85th Loudon Classic (Motorcycles)

[jayhova]

I never knew until recently the oldest motorcycle races in the US were right in my back yard. So I decided to check out the Loudon Classic up in New Hampshire and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is my first time trying to shoot motorcycles and man was it a learning experience!!! These things were harder to photograph then F1 cars. Having driven on this track myself in a car I have a new found respect for these MC boys!

This was also my first time out with the 2x extender on my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS on my XTi. AF speed was an issue. I had to experiment with a lot of different settings. I took close to 1000 (threw away 600) shots in a day! Comments and criticism welcome. Thanks for looking!


1. Final turn onto the front straight.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2582427476_b296394767_b.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-c/2582427476/in/set-72157605629476422/)
2. Inside the famous turn 6 "Bowl".
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2582454196_167c47e7b3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-c/2582454196/in/set-72157605629476422/)

3. Flyby onto the front straight at full twist.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2582428766_d7809f9102_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-c/2582428766/in/set-72157605629476422/)

4. "Bowl" shot.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2585091217_e224369661_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-c/2585091217/in/set-72157605629476422/)

5. Heading off.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2582423842_254b3c7164_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-c/2582423842/in/set-72157605629476422/)

[dannzeman]

Pretty good shots. My first time taking pics of motorcycls was 2 weeks ago at Road America watching AMA Superbike. One thing I learned, and something you might benefit from by looking at your first few pics, is try taking the pics on the same side of your subject that the sun is one. This will help eliminate some of the dark shadows on the lower portion of the bike and bring out more details, especially in the riders suit. Bloody good pics though. My fav is the 4th one. Keep shootin.

[jayhova]

One thing I learned, and something you might benefit from by looking at your first few pics, is try taking the pics on the same side of your subject that the sun is one. This will help eliminate some of the dark shadows on the lower portion of the bike and bring out more details, especially in the riders suit.

Thanks for the tip I'll definitely keep it in mind. As you know unfortunately for us "normal Joe's" (no press pass) we often don't have much choice where we shoot from :cry:. Do you have any of your MC shots posted?