Yep, they'll be there again this Sat. (8/5). We've been invited to start a MINI row.

If anyone does go, they've asked that we try to keep all cars in the farthest section of the lot (as far away from the shops/shoppers as possible) to avoid any more incidents like the MB/Lambo mishap a couple weeks ago. I'll probably pop up there around 9 or so. Nizam (one of the organizers) usually arrives before 8:30. Anyone else planning to attend this time?

Here's a map of SR - park by the big red X:


Cheers,

 

I guess I'll wash envy this time for display (instead of parking in the garage underneath Santana Row)

 

Anyone coming out this Saturday (8/12)?
Scott & I will likely be there in his Exige. And Jimz68 is a probable attendee too.

 

only if I can get a ride in the exige

 

We might be able to arrange that!

 

Yes, anything is possible when Nikki is in control!

Here is my 'other' toy car we will be taking this weekend. If you can't tell, I really like red cars with black wheels.


Cheers,
Skottoman

 

NICE!

Is that Evil Exige?

 

Needs Bonnet Stripes.
Jim

 

Bonnet stripes would be cool, but I don't know if I could handle 2 red cars with black wheels, and black stripes.
Hope to see you all there.
Cheers,
Skottoman

 

yogurt
Cheers,
Skottoman

 

EVL MINI looks like a 4x4 next to EVL EXGE

 

Yeah, you thought a MINI was small? These Lotus' are way small!!!

Actually after driving it, then gettin' in EVL MINI, it does feel a little SUV like... But as you all know, the MINI's FUN AS HELL! Granted I don't think the lotus would be able to hang with the MINI's on the tight rough twisty's we've been driving lately. So each car is better at something...

I think my next car will be a POS camry called EVL CMRY... hahahahaa!

I like em both.
Cheers,
Skottoman

 

... add Nikki's YELLOW MCS and you've got the McDonald's color i'm lovin it.

 

Actually it looks like it already has one of the new U style black bonnet stripe with the blacked out ducting on the bonnet. Looks fantastic!

I'm hoping to get out of or delay some "honey-dos" and see you all there on 8/12. Looks like I've really been missing out.

 

Awesome car. I'd love to get one in BRG.

 

I'd ask for a ride too, but you'd have to shoehorn me into the thing and I'd probably never be able to get out!!
Jim

 

Scott - what can I say .... a truely awesome car. My wife couldn't understand why I only took one picture of each of the Lambo's, Porsche's and Ferrari's but (12) of your car.

I was interested in getting an Elise but your Exige may have changed my mind.

T

 

Would love to see a few of the photos people took. It was a fun meeting for sure. Next time I think I'll trade Dr. Dave a drive around in the Exige for a drive around in the mini. :D
Cheers,
Skottoman

 

Just finished working on the images from yesterday (8/12). Funny how there is a complete lack of Porsche and Corvette photos on my memory card. Everyone there however was very cool and genuine car nuts with whatever they drove. Ms. Speednut (Cuilan) was very happy there were ladies to chat with too.

Sorry to post the photos directly into this thread, but I did take care to make the file sizes small. Hope that's okay.

The lime green Lambo from last week according to others was more impressive than this orange one, but the bling quotient was quite high nonetheless. Did the owner make a killing in the citrus commodities market? Applogies in advance for the steep angle.




I explained to Ms. Speednut I'd prefer mine in Red over Black please...


Over at the British exotics side of the parking lot...


Dr. Dave's cool classic Mini (and me practicing B&W conversion directly in RAW file for August photo contest)


Lightweight British speed racers separated by a few generations. Probably the first time Scott felt his Exige was a big car.


This is the view SUV's have of the Exige just before it becomes a bright red/black blur on their left side and a pin dot on the horizon.


The Exige is hand built. Seriously though, this car is flawless except a minor last detail before the workers headed to the local pub. We admired many details on the car that just left you saying "Wow, lookie that!".

 

Nice stuff,Dave!! I made a Digital Rookie mistake. Somehow I had accidently changed the white balance to Flourescent. DOH!! Tried to correct in PS Elements, bit was only semi successful. Oh Well. Better yesterday than next weekend!
Jim
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimz68/...7594235876674/

 

Ha cool photos guys! Jim, that pic of Dr. Dave in the Exige is awesome!
Cheers!
Skottoman

 

Very nice photos Jim!

Just in case this can help, this is the instructions I've archived on how to manually remove color casts (if you're shooting RAW, then it's different, but super simple to fix).

Create an adjustment layer for "Threshold".
Move the threshold slider to the left until only a few black pixels remain. Zoom in on a section to where the black pixels remain. Select a sample point by holding the shift key and clicking on the black pixel. Your sample point now will be labeled #1. (you can remove a sample point by using the shift and alt keys)
Now move your threshold slikder to the right until only a few white pixels remain and you're below a threshold value of 247. Make your best effort to select the whitest pixel again using the shift key to make sample point #2.
Turn the Threshold adjustment layer off.
Create another adjustment layer for "Curves".
Zoom into the photo so you can better select the two sample points. In the Curves settings screen, select the black point eyedropper. Using the eyedropper tool, select very carefully sample point #1. Repeat this process again using the white point eyedropper and sample point #2.

Confirm by toggling the Curves adjustment layer on and off to verify that the color cast has been removed. If not, try selecting a different white point.

Alternate procedure which is not predictible, but faster to try is to use a "Levels" adjustment layer. Select the gray point eyedropper and select a part of the image that should have no color cast (i.e. gray parking stop or curb or other gray objects). Results on your image are immediate, but not always correct. Experiment with different locations on your image until the cast is removed.

 

Hey Dave, Thanks!!
But... You give me too much credit. I haven't reached the "Layers" deal in the ol' learning curve yet! I'll try to figure 'em out tonight.
Jim
(Digital Dunce)

 

Jim, sounds like at the next Santana Row meet I need to bring a laptop and teach you some digital darkroom non-destructive techniques. Don't worry, you're already doing the most important step perfectly; expose the photo correctly in the first place.

Layers took me a bit to figure out and I still have more to learn. However, this site has a downloadable PDF chapter on layers that is outstanding and should give you more than enough info to get started.

 

Good Idea!!
Thanks for the links. I'm not using Photoshop CS though. Does this stuff also apply to PS Elements?
Jim