Here's the problem; I did think about what shots I wanted before I even went to the show, then again before I approached a car, then again before I left that car. I just don't have it. I think if I could stage a car, I'd probably do fine, but at a car show I just can't do it. Beats me....I think your problem is that, as you've said yourself, you can't figure it out. IMHO, you'll always get better pictures if you have some idea in your head of what you want to get. You don't need better photography skills-you already have those, you need "thinking" skills (not trying to be offensive, just making a suggestion.)
Have you thought about what kind of shots you want to take before you go to the car show to take them?
Last year, I shot a British car show for the first time and I had a hard time too. I had never really shot cars before at all. Out of the 2 hours or so I spent "shooting" over 30 minutes was spent "thinking." In the end, I wound up shooting telephoto (100mm macro) and shooting the cars as sort of "graphical elements" the way a graphical designer would. I came to that after several "false starts" though-tried a few things, didn't work, thought some more about it, "damn it! That's not working, let me try this instead..." eventually my head figured it out and then my hands just did it.
Just a suggestion but maybe try to think about the way you want the cars at the car show to look in your head, and refine the idea in your mind before you pick up the camera. (Works for me anyway.)
Anyone got any idea on a good, cheap, full frame, wide angle lens for Nikon? I want to consolidate my photo gear down into one set of two Nikon cameras (Digi/Film) as I'm currently lugging old Canon gear around for film stuff and then my Nikon set for digi. I'm thinking Sigma70-200/2.8 + Nikon50/1.8 + Nikon 35/1.8 + ??. The Sigma 17-35/2.8-4 and 12-24/4.5-5.6 are tempting but both are a little $$$ even on the used market. Maybe just a Nikon 24/2.8 and keep my 18-55?
I'd tend to disagree, It's what you make of it really ...
So... I'm on the hunt for a new lens alongside my 18-55 kit lens for the D40. I've spotted three possible ones within my budget (which is something around 210-230 Euros):
Nikon AF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 G (187 Euros)
Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6 G ED DX VR (180 Euros, now on offer at 166 Euros)
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G AFs VR (214 Euros)
Which one would you recommend?
Don't get a telephoto lens without VR/IS/OS unless you want to lug around a monopod/tripod everywhere.
Just practicing panning on some boring cars...
-snip-
Where does everyone buy their gear? Particularly, whats a good place to look for used equipment?
I like to buy from The Camera Store if I'm buying from Canada (which I prefer). Good prices, even better service and shipping. I've bought from them a number of times and haven't been disappointed yet.Where does everyone buy their gear? Particularly, whats a good place to look for used equipment?