Adams Views Imaging

The Lobby

2012-01-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

An HDR Pano taken at Flagler College, St Augustine, Florida -;0)

4 sets of bracketed shots using a $29 WalMart Tripod.

BMW 1934 R7 - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2012-01-19T13:30:00.002-05:00

This 1934 BMW R7 prototype is one of the most talked aboutand best-loved motorcycles of the 1930s, yet it never left the factory, and wasknown only through a single, mysterious photo for over 70 years.

When completed in 1934, the R7 wasn’t exhibited of press-releasedand appears to have been shelved immediately. Complicated forces worked againstthe R7. While the prototype is a hand fabricated one-off, actual productionwould require huge investment in tooling for the metal pressings, new castingfor the engine, gearbox, and cylinders, plus set-up for the unique internalparts. Internal factory politics certainly played a hand as well. The BMW team saw the R7 as impractical inthe owners would need specialist mechanics.

Clamor arose in the 1980s to revive the R7; it wasn’t until2005 the task was handed to two legendary restorers: Armin Frey undertook tomechanicals, while Hans Keckeisen massaged the sheet metal.

The 1934 R7 prototype is an unquestioned design success – a gracefuland beautiful study of flowing line, curves, and feminine masses.

Duesenburg 1936 Prototype Gentleman's Speedster - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2012-01-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

In the mid-1930s, Cord Corporation designed a less expensiveDuesenburg to offset the decline brought on by The Great Depression. This waslabeled “The Baby Duesenburg Project”. Since the Auburn was popular at this time, Gordon Buehrig used existingV12 engines to help design this Duesenburg Gentleman’s Speedster. This is the only prototype known to have beenproduced.

Parts from Auburns, Cords and Duesenburgs were used to buildthis car. In addition to the LycomingV12 engine, bumpers were designed like the 810-812 Cord, body was a modifiedAuburn Speedster, the hood panels were those of a Duesenburg.

The car was on display at the ACD museum during the 1970sand 1980s and in 1989, Ed Weaver purchased this car and had it restored to its originalspecifications. Actor Jackie Coogan isreputed to have been its first owner. This car has been certified by the ACD club as an experimental CategoryI car.

Fatal Traction

2012-01-02T12:32:00.000-05:00

A 1968 Camaro SS set up for drag racing -;0)

Whiskey Roller

2011-12-30T18:31:00.000-05:00

"Lil Rumbler"

2011-12-22T12:01:00.001-05:00

Daytona Turkey Run 2011

Veyron Haze

2011-12-09T11:22:00.001-05:00

Duesenburg 1933 SJN Arlington Torpedo Sedan - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-12-07T19:14:00.001-05:00

In 1933, Duesenburg raised the standard of automotive designwith a car so spectacular that it commanded the unheard of price of$20,000. The Arlington Torpedo Sedan wasdesigned by legendary stylist, Gordon Mille Buehring. It was placed atop a Supercharged SJ chassisby Rollston, INC. of New York. Thevehicle was built for a display at the Century of Progress Exposition, betterknown as the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933-34.

This car received more attention to chassis fit and finishthan any other Duesenburg ever constructed. When acquired by the current owners in 1978, Mr. Buehring and formerDuesenburg president Harold Ames were both consulted on, to ensure an accuraterestoration. The car emerged from the shop at San Sylmar exactly as it appearedthe day it left the factory for the World’s Fair.

This spectacular example of wheeled sculpture usuallyresides in the Grand Salon of the Nethercutt Collection in Slymar, California.

Morning Mists

2011-12-06T20:14:00.001-05:00

Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. Khalil Gibran

Revelations

2011-11-27T13:53:00.001-05:00

One of my favorites from the Daytona Turkey Run 2011. I went down on Friday, there were more people than I have ever seen before and I would be willing to bet they top 6,000 cars this year!

You may purchase a copy of this collector print by clicking here!

Bugatti 1938 57C - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-11-17T20:00:00.001-05:00

The Type 57C is recognized as being the most sporting of allnon-racing Bugatti’s. The T57/57C wasand entirely new design heavily influenced by Jean Bugatti, son of founderEttore. Between 1934 and the outbreak ofWorld War II, more than 680 examples were produced in various body styles. The vehicle delivered all around refinement,while focusing on the engineering values that had made Bugatti successful.

Chassis #57661 was delivered in May 1938, with a Stelviocabriolet body to Lacroix. The car wasrefitted with this unique Volla Ruhrbeck “Waterfall” body which has now beenretrofitted to chassis 57819. This carwas restored in 2010, with engine 25C by Highmountain Classics and fitted witha reproduction roadster body built by Autoclassic Tourane (Tours France) to thedesign the Jean Bugatti and Gangloff completed in December of 1935.

You may purchase a copy of this collector print by clicking here!

MG Rains!

2011-11-08T20:10:00.001-05:00

Taken at the World Golf Village in St Augustine, Florida.

Viper Rains

2011-11-05T16:37:00.000-04:00

Dodge Viper first generation:

0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.6 sec

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 9.2 sec

Quarter mile: 12.9 sec @ 113.8 mph (183.1 km/h)

Top speed: 184 mph (296 km/h)

Working some archive images -;0)

1976 Chevrolet Greenwood Widebody Corvette - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-11-01T21:01:00.001-04:00

In 1976 John Greenwood built this car for Chicago Dealer Rick Mancusco. The widebody Corvette was built to run in the 1976 IMSA Road Racing Series. Mancusco debuted the car at the 76 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona then went on to run the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. John Greenwood was quietly approached to field a widebody Corvette at the 76 24 Hours of Le Mans. He realized that the time was too tight to build another chassis for Le Mans, so he asked Mancusco to let him borrow the Mancuso-Greenwood Corvette. After arriving at Le Mans, French rally driver Claude Darnish was enlisted to co-drive with John. The car qualified sixth, with a top speed of 221 mph and lasted until the 16th hours when a rear tire exploded, damaging the fuel cell and rear bodywork. Mancusco campaigned the car several years before retiring it.

Free PSM Quest Photography Studio Management with Mobile Devices!

2011-10-27T21:55:00.000-04:00

For Android, and iPhone!

Even though there are only a few companies offering Photography Studio Management software in the market, to stay competitive we are always looking for ways to support all of the current technologies and devices. We are excited today to announced that our users can access Quest from mobiles devices anywhere in the world.

And in keeping with our mantra of operating on a budget - the cost for these services? Free!

With Quest you can now access your appointments, contact and event locations, directions to the shoot, client orders, expenses, invoices etc. from any your mobile device. We are the only program on the market offering all of these solutions right now and at no extra cost!

What can I access with my mobile? Anything! On the road and need to add or edit and order and send an updated invoice? No problem! On the road and need to add a new booking or expense? You can do it with quest as well! You can access quest running on the computer running in your studio anytime anywhere! We don’t see any other of our competitors offering full access yet!!!

