Newb & First attempt

[Inten_Z]

Just recently started becoming interested in photography. My father was always in to it when I was a child so I guess it finally rubbed off. I have a passion for motorsports. Motorcycles seem to be my main focus due to the fact I race some as well. These pictures are from my very fist outting. Any suggestions or comments are greatly appriciated. (if this needs to be moved to the Critique I understand)

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/09/003/30/AB/D0/5F/flhbBS2YXRGrJv+e3AeHn6lXMw9wbCTx0300.jpg
http://shutter11.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/008/6B/5F/AA/F9/NELyx-+9vGoXCVQmzGsOB63NYmi01Vip0300.jpg
http://shutter05.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/08/005/77/F3/0A/F8/Mra9tH8knxdQiYJ-cT22PF7swqyNnGEs0300.jpg


The first shot was taken with a shutter speed of 160 and the second and third at 800. Shutter Priority setting. Pictures were taken with a (El-Cheapo) 75-300 Tamron lens. Most shots were taken at the max focal range.

[Boggy]

The first image the shutter is a little slow and its too quick on the others, look at the wheels as there is no motion. Try 250th as a start, turn your AF off pre-focus on the track at a selected point and practise, practise and then practise some more. It's all about timing as panning bikes is not easy because there is alot of movement.
I don't like the backgound of these shots as the red is very overpowering. Try and find a cleaner background.
I'm not a fan of shots that look like the bike is falling out of the frame. Try rotating the camera anti clockwise so the bike is climbing out of the frame.
Hope this makes sense!

Shaun

[Inten_Z]

Thanks for your thoughts. I do understand. I like the idea of turning the camera to give it a climbing look. At this location the racers were coming down a rather steep decline.

[Sonic Infidel]

I like the red background, personally. It gives the photos a strong center, if you know what I mean.

Also, I think the motion-stopping shutter speed is neat. I love pictures where you have to use your brain to figure out if it was really moving or not; frozen helicopter blades, motorcycle rims, etc.

Maybe stronger focus would be good, but with a long lens like that, sometimes perfect focus can be elusive.