While working on a design for a Porche collector, Thomas (SoItIs4u.com) and I were discussing how the process of manipulation changes the way an image speaks to the audience. We color and light and image to portray a certain emotion or idea.
I took this original photograph on a Canon at 400 ISO with a 320 shutter speed using an 85mm closed down to an f-stop of 8. We were traveling 50 miles per hour around the bend so it's good that I got the shot in focus.
During the first level of image manipulation, I brought back some of the luster in the car and blurred the background.
In the second level of correction, the image is contrasted and vignetted so that the eye goes straight to the car.
At this point, Thomas suggests twisting the image and reframing. Now the car looks like it's speeding around the bend, plus an additional motional blur on the background object adds to the motion effect.
The final effect is exactly what we are looking for. On to the next one!