I visited my home town of North Olmsted, Ohio back in December for Christmas. It had been 9 months since I’d seen my folks, sister, and friends in Ohio – so it was time to fly back and visit for a week.

Which means that I got to spend some time with my dog – Brownie. He’s an old man now and its difficult for me to see him in poor health. What’s interesting is that while I was home he would have spurts of energy and be youthful – then back to sleeping and resting all day.

Check out the Mansfield Reformatory and some other stops on my trip back home.Nap time in the sun.

My dad takes ridiculously good care of cars. Here is my mom’s Acura TL. So Clean.

Congratulations to my sister, Lindy, who recently graduated and got a job as a nurse.

Downtown Mansfield, Ohio. First time visiting Mansfield- plenty of screen printing shops and old buildings.

My Dad, Mom, and sister. Maybe you can tell where I get my sense of humor and facial expressions from?

Tourist Steez. At the Mansfield Reformatory. One of the largest “castle” style structures in the US. Also where they shot Shawshank Redemption.

Until next time.

Tanner Foust’s Ford Fiesta Sedan inside of the Home Depot Center ready for X-Games 15 Rally.

I got to go the X-Games!

Its hard to imagine growing up without the games. My guess, is that I started watching the X-Games around X3 in San Diego. Because it had been a few years of watching before Tony Hawk’s 900.

My sport of choice growing up was aggressive inline skating- which is no longer a part of the X-Games. For X-Games 15, I had the chance to shoot a video during the Rally competition.

The center of the Home Depot center is a massive dirt jump- over/under. Where during the head to head race – one car will jump from take off to landing ramp as the other drives under it.

Travis Pastrana scopes out the rally jump.

Kenny Brack’s Ford Fiesta on the track- prepping for X-Games Gold.

My Panasonic HPX-170 poised for action in the Home Depot Center. Been shooting with the HPX for about a month now. Including Pike’s Peak. Impressed with the color information and quality over the Sony EX-1 – but not the controls. Please give me a marked focus ring instead of the infinite focus ring.

Till next time. Maybe Winter X or US Open of Snowboarding.

Busy. Busy. Busy. So it goes. After Formula Drift Vegas, I hopped in the RMR rig for the ride to Colorado Springs. Pictured above is Rhys Millen’s Hyundai Genesis coupe- which he campaigns in Formula Drift, Redline Time Attack, and this weekend- Pike Peak International Hill Climb. After the jump, are a ton of images from Las Vegas to Pike’s Peak. Let’s go.

J Tuned car show outside of the Formula D course setup.

linh-vision aka 1.2 aka Linhbergh Nguyen

J.Herron’s dog. Very sweet pup.

Arnel keeping the beats fresh at Falken’s rig

Stands filling up as the SD rockers aka Mattley Crew (Matt Powers!) head for their seats.

Hobo Herron brainstorming for his latest drift video.

After FD Vegas wrapped we hit the road. Here is a shot of Costa outside the rig in New Mexico.

Gas stop.

This weigh station bathroom looked like it was out of a horror film. filthy.

Beautiful Decay.

Last leg in Colorado.

Hobo is ready to fire video film out of his light capturing 60p gun.

The RMR crew unloading and prepping the Genesis.

Creek running outside of the Green Willow motel.

Rhys and Pressley gave me a nice tour of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Including this very cool tree stump!

The tree was complete with HUGE beetles.

Manitou Springs has an amazing arcade. With classic games like this horse racing game. It was neck and neck.

Shooting games for a nickel or dime.

Rhys tests out his driving skills.

Drive Yourself Road Test – stay on the scrolling map and it rates your driving ability.

A very pregnant Pressley test her driving skills. Hi to Nikki and Andrew and Heide and Matt – who both had their first children recently!

Penny Arcade room- just one of many in the plaza.

A nice random assortment of novelty rides and old vending machines.

Rhys hooked me up with a helicopter ride. It was actually scary as hell.

Some Skeeball and funnel cake to top it off.

One of the creeks that runs through Manitou Springs.

After my ride to the summit of Pike’s Peak.

More photos soon.

Joey Redmond of Wrecked Magazine called me up one night and asked if I wanted to go with him to shoot Chase M’s 1990 Honda CRX.

Driving out to Latigo canyon.

Status small seats make for a tough fit for anyone over 120lbs!

Hondata ECU

Chase Bays window decal & palm trees

Joey does a walk around of the CRX.

Nice spot Joey picked to shoot on the side of the canyon road.