How did we do this? Two ways!

If you just need to access your schedule and the detailed booking event schedule/location/driving directions our first offering works by interfacing using Google to display our online data. Although Quest does interface directly with Outlook and yes there are apps to sync it with mobile devices, the selection, prices and quality of service are just very inconsistent. Not to say you cannot go this route but we also have many customers that do not use the Outlook suite at all, this is why we integrated ease of access and automated exports of system files to formats that can be imported into Google with just a couple clicks. Once they are in Google you will just follow their well documented steps to set up you syncs.

With our Quest Calendar you may have noticed that the automated export process also sends and displays the client’s name, mobile number and the event address and map links to the event schedule details. Your studio staff can always have quick access to the critical information regardless of their location via mobile devices. No extra cost, no difficult setups just quick, simple and immediate access to your key data!

Android Display of Quest Calender Details

In the second scenario if your computer is online back at your studio you can use your mobile to access and run Quest from your mobile device anywhere.

The following images step through only a few of the things you can do via mobile. I captured these images from my Android Phone logged into my computer at home in Florida while sitting at the Airport in Dayton Ohio. You will noticed I used the Airport Wifi, do you need to do this? No, I did because I was inside as it was cold and raining and the free service was really nice! The performance on 3g or 4g networks is excellent as well!

If you would like to try out this syle of service with Quest give our demo a spin and if it looks like a good fit for you drop an email and we will give you the set up to try the Demo you are running via mobile as well. The entire set up to add mobile web access to Quest is very easy, free and takes less than 9 minutes!

Mobile Remote Login - Quest Login

Mobile Remote Login - The Quest Main Contact Form

Mobile Remote Login - Edit a Quest Order

Mobile Remote Login - Email an Updated Invoice

Mobile Remote Login - Edit a Scheduled Shoot

Steel, Skulls and Sky

2011-10-17T21:31:00.001-04:00

Steel, Skulls and Sky, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Biketoberfest 2011!

Cold Steel and Sky

2011-10-10T21:05:00.001-04:00

Cold Steel and Sky, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Getting fired up for this years Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, it runs from October 13-16, 2011. If you like shooting bikes in great fall weather weather this is a must see. Over the few days there will be about 80K bikes from all over the world, I am always overwhelmed shooting these events, just amazing! Hope to see you there!

Here is the event site:
www.biketoberfest.org/

This bike was built by Tempest cycles they are at:
tempestcycle.com/

The Evening Tide

2011-10-08T13:24:00.001-04:00

The Evening Tide, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

From the Fernandina Beach, FL United States (Marina) Photo Walk last night. This was part of the Scott Kelby annual Worldwide Photo Walk, nice bunch of folks and some fun with the camera!

Around The Bend III

2011-10-03T12:34:00.001-04:00

Around The Bend III, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

3 Vertical Mutli Exposures (X3) pano of an approaching storm in Southeast Georgia

Georgetown Nights II

2011-09-24T19:07:00.001-04:00

Georgetown Nights II, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Saint Peters Gold

2011-09-12T20:53:00.001-04:00

Another Eddie Trotta Masterpiece!

From The West

2011-09-10T08:11:00.001-04:00

Spotted this while running some errands downtown this week -;0)

The Waters Edge

2011-09-01T20:57:00.001-04:00

Another Hurricane Irene Storm Rider, taken near the house on Amelia Island -;0)

Bugatti 1937 57SC Coupe V2 - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-08-28T20:11:00.001-04:00

Bugatti 1937 57SC Coupe - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Text from from and earlier post on this ride:

This Bugatti 57SC has quite a history after being sold by Bugatti of Paris on April 9, 1937, according to invoices. The car came to the United States around 1959-1960 and it was sold to George Hughley. His caretaker-mechanic put a tablespoon full of upper cylinder lubricant in each cylinder. This caused a hydraulic lock that damaged the block. The importer Gene Cesari, bought a new block directly from Molsheim for about $125.

George Hughley removed the original engine and sold the car without the engine to Donald Versley. Versley found the standard T57 engine and used it in the chassis. The engine was converted to SC configuration, including a dry sump lubricator and compressor.

The car passed through a couple more owners before ending up as a part of the Blackhawk Collection. The current owner acquired the car and commissioned Bob Mosier of Mosier Restorations, Inc, to completely restore the car in late 2006. This car has won awards since the restoration.

As a tribute to the amazing work Bob Mosier did I sent him complimentary copies of these images.

Storm Rider - Hurricane Irene

2011-08-26T22:22:00.001-04:00

Scheduled the day of before we new where Irene was heading, even though it just brushed by this morning I stayed home anyway. Headed out to the beach to watch the storm pass, get some pics and do a little Soulsurfing. I think many of the local high school kids had the same idea and ditched school, except they had surfing in mind!

I have never shot surfers before and have had learning how to surf on my bucket list for a while, these guys had a great time and trying to shoot them was really a kick. Got some bigger waves etc. but this was my fave of the set. I am definitely going to pick this sport up in the next few weeks, got a few tips from the youngsters and will try to barter some pics for lessons!

Lola 1966 T70 Spyder - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-08-19T17:29:00.001-04:00

Lola 1966 T70 Spyder - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Country of origin - Great Britain
Configuration - Chevrolet 90º V8
Fuel feed - 4 Weber Carburettors
Power-500 bhp / 373 KW

Quoting Conceptcarz

British race car builder Eric Broadley was one of the first to combine light weight mid-engine chassis with American V-8 power, in the Lola GT that ran at Le Mans in 1963. In 1965 he introduced the T70, which for two years was the world's fastest racing car.

Developed by World champion driver John Surtees, with 500 HP and weighing 1750 pounds, it had blinding acceleration, 0 to 100 mph in less than six seconds with stable, predictable handling.

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

Studio Management on A Budget – Free Photography Studio Online Booking!

2011-08-15T20:55:00.008-04:00

I run a small Photography Studio Management Softwarebusiness, designed for smaller studios running on a budget. The current version of the product, PSM Quest added automated Calendar and EventSchedule tracking integrated with Google Calendar (Gcal). This allows any of our users to publish theirevent with detailed schedules to Google Calendar (Gcal) with a few clicks andin less than 20 seconds! We already hadfull integration with the Outlook Calendar, but 75% of my customers wererunning the product on systems without Microsoft Office installed so I programmeda robust solution at no additional cost to support their needs. The Gcal is not only displayed live in Questbut can be synced and accessible from any mobile device (alerts included) andcan also be easily embedded in the Studios Website.

My pitch and practice is to do more with less but withoutsacrificing quality. Another commonrequest I have had is about the support for a Photography Studios OnlineBooking with automated notifications of new requests. RunningGcal to track and display your appointments, sessions and bookings is anexcellent way to go as it can be accessed and synced by so many sources. Do not be deceived by the “free” price thereis nothing better that reaches as far on the market today, but wouldn’t it benice to have it also accommodate appointment/booking requests and at the sameprice? I searched for such a solution and much to my surprise found a very userfriendly and professional product that does this very nicely! Enter Tungle!!

