Downhill MTB Race photos

These are all from this past weekend taken at the second Iron Horse race at MT. Snow in West Dover, Vermont.

I wanted to go for something different, and I wanted a more processed look to them, and something that really popped off of the screen.

Let me know what you guys think, i'm open to anything and everything. Thanks!

All were taken with my 10d and Tamron 28-75


At the base, rider crossing finish line and riders waiting in line for the lift:

The shots are nice, but they need some more action. I'd try and pan some of the shots and see how your results are. All of the shots are nice and sharp, they just need to show some more action Nice stuff though!

Yea, my only real concern is that the photos seem 'dead'. A lower shutter speed would definitely add an extra dynamic!

#3 is my fave. The last couple look like to much flash, however you stated you wanted that type of look, so i'd say they are good. If i was the rider 109 or 372 I think i might have run you over though. Downhill is very tough but i am thinking the flash going off in a techy spot added to the difficulty. Keep up the great work. I'm posting some UPHILL raceing pictures monday, have a look.

Another thing i wondered did you pass out your card at the race? Good place to sell some pictures and make a little side money.

Thanks for the comments all. I will try a lower shutter next time, as i do see what you're saying. As far as flash goes, it doesn't faze the rider at all. I've been racing for a few years now, and even when you first start, your just so focused on riding the flash doesn't even bother you if you even notice it.

Ive tried passing out cards and trying to sell shots, but nobody wants to buy stuff unless it's on photoreflect or a site like that. I clearly state that they can pop me an email with what they want, but nobody does it. Too hard for people? I'm not sure. I know people that sell a ton of race pictures.

Again, thanks for the comments.

I have no idea how much cash you have..but at some of the boat races i go to a guy takes loads of pictures and prints them as thumbnails. Drivers/fans walk by see one they like and buy it right there, he has the printer all set up. Thats how i'd like to do it. I think if you get people to take your card they are actualy to lazy to follow up. But put that picture in their hands right now and it's sold. Kinda like putting the candy in the check out lane at Wla-Mart.

I agree that the action seems to be missing on these photos. In another life, I took a lot of mtb shots for web publication. I found that the hardest thing to capture correctly in downhill is the sense of steepness. I can see that some of your shots were taken in the Yardsale section of the course. I know I have struggled with showing how "core" that section actually is. I've gotten it right sometimes, and other times it just doesn't translate. In that sections of the course it seems that crashes are the way to go. I will always regret not caputuring the most awesome moment I have ever witnessed on a course there...a rider's ride got thrown off track by a rock/root combo and his crank ended up on a sapling that bowed over in a manner that allowed him to slide, BMX style, down the trunk back into the track...all in slow motion.

The crowd was amazed and the loudest cheer I have heard was his for a few moments...until he crashed at the bottom of the section.

I think I will be up at Mt. Snow later this week to take a few pictures. Maybe I will see you there.

As others have said the pictures lack "Action" I'm not sure if panning is the answer with this type of shot. I would much rather see a clean picture of the rider/bike.
We can all have our 2 bobs worth and we are all very different in our views of what it takes to capture a "Good Picture"

khall wrote in post #3565297
As others have said the pictures lack "Action" I'm not sure if panning is the answer with this type of shot. I would much rather see a clean picture of the rider/bike.
We can all have our 2 bobs worth and we are all very different in our views of what it takes to capture a "Good Picture"

I agree that panning is not the ultimate answer for captures such as these. I have found that angle of the shot in rock/root gardens is much more important, which allows the viewer to get a sense of how hard the section actually is. Hard compression of the fork, lifting of wheels, being airborne...all add to it. I have a few spots on that course, after numerous NORBA events covered, that I plan on hanging out at. I have always found that scouting the course, much like the athletes do, gives me insight on where to position myself.