#IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER: Turbo Theme

Earlier this month, we set you the  of capturing the essence of turbo. We wanted you to explore the theme both literally and how you feel turbocharged cars are best represented in the still image. The results were many and varied but as always, only the select few made it to here…

(Above) It was close for this theme’s featured image, but eventually we decided that Rick Watanabe‘s shot should take top honours. To capture the moment of launch perfectly is one thing, but to also capture all hell breaking loose is another level of achievement. For those of you wondering, it ran a low nine second pass on a -big- single turbo L28.

We had plenty of submissions detailing a more traditional representation – nice and considered angles with shallow depth of field were plentiful…

… but gold plated engines bays not so much.  Proof that sometimes you need to relax, and let the car do the work.

Call me old fashioned, but I’ll always be a fan of the less obvious approach.

You know the photos that really draw you in and allow you to immerse yourself in what makes it special.

Sometimes it can be the subtlest of hints…

… or it can be more obvious but the result should be the same. To put a smile on the reader’s face and inspire them.

Sometimes the most difficult decision as a photographer is to take the easy shot. But sometimes that’s what you need to do. There’s no point in over complicating things.

Other times, you need to spend time thinking of each detail and allowing for the most minute of changes.

I guess the most important thing though, is knowing what you want to capture and going out and getting it. I don’t think there are many more things in life that can be as rewarding as realising a vision.

Yes, you need the technical skills to be able to capture what you can see in your mind’s eye but if you don’t have that vision in the first place, then you are just taking pointless pictures.

Of course, a little bit of luck never goes astray…

… but there are rewards to be reaped by those who are willing to work towards a vision and end goal.

This was definitely one of the more difficult themes we’ve issued but I think everyone who contributed can be really proud of themselves, regardless if you made it or not. It takes guts to put yourself out there and to be scrutinised by others. We also appreciate that it can be hard to not be selected, but fear not.

Because there will be a day when your time will come and your success will be all the sweeter for the trials and tribulations that you have endured beforehand.

Be inspired, keep shooting and shoot safe. Your time is coming.

Paddy McGrathchallenge