What's with all this MTBing?

[Loupey]

I've read many of your profiles and bio's and it seems to me that there must some relationship between photography and mountain biking. I have some bikes hanging from the ceiling of my garage and I just can't see the connection. It seems to me an awkward and dangerous (and downright silly) way to take pictures! Even with IS lenses!

No, I must say I'd rather take a camera fishing instead. Although I once fell into a river full of 50-degree (fahrenheit to all you metrics) water with my wife's $1,400 Contax point-and-shoot. Things I learned thereafter:

#1 - it wasn't very waterproof
#2 - my wife gets mad when I ruin her camera
#3 - the repair people are pretty smart by charging me $700 to repair it (let's see...lose $700 to repair it or save $700 to buy a new one)
#4 - it's much cheaper to put a camera in a $0.02 sandwich bag before I put it in my fishing vest.

Oh, and yes, I had it repaired. Still works like it's brand new. Anyone want to buy a TVS II in mint condition?

[BMWJNKY]

I think its just a liking of the outdoors and most people that like the outdoors mountain bike. I'm pretty sure people arn't mtn biking and taking pics at the sametime, at least I don't. They may bring a camera with though.

[payn817]

Oddly enough within the past couple months, I have been wanting a bike, but it's cause it is easier to use in a city or in the middle of nowhere while shooting. Ever walk an 11 mile trail to shoot a few birds pics? If so, you would understand!

[Loupey]

The first part was meant to be a joke. The second part is not. From now on, I'll use more and ;) and 's.

If you knew me, you'd call me...
Loupey

[SmartWombat]

You don't have to ride a mtb to post here

[jorgemonkey]

You didn't know us MTBers are slowly taking over the world?

I actually found this site from posting a lot on MTBR.com, and I know there is a few more people here that are the same way. If my friends and I are just goin out for a fun ride, one of us will bring out little P&S camera. When the purpose is to go take some photos while out riding, then I'll pack a DSLR with some lenses, flashes, all that good stuff, and take it VERY easy down the trail.

Also I've actually used my bike a few times to go waaaay out somewhere and get nature shots. Gonna be doin it again when I get back into better shape.

[Ultra Magnus]

I've taken pictures while riding before. That's where a small P&S comes in handy. I keep in in my shorts pocket so I can whip it out and take a shot really fast. The people I ride with are held up enough by my much slower pace so I try not to slow them down even more by taking forever to take a shot.

[Loupey]

So it can be done!;) I will post a picture of my "MTB" if I can remember to photograph it during the next few days.

[Asylum Steve]

The first part was meant to be a joke...

Ah, I think most of us knew that. Besides, if you look at folks' locations, you'll notice it's only the Cali "freaks" that mountain bike...

On the East Coast they're called ATBs...;)

[jorgemonkey]

Here is another shot taken while riding- I had the camera strapped to my neck, and picked up the camera and snapped off a few frames, and this is one of the ones I got.

[Loupey]

Ah, I think most of us knew that. Besides, if you look at folks' locations, you'll notice it's only the Cali "freaks" that mountain bike...

On the East Coast they're called ATBs...;)

Thanks, Steve - in the Midwest, I think we call them NUIPB (never used for their intended purposes bikes)

By the way jorgemonkey, that IS a cool shot

[OldSchool]

the ConsumerReview.com network. It all started with mtbr.com back in the mid '90s by francis. . mtbr.com is now MtbReview.com.

Anyway, that's how I got involved with this group of boards (PR.com). I still ride and race my mountain bike. But a few years ago, I was reintroduced to the joy of photography. Thus, my interest here.

It should be also noted that there are many excellent photographers on mtbr.com, and posting a photo-essay of a recent ride is very common on the "Passion" board. A number of mtbr folks have migrated here from mtbr.com to help support francis' efforts.

Anyway, that's a little history as I know it. Someone correct me if I'm incorrect. At least, it should help explain the soft focus on mountain bikes here....
Cheers,
Tim

[OldSchool]

Here is another shot taken while riding- I had the camera strapped to my neck, and picked up the camera and snapped off a few frames, and this is one of the ones I got.

Nice shot!

Great focus. Hand held, or did you use a tripod?
:^)

Tim

[jorgemonkey]

That was a, well lucky shot but fun My buddy and me were riding back from some trailwork we did down a paved road, and I put the camera strap around my neck and I was practicing having a small apeture & trying to take pictures of my buddy while moving so the background would be blurry, then I got the idea to take a picture of the tire while it was moving. It took a few tries to get it right, but I definatly like it.

Now, I definatly don't recommend anyone to carry their camera around their neck while riding in rocky areas, unless you have very good reflexes. I just remember thinking, if I fall and damage my camera, my wife is gonna KILL me.

[Photo-John]

You didn't hear? So I assume you haven't submitted your mtb photo portfolio for approval. We're going to have to suspend your account until we get those photos and approve them ;)

All this started with mtbr.com and the company founder, Francis Cebedo. I'm a mountain bike photographer and post on mtbr all the time. I'm constantly harassing the members there to post here, too. As a consequence, we've got a fair number of mountain bikers here. Prepare to be converted!

This photo was taken last Thursday, just as after the sun went down.

[SmartWombat]

Hope he didn't land ON your flash, John !!

[Loupey]

I knew there must be a connection.

And I thought that Canon must of had a promo some time back where they sent MTB's instead of rebates. I was worried I missed that one! Although Steve's comment about Californians makes sense too.

[kornphlake]

I've taken pictures while riding before. That's where a small P&S comes in handy. I keep in in my shorts pocket so I can whip it out and take a shot really fast. The people I ride with are held up enough by my much slower pace so I try not to slow them down even more by taking forever to take a shot.

Is that really in the High Desert? I thought I was the only mountain biker in the whole area until I moved. We still head up that way a quite a bit to visit my parents in Hesperia, send me your email addy and we'll go ride together next time I'm up that way.

Kornphlake79 at yahoo dot com

[Loupey]

OK, Jorgemonkey. You're shot inspired me to go out this afternoon and try it. Sorry to say, different results ;) I still say that MTBing and photography is a silly thing to do (at the same time)

Disclaimer: no animals or people were injuried in the creation of this illustration.

[jorgemonkey]

I actually thing they look pretty cool! In the abstract way of course. I'm thinking of trying it again, but I want to use a wider angle lens than the one I have. The widest I have so far is a 28. I've also thought about hanging onto the remote control and using it to trip the shutter so I dont have to take my hands off the bar.

[JoshD]

I didn't realize there were photographers that DIDN'T mountain bike ;)

[greghalliday]

I've found that for me, photography is a sort of off-shoot from mountaineering, skiing and mountain biking. Initially a way to capture memories; (I'm a horrible journal keeper) it turned into a hobby in and of itself.

The image below I like mainly because my wife is the subject It was taken 10 minutes away from our first apartment in undergrad. I wish I still lived there

I like jorgemonkey's "taken while riding" image. My father-in-law (who acts younger than he is) tried one and nearly broke his camera (and collarbone). Not so fleet of reflex I might say.

[Photo-John]

I didn't realize there were photographers that DIDN'T mountain bike ;)

I know that rock! I've got photos of that same spot, I think. Bottom of Porcupine, right?

[Photo-John]

The image below I like mainly because my wife is the subject It was taken 10 minutes away from our first apartment in undergrad. I wish I still lived there

Looks like Utah scrub oak in the fall. Love that!

[brianc]

I know that rock! I've got photos of that same spot, I think. Bottom of Porcupine, right?

yep. we could have a thread on MTB photo of just that rock!