Doc & i photographed last nights 4 cross & todays downhill. Last night was a total failure for me...i dont do flash. I wish i could but i just cant get it right.
So we headed back down today for the downhill (about 50 mins drive away)
Lots of big name a few of which are lying between 3rd & 7th in world rankings. Usually i get to wander about where ever i want to photograph but not today...soup nazis every where with a sherifs badge & they really restricted anyone from getting near the track or having anything that remotely looked like having fun. There were a few spots that spectators could get close but nothing like our state rounds. Funny though...almost no accidents today whereas normally there are bones flying up into trees. These guys dont stack very much thats for sure.
The view from about 1/4 the way up. The bikes drop 1700 feet in about 3-4 mins depending on the ratio of brains..age & gonad size.
The girls were represented well.
Man the came close to the barriers as they hit the finish line !
Gosh they look like they are flying!
Interesting to see in the last image just how much protective gear they wear....I've not noticed this before, I see in the other shots riders are wearing gear as well but that last shot is quite a setup
Gosh they look like they are flying!
Interesting to see in the last image just how much protective gear they wear....I've not noticed this before, I see in the other shots riders are wearing gear as well but that last shot is quite a setup
Usually i get to wander about where ever i want to photograph but not today...soup nazis every where with a sherifs badge & they really restricted anyone from getting near the track or having anything that remotely looked like having fun.
I took this one shortly after your first encounter with this course marshall
The morning light on the final "rock garden" of the course was by far the best of the day. Throughout the afternoon, I'd never get light this good. BTW, not a lick of post-processing on any of these, lens and light combo were just that good. Maybe not as awesome as gus' razor sharp 135/2, but good enough where I decided I didn't need to spend time tweaking in PS.
A little bit higher up the course, a very slick drop down into a nearly dry creek bed
And then, to pedal those heavy downhill rigs out the other side takes a bit of effort
Over a few ridges and a flat smooth section where the (in shape) men are separated from the boys. Most people who haven't raced a downhill don't realize that very often the race isn't won with the biggest gonads in the steep section, it's won on the flat where the serious athletes can compose their adrenaline, and pedal despite the absurd arm pump (acid-buildup from holding on for dear life and carefully modulating the brakes in the steeps) and considerable heft of a dh machine.
Up and over the bridge
really low and compact form through the final corners
eyes on the prize (this #8 was very photogenic, one of gus' best were of him as well)
They are pretty good at bullying 13 year olds but there is nothing in their handbook for 45 year olds. Ive never seen people act like they did yesterday...hope its not indicative of whats to come in the sport. Downhill is all about the crowd next to the track with the bells & screams of which i saw almost none yesterday for the first time ever. I only hope it was like that because it was a national round.
pretty sad, indeed. Nationals back home are the loudest and rowdiest. Even when I quit racing and the whole bike scene for a couple years, I still went to the NORBA national round nearest my house to hang out, cheer, scream, and watch the best in action just a few inches from my face.
You guys pretty much have everything backwards.
Perhaps the decoration on this course marker was a warning...
Comments
Gosh they look like they are flying!
Interesting to see in the last image just how much protective gear they wear....I've not noticed this before, I see in the other shots riders are wearing gear as well but that last shot is quite a setup
Excellent shots Gus
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Bike#2 and #85 coming down the hill shots are very cool!
Keith Tharp.com - Champion Photo
great day out, that 70-200/4 performed like a much, much more expensive lens
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
Just wondering, are you pre focusing on a predetermined spot or are
you follow focusing?
Thanks.
.
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
The morning light on the final "rock garden" of the course was by far the best of the day. Throughout the afternoon, I'd never get light this good. BTW, not a lick of post-processing on any of these, lens and light combo were just that good. Maybe not as awesome as gus' razor sharp 135/2, but good enough where I decided I didn't need to spend time tweaking in PS.
The final big air:
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
And then, to pedal those heavy downhill rigs out the other side takes a bit of effort
Over a few ridges and a flat smooth section where the (in shape) men are separated from the boys. Most people who haven't raced a downhill don't realize that very often the race isn't won with the biggest gonads in the steep section, it's won on the flat where the serious athletes can compose their adrenaline, and pedal despite the absurd arm pump (acid-buildup from holding on for dear life and carefully modulating the brakes in the steeps) and considerable heft of a dh machine.
Up and over the bridge
really low and compact form through the final corners
eyes on the prize (this #8 was very photogenic, one of gus' best were of him as well)
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
You guys pretty much have everything backwards.
Perhaps the decoration on this course marker was a warning...
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
typical race paddock
DH finish
Waiting for junior to come blazing down the track
spectactors
The section where we caught most of the action, by the way. doesn't look quite so steep or scary from this angle
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
Great shots,Gus. Sharp, nice DOF and hot action from different locations on the course.
I hope you can continue to get shots like this.
Doc, yours are just brilliant too. That "scenery" shot is a favorite.