The 2008 Kona bike fest was and probably always will be the hottest location in which I have taken photos within the UK. The 2009 Kona Bikefest will paradoxically probably end up being one of the wettest. I got onsite at about 9.15am and it was pouring down. So much so that the rolling start had been delayed by half an hour and a decision was made to shorten the 12 hour endurance race by 30 minutes. Still, as a photographer, you are there to get shots and whilst the rain is not ideal, you can prepare with water proofs and rain jackets for the kit but the idea of multiple wireless flash within the woods goes out the window. I do enjoy events like today. Several reasons but above all else it allows a decent photographer to see shots, use thirds, negative space for text drop and generally ensure that decent images are scored as you literally have 12 hours to get a photo, get some sleep, get some coffee and lust after some gorgeous bikes.
To start, I did some token long zoom on the top, used the ground level to my advantage to create some lovely photos. I like using the trail as it folds away and this allows a natural lead in/out as long as the riders adhere to the plan!
Within the woods I applied my 'if it ain't broke why fix it' ethos to pan some riders from all angles. Settings were my staple 1/80th, F/5.6 and ISO 800 up to balance the back drop. Works a treat. Due to the rain I stuck with one flash on the body but used the catch board to push the light back into the woods. Second curtain applied but not relevant at these speeds. I had a wander about today and simply just played with the camera shooting various exposure and at one point I was swinging the camera on a strap to create photos. My 20mm prime meant I could not twist zoom and was obviously 20mm was my only gambit shooting wide. I like using the red and white hazzard tape in this type of photo as it leads out, adds drama and just works in my opinion. I think it frames the course nicely.
A quick switch back sees the riders now going from my right to left - again using hazard tape to help frame it up.
As I have said before, you cannot reinvent the wheel but you can stay one step ahead of the photographer next to you. Interesting point today in that there was an 'events' photography company shooting today and when I was in a remote part of the woods, the male of the team appeared from nowhere and asked me to move out of his shot as he had an unmanned camera shooting with a trigger that activated as the riders approached on a remedial straight. No issue there and I obliged but it made me laugh when he asked who I was shooting for. Of course I advised that I was covering the event for local media which was 100% true, but I think that the question is why did he feel compelled to ask and further more is it relevant. I should have said no one and advise that I was shooting in the public domain but it is nice to remain polite despite the obvious threat some photographers get when they see someone carrying a kit bag. Heck, I am no threat to his two for £10 generic photos and I wish him all the best if thats the route his photography has taken. The idea of sitting on a stool shooting what I call donut photography does not appeal but the irony is that even today, I got multiple similar shots but that is the nature of the beast. I found one of the said events photographers sat under a scaffold bridge somewhat troll like waiting for the riders to drop into a bomb hole which caused a hazzard all day long due to the wet weather. I decided to use the natural line of the bridge and see what I could grab as they came over it. Here I made an informed decision to switch to JPEG as I realised that I would have some serious RAW processing. Tonight I have come to realise what a brilliant JPEG camera the 5D Mark II is. I also refreshed my flash batteries here as I had burnt one set up despite shooting 1/4th power.
After winding up the flash work by getting some riders trying to get out of the bomb hole, I spotted a couple of breaks in the over head canopy so let natural light do its thing. Heading back, I noted a lovely natural arch so simply spot metered the rider and brought everything down to get a gorgeous silhouette which kinda sums up the day nicely.
Look at that colour and light. Love it!
Heading back, the riders went away from me and I noted a lovely natural arch so simply spot metered the rider and brought everything down to get a gorgeous silhouette which kinda sums up the day nicely.
Good use of foliage on a job like this can add depth.
Last two frames of the day from a well soaked photographer.
Bike wise, it was evident that the Specialized bikes are the most popular out there with good reason. I saw loads today and I do like the s-works frame. There were a few Orange 5's out on the trail and that is one superb bike. Too many others to list but literally every bike going from 1990's MB to current 29" wheel rigs through to Cannondale lefties which I think look odd, just odd. Rider wise it was easy to spot the hardcore from the weekend warrior. Clothing is the first give away from afar, then body shape and form on a bike and lastly the 'shout' they often give the casual event rider advising that they are steaming up on the inside right. ALl images processed in Lightroom 2 until the 'pop'. Hopefully my photos tell the story of the day nicely. Oddly, I would say that these images look much better when viewed bigger than the 500 pixel size - the small images do not convey a sense of movement.....
Thanks for reading the blog. Comments are welcome as I don't get many/any !!!!
12 comments:
fab pics
Nicely done Pete as usual.
To throw in a bit of constructive criticism - a lot of the shots are panned and along with use of flash to freeze the rider. I'm thinking this is getting a bit forumlaic for mountain bike pictures these days and would like to have seen some different angles e.g. from really low down with the rider towering above, or from overhead (up a tree) etc. Dont get me wrong - they are technically excellent and worthy pics in themselves.
