Set the view finder image to monochrome/black and white. You can then compose in monochrome/black and white. Shoot in Raw for a color image and convert to black and white. Set Picture Control to monochrome. Shoot in raw, and you will get color in the NEF file when you download to computer (which you then have to convert to B&W). Preview of shots, on camera, will show B&W (as the previews are of jpeg). If you shoot raw + jpeg, the jpeg will be in B&W.  ..read more

The first image is a full size un-cropped fresh from my Nikon D800 7360 pixels by 4912 pixels at 300 pixels per inch. 1-DSC_0258.jpg The image is of a 1973 BMW CSL driven by Chandler Briscoe in Portlands turn three early Saturday morning. Camera specifications are Nikon D800. Color space RGB. Lens focal length 200mm.  Lens 200-500mm f3.5-5.6 Nikon. 1/250 second at f10. I used a mono pod with a swivel head. Keep in mind the early light allowed me to capture the CSL with nice high back light. Lower side panels and the front are in shadow as is the drivers face. There is a high lighted fence ..read more

Perfecting this technique to show motion. The first tip is practice. Be sure to bring a large container of patience to combine with practice. Panning is movement. It’s the panning of the camera to match the movement of your subject. The object is to show a sharp subject along the plane of movement while the background remains stationary. By panning with your subject the movement is reversed the moving subject (car) is sharp and the stationary background is blurred into movement. The amount of background blur will depend on the ratio of your subject’s speed past the background and your camera’s ..read more

Do you know where to go to pick up credentials? Is it at the track or someplace in town? Arrive early. Earlier the better. Walk the pits early in the morning. The early morning light is the most beautiful of the day, low angle and yellow. Morning back lit sheet metal or engine parts are something special to say nothing of portraits captured in the morning. Have you checked with the track to be sure you are at the first media meeting. Do not miss this. You will get all the news of the event, meet other photographers and make new friends. Look for and grab event schedules, entry list, track maps ..read more

Memory Cards. My Nikon D800 takes two cards one CF CompactFlash and one SD Secure Digital card. Reformat the cards to “blank” before going to the track. There is nothing like reloading in the midst of a cars on track session only to discover your memory cards need to be reformatted. “Hint” I have my cards numbered into sets then stored in a ThinkTank Pixel Pocket one set per pocket. Title side out for blank cards and white side out for full cards. “Hint” Check out ThinkTank.com for professional bags that are well thought out and built tough. “Hint” Bring more memory cards then you think you ne ..read more