Some cycling shots, C&C pLease

Just took some shots of a friend that was cycling. I would like some Comments or Critique if possible. Thank you.

40D 24-105 F4L IS

1/80 F11 ISO 320 24mm

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Your shutter speed should be much higher for cycling. Two of your shots are at 1/80 and one is at 1/60. This is generally too slow to freeze a cycling shot for a crisp image. If necessary, push ISO higher, but I think you had room.

Higher shutter speeds will help quite a bit with your panning shots.

Your sharpest in the series was taken at 1/320, which is much slower than I usually shoot for cycling. I generally do not fall below 1/500, especially if panning. Try pushing your shutter speed next time, and I'm sure you'll like the results.

Yep, what they said.

AND, tell your friends to put on some helmets!

CTM, great effort on these shots you posted. I actually like that you used the slower shutter speed as the spokes of the wheels show motion as does the background. I think all you need to do is practice your panning technique so that you can have the cyclist in focus with blur in all the right places . The shot with a shutter speed of 1/320 is still a bit fast IMO since the spokes on the wheel look to be frozen...you can see distinct lines.

Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing. Oh, and I agree on telling your friends to put on some helmets .

Thanks alot for the replies. I was trying to get the background to blur hence why I used 1/60 - 1/80s. I did bump up ISO to aid the shots getting blurred. I also shot in Tv Mode and AI servo. I Think overall, the shots COULD be sharper. Thanks alot for the input, it will be next time!

Yes, I will get them to wear some helmets. Very dangerous.

SilverHCIC wrote:
="SilverHCIC"]Your shutter speed should be much higher for cycling. Two of your shots are at 1/80 and one is at 1/60. This is generally too slow to freeze a cycling shot for a crisp image. If necessary, push ISO higher, but I think you had room.

Higher shutter speeds will help quite a bit with your panning shots.

Your sharpest in the series was taken at 1/320, which is much slower than I usually shoot for cycling. I generally do not fall below 1/500, especially if panning. Try pushing your shutter speed next time, and I'm sure you'll like the results.

This is one I got at 1/400. The background doesn't blur with this kind of shutter speed, this is what you get as well?

1/400 F8 ISO320 70mm

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3turner wrote:
="3turner"]CTM, great effort on these shots you posted. I actually like that you used the slower shutter speed as the spokes of the wheels show motion as does the background. I think all you need to do is practice your panning technique so that you can have the cyclist in focus with blur in all the right places . The shot with a shutter speed of 1/320 is still a bit fast IMO since the spokes on the wheel look to be frozen...you can see distinct lines.

Thank you for your comments. The toss up I had was, completely sharp shot at like 1/800 or the 'in motion blurred background' shot. The problem with the bicycles were, they were going slower than a car / motorbike. To me, i found it more difficult with a slower subject than a fast one. I think I need to work on the panning.

Here are a few more, these were taken from a car.

1/80s F10 ISO320 24mm

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Just pictures of the fellow riding a bike. No great action and no indication of racing or speed. Fill flash would also help you get some detail in his face.

khall wrote in post #5596744
Just pictures of the fellow riding a bike. No great action and no indication of racing or speed. Fill flash would also help you get some detail in his face.

Thanks for your comments. I had a look around the forum and yes, my shots are nothing spectacular. The whole point of posting them up was to get a response / critique. I got just that, a few improvements for me are going to be, standing a lot closer to the cyclist with flash to fill. Post processing blur in if required. Taking shots with a much faster shutter speed. I was a little over-ambitious trying to take them with slow shutter speed.

Well, there is always a first time, should be better next time.

Thank you all for your input.

CTM.
Good Luck with your next try, remember it's all about Practice, Practice and more PRACTICE..

Sorry but I don't agree with the high shutter speeds, I tend to go for around 1/125 - 1/200 and pan. If you pan correctly you can achieve great shots with a blurred background and a sharp rider. Too higher shutter speeds will freeze the action too much and make it look like the rider is just trackstanding.

Im a Mountain Biker and all I am going to say is "Wheres the freakin helmets!!!"

- Gets off his Soapbox -

Nice Pictures tho...