Photography, Racing & Random Thoughts…
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The Original.
Aug 5th
Some may argue that Nosferatu started the fascination we have today with vampires. This unauthorized 1922 film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, had the names and other details changed, because the studio could not obtain the rights to the novel. Hence it’s a knock off, but an excellent movie nonetheless.
The real king of vampire is none other than 1931 movie, Dracula, played to perfection by the legendary, Bela Lugosi.
Forget the hormonal teen books, movies and television shows that have successfully watered down the genre that saturates today’s media, asking the eternal question… are you team vampire or team werewolf. Gimme a break!
Today’s parasitic wannabes can’t hold a candle to the presence of the original Dracula. But than again, nothing is really ever better than the original.
Vic
Popularity: 8% [?]
Great Racing Film: Grand Prix.
Aug 4th
Racing movies, are by far, the most difficult of film genres to bring to the masses. The movie has to be written and captured in a manner where the balance of a good storyline and accurately, captured racing cinematography, would be accepted to both the avid race fan and/or the general movie going audience.
Very few movies have accomplished this combination at the level where critics have declared worthy of sitting through. The problem being that racing movies are marketed as a racing movies. The love triangle, struggle under adversity, the underdog makes good storyline, has to revolve around this, making it secondary in importance. If the story is weak, the racing alone can’t carry the movie unless the racing footage has enough substance to carry the whole thing.
Only a handful of films are deemed worth to be called good racing movies. One of them is the 1966 John Frankenheimer film, Grand Prix.
Despite it’s average storyline, the Cinerama/Super Panavision cinematography is thrilling. The racing sequences, which were filmed on location are captivating. No computer generated anything here. The superb work done by the production’s editing team, combines the footage captured by helicopters and cameras mounted both on board the race cars (for point-of view action) and on race cars doubling as film cars, is the key to what makes it all work.
Like a great wine, time has been very good to this film as it enjoys an ever stronger following. Watching these cars race around historic tracks like Monaco, Spa and the banking of Italy’s famed Monza race track, stirs the soul of even the novice to F1 racing.
If you haven’t seen Grand Prix, you owe it to yourself to watch one of the best racing movies ever made.
Vic
Read more about Grand Prix:
Buy your DVD copy of Grand Prix at AMAZON
Popularity: 13% [?]
The Beauty of Racing.
Aug 2nd
If you are a racing aficionado, I’m sure you’ve seen them in the paddock area or on the grid before the start of a race. Their ages usually range from 18-30 and are often models by profession. They attract attention by wearing tightly fitted clothing (often short and revealing) which sport the logo/design of the sponsors or team they represent. They are the Paddock Girls.
They go by several monikers, Umbrella girls, Pit babes, Grid girls; names that have been used in professional automobile & motorcycle racing for many years. These names are used to refer to the attractive girls as they serve several functions during a race weekend.
Their original and one of the main duties are to hold umbrellas above the racers, to protect them when they are sitting out in the sun wearing their racing suits and helmets before a practice/qualifying session. These lovely ladies also perform the function of holding up each car’s number and/or national flag, either in front or next to the car, right before the big race.
You will usually see a few girls up on the podium congratulating the winner after he crosses the finish line. The drivers love to spray them with champagne after the awards have been presented.
Increasingly though, sponsors have been utilizing them to promote their companies and products. They promote everything from the race team to the tires they use, energy drinks to tequila; nothing gets more attention to their logo or brand name than well placed branding on a girls minuscule top or pair of tight fitting shorts or bikini bottoms.
These stunners are an integral part of today’s racing scene and provide an essential service to the drivers as well as to the sponsors. They will continue to be a part of racing for many years.
They stroll the paddock, handing out promotional cards, swag or just posing for pictures with the fans and drivers. They provide a pleasing distraction in between practice. qualifying and the race itself. Just be prepared for a well placed rap on the head from your wife or girlfriend if you are caught staring too long.
As for the countless photographers that cover these events? What else would they be photographing before the race?
Enjoy the gallery below of selected images from the web.
Vic
All images are copyright of their respective owners.
Popularity: 100% [?]
License for Speed.
Aug 2nd
Steve McQueen’s FIM license
Before it was deemed cool for an actor to race cars or motorcycles, there were guys like James Dean and Steve McQueen who did it just because they loved the thrill of speed and racing. Their thespian profession was merely a means to an end; a way to satisfy their lifestyle which included racing things with 2 and 4 wheels.
The late Paul Newman was cut from the same cloth. although his lifestyle was less reckless and more centered on his family, acting and racing. His need for speed was just as intense, as is evident by his remarkable achievements as both a driver and a team owner, well into his 80′s.
