The pros and a horde of photographers had the dual slalom course at Sea Otter looking like an ant hill this morning. Tripods, light stands, flash heads, camera bags and a few dummies made for cluttered backgrounds without careful work. Too much sun has drawn a distinct line across my forehead and I can still feel it simmering hours later as I edit through another pile of images. There's a blast of color to mountain that really seems to work. Kits, helmets, and body armor combining to give many riders a Darth Vader look. From Dual Slalom Practice it was over to Downhill for the cat1/pro shakedown runs. Speed way, way up at both venues.
Today I processed this batch as B&Ws. The last few images almost look like a portrait session as each rider flew by. I got in the rhythm of the train and almost all of these were single shots.
6 Comments
I love these pictures…thanks for bring them up. PS – GET A MOUNTAIN BIKE! 🙂
All I can say is..wow. I’m in in awe of your skills with a camera.
As always, wonderful photographs. I think you use a telephoto lens to its true potential (not to mention you’re equally adept with wide angles). You perfectly isolate your subjects.
Hi Dave,
Nice to hear from you. I was thinking about you just yesterday when I came across a tagged picture of you on Facebook. Out on another adventure I’m sure.
In spite of its weight, my lens of choice is my 200 f2. Incomparable AF and sharpness when I get it right. Now if only Canon would make another prime with this class of AF in the 85mm range.
Have you been riding much?
Great shots!! I’m the kid with the tall camera. The bokeh on that shots is so awesome. The exif said it was taken at 200mm and I didn’t think it looked like it came from a 70-200 (just got one!).
Hi Pat,
I wondered how the pole-camera worked out for you. Funny, I saw I guy shooting with a similar rig to try and capture the peloton crossing the American River during today’s Stage 1 of the Tour of California.I asked him how he did and he was quite pleased.
Nice to see you pushing the envelope (or in this raising the bar 😉
::Michael