Riding self portraits

[dwaugh]

I went riding today, as I often do, and had the goal in mind to take a self portrait at one place that I've been thinking about for a while. I decided in the end to take two, one of me riding down the trail and one riding up. They shouldn't look posed; in the first one riding down I was just riding like normal, going fast in trying to make it to the right place in the trail for the shot, and in the second I ran down, grabbed the bike and was riding up at a good pace, not looking at the camera or anything. Which do you prefer, the one going up or down? And what do you think overall? The one thing I notice is how most of the focus on the trail is to the right.





And since I only had my camera (didn't feel like riding with the whole camera gear backpack) I had to make my own tripod to balance the camera on, as I have done before. It worked very well so I had to take a photo of it:

[MB1]

Nice location and fair conditions but you are way too far away from the camera (too small in the frame).

[TracerNH]

First of all, I am jealous. The trails in NH will be rideable in about 6 weeks.

I will go with less sky, you riding toward the camera, and I want you to be bigger/closer in the frame.

Chris

[DLB1973]

Looks like you found some nice weather...... a little rare as of late.....

Cool self portraits and nice colors. Makes me want to ride!

db

[dwaugh]

The main reason why I'm at the same place in both shots is because I wanted to use the corner to show more action and also to catch more light, as the sun was to the left. Also, I really wasn't that far away, no more than 30 feet. I just use my 10-20mm lens so I get a really wide shot. Why would it look better if I were closer? I'm wondering because I kind of like where I am in the shots, not too close and not too far off.

[Shebang]

My preference would be a closer shot -- so your face can be seen. If you keep the scale as it is, then perhaps a red shirt would draw more attention to you. As it is, I think you are kind of lost in the shot. Love the tree-pod.

[PRB]

Shots like this are just better when you can see the rider's face and especially, their expression. Next time, give us a shot where there's more YOU than scenery.

My Best to You,
Penny