Tungle Can be synced with Gcal and Outlook, among others, displayed andrunning on your Website or mobile devices.

I was able to set up, sync with my Gcal embed there bookingcode via copy paste into my website using the Web Widget in a couple minutes time. It can also set up in FB, Wordpress Blogs.

Here is the Master Schedule in Quest and online in theStudios Website, the source of the Tungle sync.

Here is a demo of both the Gcal and Tungle Booking agent embedded on one page in a Studios Website.

To book all the customer does is drag on the Free times.

Then add meeting details.

The customer receives a confirmation.

The studio receives an email and can also respond/book in Tungle

Tungle also provides a beautiful stand-alone Calendar thatcan be linked to from your site. Here is the link to my demo calendar.

This is a great one for any Studio on a budget or not, I would encourage anyone interested in adding free online booking to your business to give them a spin, you will not be disappointed! The rest of this post is quoting information provided on the Tungle site:

Tungle what?

Tungle.me is a scheduling application that syncs with your existing calendar.

Eliminate double-bookings, time zone mishaps and the back-and-forth of finding a time to meet
Easily schedule meetings, inside or outside your organization
Invite others to schedule with you, without having to sign up

Is Tungle a calendar?

No… not yet. Tungle.me enhances your existing calendar, giving it the flexibility and agility you need to easily schedule meetings with anyone, inside or outside your company, no matter what calendar type they’re using.

What calendars does Tungle.me work with?

Tungle.me syncs with Outlook (with or without Exchange), Google Calendar, Apple iCal, Entourage for Mac and Lotus Notes.

Why would I use Tungle.me over just my calendar?

Tungle.me lets you propose multiple times in meeting invitations, share calendars across systems, inside or outside your company, and create a personal scheduling page with custom availability where people can see when you’re free and schedule meetings with you. It also automatically prevents double bookings and adjusts for time zones. Your calendar alone doesn’t give you that much agility.

Do people I use Tungle.me with have to sign up or download anything?

No. People can reply to your meeting invitations, or send you invitations through your Tungle.me page, without ever signing up or downloading anything.

Union Station Valet

2011-08-09T19:00:00.004-04:00

Union Station Valet, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

A great place to park your bike during inclement weather in DC!

Chinatowning

2011-08-02T19:24:00.002-04:00

Chinatowning, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

I never question what to do, it tells me what to do. The photographs make themselves with my help. ~Ruth Bernhard

Dévouement

2011-07-05T21:07:00.002-04:00

I saw this amazing work up close for the first time last week and was floored!!!

This image is a composite of “The Cavalry Group” and the Church of Prince Willams Parish known as Sheldon. Built between 1745-1755, burned by the British Army 1779, rebuilt 1826, burned again by the Federal Army 1865.

The amazing story behind this bronze masterwork:

Located near the Capitol Reflecting Pool, the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial represents the Union victory that General Grant engineered during the Civil War. The completion of this memorial in the 1920s placed General Grant on the east-west axis of the National Mall, two miles away from the memorial that honors the Civil War President, Abraham Lincoln.

The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is the largest equestrian statue grouping in Washington, D.C. White Vermont marble bases hold three massive bronze sculptures. Oxidation of the metals has turned the bronze from a golden brown to a dark green color. The centerpiece is a statue of General Grant on his favorite horse, Cincinnati. The statue sits on a marble pedestal 22 feet high and flanked by four bronze lions.

The sculptures on either side of General Grant are named “The Artillery Group” and “The Cavalry Group.”

The sculptor, Mr. Henry Merwin Shrady, was personally connected to this memorial because his father, Dr. George Frederick Shrady, had been General Grant's doctor. Shrady had no formal artistic training and completing the three massive bronze statues consumed the last 20 years of his life. Unfortunately, Shrady died only weeks before the Memorial was dedicated in 1922, but his work still inspires visitors to the U.S. Grant Memorial.

Capital Strummers

2011-06-24T19:48:00.002-04:00

Capital Strummers, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Just got back from a much too quick trip! A great time and picked up a few fun pics to work with -;0)

Harbor Dusk

2011-06-18T08:19:00.003-04:00

Harbor Dusk, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still. - Dorothea Lange

Archive digging! One of the sets of piers downtown.

Sundaze Wheelz

2011-06-17T18:36:00.002-04:00

Sundaze Wheelz, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

A nice looking 36 Ford spotted on a summer trip -;0)

Georgia Crossroads

2011-06-13T16:03:00.002-04:00

Georgia Crossroads, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

I dream that someday the step between my mind and my finger will no longer be needed. And that simply by blinking my eyes, I shall make pictures. Then, I think, I shall really have become a photographer. - Alfred Eisenstaedt

A newer bike from Eddie Trotta, an older BBQ joint just down the road from the house in Kingsland, Georigia.

Bugatti 1937 57SC Coupe - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-05-25T20:23:00.004-04:00

This Bugatti 57SC has quite a history after being sold by Bugatti of Paris on April 9, 1937, according to invoices. The car came to the United States around 1959-1960 and it was sold to George Hughley. His caretaker-mechanic put a tablespoon full of upper cylinder lubricant in each cylinder. This caused a hydraulic lock that damaged the block. The importer Gene Cesari, bought a new block directly from Molsheim for about $125.

George Hughley removed the original engine and sold the car without the engine to Donald Versley. Versley found the standard T57 engine and used it in the chassis. The engine was converted to SC configuration, including a dry sump lubricator and compressor.

The car passed through a couple more owners before ending up as a part of the Blackhawk Collection. The current owner acquired the car and commissioned Bob Mosier of Mosier Restorations, Inc, to completely restore the car in late 2006. This car has won awards since the restoration.

As a tribute to the amazing work Bob Mosier did I sent him complimentary copies of these images.

You may purchase copies of this print here!

1935 Duesenburg J-585 Speedster - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-05-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

This car was ordered for the Maharaja Hoklar of Indore, India, through the Duesenburg dealership in London. The chassis and engine were shipped to London where the body was fitted and then the car was back to Santa Ana, Ca, where the Maharaja had a home. The car was painted in the state colors of Idore with the Maharaja seal on the front fenders. Subsequently, the car was owned by the Sheikh Muktar of Pakistan before it returned to the United States in 1959.

Note the wicker steering wheel and extraordinarily long sweeping fenders. The scale of the car is incredible for a speedster measuring in at over 19 feet. There is also a rumble seat which can be accessed by a fold out step on the side of the car.

You may purchase copies of these prints here!

