Thanks for the tips-I love central Cali-a target rich environment for photo ops!

Have you considered renting a body similar to what you have..
Much less cost involved until you can get your cash flowing again.I rented a second body from borrowlens.com for the trip to Monterey later this week. Shop around and if you only need the extra equipment for a few days and this is a one time deal...Just a thought.

Thanks to Jim Peters and xseabee for the reference links! Both are awesome guidelines!

Don't step on these...But DO remember August 16th-the 35th anniversary of the passing of ELVIS!

Here is the best site I have found -

http://www.carphototutorials.com

the guys are automotive photojournalists and the info has been very helpfull I am off Thursday to Monterey Ca. for the annual Rolex Motorsport Reunion.This year the featured marque is the Cobra.
Good luck on your shoot!

LMAO-I have attended many chili cookoffs here in Texas and I think I know judge #3! The contest held in Terlingua (Big Bend area) each year is not to be missed.

Welcome...to the Hog. Sounds like you still have a passion for photography.The 60d is a great one! Hope to see some of your work soon!

Welcome to Texas.I live in the Kingwood area(just north of Houston).

The shots you posted are awesome!

For some more ideas try to locate the June 2012 issue of Texas Monthly magazine(below).There is an article on 16 different scenic drives. We just completed the "Hill Country" drive- Bandera to Concan to Leakey to Medina to Kerrville(on Hwy 16). We then drove FM32 to San Marcos before returning to Interstate 10 for the trip back to Houston. In October(when its cooler) we will do a Big Bend National Park trip, some of which is featured in the article. Good Luck!

You are off by one letter-It is Picasa-Picasa 3 to be exact.
http://picasa.google.com/
Hope this helps you

I received news this afternoon that a good friend of mine, Daryl Poach, a gentleman I have known for more than 20 years was hospitalized earlier in the week due to complications of diabetes. His condition deteriorated rapidly, he was put on life support but the downward spiral continued until the decision was made to remove the life support and he passed away peacefully this morning.. He was in his late 40’s.This is not my first experience with the disease. My mother and sister both died in their mid 40’s from those same complications.
Daryl ,even with all that life threw at him in the past few years, remained upbeat. He was the type of person that made everyone he met feel a little better about life and about themselves.
He would always end his conversation with everyone the same way… by saying “Take care of yourself”
If you or someone in your life has diabetes or any chronic health condition, take Daryl’s advice
I know of no better way to honor his memory

Death is nothing at all
Henry Scott Holland

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room.
I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other,
that, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,
put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well

Some great shots from London:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/moon-between-olympic-rings-makes-most-breathtaking-london-160808051--oly.html

Would you consider this the shot of a lifetime if you took it?

A police officer on regular patrol stopped an elderly lady for a minor traffic violation. As he approached the car he noticed a semi-automatic handgun on the front seat .A little surprised, he requested her license and registration and then said “ma'am, is that your gun there on the seat?”
She replied,” why yes it is and I have a permit for it.” She quickly produced her license, registration, and her handgun permit.
As the officer examined the documents he glanced into the rear seat and saw a sawed-off shotgun on the rear seat. He again asked ”ma'am is that your shotgun there on the backseat?”
She replied, ” why yes it is young man and the barrel length is exactly the legal limit.”
A little flustered the officer asked “ma'am, do you have any more guns in the car.
In the same sweet voice she answered “ why yes young man I do” She reached into the glove box and produced a large caliber revolver.
The officer, now totally flustered, asked “ ma'am, with all the guns you have, what are you afraid of?”
The sweet old lady looked into his eyes and said in a firm voice “absolutely nothing.” Moral: don't mess with Granny.

Excellent work sir!
I hope to try some HDR and tone mapped automotive shots soon. Thanks for the inspiratiion!

Sylvester and Shenanigans

I have felt your frustration. I shoot outdoor car events a LOT and the close quarters,shadows and bad lighting are a huge challenge! I shot over 700 images last year at the 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion and learned a lot about what not to do! After a lot of practice,research, and some scheduled equipment rental, I am going back this year(Aug 17-19)to try again.With over 550 vintage race cars including 25+ historical Nascar entries and possibly the largest gathering of Shelby Cobra cars ever to celebrate 50 yrs of the Cobra I hope to improve a LOT over last year
Try this site:
http://www.carphototutorials.com
It is a great site that covers everything from basic equipment needed to solutions to common problems encountered in automotive/motorsport photography Here are a couple of shots from last year...such as they are!
more at www.facebook.com/houstonmotorsportsnews
Good Luck!

Race Cobra


McLaren Can-Am Car


Aston-Martin racer in polished aluminum