Rollin’ up the windows. This shot really shows how clean the paint/wheels/tires are on Chase’s CRX.

3rd Location.

Joey Redmond reviews some snaps.

Gradient sunsets over the Pacific ocean from the hills of Latigo Canyon.

Repositioning.

Light em up.

The snaking turns of Latigo Canyon.

Thanks Joey for asking me to roll with you on the photoshoot. It was nice to get out and use my Panasonic LX-2 and get some behind the scenes shots. I find it really useful to switch up mediums from just video constantly- it helps refocus my sense of composition. Plus since there is no pressure of shooting for a client- its really fun and laid back- not that my video shooting style is different- I’m very chill. It’s just nice to know that you don’t have to rush under deadline to make a finished product or project when you get back with the footage.

The also rises over the plains of Kansas. From the upper half of Pike’s Peak, the cold air makes it hard to hold the camera steady. Echoing in the valleys and through the W’s are the sound of turbocharged Lambda motor- gradually increasing in loudness. Eyelids push closer together and focus on the left handed corner off in the distance. Waiting for the sparkling metallic blue nosed Hyundai Genesis to reveal itself. Then bam, its there, its moving faster than you expected- a little bit frightening- then downshift, downshift, into the next left hairpin… and the engine roars pulling the Genesis forward.

More photos:

Dirt Biker blasts off the line from the half way point.

Kelly’s RMR built Nissan 350z makes it way back down the hill.

A precariously perched Sony EX-1 on the cliffs of Pike’s Peak. Rolling time-lapse.

Self Portrait. ‘ello Mom.

Road rash’ed jeans- check.

Ripping downhill.

Thumbs up.

Bearded Eyeball Hobo Herron scopes the path below.

Another precariously placed shot. Rock camera support.

Packing up the rig at the end of the morning – 9am Pike’s Peak Toll road opening.

This little piggy is a good luck charm!

Beware of the sasquatch.

Until the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb – July 19, 2009.

The RMR rig parked and at the ready to unload for Pike’s Peak testing.

Follow along with me to Colorado Springs with the Rhys Millen Racing crew to practice for the 2009 Pike’s Peak International Rally.

More photos after jump.

A little before 4:30am Costa and Rhys unload the Genesis Coupe.

As the sun starts to light up the day- bikes and cars get ready at the line to run the first quarter of the hill climb.

This is my best Point N Shoot Linhbergh monster pan impression.

Got the chance to drive a brand new 09 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Really liked it! The V6 makes plenty of power & the interior was clean!

*Note, I am a huge moron and assumed the temperature on Pike’s Peak would be a comfortable 70 degrees- like Colorado Springs. Imagine my surprise when I had to run to Dick’s Sporting Goods to pick up the camouflage hunting beanie and hoodie last minute so I could stand the 40 degree mornings. Idiot.

10am time to pack up until testing tomorrow morning.

Trees!

Top half of the mountain location scouting.

Josh climbs up for a higher view.

Josh was probably saying how “over neck beards” he is or how high altitude gives you gas. I agree. Neck beards make your chin disappear.

Lady bugs at 13,000ft.

I’m excited.

Rhys heads back to the rental car.

High altitude groundhogs are common. I’ve heard they enjoy the views.

Parting shot. Colorado railroad.

Josh Herron checking out the view – from above the timber line on Pike’s Peak. Hobo Herron and I were shooting Hill Climb practice- both of us were very excited with the footage we were able to capture and being able to experience practice first hand… it was incredible.

Many thanks to Rhys Millen for bringing us out to cover his testing and practice runs. Plus inspiring us with some very impressive driving.

Being up at 3:30am on a mountain has a mystical power. The cold air, frozen snow masses, foxes, ground hogs, birds, and winding roads that snake up to the 14,000+ ft summit.

This will be the best footage and edit you have seen from me- to date. Get ready.

There is a grey whale in the marina. They named the whale JJ. No I didn’t see him. J.Buck and I did ride a mini merry-go-round.

Kayaked, ate ice cream, and people watched in Marina Del Rey. So check out the rest of my day, after the jump.

The Mona Lisa is harvesting fish from the South Bay- not just hanging in the louvre.

brightly colored buildings covered in sea gull poop.

Pelicans stand by for some fish.

Psuedo light house’ery.

Buckley’s french fries.

fun.

Brian cruises.

Jason ponders, while Jen shows Brian some modern technology.

Fine day for boating.

Big palm.

Jason paddles through the bay.

Choppy.

Paddling out to the Pacific.

Buckley post paddle to the sea.

