The Sharpe Image

Every now and again, I have a Modeling Agency call me up to do a “Fashion Shoot.”  This is really what I term a “Cattle Call” shoot where the Agency runs 10 or 15 aspiring models in front of me, gives me about 5 to 7 minutes with each to make them comfortable and teach them how to pose, and then I shoot them for images to be used on their Comp Card.  They get 3 “Looks,” or clothes changes with the shoot.  This can be tuff, because for some of these people, it is their first time in front of a camera for a real photo shoot.  Some do real well, and some not so good.  I try and shoot all with available light, I think that it looks best.  Some I have played with in Photoshop to give them something different.  Anything to draw attention to their promo card, that is what counts.  Please click on “continue reading” below to see more, or go to my site:  www.TheSharpeImage.com.  Thanks

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"Man Made Thunder" by Godwin Kelly. Photography by Sam Sharpe and The Sharpe Image

National Speed Sport News reviewed “Man Made Thunder” this week and posted the following review.  Needless to say, I am proud of it.  Again, thanks to Smyle Media, www.SmyleMedia.com, and Dakini Books, www.dakinibooks.com
Man Made Thunder
By Godwin Kelly
“Written by  veteran auto-racing journalist Godwin Kelly and supported by the breathtaking photojournalism of the late Don Hunter and The Sharpe Image, this hardcover 320-page book captures the heart and soul of NASCAR stock-car racing.
The book tells the story of stock-car racing’s heroes, including three-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, through up-close visits with the drivers behind the wheel, the mechanics and the team owners.”
$49. Produced by Dakini Ventures and Speed. Available from www.speedtvbooks.com and www.dakinibooks.com.

Thanks for looking!

Sam

OK, I don’t just shoot Auto Racing, I also shoot Yacht Racing.  I LOVE Yacht Racing.  I love being out on the water, I love the pagentry of it, I love the look of the boats, I love the competition among guys who are not getting paid a dime for their efforts, I love all of the colors, the sights, the smell of the ocean, the sounds of the carbon fiber “groaning”, the sounds of the wenches, just whole thing is great.  Man was reacing boats LONG before automobiles were ever thought of.  To me, it is a real “pure form” of racing where the elements are your best friend, or your worst enemy.  Just a pure form of competition that I think is great.

These are some images that I have shot offshore  in Charleston, SC for the Charleston Offshore Racing Association’s annual Charleston Race Week that occurs in April of every year.  If you have never gone to this, do yourself a favor…….GO!  It is a party unlike anything else you have seen.  These guys do it for pride, and the rum……need I say more?

Yachts heading "down wind" to the Battary in Charleston Harbor during Charleston Race Week

The above images was taking with some of the bigger yachts racing “down wind” on the Harbor course inside Charleston.  I thought that the combonation of the colors, light, and background made for a good shot.

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I was asked to submit some images for another possible book cover for a high profile publisher.  The client wanted something from putside of a turn, and that was fairly dramatic.  I love to shoot outside of Turn 4 at LOWES Motor Speedway.  Usually I have to shoot this at night due to the races being Night Races, but with the Rain Out of the Coke 600, and the race being run during the day, it made for some pretyy damn good pictures.  These are what I submitted to the Editor for possible Cover.  Sometimes I get lucky and get something good.

Thanks for looking,

Sam

Kasey Kahne in Turnn 4 at LOWES Motor Speedway

My Cover Shot of Dale Earnhardt Jr for Man Made Thunder by Godwin Kelly for SPEED TV Books

I LOVE Book Deals!  They can be time consuming with the research involved, but it makes me feel very special when someone cares enough about my work to include it in a book that will most likely out live me.  Sports related books are a documentation of History, and I have always considered it a privledge to work on one.  Not to mention, they can be very lucrative!

This book was written by Godwin Kelly who has worked in racing for some time now.  You can find him on FACEBOOK.  Go there and find him, sign up as a friend, he will love it.  Tell him I sent you.  He can be contacted at GodwinKelly@aol.com.

The book is being produced by Dakini Books out of London.  Their site is www.DakiniBooks.com.  The Book is being sold through SPEED TV at www.SPEEDTV.com.

Dakini Books produces only a limited amount of title each year aimed at selected Markets.  Their books have been considered “works of Art” in their own right.  I am just proud that they chose me as one of the Partners on this Project that is in conjunction with SPEED TV.

Here is the Back Cover from the book:

Back Cover of Man Made Thunder

The Images that are mine are 1) Jeff Gordon from The ALLSTAR Race, 2) Mark Martin and the ARMY Car, 3) Dale Earnhardt Jr putting his helmet on, 4) Kyle Busch standing on top of his car,  5) Tony Stewart winning The Brickyard 400, and 6) the pit stop shot of Kevin Harvick in the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. The Book contains over 100 images that are mine from 1993 to present day.

Here is the actual shot that the cover was made from:

Dale Earnhardt Jr wins the 2008 BUDWEISER Shoot Out at Daytona International Speedway

I had converted this image into a Black and White and worked with it from there.  I used to hate Black and White Photography, but it seems the older I get, the more I like it.  Here is the same image in Black and White:

Black and White Image of Dale Earnhardt Jr winning the 2008 BUDWEISER Shoot Out

Anyway, please take some time to check out the book.  www.SPEEDTVBooks.com.  I think that it is a nice piece of work.  I would also like to put out a big Thank-You to Don Smyle and Smyle Media. You can check out Smyle Media at www.SmyleMedia.com.  His company handles content from years of racing, both historical and present, and from Open Wheel to NASCAR.  Without Don and Smyle Media, this project would have not taken off.

Again, Thanks for looking!

Sam