1938 Gulf Miller Special - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-05-15T17:44:00.002-04:00

Following the first-ever appearance by a rear-engine car at Indianapolis during practice in 1937, the legendary Harry Miller was commissioned by the Gulf Oil Company to build three such cars. Extremely futuristic for the time they featured four-wheel drive and a six cylinder supercharged Miller engine, titled over at an angle. Only one arrived in 1938, too late to qualify. Of three in 1939, only George Bailey was able to qualify, although he did so in sixth place, the first rear-engine car ever in the Indy 500 race-day lineup. Of the handful of starts by these cars between 1939 and 1947, none traveled further than Bailey’s 47 laps in 1939. Originally intended to run on pump gasoline, they featured side mounted pontoon tanks, which proved to be very dangerous. After a pair of serious fires, the cars appeared in 1941 minus the pontoon tanks.

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

Mays Blooms

2011-05-08T21:17:00.005-04:00

Happy mothers day!

These guys bloom just in time. I don't shoot many flowers but try to get some orchids in natural light in the house once a year -;0)

Diamond Blue

2011-05-05T19:34:00.003-04:00

Diamond Blue, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

A photographer's reality is what he or she wants to show. - Fred Picker

1934 BMW R11 Series 4 - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-04-26T19:29:00.006-04:00

Here is the backgound! The current owner Peter Nettesheim graciously provided the following:

The bike pictured is my 1934 BMW R11 series 4. It was restored about 24 years ago in Germany and stood for the next 20 years in the owners office. A broker friend of mine found it and immediately thought of me. I purchased it in 2009 and had it shipped to the US last year. I selected it from my collection to bring to Amelia Island. I have been riding it and with a few items that needed attention it now runs wonderfully. The engine is a 750cc side valve producing 18 horsepower. It has no rear suspension and the front suspension is via a single front leaf spring. The transmission is a three speed, non synchro with a bevel rear drive. The ignition is magneto with a generator for the purpose of supplying power for a headlight,taillight and horn. The electrical system is a 6v system.

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

1932 MG J2 - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-04-18T20:32:00.002-04:00

In the 1920’s it was common practice to add a bit of tuning and dashing coachwork to an otherwise staid sedan and create a “sports car”. In 1922, Cecil Kimber began his experimenting, melding tuning and new coachwork to a 1.8 liter Oxford Engine, creating the MG Super Sports. Backed by Morris reliability and service, this little car was a success. By the 1930’s, MG’s evolved into the classic slab-tanked, two-seat roadster which remained popular for many years to come. The J2 shown is a 1932 model. The J2 features an 850 CC overhead cam engine, producing 36 horsepower and propelling the car up to 80 miles per hour. 2.083 J2s were produced along with a limited number of supercharged J3 and J4 (four passenger) variants. The success of the J types as sports and race cars helped solidify MG’s early reputation.

The J Type MG was the predecessor to the P Type and then the well known and loved T series cars. So, you could very easily justify the J2 the “Grandfather of the British Sports Car Movement.”

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

1928 Chevrolet Beach Racer - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-04-15T19:59:00.003-04:00

This Beach Racer was built in Jacksonville, Florida by Bert Moyer. He utilized a 1928 Chevrolet engine, rear axle, front axle and brakes. The rest of the running gear is a 1926 Chevrolet. The body was so rusty it was duplicated in Jacksonville, FL by Jimmy Britts and painted by Steve Pisano.

The car raced in northern Florida and southern Georgia in the 1930’s. Bert raced in Atlanta against Ralph DePalma (1915 Indy 500 Winner) among other drivers.

The car was found in Mrs. Sally Moyer’s garage in Jacksonville in 2006. She is the daughter-in-law of Bert Moyer. The car was restored in Jacksonville by Randy Kimberly and was unveiled at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours.

You may purchase a copy of these prints here!

Consecrated Steel II

2011-04-14T19:50:00.002-04:00

Consecrated Steel II, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Didn't ever think I would find another one of these - just happened on a break from working some car shots -;0)

Duesenburg 1929 J-111 Dual Cowl Phaeton - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-04-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Duesenburgs were the choice of not just the simply rich, but the ultra-wealthy. With custom coachwork by LeBaron, this automobile cost nearly $20,000 new, which in 1929, was the equivalent of purchasing two average middle-class homes and about two dozen Model A Fords.

This is the 10th Model J built, and was originally displayed at the 1929 New York and Los Angeles Auto Shows before becoming a company demonstrator to the Hollywood elite. It was eventually purchased by James Talmadge, son of actors Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge.

In 1947, this car sold as used for only $123!

Taken at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

You may purchase a copy of this print here.

1931 Duesenburg Indy Race Car - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-04-01T17:55:00.001-04:00

This car was built for the 1931 Indianapolis 500 by chassis builder/fabricator Herman Rigling. Mr Rigling partner in design and construction was the famous mechanic, Cotton Henning. The Rigling-Henning Duesenburg used a special engine that was designed and built by Fred Duesenburg exclusively for racing. The engine was based on the Duesenburg Model A block.

In the 1931 Indy 500 the vehicle ws driven by Babe Strapp where he qualified sixth, averaging 110.1 MPH for four laps. He was running in third when an oil leak and clutch problem forced an early retirement from the event.

In the 1932 event the vehicle was named the “Duesenburg Special” and was piloted by L.L. Corum but he did not qualify. In the 1933 Indy 500, the car was named “The Jack O. Car Special” and was driven by Willard Prentiss, he qualified 40^th at 107.8 MPH and finished 13^th. The vehicle completed all 200 laps at an average speed of 95.6 MPH and was ahead of 5 other Duesenburg’s in the race.

You may purchase a copy of this print here.

1930 Lincoln Sport Roadster - Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2011

2011-03-31T22:41:00.004-04:00

This sporty roadster was created by Locke & Company for Lincoln to debut in the 1930 Auto Shows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The catalog of custom bodies listed its special features including the disappearing top. Which is completely hidden under the rear cowl when put down and a arm-rest in the center of the front seat – very unusual for the time.

The car seen was ordered at the Chicago show and delivered to a prominent Doctor. Only 15 of this model were produced, this being #13-4 type 5000, model 191. Number 13 was the body tag designation for Locke and #4 was its production number of the 15 made. This is the oldest survivor of the three remaining Locke Sport Roadsters.

For this year’s Concours I am taking a different approach, making composite fine art pieces with some the finest images from the shoot. I have chosen and am working with three main backgrounds shots from the region to complement both the timelessness of the moment and beauty of the machine. My inspiration is to hang something out there that is unique, beautiful and unlike any of the other great shots of these amazing rides taken through the years.

You may purchase a copy of this print here.

Towin The Line

2011-03-24T20:45:00.002-04:00

Towin The Line, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Blues is a natural fact, is something that a fellow lives. If you don't live it you don't have it. Young people have forgotten to cry the blues. Now they talk and get lawyers and things. - Big Bill Broonzy

On the ride home from work today, Vhameleon pickin up some side jobs -;0)

The Apocalypse

2011-03-18T18:58:00.003-04:00

The Apocalypse, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm....

