Pro Cycling Challenge in CO (Prologue)

Some of my images from the day. Was actually my first time out with the new 70-200 2.8
Was a lot of fun seeing all of these famous riders. C&C is appreciated.

I like the 5th shot a lot...

Thanks!

I actually almost threw number 5 out because I didnt like his leg being a little OOF.

Dr. Gonzo wrote in post #12999205
Thanks!

I actually almost threw number 5 out because I didnt like his leg being a little OOF.

Don't. Is a panning shot. Some blur will be there and it helps to convey a sense of motion. As long as the face is sharp and in focus, you are fine. Of course, don't try to use F8 and shooting at 1/1000s. You will make all riders like doing track stands. This isn't landscape photography, you don't need a clear visible background.

Okay, you asked for it.

1. Nice capture. Crop it.
2. Toss
3. Toss
4. Neat image. Keeper.
5. Neat, but he's mushed into the top of the frame. Crop?
6. Dry grass? Toss. Put something interesting in focus with the blurry background.
7. Toss.
8. Toss. Sure, they're big name riders, but not very flattering images.

Wish I was there - I'm jealous.

Thanks toomany i appreciate the feedback.

biffbradford:

1. What kind of crop are you thinking?
2. Really? any reason why? Its my favorite image I took from the day.
3. I know its not the greatest picture but loved his muscles, thought it was nuts.
4. Alright, i kinda liked this photo but seemed a little boring to me. ive got quite a few more just like this.
5. Ya I could crop but seems like the only way it would work is if I just cropped it evenly around him? This photo was straight out of the camera.
6. Ya i wish there was a flower or something but I kinda liked it anyway
7. I liked this image because it shows the hard work they put into the race before it even starts.
8. I understand where u are coming from. Not the greatest pictures, but I wanted to capture some of the "behind the scenes" and not just have all riding shots and thats what I came up with.

Thanks for all the critiques. I appreciate it a lot. Im kinda playing devils advocate with my replies I guess but thanks a ton. Its always good to hear other peoples opinion.

Couple more

9.

#10 is awesome. I might crop some off the right though.

You've got an interesting eye, I'll give you that! Definitely not the run of the mill seen from most races.

9. I hate crooked horizons unless it serves a purpose. Horrible. Toss.
10. I'd crop it tightly.
11. Interesting. Keeper if that was actually Chris Boardman in the background, but it's just a rider warming up. Toss. Now, if you had a line of a dozen bikes ...

Not that "I'm right", but this would be my crop on #10 (hope you don't mind). My reasoning is that it's the leaning of the cyclist in the corner, juxtaposed against the car behind him that makes the image, so that's where I put my focus and I crop out all the noise. A different background, and I'd probably do it differently. Maybe I'm way off, but that's my take. I lightened up the shadows a bit as well.

my responses are in-line below...

Dr. Gonzo wrote in post #13001178
Thanks toomany i appreciate the feedback.

biffbradford:

1. What kind of crop are you thinking?
I disagree, I'd leave this as is.
2. Really? any reason why? Its my favorite image I took from the day.
Doesn't even compare to #1, agree, toss.
3. I know its not the greatest picture but loved his muscles, thought it was nuts.
Keep this but crop to focus on what interested you, the muscles. You can get a little artsy here.
4. Alright, i kinda liked this photo but seemed a little boring to me. ive got quite a few more just like this.
Solid stock but not portfolio.
5. Ya I could crop but seems like the only way it would work is if I just cropped it evenly around him? This photo was straight out of the camera.
Again disagree, I think the road adds to the image since you can tell its downhill fast. No crop imo.
6. Ya i wish there was a flower or something but I kinda liked it anyway
Even a flower doesn't rescue this one, sorry. Toss.
7. I liked this image because it shows the hard work they put into the race before it even starts.
Problem is that unless you know cycling, you don't know he's on a stationary. Not much emotion either. Good idea but this one doesn't work.
8. I understand where u are coming from. Not the greatest pictures, but I wanted to capture some of the "behind the scenes" and not just have all riding shots and thats what I came up with.
For behind the scenes stuff make sure you either engage the subject or use wider FLs to capture more of the scene. Again, my opinion but i think it makes for a stronger image.

Thanks for all the critiques. I appreciate it a lot. Im kinda playing devils advocate with my replies I guess but thanks a ton. Its always good to hear other peoples opinion.

Thanks again guys, REALLY appreciate the feedback.

Briff:
9. I agree about the horizon, typically I would toss but every time I passed this image I found it interesting and liked it for some odd reason.
10. I like what you did with the shadows, not sure about the crop tho. Seems like nama agrees about tight crop but idk I feel like seeing the road and the full car adds the atmosphere?
11. I agree, I kept it just for the images sake not for the content necessarily. Wish it was him too!

Namasste:
Thanks man! I appreciate the responses.
Im glad you agree with number 1 staying the same. I feel that way too, I think if it was cropped it would just be more of an average pan. Idk might be crazy.
Ill see what I can do with number 3, have a feeling its gonna be hard for me to crop to tight because I like having the number on the back.
Thanks for the feedback on 5, wasnt sure about crop vs not crop.

I like 6! ha!

I agree you prob dont know its on a stationary so it hurts the image, ive got one more that has alittle more emotion possibly and you can see more of the bike, ill post it next.

I wish I had my 17-40 for some of the behind the scenes stuff but I just got my 70-200 and its all I brought, my intention was to just go out and play with and learn the new lens even if it did hinder me in different situations.

Heres the stationary photo that might have more emotion, didnt really like the composition so i didnt share it but I like how you look and hes covered in sweat and theres a drop about to fall off his nose.

Not sure, let me know what you think!