Here’s to Steve, Paul & James, and to those who raced for the passion of speed and not for the sake of fame or to try and be cool. Cool, after all, was in their DNA.
Vic
Popularity: 18% [?]
Cars & Coffee – 07/31/2010
Jul 31st
Woke up at 5am this morning to capture and enjoy the cars that are brought out and displayed by their owner’s at Cars & Coffee in Irvine.
Check out the gallery below of just a few of the cars that I captured and selected.
Vic
Popularity: 2% [?]
A Parent’s Worst Nightmare.
Jul 30th
For the mother and father of Norma Lopez, July 15th marked the beginning of the most dreaded thing a parent can go through. On this day, they received the news that one of their children was missing.
After Norma’s sister reported her missing (when she didn’t come home from school), police and local authorities quickly mobilized to find Norma. After an intense 5 day search, the worst that could be imagined had manifested itself. Despite the best efforts of both the police and community volunteers to find her alive and unhurt, her body was discovered in a remote field on July 20th. Authorities confirmed the following day, through dental records, that the remains found where those of Norma, who police believe was kidnapped on her way home from summer school.
As a father of a teenage girl, this type of news has a deep and profound effect on me. I am constantly telling my daughter to be careful, be wary of strangers, not to put herself in a situation where her safety will be compromised… to use good common sense. Every time a news story comes up where a teen has been abducted or killed, I have her watch it with me so that she understands that I am not exaggerating about the dangers that are out there and that it could happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone.
Well, last Wednesday, this story hit close to home. My brother-in-law called and asked if we had heard that a family member (from my wife’s side of the family) had been kidnapped and murdered. I said that we did not and proceeded to scour the web for information. Soon enough, I came across several stories on the kidnapping of Norma. I switched on the local news and within the hour, they confirmed that the body found was hers.
As I have done before, I called in my daughter to watch the news report with me and explained what had transpired. I also explained that the young girl was also related to her.
As a parent, all I can do is provide my daughter (and my son) with as much information as I can, about the world we live in and the people with harmful intentions, that live among us. I know I must sound extremely redundant to them, but I do it so that they never forget what I tell them and to easy my mind at least a bit. Aside from locking them up at home 24/7 or having a body guard at their side every time they go out, giving them as much information to be aware when they are out in the real world is the best defense a parent can provide to their kids.
The parents, sisters and brother of Norma, will be dealing with the pain and loss of their beautiful daughter, for a long time. Let’s hope that the authorities and help ease some of that pain by apprehending the monster(s) who did this so as to bring them to justice and to make the streets safer for all our children.
If you would like to help the family, you can visit the website they have set up for her: Find Norma Lopez’s Killer. A donate button through PayPal is set up to help her family.
A growing reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. If you’d like to contribute to the reward fund, you can request to donate to the fund at Wells Fargo banks.
If by chance you have any information related to the case, contact Moreno Valley Police Department hot-line designated for this case at (877) 242-4345 or e-mail the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at findnormaskiller@riversidesheriff.org.
Let’s hope that those involved in this crime are found, arrested and brought to justice. But most importantly, talk to your children about being safe and to be aware of their surroundings at all time. Also important, support your community and local law enforcement to keep this from happening again.
Rest in peace, Norma.
Popularity: 1% [?]
MotoGP @ Laguna Seca.
Jul 27th
I attended my first MotoGP race this past weekend and it was fantastic!
I have been to the famous race track in Monterey, California, yearly since 1997 and have attended several sports car and open wheel racing events there. After watching this years motorcycle race, I will definitely be going back next year to catch the excitement that the MotoGP bring to the US.
I must admit I was hesitant in attending the MotoGP, as I have heard the stories about the very large crowds at the track and the traffic and congestion heading into and out of the race track. To my pleasant surprise, none of this was an issue as the crowds were spread out throughout the track and the traffic was handle in excellent fashion by the folks at SCRAMP and local law enforcement.
It was great to see riders like Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner and race winner, Jorge Lorenzo, as they battled each other on the sweeping turns, climbing straights and the iconic “Corkscrew” that are part of Laguna Seca. The only problem I encountered was finding a suitable place to shoot since I did not have credentials to photograph inside the fence. There were so many people covering every decent vantage point around the track, that finding a place to “pan” next to the fence, was next to impossible. I made do initially at a spot overlooking Rainey Curve, just past the Corkscrew, and then later a spot overlooking the Andretti Hairpin.
A great overall weekend and race. Looking forward to the MotoGP at Laguna in 2011!
Enjoy the images in the gallery below.
Vic
Popularity: 24% [?]
