The Sharpe Image

"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

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