Dam Cross! Cyclocross socal 11/9

[SoCalAl]

This is my first try at sports of any kind, I'm fairly pleased with the results. I spent a lot of time trying to get good panning shots and playing with shutter speed. The sky was a mix of crystal blue skies with dark thick clouds so that added an extra challenge for me. Let me know what you think!
1
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-3.jpg
2
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-1.jpg
3
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-7.jpg
4
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-5.jpg
5
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-9.jpg
6
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-8.jpg
7
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/arkilmer/Dam%20Cross/DamCross-4.jpg

[Dan-o]

I was going to go out there on Sunday but dropped a brick on my foot on Sat. so walking wasn't to easy. Stop your lens down and isolate the rider more.Shooting at F20 and F16 is one way to get everything in focus but unfortunately ....everything is in focus :lol:. I haven't been to this course but try to find a spot with less yellow tape if that is possible. Cycling doesn't get much love on these forums so don't take it personal if you don't get a lot of views or responses.

[prcrstn8]

I like the 1st & 3rd shots showing the action, and the light & composition of the last shot. But seriously, cyclocross in SoCal? Where's the rain, the mud, the snow?

\^;

[pmk]

Ain't cross great! Lots of intensity, lots of action.

I agree with Dan-O. Also, I'd recommend getting in a bit closer and filling the frame with the action. A lot of your shots are real wide. For example, your #3 shot has some nice action, nice angles and cool composition, but there's a lot of extraneous info as well. If you got in closer, you could have filled the frame like this.

.02

pmk

[woodsie]

Cyclocross in dry SoCal? That almost turns it into a sport that sane people might try. ;)
I agree with earlier comments. Shallower DOF and closer crops would be good on some of the shots. Though I love the panning shots, they are cool and give a real sense of the speed these bikes can do. I personally don't mind the tape in the shots. But to me tape means racing which means exciting. :mrgreen:

[Big Hands]

I shot the Dam Cross two years ago and had my best results using my Tokina 12-24 and sitting right at the tape so it was not in the foreground of the shot.

[HighPixel]

The Xt never seems to let us down...Nice and sharp. Good panning.
HP

[SoCalAl]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, it's pretty dry here. In fact one of the large fires about a month ago was within about a mile of the course. Ironically if it rained tons most of the park where the course was set up would flood since it's within a dam basin.
Yeah, my settings were a little wacky. Unfortunately I was paying so much attention to my shutter speed I neglected the f stop:rolleyes: Definitely a learning experience and hope to get out to more cycling events in the future.
As much as I love the Rebel XT, I've been lusting after a 40D since the prices have dropped due to the 50D release, probably after xmas. I'd like a little more focusing accuracy and I rarely get a keeper at ISO 1600.

[g_robins]

I to love cyclo cross, but here in the uk all we get is mud. If you like have a look at my photos at

http://www.grahamrobins.net/photos/Cyclo+Cross5/

or any of the other galleries on my site.

[Biffbradford]

Nice job. #7 is very good.

[ahhhlawn]

#5 is my fav of the bunch