The silhoutte shots are excellent examples of what I'm talking about ie "the other shot" taken very differently to the norm, and they stand out hugely as a result.
So...more wierd stuff please.
Very nice. Shame you weren't there on the Sunday when I was! I agree with Tobers on the "different" front, although would say that the pan shots may be cliched but do work very well in this situation. I haven't seen the official photos yet, but can't imagine they'll be as good as these. The camera set up with a motion detector did nothing but p*ss me off all day.
@ tobers - cheers mate. the funny thing was i was sat eating food today and i had a 'bollox - why did i not climb a tree' moment. There is always next year for sure and i know the shots are there.
Sometimes as a photographer I think you can find yourself in a rock and a hard place in that yes the underexposed frames work, but some photographers dont get it which can lead to crit - hence the 2.4 option and getting images overall and i think that 'pack' shots are required sometimes. Using Getty as a referral the top boys there get the money shots in and then start to play a bit which is what I did, but was so cold and wet that i bailed around 7pm.
I am upset with myself as I wanted to go back on the Sunday but you know the score.
Paddy - thanks for the compliment. I always hope that my images will offset nicely against other work, but each to their own. I was amazed at the simple remote set up offering static shots, but it sells. I suppose.
I don't really have any experience shooting much at all being a 5D owner I should really get my ass out and shoot more. I do like your shots though and you're like me. I don't like cave shots where bikers are coming out of where batman faced his fear and prefer the max ambient light allowing you to see more.
I'm crap with panning and reckon I would totally wreck this kinda shoot.
Nice one buddy.
Nice work again Pete and some nice bikes too. If only I had more room in my bath for a mountain bike. I need to get out there and shoot some summer events.
You made a comment about event photographers charging 10 quid a pop, you must be joking. I ran the London 10,000 on bank holiday Monday, they want £19.95 per photo! It's incredible.
Love your photos of the event Pete - I too was there but equipped with only the very basic of point and shoot cameras - Your photos are what I was trying to create, but obviously with a lot more success!
If you like to shoot the mountain bike events you don't have to wait until next year - there is the Twentyfour12 event in Plymouth on the 25th July... 24 hours of biking and a chance to get some interesting night shots!!
Sam Young
Pete - I'll start by complimenting you on your images, I especially like the bridge shots, just wish I had the time to try out different styles.
However - I think you are jumping to conclusions here....
Why did I ask who you were shooting for ? - Were you an 'obviouse threat to my generic donut photos' - Not at all. I was simply asking out of interest, politeness. I might have been the official photographer on the day but this is just a hobby. Infact I asked the same question last year to another guy, he was shooting for him self and was riding on the Sunday. I ended up putting his images on our site for which he was very happy with. It paid for his riding, his weekend and his beer. As I said, this is just a hobby, I don't do it soley for the money- but granted, it does help. The photos are just a part of it. I also build all the equipment and the software that enables me to get 10000 images captured, sorted by rider and onto the internet by the end of the weekend. It's hard work but this is what the organisers want from the official. Alot of photos are given out as prizes - it wouldn't be much good if I missed one of my donut shots and the rider had a voucher but no photo ! Hence the use of the trap.
In reply to Paddys comment, I take that on board. I think that if I cover it next year I'll move it around during the day and try and find locations in which the flash is not required.
Cheers, from the troll sat in the bomb hole - (for 1 hour - not all day long and actually opposite your colleague so it coudn't have been that much of a hazard, ehh....)
PS, Did you get any images of the prize giving for Sunday ? We didn't have time and I have someone asking. If you did I'll gladly forward on their details.
Nope, I too was being polite. It is part of the game. I have been hounded by several pro's who take knee jerk reaction to other photographers on site at various locations and sometimes it frustrates me given that pictures are the remit whatever style you shoot. I think I said each to his own and as I also said, I too was polite back so no harm done.
As for the donut photos, well, to a degree they are, but then so are mine and I admit that. There is only so much you can do when trying to reinvent the wheel.....
Finally, the troll thing was a gag as it made me laugh given your pose under the bridge. Sat there guarding as such. A simple childhood memory!
If you reread the text I cited the bomb hole as the hazard, not you whatsoever - and personally, I think it was a hazard given the conditions - I also chose to shoot above you as nine tenths of the riders coming out of the hole failed to do so.
No harm no foul and happy that you read my blog and thoughts as hopefully you can address the issue Paddy raised as discussed.
Nice to hear from you and I apologise if my text distressed you, I did not intend to.
Regards,
Pete.
And I mean that, I am sorry.
No worries, for hazardous photograpghy, you want to try indoor supercross...You really have to trust the riders.
On a completely different subject, I noticed you were having problems getting your flash to work using infrared - have you not tried radio ?
Cheers
Adam
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