One Picture.... [Archive] - MX5 Miata Atlanta Owners Club

Doppelgänger

10-07-2009, 11:06 PM

So as some of you have seen, I have made a few small changes. I finally got around to taking some pics...learing low-light shots and playing with GIMP software. Yeah...gonna be awhile to get the whole photo-editing thing down....or until I get Photoshop...GIMP is confusing.

Yes..that is the stock bumper. No, nothing happened to the Garage Vary....I was bored and decided to put the stocker on for kicks.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3992179696_aa3ca5ce69_o.jpg

Opinions?

mustangtomiata

10-07-2009, 11:07 PM

FVCKIN HOT! I'd leave it like that my .02

amaff

10-07-2009, 11:09 PM

damn. The car looks hot. The pic's a bit dark obviously, but you'll get the hang of that with time

Jack-MX5ATLanta.com

10-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Odd, I almost think the stock bumper looks better with the SSR's?

What kind of settings does your camera give you to mess around with Mike? The ISO looks kinda high to keep the shutter speed quick.

silver280zx

10-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Is the stock bumper on for good?

CaveRacing

10-08-2009, 05:43 AM

I like the GV, but I think I may like the stock a bit better. Great pic, by the way.

Atlanta93LE

10-08-2009, 06:02 AM

I much prefer the stock bumper. Those brakes look nice!

Doppelgänger

10-08-2009, 07:03 AM

RotorNutFD3S

10-08-2009, 07:08 AM

I see a white dot. :p

Doppelgänger

10-08-2009, 07:31 AM

WTF are you talking about Eric? Acid trippin' again? :lol:

jzilla

10-08-2009, 07:40 AM

i do like the stock bumper better with your car.

RotorNutFD3S

10-08-2009, 08:17 AM

WTF are you talking about Eric? Acid trippin' again? :lol:

No dummy, the image is blocked...

metalman

10-08-2009, 08:56 AM

i do like the stock bumper better with your car.

Ditto.
But, I miss the Rota D2s. That style wheel works very well with an NB.
yeah yeah I know, the SSRs are more ballin. :D

nolift

10-08-2009, 09:41 AM

Because performance is always my first concern...
Do you know the weight difference between the two? Because if the motor runs cooler with the GV AND is lighter... I choose the GV = ]

Sawyer

10-08-2009, 10:13 AM

I'll go against everyone else and say that I still like the GV bumper better.
The stock one is too happy and doesn't go with the Doppelganger image.
(http://www.mx5atlanta.com/forums/member.php?u=93)

JennB

10-08-2009, 10:31 AM

I like the looks of the stock one but I like the GV as well. I especially like the GV for the track because I have seen what a huge difference it makes in high temps.

Hey hon, wash my car and we'll take them out for pics.

RotorNutFD3S

10-08-2009, 07:16 PM

Oh wow, now that I can finally see the picture, that looks good!

I still like the GV bumper better though.

DecoyOctopus

10-08-2009, 09:18 PM

not a big fan of all the add on skirts n stuff but way better than the bodykit. looks good

Doppelgänger

10-08-2009, 11:20 PM

Ver.2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3994860896_268ef86f07_o.jpg

LagunaRoadster

10-09-2009, 03:02 AM

gv > stock. doesn't look dopplegangerish w/o it.

Jack-MX5ATLanta.com

10-09-2009, 09:09 AM

Unfortunately I think that it's just a badly lit area for a picture. You have to try and focus too hard to see the dark side of the car. Or for a closer shot at least.

nolift

10-09-2009, 09:16 AM

Thanks guys!

Jack- It's a Canon PoserShot S5, not a full DSLR :( It's higher ISO settings create a lot of noise so I end up using ISO 80 and a low f-stop (2.7) and no zoom. I was lucky to find a spot that had good, even lightning but the downside was that in order to get the subject exposed correctly, the background ended up dark. If I found a spot with lower ligh, I could have probably gotten a little more detail in the background.

I actually prefer the first image. The second image background is too distracting to me, too much to look at, ie... the signs in the background ("Sunglasses", "No Left Turn" and the sign that is below that sign), they are too easily identifiable and clutter the image. The yield sign sticking out of the top of the car, I cant stop looking at it. makes me think you have a orange bicycle flag on the back. Try using a larger f-stop, zoom all the way in and stand closer to the car. This will blur the background more and make those signs less prominent in the image or see first image. :D

That being said, it is all a matter of opinion. I am of the thinking that if signs and whatnot are in the background/foreground and are identifiable, they should have something to do with the overall statement of the image or have something to do with the subject. I like the first image, I like the dark background with the taillight streak and the lighted sign how it helps show the curves of the car.

JennB

10-09-2009, 09:25 AM

2.7 is as large as the S5 goes.

And I don't think he's looking for many tips on how to, just opinions on the pics. Mike actually has a pretty good understanding of how cameras work and he gets enough advice and nit picking from me. :lol: I've been proud of how he's taken the time to actually learn instead of what so many people out there do and just set the camera on auto and take really boring pics.

