.

The first time I met our own Mr. Klingelhoefer I helped him set up a shot of a matte black GT-R on a side street in Fichtenberg in Germany. I was intrigued by how he noticed every little detail and explored each and every avenue before finally composing and taking his shot.

Slow down, breathe, relax, think and shoot. That’s the difference.

In other news, I’ve finally put together an #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER Flickr Group which gives you even more ways of sharing your photographs with us and each other. Last week I signed off by asking if you would like a challenge in the shape of a weekly theme, and I’ve not forgotten about that. Keep an eye out for next week’s #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER.

Paddy McGrath
paddy@dev.speedhunters.com

#IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER

About #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER

We created #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER to allow you the opportunity to share your skills and car culture experiences from around the globe with the rest of the Speedhunters audience.

How do you get involved? It’s simple…

Flickr - Join our #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER Flickr Group and share your favourite photos with us and others.
Instagram – Follow us on Instagram at @TheSpeedhunters and tag your own car culture images with #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER
Twitter – Follow us on Twitter at @SPEEDHUNTERS and share your tweets with the #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER hashtag.
Tumblr – Visit our Tumblr page to view the latest #IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER tagged images.
E-Mail – If you’ve been to a cool event and captured some amazing images, be sure to e-mail them to us oniamthespeedhunter@dev.speedhunters.com and tell us a little bit about the event. The images need to be a minimum of 800×533 pixels.

日本のSpeedhunters読者にお知らせです。
Speedhuntersでは、週一回#IAMTHESPEEDHUNTERにて、読者の皆さんから寄せられたカーシーンの投稿写真を紹介しています。
投稿写真は、カーレース、カーショー、イベント等、車に関するものならなんでもOKです。
Speedhuntersで皆さんの撮ったカーシーンショットを世界中のファンに紹介して、あなたもSpeedhunters記者の仲間入りしましょう!

#IAMTHESPEEDHUNTERには、ツイッターかインスタグラムにて簡単に写真を投稿していただけます。

上記方法で写真を投稿する際は、写真に#IAMTHESPEEDHUNTERのハッシュタグを付けてください。
また、メールアドレスiamthespeedhunter@dev.speedhunters.comでも投稿受付しています。

写真は、800×533 ピクセル以上のJPGのフォーマットでお願いします。
上記サイズより小さい写真ですと、すばらしい写真でもサイトの写真サイズの関係上掲載できないことがありますのでお気をつけください。
投稿された写真は世界中のSpeedhunters読者とシェアされますので、あなたのベストショット写真を投稿してくださいね!
また、写真に併せてどういった写真なのか、どこで撮られた写真なのかの説明と投稿者様のお名前を明記の上投稿お願いします。

皆さんからの投稿お待ちしています!

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1

Porsche 935 in 1080p for desktop  pleaseee!

2

loving the reflection of the 959 in the 356's moon! vintage rules =]

3

I love how SH likes his audience to think that it gathers to Japanese enthusiasts and the Japanese culture by having Japanese-written requests below the article.
How about other enthusiasts and cultures that don't speak English and Japanese? How about Finnish, Norvegian, Spanish?
Those people don't have much to offer to the community?

4

@JDMized As a Norwegian i think i can speak for pretty much all Norwegians, Swedish, danish and finish people and assure you that we both speak and write/read english just fine thank you ;)

5

@JDMized As a Norwegian i think i can speak for pretty much all Norwegians, Swedish, danish and finish people and assure you that we both speak and write/read english just fine thank you ;)

6

Thanks for post my photo again :), with all these excelents photos

7

Thanks for post my photo again :), with all these excelents photos

8

can we get a desktop of that 2 wheeling 240?

9

can we get a desktop of that 2 wheeling 240?

10

jdmized i think you will find that most of europe speaks/writes english fairly well, I found it hard as hell to practice my estonian on my last trip because every one wanted to practice there english on me.

11

jdmized i think you will find that most of europe speaks/writes english fairly well, I found it hard as hell to practice my estonian on my last trip because every one wanted to practice there english on me.

12

@JDMized  are you ever not menstruating?

13

@JDMized  are you ever not menstruating?

14

@troll patrol @JDMized Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

15

@troll patrol @JDMized Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

16

THAT R32

17

THAT R32

18

Really interesting toughts, i couldn't agree more. The feeling is that people always tries to catch "the perfect photo" instead of trying to just "share" what's going on in that particular photo. Prefect reflection or perfect focus is all well, but a good photo for me is a photo that gives me a feeling of some sort.

