Rhode Island Downhill Mt Bike

[splats]

these are some New trails that are built in Diamond Hill Stapte Park , not far from the defunct Ski area.

since we have had no Snow, I took the opportunity to get some good action shots

[Sandy D]

I think maybe a different angle on your subjects, one more from the profile would have conveyed the intensity you seemed to be after.

[Photo-John]

I was going to make a joke about ski resorts in Rhode Island but I will refrain :-P

I think these are pretty good. I do agree with Sandy that they are probably not as exciting as they could be. I think the best ones are the ones where you can see the rider's faces - especially the eyes. The eyes help convey intensity and something of what's happening in the mind of the rider. If you can see the eyes, you have to get that feeling some other way. Panning is one option, and sometimes using a flash helps open up the shadows on the rider.

Can you tell us about the equipment you used for these photos? One thing I notice is that the background is pretty much all in focus. Using a longer lens and large aperture helps separate the rider from the background and that often makes an action photo stronger.

[Bob32]

splats,

These images don't convey the level of excitement that I like to see in bicycling photos. In addition the environment was not working in your favor. You had all of those busy background features--trees primarily--diverting attention from the subject. Some of the distractions were in the foreground, a prime example being photo #4.

All of these were shot at f/5 or 5/5.6. I agree with Photo-John that using a longer lens opened up to f/2.8 or so would have helped throw the background distractions out of focus.

The lighting was also not acting in your behalf. The sunlight streaming through the forest caused bright sunlit areas to be mixed with shaded areas, the result being a challenge to the dynamic range of your camera.

Bob

[Photo-John]

The lighting was also not acting in your behalf. The sunlight streaming through the forest caused bright sunlit areas to be mixed with shaded areas, the result being a challenge to the dynamic range of your camera.

Good point about the light, Bob. It looks like these were shot at midday. Generally, outdoor photographers say not to shoot at midday. However, we all know that's not always possible. Sometimes you're there and you just have to shoot. The trick is to pay attention to the light and strategize for what will work and what won't. I'm not sure I have any suggestions beyond that. A flash might have made a big difference for some of these, though. I like the terrain and the trees could be used well as background. But what we have here are good sketches - practice photos that you can use to learn from.

Can you go back and shoot again? It does look like a good place for shooting. Maybe next time go back with a flash and really work on refining one shot. Practice makes perfect!

[plgili]

Very amazing shots!

[zerodog]

I would put money on this, you were standing up while taking these pics. Try getting down on you knees and these shots would all be greatly improved.