Stephen, some comments on your images. On the first image, it is sharp, you caught the action, and DOF not bad. But for a finish (under ideal conditions), you'd like to get a head on shot, a good DOF at an aperture capturing the first 10 to 15 riders in the sprint and use landscape mode capturing the crowd from left to right framing the riders...and just as the winning rider coming across the line. Usually, you'll need a media pass for a race of this category to get the ideal shooting location rather leaning over the barriers. On the second image, you captured Levi Leipheimer (Radio Shack). I like this one...nice colors, DOF. But, where it could improve is it looks a little under exposed, get rid of the right arm of the Radio Shack rider at the right of the image (very distracting) and maybe crop down from the top to just above the tallest rider. Still, you captured a very nice shot you can work with!
Dejan: thanks for the great feedback. #1 would definitely benefitted my being down the finish line, but leaning over the barriers was all I had. Having a better angle on this sprint would have allowed the "classic" sprint across the finish line photo. #2 was tree lined in and out of the sun but agreed that Levi is a tad underexposed and a little more post work will bring out some dark areas. Honestly I never really noticed his team mates arm but it too can go. Again thanks for the critique.
