Tell me whats wrong with it.

[MotionBoy]

Well I have submitted this photo to everyone that I can think of for consideration to be published. Nobody wants it. I like it a lot! Anyhow I give up, what do you think is wrong with my picture?

[kafin8ed]

First off, I think the BG is too distracting, if you'd underexposed ambient a stop or so that might have helped, or if you'd blurred the BG more with a wide open aperture that would have helped too. THe flash is cool, a little harsh, but that makes it dramatic in this instance I think, some people may be turned off by it though, especially the way it lands on the dirt unevenly. I also wish I could see his eyes, and that's the sort of thing that would make it go from a good shot to an amzing shot.
-Alan

[pez31]

Wow, great shot. The only thing that I can see is with the depth of field. The people in the background are a little distracting and pull away from the rider. Otherwise I can't see any other reason it would not get published. Good exposure and nice lighting. I like your composition, the path leads you through the image and the dust behind the bike adds to the action in the image. Great shot.

Phil

[Elysian]

Maybe because you shot a great moment that expresses speed (dust) and danger (some nasty stones ahead), but at the same time you have some very relaxed (read--> relaxed) people in the background that take away from the powerful action.
The tele lens has compressed the depth and suddenly the people in the background are even more distracting than they already were.
There's also a few things wrong with the lighting. When you look at the shadow of the person and his bike, then you would think about a sundown. When you look at the people in the background you'll notice 2 conflicting things;

a) their shadows are on the opposite side
b) their light source lights them under a different angle

Add to this the harsh light on the guys shirt and this whole shot looks a bit fake.

Compare it with plastic surgery; nothing wrong with faking things, but you better don't make it look like fake!

I do like the action in the shot though and the nasty rocks ahead of the biker really add tension to this photograph.

Thanks for sharing. ;)

[MotionBoy]

Thanks guys, I am glad I got some imput from others!

The only problem that I personally have with the shot is the line where the flash stops. The whole flash setup got crunched and I frantically had to put it back together before the pro men went. It was a bit hecktic and I didn't get the flash lined up again properly.

Now that you guys say it, I didn't really think about the background much and shooting at a 2.8 instead of a 4.5 would have definitely helped..

Thanks for all your comments!!

[gahspidy]

Very good action and I like the lighting on the dirt and stones ahead of the rider, but as others have stated, the DOF is the main drawback for this shot.

[mtbbrian]

Long time no see on PR.com Josh!
Having seen this before, I would have to agree wih the eyes.
Seeing the athlete's eyes is something that has always been at the top of my list for great sports images.

I think the thing about the background, are the two guys near his head. The one looks like he is coming right out his head and the other guy is looking right at the camera. Too distracting.
I should have said more the first time I saw this image, I am glad you posted it here.
Don't be a stranger over here..
I PROMISE I won't edit your posts when I meant to reply to them!
;)
Brian

[Tin-Cup]

wow great shot... i thin its not extreme enough...to be printed (not your fault but sometimes its the photo situation not the photo) but its a great shot....

[ckozo]

i agree with the 'background and see the eyes' comments by many.

also, maybe it is the lighting but the biker appears to be floating, but due to the angle of the shot (head-on) you can not tell if he is really 'catching air' nor can you tell how extreme/steep the trail is that he is on. again, due to the head-on shot angle.

also, the tree on the right does nothing but distract from focusing on the rider.

hope this helps. cheers.

[Clicker]

Congrats on Featured Photo!

[MotionBoy]

Thanks Rachel! I just noticed that myself!

[Outdoorsman]

Yeah, not being able to see the eyes is a drawback. But not really a bad one. Totally tolerable. The bg people are distracting, as is the tree. But all those things really actually give it some context that would otherwise remove the "action" aspect of it. The people and the white tape and tree tell me, "Something is happening. He is racing. This event is important." The major drawback for me is the slightly blurred motion. A faster shutter would make this clean and crisp. The flash is fine, gives it some punch.
I recall you posting this and a few others to show off your new 1D-- I'm so totally jealous. The quality is every bit as good as pro transparency film. Your post was actually the deciding point for me to set my sights on a comparable DSLR rather than a top-of-the-line film SLR. I was blown away by the quality-- not better than film, but on par. Keep on posting these and congrats on featured photo!

[berrywise]

I feel, from reading most mountain bike magazines that most of them prefer to run trail photos over race photos a lot of the time, this of couse does depend on each mag. I do know they, like everyone, are always looking for something different, something new.

This type of photo has been photographed numerous times and lacks that little extra something. I think overall it is a really nice photo and everyone else has been pretty right on with picking out the small things that could have made it better.

I would imagine to get these photos to run you either need to have someone who is needing a photo to go with a race report or be one of the guys at the top of the list who get first dibs at getting published.

thanks for sharing.

scott

[MotionBoy]

Thanks guys! Every comment goes into my mental checklist. I am glad I could inspire someone to spend money on cameras... I don't like to feel like I am the only one that lets their hobby get the best of their wallet