Taken at 2010 Daytona Turkey Run!

South Texas Yellows Purple

2011-03-17T20:00:00.002-04:00

South Texas Yellows Purple, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

I couldn't find the sports car of my dreams, so I built it myself. Ferdinand Porsche

Taken at the 2011 Daytona Turkey Run.

1930 Duesenburg - Fred Frame Side-Winder - 2011 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

2011-03-16T18:16:00.005-04:00

The best know of the racing Duesies in the 1930's built by Augie Duesenburg it took 2nd Place 1931 Indy 500. In 1933 driver/owner Fred Frame added a Duesenburg "side-winder" supercharger to the eight-cylinder engine resulting in 200+ horsepower. Raced into the 40's and found in a chicken coup in California years later.

Taken at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance.

You may purchase a copy of this print here.

Duesenburg 1920 Special Number 12 - 2011 Amelia Concours D'Elegance

2011-03-15T18:13:00.004-04:00

Taken at the 2011 Amelia Concours D'Elegance this last weekend, the show was amazing!

Won in the 1921 French Grand Prix and also the 1922 Indy 500 with a Straight Eight Miller engine at a record 94.484 mph - first ever to do it from the pole position. It is also the first race car to have four wheel hydraulic brakes!

You may purchase a copy of this print here.

Okeechobee Red

2011-03-14T19:12:00.004-04:00

Photography is like making cheese. It takes a hell of a lot of milk to make a small amount of cheese just like it takes a hell of a lot of photos to get a good one. - Robert Gillis

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

South Beach Bagger

2011-03-11T19:21:00.004-05:00

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. Georgia O'Keeffe

You may purchase a copy of this print here!

Sittin At The Gates II

2011-03-08T19:32:00.002-05:00

Sittin At The Gates II, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

This is the talented Daniel Bueso's first Eddie Trotta paint job. I was trying to put together a pic that did this amazing work some justice - finally came together -;0)

www.facebook.com/buesoartstudio

Eddie Trotta - Daytona Bikeweek 2011

2011-03-05T19:11:00.003-05:00

Eddie Trotta - Daytona Bikeweek 2011, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Eddie has been an acquaintance for a few years now, many of my bike images are of his amazing creations. His work is my favorite out there and if you ever have he chance to meet him you will find out that he is also one of the friendliest out there as well.

Spent the day at Bike Week yesterday and really got some nice stuff to work on for while - feels good to have fresh bike palettes around again!!

Give them a visit at:

www.thundercycle.com/

1957 Ferrari 335 Sport

2011-02-27T09:32:00.002-05:00

1957 Ferrari 335 Sport, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Scuderia Ferrari

390.0 bhp @ 7800 rpm
Alloy,Twin Spark, 60 Degree V12

2nd place 1957 1000KM Nurburgring
2nd place 1957 Grand Prix of Sweden
3rd place 1957 1000KM Spa/Francorchamps
1st place 1957 Grand Prix Venezuela
1st and 3rd 1957 Nassau Speed Week
DNF 1958 Grand Prix of Cuba

Taken at the 2010 Amelia Concours D'Elegance, got another media pass to shoot this years event in a couple weeks. Reviewing last years work to try and better plan my shots this year -;0)

www.ameliaconcours.org/

Vhameleon

2011-02-26T08:18:00.002-05:00

Vhameleon, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

One can of $3 spray paint, 30 minutes and some Cuban coffee...

My son challenged me to paint the car – he is always embarrassed riding around in an off purple beat VW (still running the junkyard engine I dropped into it 80K miles ago) so I hooked him up Sunday morning - took about 30 minutes.

We are cool now, dad and son – problem is even driving down I95 to work folks are whipping out there iPhones and snapping shots of it at 80 mph –;0)

Black on Black

2011-02-22T20:30:00.002-05:00

Black on Black, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy? Albert Einstein

I give away my low angle secret here -;0) Almost had a full Santa Beard for Christmas, will have to start a little earlier next year!

Ace O Basin!

2011-02-19T08:20:00.002-05:00

Ace O Basin!, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

A stampede is louder than a heartbeat - Ford

This is a tribute to one of my favorite car shooters AceOBase who also owns an awesome Mustang Mach I. Take a peek at his amazing work if you have not seen it before!

Facade

2011-02-16T19:26:00.003-05:00

Facade, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

...forward surface

The Harbor Lines of Dusk

2011-02-15T19:51:00.002-05:00

The Harbor Lines of Dusk, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Another archive piece. Always loved the lines on this but the with the 3 shot 1EV spread on my old FZ50 missed some of the shadow details and I was frustrated trying to process it back then as I wanted to pull more of the boats features into the shot. Tried again, this is as good as it will get! Shooting into the sun with HDR can be a challenge but generally works well with landscapes, a tripod and as many shots as you can get to pull the details together. There is no way a tripod could have been used on this shot however (and many of the others I attempt) laying on the dock hanging the camera inches over the water and using the articulating LCD to frame it up -;0)

My dream camera would be one that auto brackets up to 9 shots and has the articulating LCD, I might have to give up coffee and take up yoga to keep a steady hand in these situations however!

Orange Blossom Special

2011-02-12T11:29:00.002-05:00

Orange Blossom Special, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

This is my first HDR bike shot from Daytona taken at Biketoberfest 2006, little did I know what a bad habit it would become!

Look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
Hey, look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
It's the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back

Well, I'm going down to Florida
And get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe Californy
And get some sand in my shoes
I'll ride that Orange Blossom Special
And lose these New York blues

"Say man, when you going back to Florida?"
"When am I goin' back to Florida? I don't know, don't reckon I ever will."
"Ain't you worried about getting your nourishment in New York?"
"Well, I don't care if I do-die-do-die-do-die-do-die."

Hey talk about a-ramblin'
She's the fastest train on the line
Talk about a-travellin'
She's the fastest train on the line
It's that Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line

Moored, Port Side To

2011-02-10T17:39:00.002-05:00

Moored, Port Side To, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

...to make fast with or as if with cables, lines, or anchors

Still reworking some archives that I just could not get right when I shot them, still limited but some new skills are making a difference with many of them -;0)

Flames Of Gold

2011-02-06T20:57:00.002-05:00

Flames Of Gold, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

All fantasy should have a solid base in reality. Max Beerbohm

The Lines Of Time

2011-02-03T21:07:00.002-05:00

The Lines Of Time, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat. Jacques Yves Cousteau

Haven't been able to get out and shoot for a while I have so many in the archives to take another look at however! This is from a few years ago, have few more diamonds in the rough to work from the same time-frame as well -;0)

Consecrated Steel

2011-01-28T19:34:00.002-05:00

Consecrated Steel, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Great photography is always on the edge of failure. - Garry Winogrand

Always trying to find new places and ways to display these -;0)

2x4

2011-01-15T22:35:00.006-05:00

2x4, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

If you own a home with wheels on it and several cars without, you just might be a redneck. Jeff Foxworthy

Finished coding, vids, web updates etc for my software. Now just fending off the hackers, they have been trying to knock me out of the top of google search, my bread and butter, where I have been topping the big money competitors very nicely. This junk seemed to have started when I announced my new release, good to have an early jump countering these attacks however as our next version will be an enterprise level offering integrated with Microsoft Sharepoint still at a dirt cheap cost. The core version of this upgrade is in place and running perfectly - just waiting for Microsoft 365 to catch up later this year which will allow us to bring some nice service offerings online for a very low price -;0) I am also very thankful today however that the malicious attacks are very weak and not yet able to penetrate Google Ad words, (still keeping us on top of the Google game) bing or yahoo searches, it is more of a personal thing more than anything else.

