Professional Bicycle Racing (5 imgs)

Professional Bicycle Racing (5 imgs) · Posted by *sajmmiller*, 05-14-2009, 02:23 PM

Here are a few shots from the Joe Martin Stage Race women's and men's professional criterium events held in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas last weekend. I used the DA 16-45 and DA 55-300 for these shots. I tried to get the shutter speed as low as possible in the pans so as to blur the background while keeping the riders sharp. It was definitely a challenge and good practice because these riders were flying. I had about a one second window to start the pan and release the shutter before they were gone. These were all shot with SR off and manually prefocused. Hope you enjoy...comments always appreciated.

If you want to see more, here's the link to a slideshow:

Zenfolio | Slideshow | Scott A Miller

paulyrichard · 05-14-2009, 02:36 PM

Great shots, I like the first two the most.

uwmechengr · 05-14-2009, 02:45 PM

The repetition of uniforms and the curved line generated by the riders in #3 make it very interesting. And #5 is just so intense! Good shots.

juanraortiz · 05-14-2009, 03:22 PM

Fantastic series. All sharp and brilliant

**roentarre** · 05-14-2009, 03:40 PM

Seriously stunning shots

Good speed and nice motion blurr

*VaughnA* · 05-14-2009, 07:59 PM

Awesome stuff. I especially like Floyd pulling the train. Crits are a rush to watch, who needs nascar??

*Scottnorwo* · 05-14-2009, 08:38 PM

Great shots. That first one is perfect.

cupic · 05-15-2009, 03:01 AM

Very well done in the panning still trying myself

cheers

*daacon* · 05-15-2009, 07:01 AM

All great shots, the first two in particular. Panning is a skill and looks like you got it down.

AlphaGAK20D · 05-15-2009, 07:26 AM

Really like these shots! #1 and #3 are my faves (love the 1st one with the brick background) and love the intensity on the face of the cyclist in the last shot! Well done!!

Some guys I ride with were there (racing for Jittery Joe's Development Team); one of them was 5th GC after the first two events and then he and a teammate were taken down hard on the last day by a youth rider who couldn't hold his line. One of the guys ended up taking a ride in the ambulance b/c he went endo and hit his head hard - if not for his helmet (destroyed during the spill), he might not be here today.

*sajmmiller* · 05-15-2009, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by paulyrichard

Great shots, I like the first two the most.

Thanks for looking and commenting. The first one is one of my favorites too.

Originally Posted by uwmechengr

The repetition of uniforms and the curved line generated by the riders in #3 make it very interesting. And #5 is just so intense! Good shots.

Thanks for your comment.

I re-cropped #3 to get rid of the distracting stop lights and put the lead riders a little more in your face. I think it's an improvement.

Originally Posted by juanraortiz

Fantastic series. All sharp and brilliant

Thank you! I had a lot of fun taking these.

pop4 · 05-16-2009, 02:40 AM

Five great shots, but I particularly like #1 because you've pretty much nailed the panning shot perfectly, and #5 because you've managed to capture the intensity of the rider.