Creepy signage.

Trucker hat meets anchor?

Mint chocolate parting shot.

More to come. Joey Redmond and I shot this super clean 1990 Honda CRX with a K swap.

As the sun sets on the south bay, enjoying a nice 32oz cerveza caguama. delicious turtle beer – hobo herron and I were destroying this stuff during Long Beach. So cheap, so bad.

I finally made it out to a drift event at Turner field. This also means that I was chillin with the coolest kids in the ATL – the Drift Mechaniks. Rockin my Born To Run DM T-Shirt. As you can tell from the photo above, Andy Sapp has added Angel Eyes to his E46 BMW – which is an awesome look.

Got a ride along with Chris in an RB25 powered S13. Shot some bananas on car, under car, in car, and on front of car Flip camera footage. Plus let the guys try out the Letus 35 setup with Andy’s new XL-H1.

So strap in and prepare to go into over drift:

Its a good thing I picked up the extra long 45cm rails for the Letus adapter. Andy notices the difference in weight with the adapter.

Cody Wellons of S3 mag has a very nice s13.

Turner field home of the Braves.

Matt Forest’s 450+ HP SR20 powered S13.

The 1996 Olympic torch and downtown Atlanta in the background.

XL + Letus + 135 prime = big rig

Close up.

Forest layin’ it down.

Wes about to drive Chris’ AE86.

Pigeon.

DMGGASD. Drift Mechaniks Gossip Girl Marathon And Some Drifting Chris’ hood.

Stickers.

Packing up.

Andy readies the ramps.

Met Kieran (spelling) from Gran Turismo East – super nice guy! Glad he supports drifting in the South East.

Teddy Pain.

Matt Forest

Still Hood.

The pipes.

Chris’ AE86 Corolla.

Pretty Bird.

Good to see some In N Out love in Georgia.

Final shot, S14 hood.

Until next time.

The S14 outside of Aaron Cassan’s shop – Import Car Doctor. Ricky Chu and I were shooting some corporate work. This gave me the chance to try out some new gear – a JVC HM100u and a Letus 35 Extreme adapter with some Canon FD lenses. 

Thanks to Will Law, Aaron Cassan, Amanda, Nicole, Jimmy, and everyone else at DC Sports for their help.

The rear three quarter of my Nissan.

Import Car Doctors.

John Naderi’s built RSX chillin at Aaron’s

Ricky getting ready to do an oil change on a Lexus.

The JVC HM100u – shared focus and zoom ring- not the best controls.

View through the LCD.

Little known fact, I was an auto tech for a summer and did hundreds of oil changes- lube, oil, filter. Ricky adds.

The JVC records to affordable SD class 6 (and higher) cards. It writes quicktime files with the Sony EX XD Cam Codec- which uses MPEG Long GOP video codec. With the difference being that Sony cameras like the EX-1 and EX-3 write to MP4 files and need to be wrapped into quicktimes. While the JVC writes directly as a XD Cam Quicktime file. Saving some time on the import process. Final Cut Pro 6 also natively recognizes the XD codec so there is no rendering (until filters/plug ins are applied).

Grills. 

Another feature I liked about the JVC GY-HM100u is the CAM/MEDIA button which is a hard switch on the back of the EX series Sony cameras. The JVC transitions quickly between write/read/playback modes- while the Sony cameras stutter a bit and take noticeably longer. 

Overall after a couple of days shooting with the JVC- the camera is insanely light- almost too light. The controls, leave more manual rings and controls to be desired- independent zoom, aperture, and focus rings. Better designed menus. Aesthetically  and functionally they are lacking. I’m interested to shoot some motion shots with a higher shutter speed- to test the CCDs. The EX1 and EX3 suffer from CMOS- heavy pan and fast action clocking/sensor refreshing- similar to jello cam- on a CMOS based DSLR or Point n Shoot- where the image comes out distorted diagonally at speed- instead of blurring horizontally- which would be the case with film or the human eye. I’m looking forward to pushing the limits and build quality of the JVC GY-HM100u. More to come…

This past weekend, I visited New Jersey for Round Three of the 2009 Formula Drift season. New Jersey and New York City are both places that I have little experience. Even though I grew up in Ohio and around the east coast. NYC and NJ were places that were always skipped over in favor of warmer beach locales. After missing our connecting flight from Salt Lake City to Newark, Joey Redmond and I were able to get on a flight to JFK. 

In the mean time, join in the location scout, travel, and rain that was this weekend.

