Street Bike Session

[HostileM6]

Alright so since I'm still a n00b at most of this, I figured I would come ask some pros about this.

My friend gave me a business proposition with this street bike crew that needs some flyers done. He says it's just going to be them doing stunts and what not, "close up stuff" with them going no more than 5 mph in a circle. I'm not sure what time this will be taking place but I'm thinking of renting a lens and a speedlite, nothing big just a simple 430ex to get nice lighting if needed. My question I guess is what equipment should be needed. I don't mind renting a little bit because it's going to be worth it in the end. With good credits towards my name and more opportunites down the road with decent pay. Anyone have some words of wisdom for me. In case you don't see my sig, I have a Rebel XS with kit lens and 75-300.

Also, on a side note I've been noticing this happening to most of my pictures and getting blown out skies and such everywhere.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff209/dyeballin11/TBCM_7_18_09023.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff209/dyeballin11/TBCM_7_18_09022.jpg

Nuetral Density Filter help? I'm thinking about getting one anyway. I currently have a UV.

Thanks in advance, I greatly appreciate any help.

[zacm7]

stunt riding is hard to photograph right because of them always moving. your not going to need a NDF for this but you will want a good lens. if you can i would suggest something wide so you can get in there and make what their doing look big, exciting and exaggerated and not from far away because it just looks like a wheelie or a stoppie etc etc. having a flash will be helpful to make a pop but if your mounting it off-camera its going to be difficult unless you can guide them to where you want them to be. good luck man, it just takes time to get use to the environment and what they are doing. its like anything else (snowboarding/skateboarding) you have to know what tricks they are going to pull because you dont want to shoot in the middle of a trick and it look totally messed up...same goes for stoppies unless you snap a pic of the rider at the highest balance point its not going to look great. in stunt pictures i like the see the tail of the bike just a touch above the helmet. hope i gave some good tips. but you def dont need a NDF for this kind of shooting.

[HostileM6]

Thanks a lot for your advice zac.

should i go with something like a 11-16? 10-22?
16-35L? pretty cheap to rent so I don't see why I shouldn't get some nice stuff.

I don't want to do fisheye because I know that just wont look right with this.

[DC Fan]

Stunt riding with a 500mm mirror lens.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/09112008b0083.jpg

Stunt riding a few minutes later with a 19-35mm zoom at 35mm.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/09112008b0174.jpg

Pretty standard stuff as far as distances and angles are concerned. Find what fills the frame and use that. Longer lenses can mean longer and safer distances with heavy, moving objects such as motorcycles.

[PhotosGuy]

Your lenses should be good enough for these. The light images are because you're using Exposure Mode = auto exposure . Maybe you have exposure compensation turned on?
If they are "going no more than 5 mph in a circle.", I'd set up to shoot in the direction with the best background & tell them where you want the peak action to happen. And I'd use this for my exposure:
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

Why?
Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

[Rey.dos]

70-200mm on FF camera
heres a blind side circle...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3702928613_632eaebc67_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/3702927789_36733ee750_o.jpg