Motocross shots

[motocrossnut34]

I am way new at this and only using a canon 300d with a Promaster Spectrum 70-210 lens. I only shoot motocross shots for the most part. My buddy shoots with the same camera as I do and swears his shots with a stock lens are way better than mine and that I need lots of practice cuz my pictures suck he says. I dont feel like these are to bad considering the camera I am taking them with and the subject is usually moving fast... Let me know what you think.

[Banditloon]

Your shot looks good. The only thing I can see (and my pc monitor at work is cr*p!!), is the shutter speed is fast (I can see the tyre tread clear).

Practice is good. I'm practicing and learning new things on MX tracks every weekend. I've only been photographing MX for 5 months, and now my pictures are selling, and most importantly, I'm getting good comments from the racers!!

On my 350D, I'm using TV setting, single point AF (swaps depending on which turn / jump I'm on), a shutter speed between 1/250 - 1/320 for head on, jump or turn shots. The ISO is changed, depending on conditions, and AWB is switched off!! I'd rather have complete control on the white balance, bearing in mind it's only pressing 2 buttons to change from cloudy to daylight!!

This is one of my first MX meetings I attended. I used a Canon EF75-200mm lens, and thought the pictures looked good! It was a cloudy / rainy day and a bit dark, and the sky is a nightmare to get right on jump shots!!!



Now 4 months on, and into the dark afternoons of Autumn, this picture was taken on Sunday at an MX meeting. The main difference between the shot is the lens. Changing for the consumer EF75-300 to the L series 80-200mm f2.8 lens. The lens was bought second hand, and for the price I paid, is superb!!



And a jump shot, just for a different angle;





The main thing is practice! Go to a local track and keep practicing, you will be learning new techniques at every photo shoot, but most importantly see if you can get a cheap L series lens. They are certainly worth the extra cash.

[dod]

not too bad, sharp, shows movement, crappy sky but not much you can do about that.

[Ize]

I like it, sharp, good lean on the bike. Roosts also show action, which may be there when coming out of the berm. Timing of rider position and other variables mentioned by Banditloon. I'd like to see more.
Thanks. Banditloon for the info on your pictures. Really appreciated. Picture #2 shows much sharpness with the L lens.
Thanks!

[barP]

mxnut, whattup! glad to see you over here.

that's a pretty sweet shot - you got half the battle won just by having stephen in the pic. it's tough to get good motophoto if the pilot's a dodo!!

wow. that was bad.

anyhow, you also have an advantage because you RIDE! what looks good to you is probably a good shot, even if you get lambasted for shooting at too high a shutter speed, etc.

wp.

[motocrossnut34]

Hey barP, I am assuming I probably know you from MXC but not from the screen name you are using on this site....Send me a PM and let me know who you are...Thanks for the compliments on the shot. I am definately a RIDER and not a photographer. That is why I have to shoot quite a few shots to get a good one out of the batch cuz I am usually more "focused" on getting back on the bike on the track...
Few more....Those berm shots are much easier to get when the rider is coming towards you or going away from you then trying to shoot them straight from the side like this second picture, especially when you have a very fast rider like J. Moore is. It is a little blurry and I am not sure why. Shutter speed is fast cuz it stopped the tire spin.

[Ize]

Shutter speed's fine. Plenty of movement. Pictures of riders are awesome! Thanks for posting the additional shots.

[Sheriff]

Love that Nacona dirt...

[motocrossnut34]

He MXC'er, Sherrif. Ya that top picture is Nocona. We try to hit it twice a month just to get a taste of one of the best tracks in texas to ride. The bottom 2 pictures are taken at River Valley Mx. We are heading to Bowie Mx this coming Saturday. Have never been so I am looking forward to riding a new track and shooting some pictures at a new track.....

[barP]

yo, mxnut, 'tis me, willy-p, aka rag_doll.



shot courtesy my friend bob van orden, pro photog and dirtrider.net jedi master.

you and i are fighting the same sharpness battle. i'm learning that equipment makes a big difference. was shooting with a cheapo sigma 70-300 that was dog slow. i had a terrible time with sharpness because it was frequently just a little oof, even when it looked sharp at first. now i'm shooting the super sigma 70-200 f2.8, and what a difference!!

have fun at bowie - it rocks. going sunday...

wp.

[Moto Geek]

great capture

[motocrossnut34]

Snagged this one at the 2nd round of the Pro Circuit race in the "B" class. He is a local rider fixin to go Pro. Dude rips....

[Moto Geek]

Amazing shot, that rider is incredible...Ive seen him, didnt that dude get a new bike from the factory a few weeks ago? That was his practice bike wasnt it?

[motocrossnut34]

Originally Posted by Moto Geek

Amazing shot, that rider is incredible...Ive seen him, didnt that dude get a new bike from the factory a few weeks ago? That was his practice bike wasnt it?

Ya he picked up a ride from Yamaha. Was glad to see him change over. He has riden on the same tracks with Josh Demuth, Mike Alessi, Ryan VIllipoto, Tommy Hahn

[motocrossnut34]

2006 USOpen Lites 3rd place Podium factory Honda rider Tommy Hahn, snagged this one at a local track in the Dallas area a few weeks ago...Enjoy Take note the rider is almost 180 degrees to the take off of the dirt to the right....He is a hard rider to photograph because he is so fast on a dirtbike...