My BMX World Chamionships stuff (and please compare me to the 'pros')

[inlina]

With camera is hand on the side lines of the 2009 BMX World Championships I got as snap happy as my flash batteries would let me. Here is one of the best and probably my favorite taken of the winner junior elite final (tonnes more on my blog too)...

What do you think?

I did some PP in Lightroom to crop and change the contrast. The event was high speed and indoors which I found challenging but I eventually figured out what I liked, but is it right?

Also, the 'pros' that were the official photographers are putting their pictures up on their site. The say that the images are as shot they will color and density correct when you order, but for my eye, they aren't making me want to buy. If you were looking to buy images, would you take theirs or mine? Any reason?

CG

[ericw]

I only looked at a few of the "pros" shots but for the most part they seem like poor timing or "guy in the sky" shots. Many of your shots are similar though, and I don't like how many of yours are total profile or side shots.

This shot gives a nicer angle - both in front and to the side while being low relative the subject. It also has decent timing IMO as the stature/style of the rider is pleasing. It's also not a guy-in-the-sky photo, as just a bit of the feature is shown in the bottom of the frame, I would however like to see a little more to know just how big the feature is. The motion blue does bother me though - I'd like to see your EXIF and know more about the flash and settings you were using.

If you could get pictures like this consistently I think you could be more successful than the pros you linked.

[Jim Bryant]

Good capture. I like the tad of motion blur to used to capture the moment.

[inlina]

Originally Posted by ericw

I'd like to see your EXIF and know more about the flash and settings you were using.

If you could get pictures like this consistently I think you could be more successful than the pros you linked.

1/60; f5.0; ISO400; 100mm. Running the flash at around +2 compensation. I spent most of the event at the 1/200 or quicker mark and f4.0 when my focal length would let me go that low. I went back and realise I didn't change any contrast on this one, just a small crop (it is about 80% of the original frame).

Consitency is the challenge, especially being 'outside the fence' at this event. If I ever get the chance to shoot a big event like this again, I will apply for accreditation.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Good capture. I like the tad of motion blur to used to capture the moment.

Thanks Jim.

I guess I am looking for a bit of validation. The local BMX community always likes my work, but having people who have seen a lot of sports images really helps me know where I am at. I am looking at starting a website soon to sell some of the gigs of BMX I shoot amongst other stuff, so a peer review like this is good.

One of the pros that usually shoots BMX in my state (and was shooting this event for his BMX newspaper) has asked me to join him to shoot a couple of state championships that are coming up, He's going to let me use his spare 1D and lenses (unless several thousand dollars falls into my lap and I have my own by then). I'd like to get into shooting more variety of sport one day too, but I don;t have a clue where to get started. This guy shoot a lot of sport so maybe he can help me get in!

CG

[Ma Noob]

I would have loved to have gone to these. A friend of mine was racing in the pros there and as an ex BMXr myself it would have been great to watch and take pics of. I must admit it would have been tricky to try and get a great shot cause i would imagine you would have been in the stands, while they had the advantage of being on the ground.

Personally i think all the photos would have looked better if it was an outdoor event. The lighting inside looked pretty crap and even the pro photos look crappy. I think the colours are so much better at an outdoor event.

Have to say for a world titles the pro photos look a little disappointing to me. I just had a quick look at the presentation photos and there are peoples heads in the shots. If that was my kids up there i would be a bit disappointed, you would think the pros had the best shots.

Admittedly im not the best photographer, im pretty new to it all but I would have expected more from the pros.

Great pic by the way, would have been great to watch

[JFSanders]

While your shots are position and camera limited they are still better than shakey the pro. That guy must be a relative of one of the big muckee mucks. I am just an amateur and I can do better than that guy.