Downhill Mountain Biking

[Rook]

New to these forums, and I like what I see(ton of useful info). I've been racing Downhill MTB for two years while the wife took the pictures. Now that I'm injured I'm taking the pics. I have a Nikon D40 with kit lens and a SB-600 flash that I have yet to get off the camera. I've been playing around with settings and so far the pictures are coming out nicely. here are a few form this past weekend, let me know what I can do to make them better.

Todd

[mattyb]

I think that these pictures are great. I haven't looked at the EXIF, but if you slowed down the shutter just a bit, then maybe the wheels/spokes etc would blur a bit and give even more movement to the photo.

Matt

[mikedugganphotography]

Some quality mountain biking shots. Nice and crisp.

[windrider86]

Please be sure and check these out so you know what to include and what not to include within your posts.
And, welcome to DPS. I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your work

[Chip]

Sorry that you're injured.

For this photo, it seemed that you both used the flash and tried to pan the camera. If I'm wrong, let me know. But if you did, then the effect of the flash (freezing motion) is at odds with the effect of panning (blurring the background with motion blur). So, what you ended up with is a shot that has just a bit of blur on the rider and not enough blur in the background.

If you want to use flash (which is great), then maybe try it without panning. Or conversely, try panning without the flash.

If you move to a less shaded spot, that might give you some more flexibility with shutter speed.

Welcome to DPS!

[barabe]

Originally Posted by Chip

Sorry that you're injured.

For this photo, it seemed that you both used the flash and tried to pan the camera. If I'm wrong, let me know. But if you did, then the effect of the flash (freezing motion) is at odds with the effect of panning (blurring the background with motion blur). So, what you ended up with is a shot that has just a bit of blur on the rider and not enough blur in the background.

If you want to use flash (which is great), then maybe try it without panning. Or conversely, try panning without the flash.

If you move to a less shaded spot, that might give you some more flexibility with shutter speed.

Welcome to DPS!

I agree with what has been mentioned above but if you do want to use your flash, maybe use a slowsynk function and use rear curtain triger. i would power down your flash to make it look more natural.

[Rook]

Thanks, I'll try that next time.