The S5 is just not as good at night. It can be pretty noisy. It takes awesome pics during the day though. It's a very versatile camera that I sure got a hell of a lot of use out of. Nothing beats it for something I can just throw in my purse and take anywhere. Sure is easier on my shoulder than my SLR and a couple of L-Series lenses. ouch. :cry:

I think the subject is better in the second one, just blur the background with GIMP.

CaveRacing

10-09-2009, 10:32 AM

I think the subject is better in the second one, just blur the background with GIMP.

I like both pics very much but I agree with blurring the background. I actually haven't even thought of that in some of my pics but now I want to go back and try it. Sweet.

Hey Mike - - did you use a tripod? Without one, isn't it sort of difficult to get a clear shot without a flash at night? I need to get one.

nolift

10-09-2009, 10:37 AM

And I don't think he's looking for many tips on how to, just opinions on the pics. Mike actually has a pretty good understanding of how cameras work and he gets enough advice and nit picking from me. :lol: I've been proud of how he's taken the time to actually learn instead of what so many people out there do and just set the camera on auto and take really boring pics.

He certainly has taken some great pics. I have complimented them. Its obvious he has an idea of what he is doing, either that or is just damn lucky to capture so many great images. Anyways, I never insinuated otherwise. He asked for opinions, I gave mine. I wont offer an opinion without also a suggestion to make it better. Its constructive criticism. "Nit picking" is pointing out a problem and *****ing about it and not offering a solution. I have been in the business of composing images for over 11yrs with a college degree in this field. Sometimes a little tweak here or there can make an OK image, a breathtaking image. As much photography as I see coming from you two, I get that your not taking pics of the car just because it is a hot *** car but to compose a beautiful image. I don't know squat about building/tuning a car so I dont have anything to offer in those regards, but I do know pictures. If I can offer a bit to help someone accomplish a stunning picture I will. If its not wanted then I stand down and keep my professional opinion to myself.

JennB

10-09-2009, 10:37 AM

Technically, you should do your depth of field when you take the photo but if you have a hard time or the camera just won't get it right, you can do it in PS, GIMP, etc after the fact.

A tripod is essential for really good night photos. :)

JennB

10-09-2009, 10:38 AM

He certainly has taken some great pics. I have complimented them. Its obvious he has an idea of what he is doing, either that or is just damn lucky to capture so many great images. Anyways, I never insinuated otherwise. He asked for opinions, I gave mine. I wont offer an opinion without also a suggestion to make it better. Its constructive criticism. "Nit picking" is pointing out a problem and *****ing about it and not offering a solution. I have been in the business of composing images for over 11yrs with a college degree in this field. Sometimes a little tweak here or there can make an OK image, a breathtaking image. As much photography as I see coming from you two, I get that your not taking pics of the car just because it is a hot *** car but to compose a beautiful image. I don't know squat about building/tuning a car so I dont have anything to offer in those regards, but I do know pictures. If I can offer a bit to help someone accomplish a stunning picture I will. If its not wanted then I stand down and keep my professional opinion to myself.

I think you took my post completely wrong.

I have no idea if you've ever seen either of our pics before, I was simply pointing out that he knows the basics and isn't someone like those idiots on IA who just picked up a camera yesterday and think their pics are awesome. It wasn't a mean spirited or dismissive post in any way what-so-ever.

Sorry it came across that way, it wasn't intended at all.

nolift

10-09-2009, 01:18 PM

No worries :gent:

LagunaJames

10-09-2009, 06:08 PM

looks hot.

btw, i don't think gimp is any less confusing the photoshop (CS-whatever version)

scandmx5

10-15-2009, 10:46 PM

Doppelgänger

10-16-2009, 08:56 AM

ok wtf, thats the bumper i saw on a RED NB that i loved
id rather have this than the GV lip spoiler
how many different Stock NB front bumpers were there?
ive seen some like mine, with the lil extra lip thing on the bottom like Matt Redd's
but i want this!

Matt has a 99-00 bumper with the OE 99-00 lip.
For 01+ the only OE lips available were the large lip (like what I have pictured) and the MSM lip. Anything else you have seen on a 01+ bumper is either aftermarket or custom.

For reference, this is the 99-00 with optional OE lip

http://mazdapartspeople.com/images/Mazda/MFront%20Airdam%20%20.jpg

This is the front lip by itself.

http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/49/cb/a212_35.JPG

There is a seller on ebay, Chrysler-W, who sells a lot of the OE lips, side skirts and rear spoilers. He doesn't have anything in Classic Red right now, but just look over his parts every week or so and he will eventually have them. They are $175 shipped, which is a damn good deal.

scandmx5

10-16-2009, 05:57 PM

Thanks Mike!
im not trying to take your style, but i cant help but love that bumper and large side skirts!
however, please tell me you have seen your almost twin (body wise)
i looked like a damn fool today as i was in Alpharetta and just saw the lip (pictured above and large side skirts) with some dark 17" rims (as you go through different ones)
i yell out "das doppelganguh" as it went by, then realized it was an older lady lol
she was nice and waived back, but it's CLOSE minus the suspension and big FM teeth smiling in front. it was a quick glance so thought it was you