First Attempt at a Downhill Mountain Bike Race

[abbike18]

I had the opportunity to shoot at the Mount Snow Mountain Bike Festival earlier today. I had never shot biking or sports really, so let me know how i did! I know the ones with a flash are flat, i don't have a good flash yet, so the on camera was used.

larger versions are here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29666967@N04/sets/72157621869379127/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3805393959_426f827f64_d.jpg




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3806212544_32bf485c59_d.jpg




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3805393395_aafda64979_d.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/3805393085_8fa86b7afb_d.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3806214408_e0cc2cb932_d.jpg

[fotoworx]

Great shots for your first time imo.

[Biffbradford]

Pretty good. I think 4 and 5 are definite keepers. You must be brave shooting from where you did to get #4 ... I'd be peeking around a tree so I wouldn't get run over if he lost it. :D

[24alpha]

abbike18, the first 2 are great. you have captured the essence of DH MTB! Speed!
What I would like to see is a more technical location. Rock Garden, berm or jump. Something that "shows off" what mountain biking is all about.
Same can be said for XC. Although I do like a Start shot. Keep shooting MTB, it's the greatest sport.

[abbike18]

biff - #4 is actually one of my best friends. i was safely out of the way behind a tree for the shot, although I did almost get hit one crash. the bikers must constantly think "crazy photographers"

24alpha - the location i was shooting at was the most technical on the course, however i was positioned at the top of the section, where there was the roll in berm. there was a crazy rock garden right below, i should have relocated to that spot to try and get these shots.

[BeritOlam]

I'm with Biff -- I think 4 and 5 are your best shots, FWIW....

[2004ep3hatch]

Im going to try this this weekend at "Diablo" I believe it's called. It's northern N.J. Nice shots!

[Frisky]

Nice shots for a first attempt.

[MDJAK]

nice. I gotta practice my panning technique. You seem to be pretty good at it.

mark

[giuseppetornielli]

Great action captures, and I like the vibrant colors… my favorite is #5 w/ #4 being a close second. Nice work!!
What were your settings on the first 2 shots?

[ronmayhew]

nice shots

[Phenix3st]

looks like a fun event, the first three shots are hard to look at. maybe too focused on just the rider. the 4th shot is nice and clear, just a few adjustments and it would be great.

Nice angles though

[abbike18]

giuse- thanks for the compliments. the settings are below
shot 1 was f/4.0, ISO 800, 10mm, 1/60sec, caught another camera's flash from the front (hehe)
shot 2 was f/4.5, ISO 400, 22mm, 1/30sec, on camera flash fired

Phenix3st - when i got these on the computer, they def strained my eyes because of the difference in focus between the background and the rider. I'm not sure if it just hurts people's eyes or it forces the eye to the subject.

MDJAK - I'm not that good at the panning thing, I took so many shots that day these were just the ones that came out. my thing with digital is shoot shoot shoot and intensely critique your own work. that way when a real scene you dont want to mess up comes along your ready for it and have the skill to capture it. luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity, and i think those two factors create a true photograph. well that was a long answer to a comment haha