i don't really post my photography that often. You've all seen my truck shots for the challenge, but my true photographic passion is portraiture. I love how you can capture so much "story" through expressions.

so, I offer this. these following shots are what i consider the best of my best. I'll start with my auto shots (it seems to be my most shot subject besides my family), and then i'll move on from there. please fullview these, they just don't get the detail recognition they deserve from a small thumbnail.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/2693ec45.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/0d4a31bd.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/0c15b25b.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/6030f967.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/a38b9a77.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/27127b81.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7a1c401a.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/a990d3b5.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7e171b5c.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/e1374603.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/581fd722.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/8ba93a01.jpg
my absolute favorite shot ^^



http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/e42f5a38.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/257e98b3.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/54a0d9dd.jpg
^^ a technique called panning. a long exposure where you move the camera at the same speed as the object you're photographing. results in a sharp object with a motion blurred background.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/c398c0ea.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7acbdc02.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/216cd1c5.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/50736132.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/b80d8a89.jpg

end of my vehicle shots. up next is portraits

the easiest model to find is of yourself. so this next batch of shots is of yours truly. self portraits are both rewarding and difficult. it seems to take twice as long to get a correct exposure/cropping.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/5d48fa83.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/eb2e1973.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7e3150bb.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/b7268a4f.jpg
^^(not a self portrait, shot by my GF)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/cb68ec83.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/de828e93.jpg

^^my attempt at a lighting style called "high key". very high contrast with an emphasis on over exposure.

and now on to my other portraits. most of these are either of my GF, or of my family. the young children are my niece and nephews, and they love it when i photograph them. i have a lot more of them.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/d8400ec2.jpg
^he gave me a really plastic smile, until i told him to say "monkeybutts." He couldn't do it without laughing, and i got this incredible smile out of him.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/844b8b17.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/222155dd.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/986dd385.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7751647a.jpg
^ an attempt at low-key lighting.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/3b15eb2f.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/5bbaff64.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/3c7ea33e.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/803b6540.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/a6bc0b64.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/d2d9d617.jpg

and some pet portraits. Black dogs that don't EVER sit still are extremely difficult to photograph and make them look "classy." I have so many playful shots of her.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/a1eaed87.jpg

and my kitty
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/679c71d0.jpg
one blue eye, one green eye, and one red eye (i'll let you figure that one out yourself)

this next batch is something i was into for a while, and then i realized why.

it was easy.

I've always liked to challenge my own progression, and taking cliche shots like the next bunch just weren't helping. These, however, are the best of my floral explorations.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/632a564a.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/48df2970.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/9086d4ea.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/eecb655a.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/e8decfd6.jpg

Dude, James, the shots are impressive as hell. I love them. Great job, dude.

Nice stuff man. Some of the photos look like the pictures that come in picture frames when you buy them. haha

something i enjoy, but i'm not very good at composing yet. Landscape shots.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/abcfcf5e.jpg
panorama (not sure how many shots, 15 maybe?)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/7abc3374.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/5c343c71.jpg
^the two above are china town in San Francisco. it's always packed with people, a very interesting place to go.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/4ea20bcd.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/5b9c8282.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/1c2be5e3.jpg

and also: Textures,

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/40617fb2.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/07fc8e85.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/b20ea2ea.jpg

and finally, the misc:

action shots, and unclassifiable

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/90406353.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/40a021c1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/e5b32806.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/06d6433f.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/de09cf14.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/50a42e0c.jpg
^another favorite. the painful realization that i'm no longer a child.

--------------------

thanks for looking, i guess this is how i justify my avatar tagline. heh.

i did not watermark any of these. I feel it takes away from the quality. but....

i ask you out of kindness, please don't redistribute my hard work. feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Damn man very good shots. You got some skill.

very nice!!!

i like them i like the skateboarding and BMxing ones

Beautiful Man.

you've definitely got the gift of photography, as well as a passion for it! awesome shots !

Skills. Beautiful shots man. :thumbsup:

amazing photos james, you have some real talent

awsome shots james. you have talent thats for sure. soo, do you do weddings? im paying 700 bucks for my photographer at my wedding. good way to make some $$$$$ if you dont. lol

That's one skill I honestly wish I had. Epic pics man, well done.

Great Photos!!!

hey james, nice series, some good stuff in there. i suck at portraits, not my thing. landscapes and automotive are my areas of "expertise."

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/40617fb2.jpg

Wow! My bed side!

wow, totally pro! Looks killer man, love it.
BTW, thanks for the new desktop backgrounds :thumbsup:

Wow, i really wish i was into photography. looks awesome.

But you should get tint on your trucks... are they both yours?

some really good shots, the panning came out incredible. shoulda got a nikon though. jk

great shots man..

i know you have probably been asked this before but what kind of camera are you using?

I love your use of compostion James! The lighting is great. All good subjects. I'd say the "wagon" is one of my favorites, WOW!! Keep at it, you will be making a GOOD living do what you love!

guys, thank you all for the very sweet comments. This is a hobby of mine, I do it when i have time. I've got about 2 years (maybe?) into it. I never touched a camera before that.

soo, do you do weddings?

