Cyclocross Round 3
Sorry everyone who I told this would come a day or two after event, but internet connection has been acting up.
On Saturday January 7, the Warringah CC put on round 3 of their cyclocross racing series and I was expecting alot of chilled out, slightly plump and entertaining racing, especially after only being one week after the holiday festivities. I was wrong, people were keen to race and race hard. Maybe everyone had recharged their batteries and the legs were fresh and wanted to start the new year off with a win. Either way the racing was very entertaining. More riders in the main event and more CX bikes popping out of the wood-works.
Cyclocross Round 3
This week I didn’t have a buddy as my lighting assistant so just stuck to only two places and get some good shots. It proved a little more difficult this week as the sun was out and blasting the riders with harsh highlights and darks shadows. Two off camera Nikon flashes help level out this lighting and produced some good results but took alot of test shots to get the exposures right. This first photo was in amongst the trees and placement of the flashes was critical, I had moved them probably about 4x before I found a suitable and safe position. Amazing how exact the lighting needs to be sometimes, experimenting keeps coming up with new ideas and looks.
Cyclocross Round 3
The next shot was just available light and shooting direct towards the sun putting a nice rim light around the rider and creating a shadow in front. This can be really hit and miss stuff but can sometimes really create a great image. I find shooting with spot metering to help but not always as a competitor in complete black gear compared to white will dramatically change the exposure. Sometimes good sometimes not.
Cyclocross Round 3
This last image worked but not as I had hoped. Too much sun in a totally open area and reflecting off the mud. Will try again if different weather conditions or in another location/situation.
Cyclocross Round 3
Either way, this event is awesome fun and such a great location. Great mixture of terrain and surfaces, another wipeout on the gravel corner, makes it good to watch. To the boys at MWCC and MWMTB good work, keep it up and I will spread the word. Great racing guys, check out the gallery and see if you were snapped and again all pics available for purchase thru site.
Thx Gil.
