Pushing for the Win - one of my first action shots!!!

[shutternut]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutter_nut/2425945714/" title="Pushing for the Win by ristinek3875, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2425945714_8766c0c077.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="Pushing for the Win" /></a>

I cropped this down from the original and made VERY slight adjustment to color contrast and exposure. How is it for a first? I know the noise is an issue ( don't have the means to fix it but you're welcome to give it a shot )...otherwise how is it in terms of composition, sharpness, etc? Was cropping out the third guy a good choice or should he stay in? Is it ok for a newb??

See the original below for comparison. Thanks! :)


EXIF:
ISO 800
f/2.8
1/1000
200mm

[R lake]

I think it is a good shot. Works for me, but what do I know?

[redthedunns]

WOW!!! That is amazing! Great job! I love it!!! :) :) :) I love the movement you captured of the runner in red-the expression-him in the air everthing. Great job!!!!!

[goober_357]

I think the crop is great. The runner on the left was a bit blurry and the comical look on his face was a distraction from the look of confidence on the face of the red runner. I love that the runner in red is looking right at you! From one newbie to another, great work!

[KatiaMarie]

Love the photo. I'm not sure what you meant by noise. From my point of view, there really isn't any.

[shutternut]

thanks all :)

[roosho]

Overall great pic.

My complaint is that you can't tell who won the race. As a photographer/athlete, i think that in a pic like this the results of the race are as important as the moment that is highlighted.

[lputman]

I agree with roosho. The winner is not clearly defined. I think the shot is excellent and the crop was perfect.

[shutternut]

I agree - the winner isn't clearly defined (for the record it's the red guy). But I kind of like the fact that it's not. If it was one clearly defined - maybe shot a second later - you'd see it in the face of the winner, but this is the moment were both are giving everything they've got, and everything else is up in the air. I kind of like that connection cause each time I see it, it reminds me of that moment. thanks for the critique though, I do agree with that and will keep it in mind when shooting at the finish.

[ditch_azeroth]

nah, that's good as it is. maybe a little more fill light, and that's it. sharpening it further, at ISO 800, will just make the image granier - but this is an excellent shot. good job on focusing at 200mm.

[Pshorten]

Nice shoot and good post processing! Thanks for sharing.

[cwphotography]

I like it. Actually I like it both ways, crop and not crop. Not crop tells even more of the story.

[SJH Foto]

Excellent work! The only thing I might do next time is shoot 1/3 stop slower. The noise isn't too bad. I actually am forced to do my sports shots (they're indoor) at ISO 3200

[masterchief34]

Very nice picture!

[sac23]

Very nice, I use to run track and really like good pictures. Thanks.

[Liz Caldwell]

Great shot! Well done! If that's your first try, you need to keep p it up, cause you may become famous one day :)

[shutternut]

Great shot! Well done! If that's your first try, you need to keep p it up, cause you may become famous one day :)

ha ha - Oh I wish! :) thanks for the compliment, I'm flattered.

[candleman]

good work.

i can actually see them moving.. very good

[joep]

Very nice shot..............