dam that thing is slammed

 

well i am and im not...my father lives in clear lake, im down there ALL the time. was there actually last weekend. if ya want, shoot me an email. i saw like three lightnings when i was in Kemah, i know H-town has alot more L's than SA. be fun to meet up with some of yall at a hooters or something

alanfrederick@mac.com

 

YUP, its the infamous 'photoshop' slam that I can only dream of.

 

Tim,

Since you are so harsh on other's photos, I registered to critique your photo.

Your incorrect use of flash has caused hotspots everywhere and made the green glow in the dark sign on the fence in the background glow in the evening light. Ever heard of a diffuser? The background on this shot is terrible. You should have used a wider aperture to make melt the background with a smooth bokeh which would make it less distracting. Using auto levels is a rookie mistake, it removes details and distorts the true colors. To get your contrast and levels correct without ruining the photo, use Image - Mode - Lab, Image - Adjust Curves - auto, Image - Mode - RBG. By limiting your adjustments the Lab mode you keep your changes on the lightness channel and don't distort the colors. You didn't explain how you used Unsharp Mask, but like so many other rookies you have overdone it which results in black and white halos. If you don't know how to do it properly, get a quality Photoshop Plugin like FocalBlade, Focus Magic, or PhotoKit Sharpen. If you frame your subject properly, you won't need to crop.

I don't own a Lightning, was hoping for the 500 HP version that didn't make production this year. Maybe next year. Here is a pictures of my Wideglide that you can critique. Don't complain about the size, it is 1024X768 on purpose to be wallpaper size. Note you can read the name embossed in the tires. Taken in RAW mode with a Canon 1D DSLR and a 24-70L 2.8 lens. Converted in PSCS. Very little postprocessing done, isn't needed with a good picture. Flame suit on...

 

No flame suit required. I accept constructive criticism.

Your shot is beautiful -- crisp detail, good saturation, and the perfect Web size (at least for those of us with large monitors). And the bike looks great. But how dare you critique my background when you shoot against a tacky suburban white garage door?

But allow me to retort. I am a lawyer, not a graphics pro. So I am a "rookie." I just use the tools that work for me.

I shot the photo with a Sony F707 digicam. It is not possible to blur that background with that hardware -- due to its small sensor size, a digicam cannot render narrow depths of field well at normal focal lengths. A pro like you should know that. If I broke out my Nikon film camera, the shot would be completely different.

I do not understand your criticism of the flash. I used a Sony external digicam flash with the attached diffuser. I do not see how I could have done any better with that equipment.

Yeah, I know that playing with channels and lab mode can yield better results, but auto levels is quick, easy, and usually produces pleasing results. Works for my rookie eye anyway.

Your cropping comment is generally well taken, but misses several simple truths: (1) shots don't always come out well on a monitor, even though they looked great in the little LCD viewfinder or screen, and (2) it completely ignores the fact that the optimum framing often does not correspond to the aspect ratio of the camera. Shoot a landscape at 3X4 and you usually have either excessive foreground or sky, even using the rule of thirds. Try shooting a skyscraper at 3X4 aspect ratio.

And for my last retort (roughly the equivalent of "your mamma"), my 800 lb. Valkyrie will SMOKE your Hardley -- any gear, any speed, any time, any place. This is the only view you will ever see:

 

Well, considering my "screen name" and my bone stock engine . . .

 

Tim,


I just thought your comments were a little harsh, so I jabbed at you and you took it like a man. You're a good dood, even if you are a lawyer and ride a rice burner. It doesn't matter what you ride, it only matters what I ride.

The garage door is my house and I agree with your comments, its a poor background. The 717 is a great camera. I'm #1 on my local dealers list for a new Canon 1D MK II and have sold my 1D and 10D to pay for it. Since I am digital camera-less right now, am going thu withdrawals and have considered a point and shoot to hold me over. I really like the Sony DSC V-1 for picture quality but don't want to buy the Sony Memory Sticks. The new Leica Digilux 2 takes sensational pictures...pretty pricey for a P&S type camera tho... www.dpreview.com is a great site for digital camera info.

Started riding a Suzuki TS90 back in 1969 and have had a scooter every since. Used to ride big fast streetbikes including a 1983 Suzuki GS1100E that I leaned on a little, headers, individual air filters, rejetted, etc. Also had a Suzuki GS1150E, Honda Hurricane 1000, and a Yamaha V-max that I bought new in 1988 and rode for 9 years. Man what a fun bike that was, smoky burnouts and 80 MPH 2nd gear wheelies. Had an epiphany at 40 years old and decided to buy a Harley as I was going to die on that Vmax. Have owned a Softail Custom, Fatboy and Roadking before settling in on the Wideglide as I grew up in the EasyRider era and I like a chopper style bike. Almost bought a Ninja 1200R last year to keep the Wideglide company but when I rode it, it actually scared me and I don't scare easily on a bike. OMG was it wicked fast and had brakes and handling to match. Oh well, sorry for rambling.

So let's talk about Lightnings...haven't had time to browse the forums much, is Ford going to produce the 500 HP version in 05?

 

Yeah, given my profession, my bluntness can often be misinterpreted as hostility or arrogance. Well, okay, I am a little arrogant. In my line of work, I am used to leveling direct statements and receiving them in return -- without any hurt feelings. It's really a fun job if that's your sort of thing. But it's easy to forget that others may not be used to such directness -- especially in the South, where I was raised.

To answer your question, though, all indications are that there will be an '05 Lightning. There is actually a separate forum here for that. Check it out -- I'm sure that there is lots of (mis)information there.

But the most likely outcome seems to be this: 500 HP or more, probably with an Eaton-sourced twin screw. Automatic only. Crew cab only. The top will not be chopped like the show truck. Brembos? If so, the price will go up accordingly. Intercooler chiller? My bet is yes.

I have seen the show 05, and DAAAMMMMNNN it's a good looking truck. Like nothing I've ever seen before. The Brembos and hand-cut Gooyears were the icing on the cake. But add the roof height back and add the crew cab, and it will begin to look much more "normal."

If you decide to pull the trigger, make these boards your first stop. Lots of great information and lively debate. And I can criticize more of your photos.

 

My comment was more directed to ILINI-SVT, Timmy ...

Hey, have you heard about the Track Dogs running
five road courses in seven days? I will look up the info
again and post it. It's Watkins Glenn, Mid-Ohio, Pleasant Point,
VIR and some other course. (DAMN MEMORY!!! Good thing I'm
not a lawyer, huh?)

 

Hey Tim where is that, I'm that guy in the Pic (well kinda)
I'm gonna be the town bum some day
I'm gonna have to live in the streets and eat cat food and
collect cans to survive, I'll prob even have the crutch, it's a
good visual when begging for food + money. Looks nice and warm there,
clean streets too, like East NY without the filth

WOO HOO
I'm retiring to the streets of California

 

Tim thanks for the lesson.. I always take lots of pic's just to get one good one...........

PEacE..................
Jim

 

That is about two miles West of downtown L.A. I live in an apartment on the left of the street that fades off into the distance. The bum and his dog just made for a great L.A. photo opportunity.

In SoCal, the bums are thick as fleas on a lazy dog. They come from all over the country to enjoy our gentle weather and bum-friendly culture ($^%*& liberals). Funny how they have the wherewithall to get across the country, but just can't seem to make it into a job interview.

Seconds later, this photo op ensued:

 

It is a pleasure to be part of such a deverse, pleasant and well rounded group of people who share common interests and friendship.
I am truely humbled.

It matters not the age or the intelect but it proves how a deverse spectrum of people can get along.

Why can't the rest of the world?

Enjoying your posts
Greg