Trying for something new...

[mattbikeboy]

Was out mountain biking the other afternoon and I wanted to go for the riders coming out of the sun instead of me shooting back at them with the light in their faces. I like them, but would love to go back up and shoot with better glass and a more powerful flash.




mbb

[SmartWombat]

It's different, but I´m not sure I like it - yet.
I like these better with the sky cropped, so there's not such a huge overexposed area.

You've set youself a huge challenge here, I'd like to see it work.
In these there's a lot of flare and lost contrast.
I think the lens has to be scrupulously clean for this to work.
How are you going to manage that in the dusty environment?

I agree on the flash, but you´re trying to balance sun directly into the lens, can that work?

[pleincadre]

good idea, what flash did you use?

[ianjenn]

I bet a silver or white fill card along with your flash would be close!

[Roger79]

I'm assuming you did this here in the Vegas Area, where exactly did you shoot these???
Just curious...

Thanks,
Roger

[Chris350]

My thoughts would be to add an ND filter or polarizer and shoot the smallest aperture you can achieve to get the sun to ray instead of blow out. It's still going to be blown but this might minimize the blown area.
If you're going to go all out, a reflector and an assistant will really help balance the light on the rider. It will probably help to shoot in full manual too.

[mattb]

Those are pretty cool! I like some variety in MTB shots too. I just shot a few into the sun last weekend with mixed results (but a couple of pretty cool ones IMO).

[mattbikeboy]

It is a challenge for sure.

I shot f/14 ISO, ISO 320 at 1/250 sec. I shot in manual with a D300S and an SB600 flash. There is a lot of dust for sure and that is part of what I like about it. I don't even mind the blown out sky. I know the 24-70 f/2.8 will remove a lots of the flare and light blobs but that is part of what I like about the shots.

Maybe shooting f/22 with an SB900 at ISO 200 might darken the sky and with the stronger flash still light the riders face. If I can just get the guys to slow a touch and re-ride a section enough times form me to get the shot right.

Too bad we really haven't had any races in Las Vegas for a while where I can set up and shoot all the riders coming through till I get it right. Though my buddy Shane (in the photo) has a pretty good ride expression and body language that makes him a good model. Don't tell him I said that! ;)

The photo was taken at the bottom (northwest) of the Latenight Trail where it comes back to the bottom of Viagra. Just west of the sandy wash with the big rocks in the bottom.

The shot below is similar but done with a stationary model, big flashes and a better lens... It still has a blown sky though.

mbb

[groovehouse]

This effect can totally be achieved but you're right you are going to jack up your f/stop a little more and drop that ISO.

I shoot into the sun quite a bit, while the subject matter is different the effect is the same.

Also, some post processing can help this effect too.


Rope - 5DII_8367A by groovehouse, on Flickr


Allysha Bergado - 2009.10.22 by groovehouse, on Flickr


Sunset Drop by groovehouse, on Flickr


Eddie Sanchez by groovehouse, on Flickr

[mattb]

Nice, Groovehouse!
I also find the lens choice seems to make a lot of difference on how shooting into the sun is rendered.
My best into the sun lens is the Pentax da15 Limited. It does this so well at or above f/11 that it's tempting to have starbursts in all my shots!

Here's Susan DeMattei on her way to a comfortable victory in last weekend's local race. I balanced out the exposure with my Sigma dg EF-530 Super flash.

IMGP5199.jpg by MattB.net, on Flickr

One from SE Utah last spring

IMGP0815.jpg by MattB.net, on Flickr

Crested Butte last season

IMGP7565.jpg by MattB.net, on Flickr

[mattbikeboy]

Nice, you guys!