Aztalan Cycle Hare Scrambles 04-27-08

[oldguy]

C&C if you wish.
I was doing the article for CycleUSA and as part of that needed to shoot some photos. I found it is far more difficult to portray the speed some of these guys fly through the woods and the lighting was difficult at times to deal with as the day kept going from sunny to cloud covered and the trees did not help.
These are just a few of the many I shot and I am open to any suggestions on how I could have improved my results. Thanks :cool:

the kids were out first

John Stewart jumped out to an early lead and cruised for 55 minutes before he was cught and challenged on the last lap (he was running a unique class which is made up of racers that do a series in which they compete in- HS, Flat track, Hillclimb, MotoX, Supermoto, road, ice, drags, trials, and 2 made up as you go events. if you do all on the same bike you get a 25 point bonus at season end)

This is the guy that ran him down

 

[oldguy]

Next out were the C class riders

C class winner

 

[Shaw520]

Cool pics OG !

 

[oldguy]

In the A class one of our fast MX racers entered his first HS and finished second to one of the AA riders. He found out why woods guys cut down their bars and install bark busters- he could barely move his fingers they were so swollen.

In order to shoot this corner I had to sit about 1 foot off the trail in the brush

 

[fatcat216]

cool stuff Dave. You'll have to let the photoshopgeeks tell you how to deal with the overexposure or whatever you call it. Maybe you can post process some of the too bright out?

The angles are outstanding however! I have three faves: the last picture in post one; the last two in post two.

(The last picture in post four reminds me of riding at Knobby Ridge- that is...If you could putin a drop off, a couple of poorly placed giant rocks and a steep down hill next to those wheel swallowers.)

Thanks a bunch!

p.s. I'll let you know if things turn up for the prom. ;)

 

[Shaw520]

The last one looks like you were getting ready to eat some front tire!

 

[oldguy]

The last one looks like you were getting ready to eat some front tire!

I got brushed by a couple :whoa:

 

[Chili]

I like the composition of the ones with the tree's on each side almost framing the rider. I've never shot much in the woods like that but it looks like you were struggling with blown highlights, I'd likely have tried dialing in some negative exposure compensation and then using some fill flash to save the details. I've never tried one but a polarizing filter should help as well.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Fill flash with a flash extender like a Better Beamer might bring the exposure between the subject and the background closer together and should let you stop down a bit so you get more keepers.

The Better Beamer is cheap (about $40) and works incredibly well with the distances you be shooting at with a 70-200 lens.

 

[Chili]

The Better Beamer is cheap (about $40) and works incredibly well with the distances you be shooting at with a 70-200 lens.

I almost purchased one of those prior to the last Arenacross I shot but never got around to placing the order. Seems like an interesting product.

 

[fatcat216]

Doug/Dave:

How do flashes affect the riders? (Is it different indoors VS outdoors as I'd expect or is it really the same issue either way?)

Doug- do they impose limitations on you when you shoot the indoor circuits?

Thanks (and sorry for the hijack Oldguy. I've been wondering about this awhile.)

dd

 

[Chili]

I rarely use flash outdoors for racing except in the very early spring/fall but I've never had a rider complain about the flash at any point of any indoor or outdoor event.

As far as limitations, at a SX they give you a track map with green and red areas. You can shoot from the green and can not from the red. There are no restrictions as far as using flash, unless you wanted to strobe up the place which caused a bit of a ruckus a few years ago.

 

[oldguy]

It may not cause a problem but it sure got this guys attention

I used the manual in camera flash a couple times trying to see if it would help but most were completely washed out

 

[Chili]

Likely the biggest issue at a local event when your hiding in the trees is most riders aren't expecting anyone. If they know you are out there I doubt it will be an issue.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Nice work Dave, and thanks for sharing! Spider did not race?

 

[Shaw520]

If you 'surprise' a rider,.. then he wasnt focused enough. After racing moto many years, Ive become blind to spectators, ..but that could be a good/bad thing in the woods, LOL!

 

[Squid31]

Dave, I have the same trouble shooting in those conditions, but with a flash things can be a bit easier. I would expose for the background and have it about 1 stop underexposed, then with the flash set on ettl, the rider will be exposed properly.

 

[oldguy]

Nice work Dave, and thanks for sharing! Spider did not race?

His season is a bit on hold for a couple weeks until exams are finished and his plan was to go to Mt Carroll to practice but his friend cancelled Sat night.

I will have to play with the flash- when I have tried using it as a fill even thru ETTL it seems to take over and slow the shutter causing massive overexposure or total blur on the action. I guess I need to finally read the directions that came with it :whoa:

 

[Hergert521]

I really like the one of #911 going through the puddle! That's awesome! :cool:

 

[oldguy]

I really like the one of #911 going through the puddle! That's awesome! :cool:

If you like puddles here is the followup shot

and here is an A rider showing his crossing style

 

[oldguy]

How about a holeshot pic KTM is an A Hare Scrambler- Yamaha is an A MXer (1st HS) and what happens when the HS lets off the throttle and the MXer does what MXers do

They both stayed up- The MXer won the class HS got 4th

 

[Hergert521]

They both stayed up- The MXer won the class HS got 4th

Great shot with the foot in the bike! It's not easy to get a picture like that:)

 

[oldguy]

I played with it last night a little for the HS guy I did the inset because his friends didn't believe he got his foot stuck in there
Here is the full res showing his foot

 

[biglou]

that's gonna leave a mark!

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Got to love alpine star for safety! I was looking at who's elbows were up, I never would have seen his foot!