my 1st motorcycle shoot

Raphy

My 1st moving objects shoot... I posted a sample in the "technique" forum along with some other shots and my intro blurb...

Let me know what you guys think... some C&C please so i can improve

There are un-photoshopped...

Cheers !!!!!



#1


#2


#3



#4


#5


#6


#7


THANKS FOR LOOKING !!!!

MikeMcA²

Nice first shoot. Like the GSX-R pics.

Once you get used to the speed and tracking the subject, then I would work on positioning yourself to a place (out of the way so as to avoid causing something dangerous lol) where the light and the rider's attention are relatively toward the camera. In other words, at the inside of the turns apex, with the light coming from behind you and lighting the face of the rider coming toward you or the tail of the rider headed away (depending on what you want to photograph.

As an example, in photo #7, you could have been on the other side of the railing to the front right of the rider as he bends into that right-hander, headed into the sun (based on the tree shadows.

The other offering would be to better isolate the subject either with a longer focal length and closer crop/shallower depth of field, or with slower shutter-speed panning. Either method will isolate the motorcycle more by blurring the back/foreground. If possible, also shooting form a lower angle would help some of the shots.

I sometimes become overwhelmed with the action of a new subject or medium, and forget to apply the basics of lighting and subject isolation. This is a great first effort. Hope you had fun.

Raphy

Mike - thanks so much for your feedback. I certainly did have fun on this one... I just went for a ride and stopped halfway and shot for about half hour... The hardest part for me was finding a good spot... I guess being at the right place at the right time is what makes the best shots....

I'll work on what you recommended... thanks again !!

mercphoto

Raphy wrote:

#1

Light direction is wrong - notice the light is coming from the back, and the rider's front is in shadow. Simply have them drive the other direction. Also that background is distracting. Partly it is so close to the bike the background becomes too much in-focus and competes with the shot. Find another location, another angle. Or, use a slower shutter speed so that background blurs away due to motion. These will be recurring themes.

#2

Doesn't do a ton for me.

#3

The rider is lost in that background -- the trees pop more than he does. Again, change the background. Light direction is a bit wrong as well. And lastly that shutter speed is too high - those wheels look nearly frozen.

#4

Light direction again. Rider isn't popping out of the image, background clutter, etc.

#5

Composition is better, light direction is better. Rider is a bit dark though. Shutter speed too high.

In many of these shots a flash would have helped illuminate the rider better. Yes, I know its broad daylight. Use the flash.

#6

Shutter too high. Rider too dark. Etc.

[QOUTE]#7
[/QUOTE]
Cool composition. Try to brighten the rider a bit using Photoshop's shadow/highlight adjustment.

Biggest problems: lighting direction, and choice of background.

Raphy

I'm writing all this stuff down !! thanks