Redlands Cycling Classic - Criterium C&C please

Took these over the weekend at the Redlands Cycling Classic. First paid assignment... There is a huge difference (at least I though so) from shooting for fun and shooting for a client that wants certain images.

1.

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Nice shots. I love the level of saturation you used. It really makes the pictures "pop."

emtp563 wrote in post #2934024
Nice shots. I love the level of saturation you used. It really makes the pictures "pop."

Thanks. most of it was done in camera. I just sharpened it a bit and that's pretty much it. I like the first one the best.

I live in Redlands and missed that whole thing... crap!

it'd be nice to have a bit more wheel in the first two, to bad it was clipped a bit

ak_powder_monkey wrote in post #2934267
it'd be nice to have a bit more wheel in the first two, to bad it was clipped a bit

I would have to disagree. of course each person has a preference but the logo on the rim is clearly visable and having another tiny part of the tire wouldn't add much to the photo.

BUT in the spirit of trying to improve I'll ask, WHY do you feel it would be nice to have more tire in the photo?

If you look at some of the TOP publications, http://velonews.com/ and http://grahamwatson.co​m/ very rarely will you get that close, at that angle and have every bit of tire showing.

roundsquare1 wrote in post #2934040
Thanks. most of it was done in camera. I just sharpened it a bit and that's pretty much it. I like the first one the best.

Can you tell me which Picture Style you used and what customizations you made to it, if any? I'm guessing Standard with +4 saturation

emtp563 wrote in post #2934321
Can you tell me which Picture Style you used and what customizations you made to it, if any? I'm guessing Standard with +4 saturation

Just wanted to confirm what you mean by Picture Style.

I shoot AV , 2.8, iso 400, using my 580 flash.
in photoshop I just open and use a little unsharp mask and adjust the curves if needed. I don't touch the saturation.

I'd be happy to share anything and everything just wanted to confirm what you were asking.

very nice man! The top two are AWESOME!

I like the first shot the best. I also find the bokeh on the second shot a bit distracting.

roundsquare1 wrote in post #2934465
Just wanted to confirm what you mean by Picture Style.

I shoot AV , 2.8, iso 400, using my 580 flash.
in photoshop I just open and use a little unsharp mask and adjust the curves if needed. I don't touch the saturation.

I'd be happy to share anything and everything just wanted to confirm what you were asking.

I assume you're using your MarkIIn (I shure as heck would!). The picture styles in the 1DM2n, 5D, 30D, 350D, and 400D are in your Menu options. The choices are Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, and Monochrome. They are just in-camera processing parameter presets. Since you never heard of them, I guess you don't use them. Not all people like them

Using your flash, do you use any kind of diffuser? (such as an omnibounce). Also, do you use any Flash Exposure Compensation with the flash? (Such as - or + FEC? Or do you keep the flash on auto?) I just started using fill flash with my 430EX this season and I'm getting pretty decent results.

This is my second season shooting cycling events and I still have not found the perfect combination of settings. I think I'm on the right track, though. All of what I have learned came from the POTN forums

The only thing I seem to be having issues with is the AF on the 30D. My keeper rate is pretty high (90%) and the shots with spot-on/perfect focus are maybe 60-70%. I can't call it issues, really- it's just a limitation of the camera. I'm going to upgrade to a 1D series body this Summer.

roundsquare1:
Did you actually use a FLASH for these shots? Is that OK for the racers safety? I thought a flash would affect their vision and might not be allowed during an event?
Tom

First one is nice, second one is ok too, but if you don't have whole wheel on photo, crop more (just under handlebar), and third one just doesn't work for me.
PS: You don't really notice a bit cut off wheel on first photo, so it doesn't bother much even if it's not whole one. It would be better, but even this way is really good one.

Great first shot. I like the way the riders line up.
I hope the guy in the last shot isn’t in the crit

#1 is fantastic