Mining the archives. This years Turkey Run has some more nuggets -;0)

Incognito

2011-01-12T21:06:00.002-05:00

Incognito, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

The line that describes the beautiful is elliptical. It has simplicity and constant change. It cannot be described by a compass, and it changes direction at every one of its points. Rudolf Arnheim

Another from the Daytona Turkey Run 2010

Photography Studio Management Software Nirvana - Sneek Peek!

2010-12-22T22:03:00.010-05:00

Click on any image for a larger view

On a much needed break from code and building this evening, as mentioned I've been inspired and have working overtime on an upgrade of my Photography Studio Management Software product. It is 95% complete, a few more adjustments, finishing up the 80 pages of documentation, recording the how too vids and a bit more testing - the fun stuff!

This version has the basic functionality of the previous but a much cleaner and intuitive interface/workflow. I have also added some really nice new functions based on queries and interest from customers over the last year since its initial release as well - more to come. A big one is a live Google calendar with buttons to allow anyone to link/upload there events and appointments right from the program - this makes it available to iphones etc - the calendar is also running live internally. On previous releases I was only able to support this process with users having Office 2007 installed, now anyone can use and display it. GCal is awesome in that it can also sync with Outlook (I do as well with the program) hit the iphones and also hang out on your web site - all for free!

Below is the Google Calendar running in Quest with an open event. Events may be opened Quest the same way they are on line, just by clicking on the name. In the display you will see another addition, the ability to produce a detailed Event schedule, it includes the type shoot, client, photographer, and times/titles of the key events for the session. This becomes available to any web or mobile device and with alerts. The big challenge with Quest was that I support both Office and Non-Office users, with Office Outlook the process is very easy without on the other hand this idea took me many hours of design and testing!! In a couple clicks and less than 20 seconds data can now be exported to a Non-Office System to Gcal!

In addition to listening to customers and folks interested in the program I constantly follow the Big Players in the business. I have scoured each process/workflow/form they offer asking myself - how could I offer the same functions? Realistically most of it I could not touch, they have budgets, staffs of skilled programmers and tools but if there is any way a similar function could be designed, built and offered with no operating expenses, training, time or Staff I think I have done a pretty nice job. The big goal has always been to fill a gap in the market supporting the needs of the 1,000's of smaller studios in the world with an affordable product and it has worked quite well this last year.

Another function I have added is contact call management. Below is the Main Screen of that page, all of your planned marketing/cold/follow up calls required for that day are displayed - the record to document the call is readily available by clicking on the item. Each of the pages throughout the program now tabbed by subject, very clean and much easier to manage a business with!

Below are a few more samples of this work in progress. Edition and Image Tracking.

Package and Job Quote Management Tab.

Product Management Tab.

Ordering Tab.

Layin Flamed

2010-12-18T20:23:00.005-05:00

Layin Flamed, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Taking pictures is like panning for gold. You do it again and again, and sometimes you find a nugget. - Raghubir Singh

Got some nice stuff to work from Turkey Run this year, another one of my favorites.

Been spending every spare minute the last two weeks rebuilding PSM Quest, my photography studio software. Within two days of getting my new copy of Office 2010 with the new version of Microsoft Access I was hooked! It is very feature rich for design and what I have been able to in the redesign is just gorgeous, functional, clean and very professional looking, am near the end a bit more testing -;0)

Elemental

2010-12-11T12:30:00.003-05:00

Elemental, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

In photography we talk about illusions. - John Sexton

Another of Ians North Miami Blues

Sittin At The Gates

2010-12-06T05:53:00.003-05:00

Sittin At The Gates, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

We look at the world and see what we have learned to believe is there. We have been conditioned to expect.... but, as photographers, we must learn to relax our beliefs. - Aaron Siskind

In a daze I worked this a few weeks ago seems to sit nicely next to Redboned Skyhound -;0)

Redboned Skyhound

2010-12-03T10:04:00.003-05:00

Redboned Skyhound, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Art starts where consciousness ends. This is why we must invent untruths for those who require explanations. - Patrick Summerfield

Another Trotta bike -;0)

DeVillain!

2010-11-30T20:06:00.003-05:00

DeVillain!, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Taken at the Daytona Turkey Run at the Daytona Speedway this weekend. I made it down Saturday, the morning had overcast skies but made for some neat pics.

One of my faves, with a personal touch here! Being a former Classic Cadillac owner I am still partial to them, when I was 21 I bought a 1960 Deville with a wrap around back window for $50, had a custom Rat Rod before they existed.

Back in Town - Daytona Turkey Run!

2010-11-25T21:33:00.009-05:00

Daytona Turkey Run started yesterday at the Daytona Speedway, there will be over 5,000 hot rods from all over the nation on the infield this week! I have to work tomorrow but am planning on driving down on Saturday, this is a collage of my HDR collection (each multiple exposures hand processed) from last years event.

I always do a promo music video with pics for events I shoot to post on my website on the event page, here is this years using the pics in the collage.

The Goods

2010-11-24T13:10:00.002-05:00

The Goods, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

The lust of the eye. The best photographs were, to me, like an experience of drowning. - Paul Theroux

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bayou Gold

2010-11-21T09:26:00.000-05:00

Two misfit pictures combined, they each had some great light and color but just weren't quite complete.

1970 - Ala Porsche 917

2010-11-18T20:06:00.004-05:00

Porsche 917 Spyder Chassis 0266

I applied for and received my first press pass ever this year, the event was Amelia Island Concours dElegance. This Concours is now billed as second only to the Pebble Beach event - the rides were off the scale!!! One of the themes they had this year was a tribute to and collection of some of the more famous 1970 Porsche 917's.

Quoting Wikipedia:

The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 2.3 seconds, 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over 240 mph (390 km/h).

There are 6 variants of the 917. The least-powerful version is the 917K (the most successful), which produces around 620 bhp. There is also a long-tail version (917LH), a "pig" version, modified 917K with the 908 rear spoilers and the 917/30. In the 1973 Can-Am series, the turbocharged version Porsche 917/30 developed over 1,100 bhp (820 kW), and as much as 1,580 bhp (1,180 kW) in qualifying tune.

