Superbikes at Mid-Ohio

[John Thawley]

A few from the weekend:

1. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=116064&g2_serialNumber=1

2. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=116046&g2_serialNumber=1

3. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=115994&g2_serialNumber=1

4. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=115917&g2_serialNumber=1

5. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=115930&g2_serialNumber=1

6. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=115964&g2_serialNumber=1

7. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=115992&g2_serialNumber=1

8. http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=116020&g2_serialNumber=1

[Sp00ks]

Very nice Job. I love #7 and #8.

[stuman16]

Yeah, same here, I love the last two.

[smcclelland]

#8's quite nice, #3 I wish was a bit more of a front shot of the rider leaning out but it's a nice shot nonetheless. How was shooting bikes in contrast to the usual 4-wheel racing?

[John Thawley]

That's kind of hard to answer. While they are surprisingly different, I think each requires a different approach.

Cars allow you to take in their surroundings to a greater degree. And, they also mask out some of the crappy background fodder. With bikes being smaller, fan pop-up tents and even tire barriers are much more distracting and visible.

Obviously, bikes are quicker and smaller. But, the shutter speeds are much more forgiving. You can shoot bikes (and need to) much highter.

With bikes, you have an additional subject to shoot. You can shoot the bike... and you can shoot the rider. So, you can "clip" the rear or nose (or both) of the bike and still have a stunning photo of the rider.

Color... bikes have a lot of intense color.

In the end, though... I think shooting bikes is a little bit redundant. Because of the being limited to include surroundings, a tight inside shot can look the same from one corner to the next. I think the demand for shooting on-track requires really seeking out "the moment"... a wheel lift, a spark.. really recording a slice of life.

I think if I were to shoot bikes every weekend, I'd be doing a lot of balancing my shooting with more pit and atmosphere work to go along with the on-track.

It's fun... and initially the impact of the colors, the speed, the tight crops is a refreshing change. I need to do it more often.

Thanks,

JT

[wyofizz]

John,
Were you using a monopod on #7 & 8 or handheld.
I've been using a tripod to frame a specific landscape in the
background with on coming bikes. I've been setting the SS to
1/2000 to freeze the action with an f8 and 640 ISO. (sunny day)
What SS are you using for oncoming shots?

Dave

[Jamie Holladay]

These are great JT, but I am still fond of the wide shots I saw earlier.

[John Thawley]

John,
Were you using a monopod on #7 & 8 or handheld.
I've been using a tripod to frame a specific landscape in the
background with on coming bikes. I've been setting the SS to
1/2000 to freeze the action with an f8 and 640 ISO. (sunny day)
What SS are you using for oncoming shots?

Dave

The only time I'll use a monopod is on my 500mm. I never use a tripod... and you actually shouldn't trackside for safety purposes. But, it's just to clumsy and not enough freedom.

The EXIF data is intact for all my images... though I think you'll find I was probably shooting at 1/800 - 1/1000 for head ons in quick sections of the track. ISO was 100 to 400 depending on the time of the day and cloud cover.

When I shoot cars, head on shutter would be 1/400 to 1/640 and typically I prefer ISO 100 or 200. Again, it depends on the section of track and how quick the cars are moving and the cloud cover.

You need to be very careful NOT TO FREEZE action.

JT

[Jamie Holladay]

though I think you'll find I was probably shooting at 1/800 - 1/1000 for head ons in quick sections of the track
I'd never guess you could have caught the feel of motion at those shutter speeds. Nice to know.

[NickR]

Great variety of images John, #105 Ducati does it for me.

Cheers

[John Thawley]

Great variety of images John, #105 Ducati does it for me.

Cheers

Thanks!

[Swiss Toni]

Like 4 & 8, shame about the power lines in 4 though.

[John Thawley]

... shame about the power lines in 4 though.

The power lines are there.

Sure, if this shot ended up as a promotional piece or poster... whatever, you'd clone out the power lines in a heartbeat. But this idea that you shot has to be pristine conditions and devoid of all elements of clutter is rather silly.

Trust me, I'll reposition myself every which way to be sure I don't have a bush growing out of someone's head, or a row of campers in the background or any other distraction. But there comes a point that you've done all you can do.

At the end of the day, we're not shooting in a vacuum. Do I like them? No, of course not. Am I worried about them? No. I worry about what I can control. If you shoot Mid-Ohio, you get power lines.

A shot I didn't post here, but is one of my favorites, is actually shot THROUGH the crowd, through the fence and past the corner workers.

