Newbie needs some advice

[JDub]

I'm new to the forum, got baited in by Photo-John's new Sports Photography forum...

Anyway, he suggested I post pics in this forum to get some advice on composition, colors, shading, etc. I apologize in advance for the fact that most of my photos will be mountain bike related.

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following shot I took at a race last year.

[mtbbrian]

Not bad!
It has good flow, with the riders.
I would recommend you look at some of the magazines out there, that do a lot of race coverage, to see what is going on as far as race photos go.
I have covered a few XC races and find them challenging.
If anything look for those unusual moments in a race. The look back to the pack of the leader, the finish line moments, etc.
Keep shooting!
Brian
Ride On!

[JDub]

Not bad!
It has good flow, with the riders.
I would recommend you look at some of the magazines out there, that do a lot of race coverage, to see what is going on as far as race photos go.
I have covered a few XC races and find them challenging.
If anything look for those unusual moments in a race. The look back to the pack of the leader, the finish line moments, etc.
Keep shooting!
Brian
Ride On!

Thanks Brian, I appreciate the tips.

The XC races are challenging to get shots, but if the racing is tight (as in the photo above) they can be fun to shoot. The thing that XC races do offer is the ability to get multiple shots as most classes do more than 1 lap.

I'm trying to get hooked up with some freeride guys to shoot some shots of them, I'll post if I get anything good out of it.

[CB Photo]

I'm new to the forum, got baited in by Photo-John's new Sports Photography forum...

Anyway, he suggested I post pics in this forum to get some advice on composition, colors, shading, etc. I apologize in advance for the fact that most of my photos will be mountain bike related.

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following shot I took at a race last year.

I like the layout and the space of the riders, the look on the first riders face says alot.

Chris

[TheFru]

Phew! I'm no expert in the bike faction, but my opinion would be that he needs just a little space below his front wheel. The expression and moment are PERFECT! Very intense moment and I just feel he needs a tad more space to move into...not a whole lot. I can imagine these are hard moments to capture, so my kudos to you guys that CAN!

To quote MTB "Ride ON!"
Tanya

[JDub]

Phew! I'm no expert in the bike faction, but my opinion would be that he needs just a little space below his front wheel. The expression and moment are PERFECT! Very intense moment and I just feel he needs a tad more space to move into...not a whole lot. I can imagine these are hard moments to capture, so my kudos to you guys that CAN!

To quote MTB "Ride ON!"
Tanya

Good point about the front wheel. Luckily, that was just a cropping decision/mistake on my part and I have a little more in the original picture.

I'm stoked as I just got my first paying job. Not much, but its a start and getting paid anything for something I enjoy so much is a great bonus.

Thanks to all for your help.

[sierra4me]

I like how you've got the riders positioned, coming in and out of the turn, good comp. The image looks a litte soft, not sure if that was your intent or not. Maybe a faster shutter speed w/ hight speed fill flash could have accomplished that. In addition to this shot, I would have liked to have seen a tighter composition on the exiting rider's face, he's got a great expression. Good shot.

[gahspidy]

JDub,
I think you good on this shot. I could only add that a bit more sharpness would have helped, as another stated a higher shutter speed and maybe a synched fill flash. Also agree with the comment on more picture under front wheel. Good that you have it to add back again.