First time at Triathlon photography - please Critique allot

[EricKonieczny]

The conditions were less than ideal. Hazy, Humid, Cloudy, Light Sprinkle of Rain, about 80 degrees.


I shot in RAW, reworked with RAW Shooter Essenstials and then PS CS


I took like 300 photos and only managed 10-20 keepers. I shot in Manual, with the 70-200 2.8 IS an 20D, so I know the equipment is not the problem. I used all different metering, AI Servo, One shot, etc

What modes would you use for these.

What
Metering
One Shot or AI Servo?
Tripod or monopod?


would you use CFN-4-1?


The majority of the Photos were out of focus because they AF did not track fast enough while they bikers or runners were moving fast.


The only reason I framed them is to show the EXIF data.

#1
http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/1.jpg



#2

http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/2.jpg


#3
http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/3.jpg


#4
http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/4.jpg


#5http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/5.jpg


#6

http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/6.jpg


#7
http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/7.jpg


#8http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/8.jpg



#9
http://www.ekreating.com/images/tri/9.jpg

[Hellashot]

Quite a few to comment on.

#2: the subject seems too dark compared to the bright glare of the water behind.
#4: the color seems off. Everything is very dull but the big ballons? are flourescent red/orange.
#9: the colors seems very saturated, so much that there's a blue reflection on his right lower leg.

[seangower]

I loved #3. A great shot !

[exposingmyself]

sorry, can't give tech support esp too that my home monitor is too dark but i like your captures.
no. 2 makes my eyes go cross when i look at the swimmers in the water but again maybe it's because my monitor is dark.
i love the linear texture of the water and that one head bopping out.
also i like how you captured the natural environment the athletes were in. i love overcast lighting makes the colors in your photographs really pop.
your hard work really shows and 300 pictures is a wonderful attempt.
i'll be looking in on the tech support given. :)

[KevC]

Your shutter speeds are TOO FAST! I know you're trying to freeze motion, but you can slow them down a little. The bikes look like they're parked on the road hehe. Try bumping it down to 1/100, 1/125... play around with it.

[JustJerk]

Great shots - I was actually down at Eagleman triathlon this weekend taking shoots. I personally like the fast shutter speed to stop the action. I've did try the panning effect, needs lots of work. If this was your first - excellent job. - Room to grow - of course. Learn from your mishaps and shoot another one. They are so much fun. – Also – you can get some very good candid photos.

Looks like you had an overcast day just wait when it's sunny out. - Now that's a B@@ch!

[PhotosGuy]

It's usually better to have your subject looking/going into the frame, instead of out like in #s 1, 2, 3, & others. Potentially very nice shots, but they'll look much better if you're able to recrop them a bit. ;-)

[GenEOS]

By looking at these shots I get the feeling they were all taken from about the same perspective, standing up. By lowering your shooting angle you will add a lot of depth to the shot. Watch your framing, some of these place the subject dead center. Use the rule of thirds and give that guy on the bike some place to be peddling to! Always try to capture your subjects eyes or face (in the case of sunglass clad people) This will give emotion to your shots.

I particular, I am looking at image 6 and there was a great opportunity to get a panning shot on this one with a nice blurred green background...but the subject looks very small in the shot. Shot 8 looks too static and should be composed with space in front of the bike.

Just a few of my opinions, I am by no way perfect at doing this myself. Just a few tips I have picked up.