19

Really interesting toughts, i couldn't agree more. The feeling is that people always tries to catch "the perfect photo" instead of trying to just "share" what's going on in that particular photo. Prefect reflection or perfect focus is all well, but a good photo for me is a photo that gives me a feeling of some sort.

20

@FunctionFirst  @troll  @JDMized "i do but keep the peace"

21

@FunctionFirst  @troll  @JDMized "i do but keep the peace"

22

@JDMized I love how YOU think you have anything at all to offer the community.

23

@JDMized I love how YOU think you have anything at all to offer the community.

24

@JDMized Arent you the one with a bunch of Japanese text (that I wonder whether you can actually read) as the banner for your traffic-less blog? Where's the Finnish, Norwegian, and Spanish text on your blog? Double standard holding, SH post whining, resentful little troll. STFU

25

@JDMized Arent you the one with a bunch of Japanese text (that I wonder whether you can actually read) as the banner for your traffic-less blog? Where's the Finnish, Norwegian, and Spanish text on your blog? Double standard holding, SH post whining, resentful little troll. STFU

26

@Chris Nuggets  @JDMized To my mind Alex is more just a very critical minded person with very exacting standards.

27

@JDMized Hi Alex. Japan is one of our top countries for traffic, most of the other ones are English speaking. You also know that we are big fans of Japanese car culture, so like to have a little window open for Japanese people to submit their materials to us. 
 
Scandinavian car culture is fantastic too, but we find that a high percentage people here (remember I live in Sweden) speak English.

28

@Chris Nuggets The blog is a long-term project that never went viral...sometime when I have a little more I'll work on it...I just have no time at the moment...but thanks for checking my flickr account.
 
You are funny!!! Can't really see beyond your nose can you? I brought up the Finnish, Norwegian, Spanish AS AN EXAMPLE! There are many cultures out there that do not have the privilege to speak the language. They simply get singled out?!?!
Call me troll, but that's what SH has been doing? Reaching out to Japanese and leaving behind those people that can't understand the language.
Believe it or not I grew up in Japan, and moved here to the States to get my Master in Japanese....but what do I know about those kanji....LOL

29

@RodChong  Rod what can I say? I guess my standards for a mainstream-blog like yours are a bit higher than yours. Really, as simple as that.
If you want to run a mediocre blog like the 1 million other blogs out there, keep doing what you're doing. Maybe you think you guys are doing just fine. Honestly though, opinions are very subjective, and this site produces LOTS of them, not much I can say about that
I'm fully aware I drop suggestions that are harsh...none of you have to listen to me or take anything seriously.....it actually amuses me that lots of people get worked up because I direct my comment to SH and those readers take it as a personal attack, go figure....LOL

30

@RodChong Sometime I wonder if you guys read between the lines....
Like I mentioned above, I used as an example the Norwegian, the Finnish and the Spanish.....I could have mentioned the French, the Cambodian or the Alien....
Bottom line is (and I understand you have a huge Japanese fan base) that there are tons of other people out there that unfortunately don't speak the English language. Oh well....

31

@JDMized "I guess my standards for a mainstream-blog like yours are a bit higher than yours. Really, as simple as that." 
 
Wow that's gotta be a classic Alex line heh heh heh.

32

@JDMized 
 
People woh don't understand or speak english don't end up on the site in the first place. So your statement is completely irrelevent.

33

@JDMized One step at a time for us m8. We can't do everything at once.

34

Thank you so much for featuring my picture! Just a shame I forgot to delete my watermerk tho

35

That Craig Breen shot is superb!

36

That black R32 gave me a horn.... gorgueous!

37

@GraysonParker You just ruined that picture for me. I skimmed over it and thought it was 0 wheeling.

38

the r32 kind of looks like a confused car trying to cross its eyes

39

@Other Will  @GraysonParker 
 
It's one wheeling. Thanks for posting my submission Paddy!

40

@Tim Walsh @Other Will @GraysonParker
:) Tim's photo of my car was selected. Thanks Paddy!

41

@Tim Walsh  @Other Will  @GraysonParker
 One point contact is all you need isnt it? So long as it's a front wheel you can still brake and steer.