Vasquez rocks county park. Went location scouting with Tripp Rhame from Spitfire Studios.

Very interesting peaks. Easy to see why they are used as an alien landscape in television and film. 

Tripp on the ascent.

View from the top peak.

Some names carved in the top.

More initials & names.

In the shadow.

Walking out, back to the car.

Footprints in the dirt.

Cut to: New York City: Queens. Joey Redmond tries to get his phone situation straightened out- porting cell numbers is a pain.

Easy Does It. Hustlin’ through Newark to catch a shuttle to the hotel.

Rain on Friday makes Formula Drift practice stand still.

I like hotel mirror lighting for self portraits and macro eyeball photography.

If you saw me in Jersey, I probably looked like this- which is unshaven, sleep deprived, and flannel’ized.

Parting shot. Newark Airport in the drizzle.

Willow Springs is in the desert. Swirling dust devils, tumble weeds, and 110 Octane. This was my first Redline Time Attack event. Check out the photos as the Spitfire crew rigs Christian Rado’s Scion Tc with all kinds of cameras.

Dark skies roll up on Willow Springs.

Today’s clouds are a 9/10 in my books. Spectacular.

Dust, wind, and rain on the horizon.

More dark sheep.

Chris Rado’s very impressive Scion/World Racing rig.

The footage on the 5D Mark II makes Speedhunter‘s Creative Director Rod Chong smile.

Tom Hamilton of Spitfire Studios scopes out the cage for mounting all kinds of cameras to capture the time attack.

Sequential shifter- check.

Rolling out to practice on Big Willow.

Pulling into the pits to examine the engine.

All hands on deck.

Notice the flip camera zip tied to the front diffuser. Great angle of the track- whizzing by at the rate of 1’22’00 per lap.

Spitfire Studios was set to ship their equipment to Los Angeles for a shoot this coming weekend. With StreetFire recently giving me the boot, I had some extra time on my hands. So I volunteered to drive their Dodge Sprinter van from their home base in Atlanta to Los Angeles.

I genuinely enjoy driving – anything. Little known trivia bit, I used to drive a Dodge delivery van for a florist and green house during the summers.

With a lot on my brain, I pushed off from a rainy Atlanta and pushed the turbo diesel into cruise control. 

33 hours of driving later, I would be back in Los Angeles ready to crash from drinking Rockstar, coffee, and Monster. 

Check out the sunsets, clouds, and snaps from the driver’s seat.

debatable. decently beautiful.

Future 22. Nothing ahead, nothing behind. Just open highway for miles.

One hand on the wheel, one hand triggering the LX-2

Clouds in the reflection.

Accident drive by outside of Memphis.

I think when the money comes in- I’m going to pick up this old place and flip it for CASH.

Crossing the Mississippi

Bienvenidos Arkansas.

Steam rising up in the hills up ahead.

Off and on rain collects on the side view mirrors.

All you can eat… Sunsets.

After staying the night in Texas, I hit the road and pushed through New Mexico.

Big white fluffy clouds blowing by and looking amazing.

Objects in the mirror are places you have been.

Looking for what’s next.

Windows down, FM radio on, Americana. Its funny how much Journey comes on American radio. Raised on Radio. 

In Albuquerque, New Mexico- where my Grandma Roegge lived. It brought back memories filling up the van outside of Old Town- a place we visited while I was here as a kid. Rest In Peace Grandma Roegge. It was nice to be in the shadow of Mt. Sandia.

Out into the desert.

Splat. Bugs. The sun sinks into the horizon and brings the second day to a close. California, it felt like I was hardly gone.

On the road. FM stations fade out. New ones crackle in. Keep pushing. When the destination doesn’t seem clear- remember that its all in the journey.

While waiting for the bus to Venice from our hotel on the outside of the city- I started to notice the patterns and design in the buildings around. 

This was one of the cooler looking glass windows and modern design in a city dominated by ancient design. 

Here are the snaps from my second trip into Venice and my last day in Italy. After the link.

Abstract windows.

Italian beer in a wine bottle. 40oz’s for my homies.

The canals back behind St. Mark’s.

Gotta duck underneath those bridges.

Beautiful.

Grabbed a drink outside of this little plaza.

Popcorn, Jagermeister, Beer, and Espresso.

St. Mark’s in some late afternoon light. Lighting up the mosaics and towers.

Clock tower adjacent to St. Mark’s.

Who doesn’t want a Venice gondolier striped shirt or a “who doesn’t love an italian girl?” t-shirt!?

The tower is sinking and the base is being repaired.

