Bike Day, 9 images (56k beware) - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon

02/13/2005 06:03:21 AM · #1

A local bike club asked me to photograph them at the track so they could purchase 4x6's.

This is just a sample of some of the best shots taken on Saturday. As with all track events, all the pics start to look the same after a while. To me, these are the ones that stood out from the rest of them.

Didn't spend much time editing, only a quick levels adjustment, saturation tweak, and USM. Will edit them much better for print.

Message edited by author 2005-02-13 16:17:10.

Sandymaya

Sony DSLR-A350

02/13/2005 06:05:06 AM · #2

They are really cool, congratulations for getting this offer. Great stuff

agwright

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/13/2005 06:14:23 AM · #3

These are stunning Brandon, what lens did you use..

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

02/13/2005 06:18:02 AM · #4

70-200 2.8L on a 20D. Shot in Tv mode at around 1/100.

Curious

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

02/13/2005 07:22:08 AM · #5

Awesome stuff !!

Number 6 is a killer especially as you can see his eyes. It adds so much emotion/tension to the image.

The last two would make great posters. The last one especially.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/13/2005 09:16:05 AM · #6

Great stuff... well done.

Question on your lens -- do you have the IS or non-IS version?

-Terry

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

02/13/2005 09:17:45 AM · #7

Great panning. You've really captured a sensation of speed.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

02/13/2005 09:18:44 AM · #8

Great photos and a great job at panning to give a wonderful feel of speed.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/13/2005 10:24:18 AM · #9

good shots.

some things if you go again that the rider's like to see...

Right as they enter a corner, they will look through the corner -- so their bike may be pointed forward and leaned completely over, and their head bent at like a 90-degree angle -- get that one from a 45 degree angle.

This one is hard -- but right when they're accelerating form the start, as the shift into second, some bikes will lift the front tire a good inch or so -- try and get it right as they're going to shift. You'll have to get really good at just listening to the noise of the motor and knowing when they're going to shift.

--

Although I've never shot a track day, I definately plan on it. I was a member of Pittsburgh's largest sport bike community for about 2 years (the club has since disband -- but most of us are still really good friends).

colema19

Canon EOS-20D

02/13/2005 01:54:42 PM · #10

Originally posted by deapee:

This one is hard -- but right when they're accelerating form the start, as the shift into second, some bikes will lift the front tire a good inch or so -- try and get it right as they're going to shift.

That only really happens on a racing start though, on a track day I wouldn't think you'd accelerate that hard. It'd be pretty embarrasing to get a slapper and lose it off the line eh?

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

02/13/2005 02:13:51 PM · #11

Please put some in your porfolio so I can add to my favorites.

Fantastic photos !

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/13/2005 04:06:15 PM · #12

Great work!

C_Steve_G

Apple iPhone 12

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5

02/13/2005 04:09:53 PM · #13

Very nice shots. Not as easy as it looks!

Most racers and track-day participants like images with their "knee down" and "eyes around the corner." Keep up the good work!

02/13/2005 04:09:56 PM · #14

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Great stuff... well done.

Question on your lens -- do you have the IS or non-IS version?

-Terry

I have the non-IS version.

Originally posted by deapee:

Right as they enter a corner, they will look through the corner -- so their bike may be pointed forward and leaned completely over, and their head bent at like a 90-degree angle -- get that one from a 45 degree angle.

This one is hard -- but right when they're accelerating form the start, as the shift into second, some bikes will lift the front tire a good inch or so -- try and get it right as they're going to shift. You'll have to get really good at just listening to the noise of the motor and knowing when they're going to shift.

Thanks for the comments. This wasn't really a race, more of a ride your bike around the track so not too many wheelies. Sundays are stunt day though.

It was also rainy and the riders would slow down to a crawl through the off-camber and sweeper so I didn't get to capture some really extreme leans through turns.

Originally posted by manic:

please post links or thumbs, not large images.

Sorry, didn't know images 700px wide were considered "large." I'll upload to my portfolio so I can post thumbs.

mrorange002

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/13/2005 04:14:37 PM · #15

terrific shots! the speed shots are great, but i really enjoyed the one of the bike coming at the camera (third one) really gives a good feel of the event, not just a commercial type shot.

Message edited by author 2005-02-13 16:14:57.

02/13/2005 04:21:00 PM · #16

Originally posted by ericlimon:

terrific shots! the speed shots are great, but i really enjoyed the one of the bike coming at the camera (third one) really gives a good feel of the event, not just a commercial type shot.

Oops, I may have rearranged the order. Did you mean the last shot?

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

02/13/2005 04:23:16 PM · #17

I like the flow of the circuit in this one, especially with the other rider outside the zone of focus in the background.

I hope you sell a lot of them. Do you visit GP / Superbike races as well? This year I have a slim chance of acquiring pit access at either the MotoGP or World Superbike races at Assen -reminder: poke the sponsor-. :)

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

02/13/2005 04:31:29 PM · #18

Originally posted by deapee:

some things if you go again that the rider's like to see...

Right as they enter a corner, they will look through the corner -- so their bike may be pointed forward and leaned completely over, and their head bent at like a 90-degree angle -- get that one from a 45 degree angle.

This one is hard -- but right when they're accelerating form the start, as the shift into second, some bikes will lift the front tire a good inch or so -- try and get it right as they're going to shift. You'll have to get really good at just listening to the noise of the motor and knowing when they're going to shift.

Addition:
It really depends on the skill of the rider, but powersliding from the corner with a smoking rear tire makes for a killer photo. But it is hard to get the angle right and not many track day riders have the skills to do it. Little chance of seeing this perhaps.

02/13/2005 04:51:25 PM · #19

Originally posted by Azrifel:

I like this one the most, good panning results in a good capture of the speed. The balance between rider and the space around him is also right on. Some of the others look a bit tight (not that they are bad).

I like the flow of the circuit in this one, especially with the other rider outside the zone of focus in the background.

I hope you sell a lot of them. Do you visit GP / Superbike races as well? This year I have a slim chance of acquiring pit access at either the MotoGP or World Superbike races at Assen -reminder: poke the sponsor-. :)

Thanks for the insightful comments. I cropped a few of them, just a little to improve composition and to reposition them from the center of the frame. I have room to play though some of them were shot a little tight. I wanted a little more emphasis on the bike riders and it was a compromise to either have more detail in the bikes showing, or more background to imply a sense of speed.

As for visiting other races, I'm stuck on this rock (Oahu) but will gladly accept photoshoots on the mainland, all expenses paid. I'd offer my services for free in exchange for the airfare and accomodations! ;-)

lentil

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

02/13/2005 05:36:29 PM · #20

they are great photos Brandon. I especially like the 8th one. It has good focus.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/13/2005 06:06:13 PM · #21

Originally posted by Bran-O-Rama:

This wasn't really a race, more of a ride your bike around the track so not too many wheelies. Sundays are stunt day though.

Not talking about a wheelie -- just when the tire pops up an inch or two when they shift into second.

From some of the pictures, it looked like there was a 1/4 mile set up too (which would be where that would happen)...I guess that's just the angle...I didn't realize they were just running the track only.