I do not. I don't have the correct equipment. I couldn't ruin someones memory by trying to make a quick buck. I took photos at my sisters wedding, but i wasn't the official photographer. Sadly, my shots were better than the person she hired.

i know you have probably been asked this before but what kind of camera are you using?

I think its in my signature, but if not, i shoot with a canon rebel xti. my main lens is a rather cheap (but it works alright) tamron 18-200 mm (F3.5-4.5) I'd like to pick up a nice 50 mm prime lens, but cash is limiting any purchases right now.

But you should get tint on your trucks... are they both yours?

nope. the lifted one is Alon. he's around rarely on here, he's much more active on TRS. I had tint on my windows until someone decided to help remove my passenger window. I still have it on the drivers side, but its so light its unnoticeable.

awsome shots james. you have talent thats for sure. soo, do you do weddings? im paying 700 bucks for my photographer at my wedding. good way to make some $$$$$ if you dont. lol


i didnt notice your post before, $700 for a wedding is a steal, i hope your photographer does a good job. I do weddings as a second shooter, im not the main photographer, and i get paid at least what you are paying. a minimum package for us to do a wedding is over $2K

dang James very nice shots man.

your photography is amazing bro, your truck is so fly too..ive always liked ur ride..

are you using the 18-200 for ur flower shots too or do u have a macro as well? some very nice shots in there. love the long shutter next to the highway with the cars driving by...good work

i shot the floral with my 18-200 macro.

2 of the shots were around 50mm, and 2 of the shots were at 200mm

Those are some great pics man! Well done!

First James, I apologize for not noticing this thread sooner - I just stumbled upon it today! You do some awesome stuff - I'm really impressed! Keep it up...

Some cool shots in there but get rid of that one of up your nose, lol.

Too many to comment on individually. For your portraits, I like how you're playing with light and shadow, esp the close-ups, but watch your cropping. A general principal (not a rule though) is to avoid having the eyes in the center (half way between top and bottom). The rule of thirds applies here too.

The shot of the boy at the wedding shows you have some awesome window light there.

That one of you on the steps could be killer with some directional light. Even a silver reflector can come in handy on overcast days. No need to go buy one for a hobby but one of those fold out window shades with the silver side can work fine.

The sunset truck shots are awesome. I haven't played around too much with vehicle shots. I've been wanting to get a custom bike into the studio to play with.

Oh, and here's something you can play with if you have photoshop. That rusty texture can be cool if you put on a top layer and play with the blending modes and opacity. Maybe over one of your truck shots in an urban setting, then erase it where your truck is. If you permit me to play with a couple of your shots, I can show you.

Some cool shots in there but get rid of that one of up your nose, lol.

Too many to comment on individually. For your portraits, I like how you're playing with light and shadow, esp the close-ups, but watch your cropping. A general principal (not a rule though) is to avoid having the eyes in the center (half way between top and bottom). The rule of thirds applies here too.

The shot of the boy at the wedding shows you have some awesome window light there.

That one of you on the steps could be killer with some directional light. Even a silver reflector can come in handy on overcast days. No need to go buy one for a hobby but one of those fold out window shades with the silver side can work fine.

The sunset truck shots are awesome. I haven't played around too much with vehicle shots. I've been wanting to get a custom bike into the studio to play with.

Oh, and here's something you can play with if you have photoshop. That rusty texture can be cool if you put on a top layer and play with the blending modes and opacity. Maybe over one of your truck shots in an urban setting, then erase it where your truck is. If you permit me to play with a couple of your shots, I can show you.

you have a studio? are you a pro or just shoot as a hobby?

semi-pro. The photo business is my second income. Tax ID, receipts, etc. so according to the IRS, not a hobby.

semi-pro. The photo business is my second income. Tax ID, receipts, etc. so according to the IRS, not a hobby.

working on getting to that level, not landing much for paying gigs but im not sure how to market myself yet. you have a website?

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii201/jamesgoss/best%20of%20photography/abcfcf5e.jpg

how did you do this ... i really like that shot !

working on getting to that level, not landing much for paying gigs but im not sure how to market myself yet. you have a website?

Yeah, but needs serious updating. GuyWithACamera.com

how did you do this ... i really like that shot !

I'm not James and don't know what he used for software, but there's a couple different ways, depending on your camera.

Some cameras have a pano/panoramic mode which does most of the work for you as you take a series of photos in a row and may need some software that came with your camera to complete it.

I don't have such a fancy feature so I just take a series of shots, overlapping the frame by at least a third. I then use Photoshop's stitch feature and tweak allignment to taste. Somewhere I have a pano of Central Park from the top of Rockefeller Center.

In the old days you could use a special back or adapter on a medium format camera giving you a 6x12 or 6x17 negative. I think Fuji even made a panoramic rangefinder medium format camera. However, new technology has made that option obsolete except for the die hard old school craftsman. :)