Sliding

[Photo-John]

I'm not sure about this one. I can't tell if it's great or terrible. I love the light and the composition. But does it look like he's crashing or can you tell that he's sliding it through the corner? I'm especially interested in what the non-cyclists think.

Thanks!

[Seb]

I'm not sure about this one. I can't tell if it's great or terrible. I love the light and the composition. But does it look like he's crashing or can you tell that he's sliding it through the corner? I'm especially interested in what the non-cyclists think.

Thanks!

Hello John, here is the take of a cyclist (not a mtb guy, a roadie...). Well I think that your picture is very well executed but, I have a strong impression that the guy is about to crash and that he don't handle the situation.

You have an interesting dof here, it seems to me that these kind of shots usually rely on a super narrow dof. In your case, it's quite easy to figure out the background yet it doesn't interfere with the biker.

Seb

[kafin8ed]

I think this is sort of unique because if this were a photo of 99% of the riders out there I'd say they're stuffing the from end and about to carcass but it's Kovarik and he rides so agressively up on the front wheel through that turn like a maniac... not many riders could hold that line like that... Kovarik rides like that all the time... it's a good example of how aggressive he is... but I'm not sure if NON-mtb people are going to pick up on it?

[Photo-John]

not many riders could hold that line like that... Kovarik rides like that all the time... it's a good example of how aggressive he is... but I'm not sure if NON-mtb people are going to pick up on it?

I wanted your opinion since you were there and shot the same action. I tend to agree with you and that's why I am soliciting opinions. I think that, unfortunately, this just isn't working. Even though he can pull this over and over and over. It just looks wrong.

How did your photos come out? Did it work better from your angle?

[julsoph]

Well...I'm as non-cyclist as they come, and here's how I'm seeing this. First of all, I love the cyclist & bike against the background...particularly since the road/path/terrain he's actually on is so detailed and sharp. The colors in the helmet are fabulous against the blurry background.
As for the movement here...when I first opened this, I thought...wow, that's a scary position to be in...hope the guy held on! So, I didn't automatically assume he was going to crash, but I think the problem is the angle makes him look awkward rather than able...hope that makes sense.
Emily

[kafin8ed]

I actually just went through them and tried to find as similar a shot but from my perspective... this is the closest I can find, it might or might not be the same time he the turn I have no idea, we might be able to tell after I post it and look at them side by side?

If it looks crappy, it's because I had to save as jpg twice sice the first time it was 648 px tall and not 640px...

I wanted your opinion since you were there and shot the same action. I tend to agree with you and that's why I am soliciting opinions. I think that, unfortunately, this just isn't working. Even though he can pull this over and over and over. It just looks wrong.

How did your photos come out? Did it work better from your angle?

[Photo-John]

Alan-
From your angle he definitely looked better. That's a rotten shame for me, because my background was sooooo beautiful. Oh well. You can't win them all. He just looks way too far over the bars and awkward in my photos. Even though I know he's completely in control, it doesn't look good. In your photo he looks great.

Makes me want to go back and try some different shots in that corner. The background is just too good to give up on. Gotta make use of it - somehow !!!!

[ajuk]

The DOF looks fake, Am I right?

[Seb]

Alan-
From your angle he definitely looked better. That's a rotten shame for me, because my background was sooooo beautiful. Oh well. You can't win them all. He just looks way too far over the bars and awkward in my photos. Even though I know he's completely in control, it doesn't look good. In your photo he looks great.

Makes me want to go back and try some different shots in that corner. The background is just too good to give up on. Gotta make use of it - somehow !!!!

Exactly! You had a fabulous background but the guy looks in control in Alan picture. Now let's merge these two together lol....

Seb

[elsaltamontes]

Wow, that's crazy style of riding. He does look out of control. He looks like he's preventing himself from riding off a the edge of the trail. As a photo I think it's successful. Beautiful background, looks like an impressionist painting. I'd definitely go back there and shoot again.

I'm not sure about this one. I can't tell if it's great or terrible. I love the light and the composition. But does it look like he's crashing or can you tell that he's sliding it through the corner? I'm especially interested in what the non-cyclists think.

Thanks!

[kafin8ed]

nothing's fake, we were both there, just shooting from different angles, I was in a gorge below the rider and John was on a hill above. I do like his background a lot better than mine, but it's got an awkward rider position unless you're writing an article on how to ride like a pro...

[mtbbrian]

So that's Kovarik then?
Is he still with Intense?
I think it works John, you have this chaotic moment in front of this great view.
I take it this is at Boot Leg?
Thanks for posting here too!
Brian

[gahspidy]

John, I will have to say that from your angle the rider does look to be in an awkward position almost as if he got out of control and is trying to pull it together. But upon deeper analyisis, i can tell that he is in control and in a slide as evident from the dust trail behind him. However, your inclusion of the bg with such great dof, almost looking like a painted bg in a Loretta Lux photo, brings this shot up a notch and somewhat negates the awkward angle of the rider. So, while it could have been better with a stronger moment of action, I think this shot is a visual treat nonetheless.

[Acadian]

Like some have already mentioned here - if you know who Kovarik is, then you're probably already familiar with his riding style, and that pic pretty much sums it up. He constantly rides on the edge and like many Aussies like to drift in corners.

I really like your picture John – like you said the background is pretty damn nice and it really captures the essence of CK’s riding style.

Allan’s pic is also nice, but lacks some of the filler that’s on PJ’s pic (e.g. background)

That picture reminds me of this one from Sam Hill that was used in the 04 TLD catalogue (was taken at Big Bear).

[photophorous]

Hi John,

I'm a XC Mt. biker, but I don't know anything about the pro downhillers. I think this is a very cool picture, and I think it's evident from the amount of discussion so far that the rider's position is interesting and thought provoking at the very least. He looks awkward, as if he's trying to recover from a mistake. If it were me, I'd be on my way over the handle bars, but I can't tell if he's going to pull it off or not. That's what makes it interesting to me. I can see that it would also be intersting to someone who knows this riders style. I think if the rider were off center to the right, showing more of where he's come from and less of where he's going, it could possibly shift my mode of thinking away from what's about to happen and give the rider more of an appearence of control. That's just an idea...don't know if it would work that way.

The sense of wonder, about the rider's fate, may not be what you where going for, but I think it's good anyway. And, I agree that the background is cool.

Paul

[readingr]

Had to find time to respond to this as it reminds me of my favourite downhill skier of all time Franz Klamer who always seemed to be on the edge of crashing out on any of his runs including the winning runs.

But as a non mountain biker and an ex rally driver/navigator this chap looks in control to me as he is putting his weight on the important wheel which is the steering wheel so that he will get around the corner. Definately gives me a sense of sliding the bike round that corner. OoH to be young and reckless again.

What I like though is the environment he is riding in and what could happen if he makes a mistake - Ouch!

I think its an excellent shot.

Sorry for the lack of critiques from me but work is really getting in the way of photography at the moment.

Roger R.

PS. I think Alan's shot is more dynamic and shows him closer to the edge, but it looks like a different bend, and doesn't show the danger of going off.

Hope this all makes sense cause its written in arush.