Isolated shot.

[LandonW]

I shot this at the Brazilian Iron Bike Championship in 2007. I took over 500 photos of people on their bikes but this one turned out to be my favorite. Sometimes when I forget about getting the "best" image I stumble upon one I like. This guy was taking a mid way pit stop and I happened to be there.

Does this tell a story? Is this image strong enough to stand on its own?

Nikon D200, 80-200mm 2.8, 1/500 sec @ 2.8, 200mm, ISO 200

http://gallery.mac.com/ldubya/100106/20071006-DSC_0547/web.jpg

[RexK_Cozumel]

I think this shot would work better as a black and white. Add some film grain to it for a more gritty look.

[LandonW]

I think your right. I had this paired with other shots from that day and that was the only reason I kept it in color. I will try B&W.

Thanks!

[naqs]

To me personally, it means nothing... just some guy's foot next to a wheel. But I think if you did what rex suggested it could make a difference

[LandonW]

To me personally, it means nothing... just some guy's foot next to a wheel. But I think if you did what rex suggested it could make a difference

I think that if it were part of a magazine article it might be an ok image in color.

Sometimes I have a tendency to fall in love with an image that isn't very good or is not very compelling. Technically it's fine but it has no story by its self.

Thanks for the input!

[shutternut]

I think you are right about the magazine article, but at the same time I like the photo a lot. I'm a cyclist and did some mountain biking, and I think for the folks in that community this picture says a little more than for those who can't view it in full context. If you put it in b&w I feel you might lose some of the details like the mud on the feet, legs, and tires that really help tell the story. I like the detail in the ground he's traveling over, because that hints at things he might have already gone through. I think an image of this guy completely, and not just his feet (which you probably do have a picture of somewhere) would tell more. It would show the exertion, the physical effort he's put into his journey already and relief (or not) of the trip he has left. I really like this photo though, there's something about it I can't quite put a finger on, but I don't think I'd like it as much in b&w.

[dna78]

Maybe the background... if it had more details about the event... But stiil, I like it, you caught a nice detail.

[RiyaziM]

I like it - I think it makes an interesting photograph - would be interesting to see it in B+W. I think the marks on his shin make it intruiging - how did he get them ? did he fall from the bike ? where did he get those flaming socks ? :)

[Australiaboy]

Great shot.
Love the idea of only showing the wheel and legs,
i think that the picture does show a story because soon as i saw it
i straight away thought of a mountain biker riding in the hill in a comp.
Love the shot

[candleman]

i can definatley see it on a wall with an inspirational quote underneath..

try black and white.. the red socks are a little funny.. kind of distracts from the mud on his legs and the "hard" feel its trying to give

[wpgreer]

I'll be the voice of dissent. Hell no to the black and white!

You'd lose the flames on the socks (and won't know what it is), as well as the colors on the shoes, which make it better for me.

Of course it tells a story...just look at the tread marks running up the leg, the mud all over the shoes...this guy's been through the wringer on a hard ride.

That said, I WOULD mess with the bright spots on the right hand side of the shot. Try making that a new layer and changing the brightness/contrast of it. Try to decrease the difference in light level between the two so it's not as distracting.

[GoMets8]

a foto e maravilhosa ;).....i miss brazil :(

anyways, the shot is great, just by looking at that you just picture the rest of the shot. an exhaust cyclist. i definitely like it in color better, shows more of the dirt and mud around and on the person, which to me makes the shot so much nicer.

[daft_biker]

I think it does tell a story of an enduro race in dusty conditions....the dust on the tyre is a bit of a giveaway and the wear on the deraileur shows it's someone that does plenty miles on the bike. The dirty marks on the leg are an added bonus :D

Am not keen on the toes being out of focus....and am not keen on it being the left foot either but that's just cos I've broken the big toe on my left foot mountain biking at Glentress a couple of weeks ago and couldn't go out to play last weekend :(

[jays0n]

Nice as is and surely can stand on its own. Your being to hard on yourself.

[PianoGirl]

Absolutely. The crop is phenomenal and NO to black and white. What I really like about this shot is the detail AND the colors. And I think the socks don't look bad, they're part of the picture and they don't clash with the atmosphere at all.
Great job... really.

[bonez318ti]

I also love this shot in color.

B&W would lose the detail of the dirt, detracting from the story you are trying to tell.

Bravo!