42

Well, I feel I need better equipment to get the action shots I desire, but most of all I need access!! Shooting from the stands always blows. Could you guys run a post about access? How to obtain press passes, or simply tips? I love photography in motorsports but I doubt its a career move for myself. Regardless of how well I take photos, or how terrible, I always want to improve.

43

@MPistol Hi mate, how are you!?
Well, here in Brazil you need publicize the event through a website and keep it updated to get press credentials! 
Currently we maintain the "Automobilismo em Foco (http://www.automobilismoemfoco.com.br)", which has allowed us access to evidence nationally and internationally, with Indy in April in the city of São Paulo. As we have no sponsors, work is ant slowly. But in just over six months of existence of the site have already achieved good visibility.
 
Equipment is important? Yes, of course it is, but it is not essential. There are many lovely professionals with equipment that does not photograph anything, and that many amodores median with equipment that make spectacular shots. 
 
We talk here in Brazil, in our group of friends, "photographed to learn and learn to shoot."
 
Sorry my bad english and a great week.
 
Hugs, Fernando

44

@MPistol Hi mate, how are you!?
Well, here in Brazil you need publicize the event through a website and keep it updated to get press credentials! 
Currently we maintain the "Automobilismo em Foco (http://www.automobilismoemfoco.com.br)", which has allowed us access to evidence nationally and internationally, with Indy in April in the city of São Paulo. As we have no sponsors, work is ant slowly. But in just over six months of existence of the site have already achieved good visibility.
 
Equipment is important? Yes, of course it is, but it is not essential. There are many lovely professionals with equipment that does not photograph anything, and that many amodores median with equipment that make spectacular shots. 
 
We talk here in Brazil, in our group of friends, "photographed to learn and learn to shoot."
 
Sorry my bad english and a great week.
 
Hugs, Fernando

45

I have sent my email! hehehehahah

46

I have sent my email! hehehehahah

47

@MPistol It is not about access, it is about if you have the eye or not. Try looking at things from a different perspective. Don't be another monkey with a media pass, because all of their shots will look the same.

48

@MPistol It is not about access, it is about if you have the eye or not. Try looking at things from a different perspective. Don't be another monkey with a media pass, because all of their shots will look the same.

49

@MPistol It is not about access, it is about if you have the eye or not. Try looking at things from a different perspective. Don't be another monkey with a media pass, because all of their shots will look the same.

50

@JDMized  @RodChong Either way people from all over can just come to enjoy the pretty pictures.

51

@Larry Chen  @MPistol Mr Chen, good morning! So I wrote: "shoot to learn and learn to shoot"!

52

@Fernando Fotografia  @MPistol Exactly.

53

@Larry Chen @MPistol true, I'm working toward getting the right equipment to get me closer. I need a decent long range lens. Least I think. I use a Canon Rebel T2i. Just a beginner piece. I'd like to move on to a 7D body tho. Not thinking that the equipment will make me, just thinking more about how to obtain the images I can't seem to grasp from afar. Also, action shots require some decent equipment. I'm not speaking as expert, just thinking aloud here

54

@Larry Chen  Hi Mr. Chen, how are you?
I'd like to send you material for your appreciation and criticism. Is it possible? The answer is yes, here I leave my e-mail for further delivery of the material.fernando@automobilismoemfoco.com.brThank you for your attention and, again, congratulations for the work.

55

@Larry Chen 
 
fernando@automobilismoemfoco.com.br

56

@MPistol  
 
You're getting sucked in to the gear game, which is an expensive and unproductive venture.  
 
The photo of the airborne red 240 was shot handheld with my trusty Canon Digital Rebel XTi, which I've been shooting with for six years. The lens was a Canon 70-200 f/4. By no means is this an expensive or sophisticated setup. Your money is better spent on photography classes.
 
Like Larry said, access doesn't make good photos. There is plenty of interesting stuff going on at most events that the general public has access to. You just have to look harder.

57

@Tim Walsh thanks for your input, truly its all taken to heart and with consideration. One of the main reasons I want a 7D, is for the faster shutter speed. There is a bit of a lag when shooting wth the T2i. I also figured I could buy accessories like mad for the T2i and still not start from the better base. Kinda like when I blew $20,000 on a Honda Civic, when the minute I drove a better car I realized what I couldn't create. Lol. But true, I'm getting lost in gear. But not to the point tht I expect to be better because of the equipment, just tht I "think" the 7D is the better piece to build on. Anyway, its true I've got more to learn and experience to develop the need for better equipment. Photography classes are on my list

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