What I used to do for fun...cycling photography

[brannend]

I tried racing for years and just didn't have the time to commit to the sport. So...I decided to try to take pictures of the guys that kept beating me (I'm older, fatter and much more frail now). I wanted to post a photo or two (if anyone cares to see more) for your critique and approval, or the lack thereof.

Critique me, help me learn!

Thank you!

David

[nimitzbenedicto]

Hi David,

Can you give us info about your photos. Like f-stop, ISO, camera/lens etc.

Your 1st pix is cool. Btw, do you have a similar pix, the biker's eyes looking ahead into the corner, leaning/while pedaling/gliding thru the curve with his legs apart. Like one is on the top getting ready to pedal down. And/or maybe one of his knees is up while gliding thru the curve.

Thanks

Vic

[ same here. fun racer 50yrs ago. now cycling for fun/health. ]

[AB26]

Great action shots. What more can I say?

[RustBeltRaw]

The second image is excellent. It's noisy, not terribly sharp, and a tad orange, but you caught a really superb moment. Kudos for finding a shutter speed that left the cyclists' faces sharp and feet blurred in the first shot.

[Aforns]

Excellent images !! Like the framing, action and impact. ...the top image sure looks like George H !! ?

Just stopped road cycling, too many people getting hit here in Miami. Was riding and saw the accident scene the day Aaron Cohen got killed at the KeyBiscayne bridge.

Sure would like seeing more !!

[brannend]

Actually it's Ryan Trebon (we called him "Tree Farm" due to his excessive height) and Doug Ollerenshaw right behind. It was a break in the Pro Crit that lasted only until the group decided to reel them in. Ryan is a world class cross racer but races road, mountain bike, whatever happens to be going on at the time. I believe he recently competed in the Worlds for cyclocross. Guy always has a smile on his face, especially when everybody else is struggling.

[brannend]

The second image is excellent. It's noisy, not terribly sharp, and a tad orange, but you caught a really superb moment. Kudos for finding a shutter speed that left the cyclists' faces sharp and feet blurred in the first shot.

Thank you for your kind words Lex,

Actually, I purposely added the noise and such in post. It was a terribly difficult climb to a hilltop finish and this guy literally fell over just after crossing the finish line. His teammates (and everybody else nearby) rushed to his aide and got oxygen and liquids into him right away.

[Ady]

Like Lex I love the second image despite (or possibly because) of the imperfections, just goes to show that a technically perfect image isn't the be all and end all of a great photo.

Cheers,
Ady

[brannend]

Excellent images !! Like the framing, action and impact. ...the top image sure looks like George H !! ?

Just stopped road cycling, too many people getting hit here in Miami. Was riding and saw the accident scene the day Aaron Cohen got killed at the KeyBiscayne bridge.

Sure would like seeing more !!

Ok, here are a couple more.


Levi Leipheimer in the downtown Bend crit at the Cascade Cycling Classic
Canon 40D, f3.5 at 1/200, ISO 100. 105mm of a 70-200 f2.8L IS and no flash.


Aid station at the end of the Mt. Bachelor road race, Cascade Cycling Classic
Canon 40D, f4.0, 1/500 ISO 100. 70mm of a 70-200 f4L and no flash

[Karm Redland]

David, second photo is a great cycling picture.

Karm

[brannend]

David, second photo is a great cycling picture.

Karm

Thank you Karm , much appreciated!

[Bobobird]

Glad I popped in. Great shots here.

[brannend]

Here's a couple more if anybody is interested. Really would like to get some constructive criticism. Sarcasm is also always welcome.

Cascade Cycling Classic....Canon 30D, 70-200mm f4.0L IS, stretched all the way to 200mm, f4.0, 1/800 sec at ISO 100. No flash.



Cascade Cycling Classic...Canon 40D, 70-200mm f2.8L IS, shot at 85mm, f3.2, 1/500 sec at ISO 640. Compulsory flash fired.

[Aforns]

Awesome images David and thanks for the explanation !!!

[brannend]

Thank you Alfred, wish I were in Miami right now. I've had enough winter to last a lifetime!

[RustBeltRaw]

Adding the noise to image 2, post 1, was a well-reasoned move.

The second shot in post 9 shows a side of cycling most people (your truly included) never see. However, the grim dignity of the injured rider is lessened by the fact that the guy in the red shirt appears to be starting at his arse. Might try a crop to remove Mr. Peepers. Image 1 in post 13 gives a great sense of how tenuous the leader's position is, and highlights these guys' astonishing musculatures very well.

[brannend]

Adding the noise was a good move to image 2, post 1, was a well-reasoned move.

The second shot in post 9 shows a side of cycling most people (your truly included) never see. However, the grim dignity of the injured rider is lessened by the fact that the guy in the red shirt appears to be starting at his arse. Might try a crop to remove Mr. Peepers. Image 1 in post 13 gives a great sense of how tenuous the leader's position is, and highlights these guys' astonishing musculatures very well.

Thanks for the kind words Lex. I have to agree with you about the guy in the red shirt and where his eyes seem to be going. I just keep telling myself that he is responding the nurses hand on his shoulder. You just can't quite tell, can you?