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  1. #1
    Sports photo junkie jorgemonkey's Avatar
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    The Mountain Biker

    I was out for a ride today with one of my friends, and I brought my D200 & SB-800 with me. I wanted to see what I could get with that camera since I know it does portraits great.

    I couldn't decide whether I liked the desautrated look which is here, or the saturated one. I'll post that one a little bit later. The funny thing is when I got the idea to desaturate it because LR imported it de-saturated.

    C&C welcome
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails The Mountain Biker-2008-07-04-065.jpg  
    Nikon Samurai #21



    Cameras:
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  2. #2
    GB1
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    Personally I think this is a very good straightforward shot that I'm sure he will like. It's clear, sharp, and well exposed. A few could be betters, like leaving a tad more space in front of him and perhaps getting a little lower to create a more dramatic feeling. I also wish the sky was more threatening, and it could be a tad warmer. But it's good -

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  3. #3
    MB1
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    I'd crop from the bottom right up to his shadow and from the left to just about the rear wheel. That would make the rider appear to be moving into the frame and make the image more dynamic.
    No, I DON'T need that.

  4. #4
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    I like this Scott. Good perspective and framing. I think MB crop suggestion would work. The only thing I see that comes to mind as far as critique is the lighting on his face seems hard as if from possibly a bit too much flash. I think that selecting the face and feathering the selection and applying a slight warming filter to it may help. This is a nit pik really but something that I see. Possibly bringing down the overall exposure a bit in LR as well as I see the clouds getting blown out a smidgeon above.
    Very nice work, Scott.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  5. #5
    Sports photo junkie jorgemonkey's Avatar
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    Thanks for the comments!

    I went a head and spend a little more time processing this photo with your ideas in mind.

    The image was shot with the crop on the right as is. I ended up cropping down the left side a bit, darkened the overall exposure, and then I ran a blue filter over the sky masking out the rider/ground. I then ran an 85 warming filter on the ground/rider.

    I plan on trying this shot again (probably a different location) sometime. I don't feel like driving 45 mins, then biking another 45mins with all the gear I want to use for the shot

    Next time I plan on having the flash on a lightstand off camera with a warming filter over the flash to get it off camera zoomed in to just get the rider.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails The Mountain Biker-2008-07-04-065.jpg  
    Nikon Samurai #21



    Cameras:
    D700
    D300
    D200
    D2H

    Lenses:
    Nikon 35mm F1.8, 35 F2, 50mm F1.8, 70-200 F2.8 VR
    Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro
    Tokina 12-24 F4
    SB900 & SB800 flashes

  6. #6
    Senior Member jkriminger's Avatar
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    You definately made it more dramatic. Nice work.
    Please ask to edit photos and I'll do the same! :thumbsup:
    Thx, Rod
    http://krimingerphotography.printroom.com

  7. #7
    Member DrRoebuck's Avatar
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    Quote Originally Posted by jorgemonkey
    Next time I plan on having the flash on a lightstand off camera with a warming filter over the flash to get it off camera zoomed in to just get the rider.
    I'm not a flash expert, but when you're using a flash outdoors in broad daylight the idea is to use it as a fill flash, which basically means it should be subtle and used primarily to remove shadows from the harsh light of the sun. The flash seems too strong in this shot. Try dialing it down using the flash-exposure setting on the SB-800 (not the camera's exposure). That should give you much more even light and negate the need for a warming filter.

    You can also try using the SB-800's diffuser, or keep the flash aiming straight up and use the built-in bounce-card.
    "Photography as a fad is well-nigh on its last legs, thanks principally to the bicycle craze."

    -- Alfred Stieglitz
    The American Annual of Photography, 1897

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  8. #8
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    jorge, I like the saturated one.
    PLEASE ASK BEFORE MAKING ANY EDITS. THANK YOU.

    If I care enough to leave a critique or comment on your work, please return the favor.

    My Aviation photos:
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  9. #9
    Sports photo junkie jorgemonkey's Avatar
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    Re: The Mountain Biker

    Quote Originally Posted by DrRoebuck
    I'm not a flash expert, but when you're using a flash outdoors in broad daylight the idea is to use it as a fill flash, which basically means it should be subtle and used primarily to remove shadows from the harsh light of the sun. The flash seems too strong in this shot. Try dialing it down using the flash-exposure setting on the SB-800 (not the camera's exposure). That should give you much more even light and negate the need for a warming filter.

    You can also try using the SB-800's diffuser, or keep the flash aiming straight up and use the built-in bounce-card.
    Normally thats what I would do with my flash, but for this particular image I will be using the flash as the main light source with the sun as a rim/fill light.

    After I get my research paper finished next week I plan on celebrating by going on a bike photoshoot and reshoot this one, and try out a couple other ideas that I have.
    Nikon Samurai #21



    Cameras:
    D700
    D300
    D200
    D2H

    Lenses:
    Nikon 35mm F1.8, 35 F2, 50mm F1.8, 70-200 F2.8 VR
    Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro
    Tokina 12-24 F4
    SB900 & SB800 flashes

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