Road Bicycle race

[armando_m]

Timed runs

Participants started the race at intervals of 1 1/2 mins

Women race at 9:00 AM
Mens at 10:30am

Both races won by Colombia, and on both races Mexico got a 6th place

I was at a spot where I could see the riders go in both directions up and down the street

First I did some panning shots then concentrated on getting their expressions
1. Cuba


2. Colombia


3. Canada


4. Canada


5. Mexico


I certainly enjoyed shooting this as it was on the street and not on a closed location where DSLRs are not allowed, unless you are an accredited photographer

Thanks for looking

[ksbryan0]

Nice series, Armando. I like #3 the best, as you caught a very determined expression on the racer's face and really good focus considering the action.

[armando_m]

Thanks ksbryan0, continuous AF did the work

Still my % of keepers was awful, I got better towards the end

[groovehouse]

Pretty good job for such a fast moving subject. #4 seems to be the sharpest.

[Chris350]

Pan Am games? Cycling is a very difficult event to photograph well. I do it semi-profesionally. My discard rate can be as high as 2 to 1 or close to 60 %. In an 8 hours session I'll shoot nearly 1000 and cull most of them for one reason or another usually because the the critical element, normally the eyes and face are out, of there is movement in some small detail that throws the image off. The last images is an example of one I probably would pass over, as the bike and rider are stopped really nicely. Clean and crisp. The riders head moved however and that throws off the small details on the helmet which can be undesirable.
Nice work overall though.
Chris

PS time trials are fun to work if a bit boring to watch. Probably the easiest of the road events to shoot since you usually have good sight lines and only one rider at a time to contend with. For your next challenge shoot the road race. It's a real test to see how good your eye is.

[armando_m]

I went away for the week and come back to a feature photo thanks !

thanks Groovehouse

Chris thanks for the long comment, I know the last image missed sharpness on the head, I had to include as it was the best I got from the mexican rider

I missed the road race, it happened while I was away EDIT: I take that back, it's today at 4:00pm

[shootme]

Excellent series and panning work. Congrats on the sticky, well deserved.

[Laurel421]

seems to be the sharpest.

[pleincadre]

nice shots, speed is under control
number 3 is terrific, any flash on this one?

[armando_m]

thanks for the comments

no flash, did recover some shadows on the face

[mattb]

Nice. I agree these can be tough! Viva Colombia!

[Scattisportivi]

all those pictures rocks!