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=116088&g2_serialNumber=1

It's our job to make the best of what we're dealt.

JT

[wyofizz]

John,
Thanks for the info.
Great shots.

Dave

[Swiss Toni]

The power lines are there.

Sure, if this shot ended up as a promotional piece or poster... whatever, you'd clone out the power lines in a heartbeat. But this idea that you shot has to be pristine conditions and devoid of all elements of clutter is rather silly.

Trust me, I'll reposition myself every which way to be sure I don't have a bush growing out of someone's head, or a row of campers in the background or any other distraction. But there comes a point that you've done all you can do.

At the end of the day, we're not shooting in a vacuum. Do I like them? No, of course not. Am I worried about them? No. I worry about what I can control. If you shoot Mid-Ohio, you get power lines.
JT
My, aren't we the touchy one? :rolleyes:

[Mil]

Great photos. 7 is the best for me

[John Thawley]

My, aren't we the touchy one? :rolleyes:

Not at all. You gave an opinion and I replied with a real-world response.

How would YOU approach the shot? LOL

[drewpigpen]

They are all really great shots! Good Job. Number 5 is my Fave!

[Swiss Toni]

Not at all. You gave an opinion and I replied with a real-world response.

How would YOU approach the shot? LOL

If you read my original post again I think you'll find that the only opinion I gave was that I liked 4 & 8. What I said about the power lines was an observation which judging by your reply you seem to have construed as some sort of criticism of your work.

That's touchy. LOL

[Jamie Holladay]

I think an opinion was shared, an explanation was given, and that is good enough. Let's maintain civility please.

[PhotosGuy]

Nice work, John.

[R Mutt]

Heard a story that famed motorcycle photog Brian J. Nelson was not let into the winners circle last week despite having the proper credentials, because a "track photographer" had asked his security buddy to keep him out.

[John Thawley]

Heard a story that famed motorcycle photog Brian J. Nelson was not let into the winners circle last week despite having the proper credentials, because a "track photographer" had asked his security buddy to keep him out.

You heard wrong. :) ;)

It seems the AMA doesn't know how to organize a podium / victory circle. For those that know Mid-Ohio's layout, there is a corral type area with the podium inside it. Outside the fence, there is a set of risers set up for photographers (and a sign on the fence assigning that spot for the track photographer). Unfortunately, there was no control on the inside of the victory circle... hence photographers using the appropriate positions on the riser got nothing but a frame full of a video crew, crew members and a couple of other photographers... all standing within inches of riders and the podium.

I was the "official" track photographer. I've shot victory circle at Mid-Ohio at least a dozen times.... and with every other sanctioning body, photographers stand on the provided riser. Reasonable minds would agree that if EVERYONE would use the assigned area, EVERYONE would have a clean shot and get the shot they NEED for their agency, client or outlet.

At my request, the track attempted to convey this to the AMA... and I assure you, Brian was NOT excluded from the podium ceremonies. He and I spoke Sunday afternoon and he expressed his agreement that AMA needs to get organized. I don't think Brian was trying to do anything he wasn't forced to do (crowding the podium)... it's the situation he's been left to deal with. My request to the track (my client) was simply an attempt to create an environment that would allow ALL working photographers to get the shots they NEED, not just two. Or is that unreasonable?


JT

[NTHEWIND]

John:

I'm really new here, been looking mostly.
First I'd like to thank you for taking the the time to post your images. From what I read from the links in your sig you are very busy.
I noticed something very interesting here and would like to comment. Your original images that you posted were just simply fantastic! They are what I consider 'normal' (please please don't that that as a negative) they are sharp, clean just what a 'client' would pay you to do.
What I found very interesting was the image that you posted later that you said was your favorite. Now for lack of a better term in my limited vocabulary can we call that an 'artsy' (is that even spelled correct, LOL) image?
I have been fortunate to travel to several (small) race tracks across the country and been lucky to talk my way in track side with the 'official' track photographer. They aways try capture images like your original ones, sharp, clean etc. I on the other hand like to do something different. I have always liked the 'artsy' side. Lots of Blurr, light trails when taken at night under lights, anything that I have never seen before, that's what I like to create. I also carry that idea when I go to Daytona for Bike Week. I like shooting at night with fast lens, high ISO and slow shutter and pan like crazy!
So I guess what I'd like to say is out of all the images you posted I am with you 100% on my favorite.

If I can figure out and get some time I'd like to post some of my images.

Thanks!