2008 NPS4X Series @ Chicksands :D

duncanp · Apr 21, 2008

well, a few of you may remember me visiting chicksands quite a while ago and taking some MTB pics. well since then my method has greatly improved (at least imo) and ive been using off camera flash. so here are the latest from the 2008 NPS4X Series @ round 1 Chicksands, the biggest 4x competition in Europe.

all shots where taken with 70-200mm apart from 2 which were 35mm i think

feel free to comment and view higher resolution versions of these on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanp/sets/72157604640849906/

1

on camera flash for fill in

2

430EX camera right at 35mm zoom 1/4 power triggered by cactus triggers

3

on camera flash for fill in

4

5

6

430EX camera right at 1/4 power triggered by cactus triggers (he rode the outside lane near the flash where it has been a bit overpowering.

7

430EX camera right @ 1/4 power and 50mm zoom

8

same flash settings as above, in higher res his eye is sharp but the rest is blurred by the motion of his bike.

9

same flash settings again

10

again the same flash settings

11

again same flash stuff

12

same flash as usual, with it in the position it was, it was easy to see when the riders would enter the flash light.

13

430EX triggered by ebay triggers, camera right and other side of jump @ 1/4 power

14

flash at camera right again, moved over to the other side of the jump...

15

same flash settings as before

16

Flash camera left and below jump at 1/2 power

Thanks for looking

Heck · Apr 21, 2008

Nice shots. I guess the cactus triggers were worth the money. Did you think the riders were affected by the flash a bit? and how were the shots without flash? Were other photogs using flash also?

duncanp · Apr 21, 2008

Heck said:
Nice shots. I guess the cactus triggers were worth the money. Did you think the riders were affected by the flash a bit? and how were the shots without flash? Were other photogs using flash also?

yea , some pros were shooting up to 3 wirelessly and covering the triple from all angles, most poeple used flash and the riders dont mind it. i spoke to one who liked it as he found it was encouraging when people decide he is good enough for a photo.

i-photogadget · Apr 21, 2008

Chicksands is awesome and well worth the visit! And your pics definately back this fact up, you could just see them on a cover of MBUK

Heck · Apr 21, 2008

Thanks thats good to know.

robitussin217 · Apr 21, 2008

I like the shots where there are messages on their clothes. Number 6, with "fly" on his shorts and he's flyin'! And number 13 with the kid with the "no fear" shirt. Friggin' sweet. Seeing their faces is really cool, too. Good panning shot- 5.

duncanp · Apr 22, 2008

robitussin217 said:
I like the shots where there are messages on their clothes. Number 6, with "fly" on his shorts and he's flyin'! And number 13 with the kid with the "no fear" shirt. Friggin' sweet. Seeing their faces is really cool, too. Good panning shot- 5.

lol, i never noticed that, thanks for pointing it out

duncanp · Apr 24, 2008

b u m p ?
u m p ? b
m p ? b u
p ? b u m
? b u m p

lostprophet · Apr 26, 2008

very good mate!!!!

would love to photo some of that!

Shibby! · Apr 26, 2008

Great shots.. I like number 11 best, and then 3 and 5.

I shoot motocross and I think I share same thoughts about riding 4x. Air pictures become boring =)

I like corner shots. It shows style, skill, and drama.

I could have perfect jump shots all the time, but it's always the corner shots that are the ones I save.

To offer some CC, I'd only suggest trying to not crop the body or bike. I know it can be difficult with fast moving subjects though.

Keep it up, and keep posting.

Phazan · Apr 26, 2008

Cool shots, dude! I can't wait to get my flash unit now..

JimmyO · Apr 26, 2008

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

Does your 30D have a 1/500th sync speed?

Again, very nice shots

duncanp · Apr 27, 2008

Shibby! said:
Great shots.. I like number 11 best, and then 3 and 5.

I shoot motocross and I think I share same thoughts about riding 4x. Air pictures become boring =)

I like corner shots. It shows style, skill, and drama.

I could have perfect jump shots all the time, but it's always the corner shots that are the ones I save.

To offer some CC, I'd only suggest trying to not crop the body or bike. I know it can be difficult with fast moving subjects though.

Keep it up, and keep posting.

Thanks, i never know what kinda photos to aim for, so this helps out a lot

JimmyO said:
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

Does your 30D have a 1/500th sync speed?

Again, very nice shots

nope, its only 1/250th

Shibby! · Apr 28, 2008

duncanp said:
Thanks, i never know what kinda photos to aim for, so this helps out a lot

nope, its only 1/250th

I think Nikon D70's are the only ones with 1/500. Or other Nikons with limited flash power can sync 1/500 but it's quite limited I beleive. This is just coming from a buddy who has a D80.

I shoot Canon as well.