So day 2 of the Rat Race ventured out of the city today. It was a case of choosing locations and targets as I/we could not shoot them all, such is the speed at which the lead teams get around the course. Word has it that the first two or three in are Military and RAF which stands to reason given the visceral condition the bodies of the people running are in. You can see subtle differences in the way trained people react - things like getting in and out of a kyack etc. We decided to hit the big off where the teams depart Bristol on bikes down steps. Easy enough, but it was an overly bright day which made exposure tricky. Meeting it head on I decided to fire flash right at the riders which gives off that lovely sparkle effect. I think I was at a low ISO with 1/200th and around F/8 to combat light. Oddly, the majority decided to walk the bikes down rather than get back on the saddle and let the bike do the work for them.
We were then fortunate enough to blag a lift with photographers from www.sleepmonster.com which was cool as we knew the way and actually expedited our arrival so a win win for all as they say. Location 2 was a weir half way between Bristol and Bath. My longest lens was 200mm which was too short for the impact action on full frame so I decided to take my shoes and socks off and wade out to the middle of the weir with my camera in my back pack. Actually very refreshing, not too slippery and I got half a dozen photos which are bordering OK but overall not really working for me. I then decided to wade back over to the bank and score some 3rds photography. Again, it was easy to spot the regular boaters as they are the ones who oares are in synch and obviously not the ones going around in circles Homer Simpson style. The occasional 'x' from the oars allowed me to get a couple of nice frames in my classic symmetrical shots. Photography wise I tickled the camera up by a third of a stop, spot metered the water and bobs your uncle. I think that the colours on show here are testament to the brilliance of the Canon 5D2.
Wrong!
Right !
Wrong !
Right !
Also managed to get a nice couple of ambience shots, documenting the day.
I then found another low spot on the bank.
This almost brought me perpendicular to the rat racers.
After 'wrapping' here we moved back to the city where the rat fans were due to absail down the car park at Cabot Circus. And they did. I hated it. I seem to suffer from vertigo now and it gets worse as I get older. Looking down, my legs literally go to jelly, but I am OK looking up. So I rattled out a few frames and went down asap. For some of these I went under by at least two stops and spot metered the brightest part of the photo to give some some drama and I had a play with them in Lightroom 2 for effect. Interesting being up on the roof at Cabot Circus with a camera given that photographers of all ilk were made most unwelcome by the shopping centre management. These are nothing more than average, but I am proud of them given my wobbly leg status.....
Really pleased with the abstract nature of these shots.
So there it is Rat Race 2009; Bristol done and dusted.
I was going to enter it next year until the climbing bit came up...!!!
5 comments:
Interesting stuff Pete, some good locations and a variety of stuff to shoot always gets my legs wobbly........not too sure about heights, I'm usually ok with them.
Yeah, it is getting worse. Looking out is fine but when I look over the edge then my legs literally sway. Very odd! Thanks for the comment mate.
Awesome stuff mate. Some nice shots. I'm quite good with heights and would probably jump off with my camera and no cables. Of course not being big headed or anything but I reckon I could seriously give them amateurs a run for their money.......... ;)
Nice photos as always.
Nice photo's! I'm the ugly swine in the first one. Regarding riding down the steps.......in my defence,on a cross bike without suspension, it wasn't worth the risk of damaging the wheels for such a short section - especially as the back wheel was shot after hitting the downhill hard (the cones are now knackered and the bike awaits some TLC). Otherwise I agree with you entirely!
Keep up the good work.
Simon (team 32 - Les Chimay Trois)
Simon, thanks. I kinda expected everyone to ride down but swiftly despatched that notion after seeing athletes of all shapes and sizes competing. I think everyone did well and I am giving the comp. some serious consideration for next year.
Post a Comment