VIR 2008 - better late than never

Here are some shots from the AMA race at Virginia International Raceway earlier this month.

I'm still not thrilled w/ my overall results, but these shots came out pretty good.

1. Ben Spies

Mike you asked for some feedback....

First I think you are on the right track in composition and subject.

I see some minor technical issues and it looks like some technique...

#1 needs a tad of post-prod. Maybe a schose of Fill LIght and some contrast adjustment.

#2 Excellent! Optional would be set the focus point to the helmet and drop the f-stop to 5.6 or even 4... tough given the speed but the heat haze would pop out more with a shallow DOF.

#3 looks like your panning wasn't tracking Yates very well and you ended up with some shake in the focus... Turn off the IS and put a monopod under that 300! 1/800 should have made that sharp.

#4 Wouldn't change much... maybe open it up a stop and make Bostrom a tad more out of focus - that's a personal thing and the shot looks great.

#5 I would crop tighter in post-prod - I know youre using a 300 so the natural crop at that distance wasn't going to happen. I would like a little less foreground.

Nice shots.

rcg wrote in post #6259967
Mike you asked for some feedback.....

Thanks so much RCG!

HA! How did you know I wasn't using a monopod in No. 3?

Also when using a monopod, I usually leave IS on and in Mode 2 in order to pan. You think I would be better to turn it off altoghether? Or only when not panning?

Tobias, I'm glad you liked them. I hoping for better this weekend at MotoGP.

mike1515 wrote in post #6275851
Thanks so much RCG!

HA! How did you know I wasn't using a monopod in No. 3?

Also when using a monopod, I usually leave IS on and in Mode 2 in order to pan. You think I would be better to turn it off altoghether? Or only when not panning?

Tobias, I'm glad you liked them. I hoping for better this weekend at MotoGP.

I have never been satisfied with the IS in panning it just seems to not work well. Unless it's night time turn the IS off - saves battery power and works better. If you are hand shooting and and it's dim AND the subject isn't going 80 MPH then use it!

Looking forward to seeing the MotoGP stuff