First time motocross

[wwwon]

Tried shooting some local motocross action.

The areas that I was able to shoot resulted in a lot of harsh shadows. Is this avoidable?

Should I use a flash to fill in the shadows?, or expose for the shadows and not worry about losing the highlights?

[SmartWombat]

I think you nailed it with that fourth one.

But you had harsh light, so the shadows will be dark and the exposure will be tricky.
Fill flash looks like it would help, but at the distance some appear to be shot at maybe unfeasible.

The ones with the sun behind are a particular problem with this harsh light, but if you can't choose your position then you've got to make the most of it.
The first shot, look how it works best on the bike on the left and not the one on the right with the wheels in the shadow side of the tree behind.
You can make it work if you can choose the background.

[brmill26]

Great shots. I think you made the most of the light. Most motocross parks don't exactly make for great photography conditions. A polarizer may help knock down some of the hot backgrounds and take the reflections off the goggles so you can see their eyes better (which is always a great shot). Anyway, fantastic job for your first time.

[andywatson00]

pics 1 and 4 are quality

[Byron Lentz]

I think, good action, good sharp images, could maybe adjust for the shadows in photoshop. But I would be pleased if these were mine.