Last weekend, Sunday March 11, 2012, was the first "mass start" road event for the 2012 season in Colorado. I was shooting freelance on spec. This race was held at the Stazio ballfields in Boulder, Colorado and hosted by the University of Colorado cycling team in an effort to raise funding for their 2012 campaign to win collegiate nationals this spring. The weather was a chilly 30's F during the AM hours to a balmy upper 60's F by mid afternoon...with mostly sunny conditions. The turnout was one of the best for a March race. The following is a compilation of images taken during the course of several races, both collegiate and United States America Cycling (USAC). Races are separated by "categories" based on gender and ability. There is a long history of bike racing at Stazio. The Stazio course has a small, but painful hill, and is approximately 1.17 mi per lap, is adjacent to the Valmont Buttes where a historic uranium processing plant sits idle, and old native american burial ground, and Cadel Evans once race...before winning the Tour de France.
One more thing, I was trying out a Honl light modifier during this race. I have indicated which images I used the Honl. I would like your opinion on these / use. I was trying to isolate a particular rider with a group of riders for the most part.
3) I took this image during the mens SM 35+ race...a race for guys like me & others who still race Pro & elite amature, but got a bit older, wiser (I think) and have a mortgage. This is the winning breakaway. I was trying a few different things this day. On this shot, I use a Honl light modifier to focus the flash on the ride pulling the break. http://www.sportifimages.com/Other/FM2/i-zDxmMVm/0/L/CUCRITSTAZIO-1025-L.jpg
4) Scott Moniger pulling and stringing out the Pro 123 field in an attempt to chase down a soloing rider...I don't thing he realizes he is towing the field along. Anyways, Moniger is now "retired" fro fulltime racing and is one of North America's winningest Pro's...and has won several races at Stazio. http://www.sportifimages.com/Other/FM2/i-KXtFRCn/0/L/CUCRITSTAZIO-0966-L.jpg
6) Moniger, Colby Pearce, and Eric Young during a chase to bring back a rider off the front. Colby Pearce is another "retired" Pro and has been to the Olympics & World Track Championships numerous time. Eric Young is an active Pro, riding for Bissell, and is the current US Pro Criterium Champion. http://www.sportifimages.com/Other/FM2/i-5p6pN9h/0/L/CUCRITSTAZIO-4634-L.jpg
11) Womens Pro 123 race. A rider making her way through a corner just before the base of the small climb. I used a Honl light modifier to isolate lighting on a portion of the rider. I think the riders face was a little overexposed... http://www.sportifimages.com/Other/FM2/i-GtLWQHQ/0/L/CUCRITSTAZIO-8179-L.jpg
Aqualung wrote:
I'm not seeing images here, just broken links...
Chris
Chris...I see what you are saying. My web host is VERY slow this AM and may be the issue. I see a few broken links here and there, and seems to change by the minute. Sorry about this...just out of my hands for now.
Great set Dejan! Good variety. I really like 9, maybe the contrast between the colorful riders and the desolate looking buildings. Your lighting experiment looks like a quasi-success, needs just a bit more refinement in exposure.
Aqualung wrote:
I can see them now...very nice. That lighting looks great on the last one. I like the different looks, nice variety.
Chris
Thanks Chris. I agree on the last one. I may try to incorporate a "diffuser" on the Honl this weekend (or before by finding a test subject, like my brother) and see what the results are...I like the idea of isolating a rider, but the lighting tends to be a little harsh...
_Rob_S_ wrote:
Great set Dejan! Good variety. I really like 9, maybe the contrast between the colorful riders and the desolate looking buildings. Your lighting experiment looks like a quasi-success, needs just a bit more refinement in exposure.
Makes me want to race!
Rob
Thanks Rob...I posted these to get you guys opinion. Gonna try a diffuser and see how that works out. Just that the lighting can be a bit harsh (ie over exposure). Thanks again.
I agree this is a great set with a nice variety. I like the shots with the honl, but I also agree that you are getting a bit too harsh. Are you shooting manual or ttl on the flash? I'm thinking back off about a stop on the flash and you'll be golden!
Maybe someday it will stop raining here in Spokane and I can get out and try your tight panning technique, I LOVE that look! Thanks for sharing!
Had a second look at your flash experiment shot. Yes, the flash needs to come down a bit, but if you are trying to isolate the rider maybe bring down the ambient exposure and broaden the flash to capture more than just the face? In your current comp, it's going to be tough to isolate a light face with a light helmet against a light sky and light pavement. Position yourself so the rider will be against a darker background? Eh, I'm just thinking out loud at this point...
A lot of different shots, all great perspective. I think the Honl modifier did what you were looking for. It might be a tad hot but nothing you couldn't tone down in post. The only other thing to try and highlight the specific rider more is to drop the back ground down a little more. Regardless, they're all nice images. Nice.
