Went up to the annual Castle Coombe Easter Classic Criterium Races try and get some action shots. Got this one of Crispin Doyle breaking away from the pack in the what's known as the 3rd Category event - he went on to win with a fine solo effort.
Interesting trip as I got talking to one of British Cycling's pro photographer's, Graham Robins (who has got some good shots of the event on the Velo UK website http://www.velouk.net/2013/03/29/report-castle-combe-easter-classic-2/ ) who had some great stories of his starting off in photography in particular. It was fascinating watching his technicque and positioning - and I don't think he missed a shot looking at his Flickr photostream. (His kit looked nice as well! - Canon 1Dx's I think, and a Canon 70-200mm L).
Anyway, this shot is technically the best, as it tells the story of this race and the leader is sharp with the bunch a bit blurred - a faster lens would have helped. I've stuck a slightly arty-er shot in my other album.
@mak2@malc@ch1ppy_m1nton@tomo87 Thanks guys, I realise these shots have limited appeal on 365, but that's ok. Fact is, as I'm sure some of you will know, they're difficult to get right and, like this one, you really do only get a moment to get the shot, otherwise it's gone.
And Chippy, Tom, are you just trying to bankrupt me?
@snaggy It's as valid as any other image, probably more so! As you say they're really difficult to get right. You get one chance to fire off a few shots - but get the settings wrong and they're probably in the bin. Was so excited with the Robin yesterday that I didn't notice that the shutter speed was down at 1/15th but for the camera shake they would have been brilliant (lol). Luckily he came back and obligingly sat still :)
@malc That's exactly it, Malc. First time I tried, they where all in the bin! Even last year, went to the Eng v S Africa game and increase the ISO high enough and every shot was blurred.
Pleased the Robin came back though - that was a good shot.
@ch1ppy_m1nton That's very generous, Chippy - maybe I'll take you up on that sometime. Or maybe I'll just go for that interest free loan from Clifton Cameras ;-)
And Chippy, Tom, are you just trying to bankrupt me?
Pleased the Robin came back though - that was a good shot.
If you want to borrow mine for a particular event (have a 1.4X extender too) or just to try it out whilst you save the pennies give us a shout