Motocross Photos from Nor-Cal

TGphotos

Hey guys, I took these photos today at a local track in northern California. I switched up my camera settings between my last post and this one and I have to say that I think the changes payed off! Let me know what you guys think. C&C is welcome!

1. I like the sky in this photo.


2.


3. I like the sky in this one as well.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.

10. Quick sequence I made to show how far this kid was flying. Easily around 90 ft. I know its not finished, but I thought I would throw it in
to show how far this jump actually is. He was the only one doing it today.

Gringriff

Very Nice - I like 'em a lot. Interesting perspective there in #8. Were you in a tower or ladder or what on that one?

Andy

ian408

For what should have been a crazy weather day here, you got some nice stuff! I like the angle on #8.

TGphotos

Thanks Andy! I was actually standing on a dirt mound on the very inside of the turn. The riders are about a foot away and Im a couple of feet taller than them when standing on the dirt mound. I would actually lean slightly forward as well in order to get a little more over the top of the riders. I think it makes for a pretty interesting and different perspective.

TGphotos

ian408 wrote:

For what should have been a crazy weather day here, you got some nice stuff! I like the angle on #8.

Thanks! Yeah, I took a risk with the weather and it payed off. It was foggy in the morning, but finally cleared up around 11 or so. It was actually pretty warm at the end of the day.

Erbeman

Well done. I'm going to guess that you changed your WB to cloudy. Do I win? I really like #5. My only suggestion on these is to try and make them pop a bit more. The composition is good, a few of them just have some bright highlights that you can fix in post. Check out a before and after I did with one of your pics. I think the one I worked on pops pretty good compared to the original. You had pretty harsh sun it looks like so, it's almost impossible not to have these problems, but 3 minutes in photoshop and you're good to go.

TGphotos wrote:

TGphotos

Thanks Russ! My white balance has been set to cloudy since I started shooting, but I did change the picture control to vivid and sped up my shutter speed to 1/2000th. I shot on f/4 throughout the whole day. Made a HUGE difference! Your revised photo does look alot better. I actually already ran the photo through photoshop, but I didn't want the dirt to look orange, so I didn't go crazy with it. What exactly did you do to it? I only have Photoshop Elements 8. Its ok, but nothing like CS4. Thanks!

Gringriff

Hey Russ. I agree that your edit does have more "pop". It looks like maybe you adjusted the levels and added some USM but not sure? The plate number and fender are much sharper and the whole rider is more isolated from the background. Is that about right or am I way off?

Andy

Erbeman

First thing I did was create a levels adjustment layer and set the black point. Then I used the shadow/highlights slider to knock off some glare. For the final touch I came in wiht the burn tool and the front fender, number plate, forks and a little of the rider. Only took 2-3 minutes max. Once you learn what tools to use and know when to use them, it doesn't take much time at all to give it some pop. That is one of the things I always try to make my pics do.

I may have done a little USM as well, don't really remember, but I usually do.

ian408

I forgot to ask if this was the race at Metcalf?

TGphotos

ian408 wrote:

I forgot to ask if this was the race at Metcalf?

nope, La Grange. About 40 minutes east of Modesto.

TGphotos

Erbeman wrote:

First thing I did was create a levels adjustment layer and set the black point. Then I used the shadow/highlights slider to knock off some glare. For the final touch I came in wiht the burn tool and the front fender, number plate, forks and a little of the rider. Only took 2-3 minutes max. Once you learn what tools to use and know when to use them, it doesn't take much time at all to give it some pop. That is one of the things I always try to make my pics do.

I may have done a little USM as well, don't really remember, but I usually do.

Thanks Russ! I'll try and mess with a few other photos tonight and see what I can do to improve them. I'll post some up to see if you guys approve of them. Thanks for the input guys. This really helps me out!