The 917 is one of the most iconic sports racing cars of all time, largely for its high speeds and high power outputs, and was made into a movie star by Steve McQueen in his 1971 film Le Mans.

In summary - magnificent!!!!

Porsche 917 Spyder Chassis 0266

The Psychedelic Porsche

917K Gulf Porsche

Savannah Ghost Rider

2010-11-14T17:52:00.005-05:00

The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now. - Bill Cosby

Another Covingtons Cycle City taken at Biketoberfest 2010.

I used the back ground from the Wormslow Plantation in Savannah, Georgia - and to think they want an extra $25 to enter if you have what looks like a pro-camera!

Click on the image for a larger view!

Knuckled Chrome Skies

2010-11-11T08:48:00.007-05:00

…The photograph should be more interesting or more beautiful than what was photographed. - Garry Winogrand

Still working bikes from Biketoberfest I liked both results on this and since I couldn't decide which was better and made a third version, this triptych display -;0)

I noticed and really get bent out of shape with the crappy way Picasa displays images in blogger, sending from flickr also degrades them in different browsers - take a nice clean image and add some distortion to it - really sucks!! Most of these are now just ftp'd up to a working folder on my web server if not already hanging out on the site already

Got to! Click on the image for a larger view!

Covingtons Cycle City - Biketoberfest 2010

2010-11-07T20:12:00.004-05:00

Covingtons Meta Data: The Ultimate in Custom Motorcycles, Motorcycle Parts, and Motorcycle Accessories. Located at 2424 Oklahoma Ave. in Woodward Oklahoma...

Adams Views Data: This ride, light and moment rocked had to take it to another level. Taken at Biketoberfest 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Click on the image for a larger view.

The 1938 Brough Superior SS100

2010-11-04T21:05:00.006-04:00

I had heard of them but had never seen one of these amazing rides until this years 11th Annual Riding Into History show in St Augustine, Florida. I hope they are back next year so I can get in early and get some more shots before the crowds pull in! These are the few shots I caught of the SS100 this year. Here is some background on this beauty:

Every bike was designed to meet specific customer requirements, even the handlebars were individually shaped and all bikes had a guarantee that they were capable of 100 mph. The SS100 was the first custom motorcycle with components chosen from many different suppliers. The first engine (from 1924 to 1936) was the twin-cam KTOR JAP (made by J. A. Prestwich) V twin (upgraded to a Matchless engine from 1936. Gearboxes were the 4-stud 3-speed from Sturmey Archer.[3] Brough developed the features of the Harley Davidson forks and produced his own version (made by the Castle Fork and Accessory Company) to combine light weight with strength that was to become a feature of the SS100 handling.

In this magnificent "world-beater" engine George Brough saw the chance to realize his first great ambition in speed. A road going motorcycle with BS refinement which would safely top 100 mph on the road. Sheer speed was not enough, it had to handle. By the time G.B. had tried and tested it, it did handle. The SS100 model which in 1925 was G.B.'s idea of the ultimate in motorcycling and a breakthrough to a new dimension in motorcycling. The SS100 had for all it's potential, line soft delicate grace…….the lines of a greyhound.It was G.B's greatest triumph as a designer. And this line was perpetuated in every subsequent Brough Superior.

Text taken from Wikipedia and " Brough Superior from 1923 by C. E. " Titch " Allen posted on the Brough Superior Club Website.

Touch The Sky

2010-11-01T22:45:00.006-04:00

Touch The Sky, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Trust that little voice in your head that says "Wouldn't it be interesting if..."; And then do it. Duane Michals

The Sunburst Bend

2010-10-28T12:21:00.004-04:00

The Sunburst Bend, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

The camera is a fluid way of encountering that other reality. - Jerry Uelsmann

Daytona Steel!

2010-10-09T10:30:00.001-04:00

Finished up the theme video for Biketoberfest 2010 to go onto the website. This was made from the set of images I processed during Daytona Bike Week 2010.

2010-10-02T15:11:00.004-04:00

My latest video for the web site. I try to change them to match the current event being shot and drawing visitors to the site. This is a limbo post, will have a new one next week for the Biketoberfest 2010 audience -;0)

Eddie Trotta's Thunder Cycle Design - Sep 2010

2010-09-20T20:34:00.006-04:00

A few more from the Miami trip and visit to Thunder Cycle Designs. At first glance I was a bit disappointed with the shots, didn't have too many and most of my exposures were off but after sitting on them a couple weeks I decided to work with what I had and make the best of it. This is what I usually do anyway as things don't always go as planned in my unplanned imaging sessions - shoot it where it stands and hope for the best!

Click on any image for a larger view.

The Justice

2010-09-19T08:48:00.000-04:00

Another from the Miami trip and visit to Thunder Cycle Designs. The second is a hint of the original, while I was processing/working layers in CS5 I liked its look -;0)

North Miami Blues

2010-09-12T20:58:00.004-04:00

I was down in Miami for my annual Marlins Baseball fix and stopped by their shop to see the newest creations, this one was designed and built by Ian who has always been so supportive of my imaging delusions during the Daytona Bike events. He asked if I would shoot his first bike, it was a pleasure!

Shades Of Morning Gray

2010-09-11T20:04:00.002-04:00

God makes the pictures I just take 'em. - Ed H. Urqhardt

Shadows On The Heavens

2010-08-22T07:40:00.000-04:00

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu

A sunrise driving to work this week, just couldn't pass this one up. The image is a vertical pan - hdri, handheld and lined up in CS5 -;0)

Two Generations of Steel

2010-07-22T20:57:00.003-04:00

Eddie Trotta once mentioned that his Dad was a Submarine Sailor who was one of the few survivors in a Sub tragedy (details unknown at the time of this post) and on an run to the Sub-base in Kingsbay Georgia (I am retired Navy and use the commissary) while driving by the memorial near the main gate I got this idea.

I took a series of images, different framing and perspectives with the intent of adding one of my archive shots to the foreground. It took a while to find a nice match and I was beginning to think it just would not work. The sub memorial base is buried in the grass as you see here just had to fit the bike.

The Sub memorial is very cool and makes for some great snap shots with family and Friends standing on it but I couldn't help but think there had to be a neat shot here, just took me 6 years of driving by it to find the inspiration - two generations of steel, the father spending part of his working life entombed in a submersible cylinder and the son now making his living shaping steel into pieces of rolling art.

Click on the image for a larger view!!

A Visit With Nelson Citta

2010-07-20T19:53:00.013-04:00

I met Nelson at the 11th Annual Riding Into History in St Augustine while shooting a couple of his amazing rides he brought by. I loved what I saw and so did the judges giving him a best in class award for the show, to top it off he mentioned that I should stop by sometime as he had a few more and some cold beer out in his garage in Alachua.

