indoor BMX competition.

**Jaedon** · 03-13-2009, 08:33 AM

This weekend at the Toronto Bicycle show there is an indoor BMX competition. I know the lighting is going to be interesting to say the least... but I plan on shooting with my 70 - 200 f2.8 to see what I can get.

It is open to the public obviously and they are allowing photographers bring whatever lenses they wish.. just no lighting as most of the competitors are amateurs that they do not want distracted and crashing all over the place.

Does anyone have any advice to offer on shooting under these conditions? They are using a Hockey arena as the venue so the lighting will most likely be compressed sodium and lots of shadows from multiple light sources. I know the light reflecting off teh ramps will be inconsistent as well but I am hoping for some pointers if any can be offered.

thanks in advance

Pictures will be posted Sunday night for those that wish to see the exhibition.

**mattbikeboy** · 03-13-2009, 09:36 AM

Shoot wide open at a shutter speed above 1/500 sec. (1/640 seems to work best for me in that type of environment - with my body). You can work some slower shutter speeds (1/60 sec) for some motion blur -- I've never tried that in an indoor setting like that.

Shoot ISO 1600 (or above if the Oly will do it)
Also, you'll want to shoot RAW so you can tweak it in Photoshop.

Indoor venues like that are challenging -- but the motion blur shots might really turn out cool. And it will give you more freedom with your ISO (like dropping it back down to non-noisy levels). The good thing about events like BMX racing is that you get lots of opportunities to try different things.

mbb

**Photo-John** · 03-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Use a flash. Absolutely. Don't mess around. If you can get close and you pan, you'll get some sweet photos. Low light, flsh bike photos can be awesome. If you have an off-shoe cord and handhold your flash, they'll be even better. By all means, experiment with non-flash photos. But take a flash because it's the right thing to do.

**Jaedon** · 03-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks guys. I am also thinking of using the better beamer on the flash to give me a little more reach if I can sneak it in. I sent a message to the organizer about lens/camera gear restriction and they tell me to go ahead and bring what I want.. just no studio strobes (my friend who is joining me wanted to bring his lol)

I'll see how it goes and post my 4's and 5's tomorrow night after the show.

**thesignified** · 03-15-2009, 01:23 PM

In the same position, trying to get some flash experience under my belt. Is there any way to shoot with a flash above the 1/200 or 250 sec sync? the motion that you get when panning with the flash (like photo-john suggested) are great, trying to figure out what other looks are possible. shooting with a 5d and a canon speedlite 550ex and 430ex, anyone played with dual flash for sports?

thanks!

**ianjenn** · 03-15-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by thesignified

In the same position, trying to get some flash experience under my belt. Is there any way to shoot with a flash above the 1/200 or 250 sec sync? the motion that you get when panning with the flash (like photo-john suggested) are great, trying to figure out what other looks are possible. shooting with a 5d and a canon speedlite 550ex and 430ex, anyone played with dual flash for sports?

thanks!

HIGH speed sync. Not sure but U may need a 580 or 430 EX to do this? I do it all the time.

**Photo-John** · 03-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by ianjenn

HIGH speed sync. Not sure but U may need a 580 or 430 EX to do this? I do it all the time.

The 550 EX supports high speed sync. I've got two of them. But you do lose distance whenyou increase the shutter speed. So I rarely use it. Radio slaves are the way to go if you want to get creative. They allow you to get the flash off the camera and really craft the light. You can do a lot with one light if you get it off the camera. With two lights you can do even more, of course. The problem is the setup gets a lot more complicated. I have one set of radio slaves and two 550s. Sometimes I'll use the PocketWizards to trigger one flash and the built-in infrared wireless to trigger the second 550.

**wwwon** · 03-16-2009, 02:29 PM

I went down to the same BMX comp and you were right the lighting was tricky.

I really don't know much about flash so I was trying a bunch of things. The competition was good. Did you get any good shots?

I took a lot but only a few keepers that I like.

**Photo-John** · 03-16-2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by wwwon

IDid you get any good shots?

Post 'em guys! Don't be holding out. If you ask for help here, it's only right that you share the results. I wanna see some elbow-bangin' BMX photos!

**Jaedon** · 03-16-2009, 03:54 PM

Unfortunately my attendance at the BMX event was canceled by my babysitter getting sick. Can't shoot a BMX race while chasing a 3 year old around the arena... so we stayed at home this time. There will be others... damnit.

**wwwon** · 03-17-2009, 02:14 PM

I didn't want to hijack Jaedon thread but since he didn't make it I'll post some.

The Bmx racing was in a really dark area so I stuck to the street course competition.

I probably should still run them through some noise reduction.