Cyclocross Obsession

[Photo-John]

It's that time of year again. Cyclocross has become my favorite kind of racing and one of my favorite photo subjects. It lends itself to obsession, just like the sport. It's a crit so you get multiple opportunities to shoot the riders as they complete each lap. And it embraces terrible riding conditions so there's lots of drama and suffering. I just wish we had more mud in Utah. Anyway, I'm really, really happy with the photos I got this weekend. Maybe it's because I forgot most of my memory cards and had to be more selective about what I shot...

These were all shot with the EOS 7D and 70-200mm f/2.8L, which just came back from being repaired. They put a new board and motor in it and I never knew how good my auto focus could be! I think It's probably been years since it weas this good. Lordy!

[Photo-John]

Since I am really interested in the new Nikon 1 system's hybrid auto focus performance, I took the J1 along to the CX race. There's not much that I shoot that's as demanding on auto focus as cyclocross. So here are a few samples shot at 10 FPS with continuous auto focus. I am really, really impressed.

For more Nikon J1 sample photos and discussion, check out the sample photo thread I started this weekend on the EVIL & Micro Four Thirds forum: http://forums.photographyreview.com/...tos-78597.html

Right now, the only way to get this kind of performance is to step up to a $5000 pro DSLR like the Nikon D3s or Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. Nicely done, Nikon!

[ianjenn]

WOW last 2 in 2nd are AWESOME.........

[Chris350]

Great shot of #118 on the log. Funny to think I'm just out of frame to the right...
getting this one:

[groovehouse]

The first and last images in the original post are just top notch. Perfectly framed and exposed. I love them.

[Photo-John]

Great shot of #118 on the log. Funny to think I'm just out of frame to the right...
getting this one:

Yup. Looks like I was just a hundredth of a second behind you

[Jenni_LMT]

My favorite is the one with the exploding sand, along with the true grit grin on the face of the rider. So cool!

[Roger79]

The first and last images in the original post are just top notch. Perfectly framed and exposed. I love them.

Count me in on these two as well...

[OldClicker]

#2 for me - sand is evil. - Terry

[mattb]

Excellent shots John! I also really like the deep sand one. His grimace is perfect and the flying sand really adds an explosive element. 'cross is a great sport and the bikes are just so cool!

[Photo-John]

#2 for me - sand is evil. - Terry

Sand *is* evil

Glad you guys liked the sand photo. I shot a ton in there but there's a lot of luck involved in getting a really good one. This one was my favorite because it had that grimace and the burst of sand.

[Chris350]

The same log one week later in Men's A competition.


Another form the sandlot


The pumpkins never stood a chance

[Photo-John]

I guess we only need one cyclocross thread. It could get a little huge, though

I was bummed I had to miss the Halloween CX race. I was poking around a bit o Facebook for photos of it on Sunday. Thanks for posting these. The pumpkin barrier is formidable!

[VSS]

Cyclocross in Europe seems to be a winter activity, and always seems to be wet & muddy unlike in all of those US images.

[Chris350]

Cyclocross in Europe seems to be a winter activity, and always seems to be wet & muddy unlike in all of those US images.

It's because John and I both ive in a desert state.. :mad2:
We get traditional cross weather sometimes I swear!

Yesterday:


This probably looks more familiar:

Fort Collins Colorado in October

[splats]

OK I'll add a couple. I was down in Providence RI a couple weeks ago, and they were having a Cyclocross race in Rodger Williams Park.

so I snapped off a couple

[Photo-John]

Thanks for adding to the CX thread, splats! I like the second two - especially the second one. Like your mountain bike photos I just commented on, I think the last one is suffering from a slow shutter speed. What shooting mode are you using? Do you watch your shutter speed?

[Photo-John]

The weather sure has changed in the few weeks since I last shot Utah cyclocross. Today was the best (ugliest) conditions I think I've ever shot cyclocross in. I got tons of gritty photos today but I wanted to pick one to sum up the whole day. This is it.

[Chris350]

This one probably sums it up for me..


or maybe this one:

[Photo-John]

I like that muddy one a lot, Chris. The flash really shows the mud on her face and makes the muddy track pop. Here are a couple of my early race, pre-snow photos. I kinda like how dark and gritty they look. Interesting to compare and contrast two different techniques and how they both work well but have a very different feel.

[Chris350]

John.. that's Alex Kim. She's a He.... ;-)
But yes the flash really helped under the early light (or lack of..) a bit of post didn't hurt either.
Thanks
950 has really good light. Once the snow came in it became far more difficult to get good shots.

[Photo-John]

John.. that's Alex Kim. She's a He.... ;-)

Whoops. Sorry Ms. Alex

Damn - "Alex Kim" - even with the name I remain confused

[pleincadre]

some nice stuff here photo john.
I like the one where we can see the rain., the longer exosure makes you feel the rain.

[GrizzlyAdam]

John and Chris, great stuff from yesterday! That was some classic 'cross weather. I've never had so much fun getting so dirty!

[Chris350]

some nice stuff here photo john.
I like the one where we can see the rain., the longer exosure makes you feel the rain.

pretty sure by that time it was more snow than rain..