Hans I like your pictures but not your camera.
What do you use ? My compact does sort of the same, but my dslr is far better (NIKON D300 and 70-200 VR). A simple D40 does good results.
Jimmy I respect your great job but I dont agree with you because the car is over exposed and the background is under exposed at the same time. Opening wider would make things worse on the car (too white). Idem with more iso or slower shutter speed.
My little old compact can achieve the same result, i know it because i began with it ! And everybody has to beguin one day
http://picasaweb.google.fr/richardporthe