Alpine Ski Racing

swifteye · November 3, 2010

Getting pumped for another race season here in New Hampshire. Let's see what you got. Here is some of mine!

swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

getting pumped for another race season here in new hampshire. Let's see what you got. Here is some of mine!

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swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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swifteye · November 3, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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Mike J · November 7, 2010

Always interested in someone else who shoots ski racing. We've had one big dump on Mt Hood out here in Oregon a couple of weeks ago but nothing since.

Here are a couple of my favorites from last season:

#1

#2

#3

#4

swifteye · November 8, 2010

MikeJ, Good shots. The key to good ski race shots is good positioning on the course (choosing the best gate and angle to the gate- this varies from slalom, giant slalom, ect.), minimizing the background clutter (unless it enhances the esthetic), timing of the shot (the decisive moment when the racer bangs the gate or is at peak form), and of course, proper exposure and f/stop (often the lighting and weather conditions present a challenge). I concentrate on getting only one good shot per racer per run- each one must be sellable. It is essential to never compromise the race or racers in any way- stay out of the way- stay safe (a blown ski and a skier ejecting towards you at 60-70 mph can be quite exciting!).

jiro · November 8, 2010

Mike J wrote: »

Always interested in someone else who shoots ski racing. We've had one big dump on Mt Hood out here in Oregon a couple of weeks ago but nothing since.

Here are a couple of my favorites from last season:

#3

Your shot #3 is simply awesome! thumb

jiro · November 8, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

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I like this one - very unordinary, makes me look at it and look at it further.

Mike J · November 9, 2010

swifteye wrote: »

MikeJ, Good shots. The key to good ski race shots is good positioning on the course (choosing the best gate and angle to the gate- this varies from slalom, giant slalom, ect.), minimizing the background clutter (unless it enhances the esthetic), timing of the shot (the decisive moment when the racer bangs the gate or is at peak form), and of course, proper exposure and f/stop (often the lighting and weather conditions present a challenge). I concentrate on getting only one good shot per racer per run- each one must be sellable. It is essential to never compromise the race or racers in any way- stay out of the way- stay safe (a blown ski and a skier ejecting towards you at 60-70 mph can be quite exciting!).

Jamie - couldn't agree more about positioning. I will usually slip a course a couple of times looking for a good spot. Over the years though I've gotten to know where I like to be on each venue. I prefer backgrounds that are not all snow so I tend to shoot as they come off a flatter section onto a steeper pitch so I can get sky or trees in the BG to break up the white. My approach is different in that I will take a burst of shots and I will usually get 3-5 keepers from a sequence. I'm sometimes suprised at the ones that parents will choose so I like to offer them a choice.

We had a parent photographer almost lose his foot because he was in the fall line and a skier fell above him. Ski edge went through the parent's boot and cut to the bone. This was the only reminder I needed to play it safe.

Here's to thinking snow and a great season.

Alpine Ski Racing

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