This weekend my family was out of town and although I had some projects hanging in the winds I felt a creative break would be beneficial in the long run so I dropped Nelson a line asking if I could stop by for a bit. He graciously said yes and I really had no idea what to expect as I pulled down the dirt road to a modest country residence on a scorching hot Florida afternoon.

On a side acre of his property he had converted the old horse stable into his shop, a very typical plain jane building you would expect to see around here, in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined what was behind those four walls. I am not sure how long it tool to put together the tools, pictures, parts and thoughts into this amazing bike haven in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully the few pics I got will do it some justice!

How long have you been building bikes?

I started building bikes (actually helping) in 1968

Are there any builders that had or have an influence on your work?

My influences have been through exposure, I cannot say that any one builder had more than another. Every day is another day in "school".

What is the most rewarding part of a project for you?

The most reward is the creative exercise, every project has its challenges, I love to do different things every time, the other joy is when I first start a fresh engine build.

I now you already run a successful business and do this on the side as a hobby but do you do custom ground up builds for customers? If yes could someone reading this contact you for some custom work or a build?

I am very selective about who comes to my private shop, I am not interested in working for someone else so I can do what I want when I want. I still help others when I can though, I will NOT accept payment... I want to keep this fun.

I know from talking to you have had a very diverse career, could you share with the readers some of your background.

HA, yes, my background is very diverse, it would take too long to cover it, I feel blessed to have done all I have through life, I sometimes feel like. I have lived more than any 10 normal people...HA!

(I will say, the few things I know are that Nelson is running a company on the cutting edge of some amazing technology holding numerous patents, he served as a Navy Diver, is an accomplished Sky Diver hosting sky dive parties on his homestead and also was a member of the world record holding Cave Diving TEAM.)

I know you gave me the details of your current build and of course I did not write anything down or remember it, could you outline some of main the parts you are using again?

It has a 1938 knuck motor in a 1930 VL frame, I hand made everything. Notice the skinny ass and straight one piece kicker arm? I heated and hand hammered it to give more leg room. The aluminum tanks are hand hammered and I used a 1936 ford spare tire cover chopped for a rear fender. The mid controls are hand made and the oil bag was fabbed using a crashed '53 bag skin. What a cluster... I also added a .50 caliber machine gun casing for a handle on the shifter, it came from my son's Coast Guard Cutter and the front end is off a 1938 BSA army bike.

Nelson mentioned the bike should be done in about 3 months and invited me back to get a few pics, I can't wait!

Here is a link to the too few shots I got, spent to much time telling war stories and such! The images of the second bike under construction are another side project a 1939 U model flathead.

Click on any image for a larger view!

The Other Side

2010-07-17T18:47:00.003-04:00

A good photograph is knowing where to stand. - Ansel Adams

Mend Your Nets

2010-07-05T11:38:00.003-04:00

Mend Your Nets, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Another archive image reworked. One of my favorites, the first was really in rough shape, this is multiple exposures and took some work to make it presentable. A local shrimp mending his nets with an onlooker.

Semblance At Dawn II

2010-07-01T21:04:00.004-04:00

Semblance At Dawn II, originally uploaded by John E Adams.

Working through some archive images this week, my processing tools and techniques are always changing and there are many images that I never worked or did so rather poorly! This is a sunrise on a marsh at the edge of the Amelia River a couple miles from the house.

Got to view this image in a larger format!

US Federal Reserve

2010-06-27T15:30:00.001-04:00

Another from the DC Trip. This was taken in the very late afternoon just before sunset and security came out and ran me off as I ventured up onto the steps to get this image, evidently I was past some type of security barrier.

Click on the image for a larger view

HDR Software Comparisons - The Down and Dirty!

2010-06-16T21:24:00.003-04:00

Yes I know this is old stuff, plenty of in depth analysis of CS5 HDR performance comparisons - most of them with just Photomatix. A bit of a different twist here, I ran the same images through 4 of the different HDR programs on my cheap laptop, CS5, Photomatix, Essential HDR and Picturenaut. After tonemapping each in its respective program I then did some post processing work in CS5 on to make them somewhat presentable, quick and nothing to fancy but wanted to produce a finished product from each.

After all was done, Photomatix if still my preference! Its speed, consistency in tone mapping is hard to beat. Just behind it by a pinch on this image and one of the fastest running HDR programs on the market is my difficult image standby Essential HDR. Quick, simple and clean is an understatement and it is still running $49.00. Picturenaut was the third despite a little blurring with the auto merge here, I would have normally re-run it. My tone mapping with it is a bit rough as I ran though it very quickly but I have found that with some extreme lighting images that I was just getting too much noise in Photomatix it was able to pull a clean image for me. Picturenaut is a great too to keep close by and the price is right - Free!! CS5 in 32 bit on my cheap machine - impossible - beyond slow!!! It does an OK job and some of the newly publicized functions are OK but the end result still a disappointment for me.

My next post I am planning to attempt demonstrate that quality HDR images can be shot with $75 Fuji point and shoot lined up against my D5000 -;0)

Click on any image for a larger view!

Essential HDR

Photomatix

Picturenaut

CS5

Traveling Time

2010-06-08T21:03:00.007-04:00

Over the last couple of months I have had to travel to support Field Training at work. Todays post is a couple of my favorites from the images I was able to shoot after the work was done on my free or travel time. This evening I am still in Jacksonville, North Carolina and will drive back home to Florida tomorrow morning - hopefully a few more shots on the way!

The Sheldon church in South Carolina. I had shot this before with my old camera and wanted to go back with the Nikon and try a pano. It was a little but out of the way but well worth it, just magical out there! This is one of my biggest images ever running 200 x 67 inches or 245MB, would like to print it life size. It is a 180 degree HDR panorama consisting of 27 images - total machine and hands on processing 2 hours - my cheap laptop was screaming. The second is from the church cemetery.

Click on the images for a large view!! This pan is 1/10th the actual size and the orignal is crystal clear - Picassa does not show images well but does a but better larger - I am just to busy right now to upload and link in one of my website folders -;0)

The Mission of San Antonio De Pala, founded 1816 in Southern California an inside and cemetery image - just a beautiful place!

Taken inside the Navy Museum at the Navy yard in DC.

Taken at the Korean War Memorial in DC at night, had trouble getting these long exposure HDR's in with the busloads of visitors pouring in every five minutes.

11th Annual Riding Into History 2010!

2010-05-24T20:23:00.003-04:00

Almost done with this set, have a few more nice shots to work but think I am going to take a much needed break. Between rebuilding my website, shooting, processing, work travel all in a weeks time I am tired and just need to pull out the camera and head back to nature and the imagination for a few weeks.

The RIH 2010 event was just as good as if not better than last years, big kudos to the organizers of this one, what an amazing display! These are just a couple of the beauties that were onsite, I had never seen a Brough Superior before and the few that were onsite were off the scale. I have also included my tribute video below, nature is calling -;0)

Click on an image for a larger view and check out my web gallery in full screen for an amazing ride!

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