From the Rialto bridge- magic hour, right before a drink and dinner.

Campari and a view of the Grand Canal. Until next time Venice.

As they say- when in Rome.

FIA GT race at Adria Race Way in Adria, Italy. Notice the leaf blower to circulate air through the mid-engine bay of this Ford GT.

The third day at the track finally came to an end under the lights. For the twilight running of the GT and GT3 classes.

Read Rod Chong’s post from Italy on Speedhunters.

See more…

Those white fluffy clouds are always inspiring and time lapse worthy.

Between practice sessions, sitting in the grass and taking notice of the flowers.

Sitting in the grass. Enjoying Italy.

The Spitfire crew brought an EX3 for me to shoot with at Adria.

While the Sony EX1 uses the menu to control SQ Motion (overcranking) the EX3 has a frame dial and button on its side. Saving the operator the hassle of entering the menu.

Ferrari F430 on the track.

GT1 and GT2 cars in tech inspection/holding between qualifying and the race.

Maserati MC12 and Saleen S7R

Michelin Tire man aka Bibendum.

Lamborghini Gallardo, Helicopter, and Track observation tower.

Old meets new.

Some times you can be oblivious to the beauty that is right in front of your nose.

If you live in Atlanta, you get the best clouds. Early summer storms roll in and blanket the sky with speeding fluffy white sheep clouds.

In Los Angeles, we barely get to see the cloud ceiling through the layer of low hanging smog- so when I get the chance to shoot photos and videos in other places- I usually get very stimulated by my surroundings- that are usually hidden to me.

Here are some of my photos from my trip to Atlanta for Formula Drift Round II 2009.

Driver’s Meeting and meeting up with T2 Films – Tim Tulov. Super nice duder. Looking forward to working with him in the future.

Tanner Foust and the line of driver’s at the autograph session- got a wicked time lapse of this- until some fools stepped in front of the camera.

Only got to see a few peeps from the ATL- what’s up S3 Mag crew, Drift Mechaniks, and Team Rowdy.

Wrecked Magazine Golf Cart

Whole bunch of solid folks in this photo, Andy Sapp, Tim Tulov, Antonio Alvendia, DC Chavez, and Lieze Truter. Yo!

Tanner Foust and Papadakis Racing’s Scion TC powered by a TRD NASCAR motor

DC Chavez reviewing some of the footage. Shwagged out in Rockstar/Scion Racing team gear.

Chris Forsberg laying down another solid run. Which would eventually end up earning him 1st place.

Dai Yoshihara looked to be doing better in his IS350 than at Long Beach- looks like Falken is working out the suspension and setup kinks.

The Tuner Icon’s car caught on fire a few weeks ago…and still looked to be running a bit rich- shooting flames everywhere.

Robbie Nishida laying down a wall of Hankook tire smoke- as the lights illuminate the track.

Here are a few photos from my Panasonic LX-2 Point n Shoot. From the past week or so. Starting off with the 105/110 interchange. Two days a week, I commute to the StreetFire.net offices in downtown LA. Robots, Spaceships, Black & White downtown Los Angeles shots, and more…

Look closer.

Inspiration and reminder of Round 2, coming up next week. Andy, I’m excited to see you drive at Road Atlanta.

Robots, gundams, always a good source of inspiration.

Howdy!?

Thank you to Nate Adams, who snapped this amazing photo- it only cost us a dollar. Plus we helped fix the spaceship.

Long Beach Grand Prix 2009. ALMS series has the return of BMW with the Rahal-Letterman built BMW M3′s for the GT2 class. Since I was out shooting with StreetFire.net and always am packing my Panasonic LX-2- I decided to take a few photos of these impressive machines. Here are 24+ photos of the BMW M3 GT2′s from the 2009 Long Beach Grand Prix. Enjoy.

Note. All of these images were taken with my Panasonic LX-2 Point n Shoot. RAW files. Edited in Adobe Lightroom. I’m pleased with the Panasonic’s image quality for being a pocket camera. The Macro focus also allows for good control of DoF. 

Air jacks up. Spare wheels with rain tires are put on in the paddock to roll the car out to the pits. Then the proper wheels and tires for the track are put on- to avoid picking up gravel and wear during the move.

Rear fender diffuser

I like the lines of the stock M3- but the wide body design and diffusers on the M3 GT2 are really something beautiful. Plus being an all white car with subtle “M” badging and livery gives the car a clean look. Hopefully Porsche will not complain too much this time.

Photography by Will Roegge, Copyright 2009.