Dixon825

Landis

Pro Crit at Tour of the Gila 2012
Silver City, NM
Thank you so much for this incredible honor of being featured! It was a very fun and tricky shot w...
Read more

Pro Crit at Tour of the Gila 2012
Silver City, NM
Thank you so much for this incredible honor of being featured! It was a very fun and tricky shot with my wide angle. These pro-cyclist were going anywhere between 20-25 mph on this turn - often jumping the edge of the curb to keep their line! I had to get close enough to the edge of the curb (while holding on to the base of a street sign post) to get the angle, but keep out of the way of the wheels racing by! The pros race later in the day, when the sun is lower in the sky. On that corner, the light from the sun reflects off the back of the metal street sign (that I'm holding on to), providing fill light, so that I don't have to use a flash in the riders faces! It was very fun, and a little scary! Thank you for all your comments!!!
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Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi

settings

Aperture f/4.0 ISO 400 Shutter 1/4000

upload_date

Jun, 2012

Views

891

Likes

+62

Awards

Top Shot Award 22

Member Selection Award

Featured

Peer Award

+10

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Superior Skill

Exceptional Contrast

Magnificent Capture

Jaw Dropping

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo at the annual, 2012 Tour of the Gila bicycle race in Silver City, New Mexico. This tiny and quiet little town in the Gila National Forest turns into an electric and bustling cycle event, for national amateaur riders and international pro cycling teams. Its 5 days of endless opportunities for capturing community, athletisim, and the love of a beautiful sport.

Time

This image was taken on the 4th stage of a 5 day race. This particular stage was a punchy, hilly criterium, requiring that the riders race and repeat as many laps as possible, in 90 minutes, through downtown Silver City. Hundreds of riders from all over the country and other countries race in their specific categories, starting at 7am in the morning. This image is of a pro cyclist riding in the last stage of the day, around 5pm, as the sun was starting to descend, making the contrast of the riders and shadows more distinct.

Lighting

Lighting is always a critical consideration, but even more so in black and white. In natural light, there is black and there is white, with all the shades in between. For this image, I had made my way over to the 3rd turn of the rectangular shaped course. At this point, almost a 100 pro cyclist are ripping up a long hill, gaining speed to then make a hard left hand turn into a descent, many of them jumping the curb to keep their line and to keep from crashing into each other. I wanted their bodies back lit, but at this later time of the day, the sun was reflecting off the back side of a stop sign, acting as natural fill flash. It was a totally unexpected discovery while watching the riders take the turn a few laps, trying to figure out the safest place I could stand to capture it.

Equipment

This image became my very first publication in a cycling magazine, called Paved, which since its first printed issue, I would drool over for their beautiful cycling photography. This image also happens to be my favorite in that as my first publication, I didn't really have any gear, being very new to the world of cycling photography. I was using an old Canon Rebel XSi with a 10-20mm Sigma wide angle lens. I didn't use a flash, but just the suns reflection off the back of the stop sign that could only be found at that time of day. I was down low, with my head and camera almost to the ground, angled up towards the rider, but stayed in a squated position behind the stop sign post for a quick get away in case a rider should jump the curb for an even tighter turn. I actually stood there for a couple of laps so the riders, at high speed, would get use to seeing me there, before I got down in a more vulnerable position. Its makes me smile to be reminded that it's not all about the gear, but knowing and working with what you have in the moment.

Inspiration

I've been obsessed with black and white photography since the 4th grade, which in the cycling photography world, is not a popular choice. A cyclist, though, with sweat, concentration, and lean muscles, all in a velocity dependent body positions looks very different in color, compared to monochrome. It forces you to look at the beauty of the rider, instead of getting lost in their team kits. I joke, but also seriously "think and see" a scene in black and white. The criterium stage is a fast, painfull stage for the riders, even dangerous as they are frequently turning at high speeds, balancing on a line, while shifting gears and positions in the peloton. A couple of the turns on the course have high barracades of stacked tires should one of the riders not be able to keep their tight position. But on this specific turn, the riders are tired after racing up a steep hill, fighting off the pain in their legs, while still trying to keep a tactical position for the turn. I loved this younger rider, who despite it all, is managing to exhale, keeping focused, while making it look fun.

Editing

The funny thing about this photo, is that I took it at a time when I hadn't even heard of "Lightroom" or "RAW images". The camera was actually set in monochrome and I was shooting in a jpeg format, not knowing any better. It wasn't until I submitted my photo for consideration that the editor asked for the "RAW" file and later suggested I consider buying a processing program if I was going to pursue a life of professional photography. In this case, I had iPhoto on my computer and played with the contrast to make it pop of little more. If I was to do it all over again in Lightroom, I would have done the same.

In my camera bag

Now I'm a professional cycling photographer and my gear a changed a little. I still dont use a flash or tripod, in looking for less traditional shots. When going to a local or international race, I now use a Canon 7D. If I'm on my feet at the side of race course, my bag still carries my wide angle, but have added a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L and a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Most recently, I've added a 18-35mm f/1.8 Sigma Art lens, which forces me to get out of my comfort zone and little deeper into the scene before and after races, while playing with more depth in the image. It all makes for a heavy bag. The one thing that doesn't fit in my bad is my husband, who, when not racing himself, is making sure I dont get run over by a rider or race official. Sometimes, I'm on the back of a motor cycle, being zipped around the riders on the course, I use a Black Rapid Yeti strap to carry two cameras, one with the 70-200 and the other with the wide angle. The strap helps to free up my hands when I'm less interested in getting a shot, and more concerned about holding onto the motorcycle. The more seasoned phtographers call it my 'bird watching strap' as they follow the more traditional technique of carrying their cameras on a single strap over the shoulders. To their advantage, they have much wider shoulders and are not clumsy like myself. With some practice, I've learned to hold on to the motorcycle with my legs while shooting images of the riders on the race course, but I'll always have my cameras locked to my body to ensure they make it past the finish line in one piece as well.

Feedback

I've learned over the years to ask more experienced photographers for tips and advice. Experience is priceless, down to learning to use duct tape to secure your lens hood and camera setting dials in place while you run or ride around the course. Sports photography requires that you have a good understanding of the specific sport and the demands on the athlete, in order to read the event and anitcipate when a potential shot may be possible. When taking a photo of an object in motion, understand and practice adjusting the settings of your camera, in relation to the position of the light source. They may be different for an event midday compared to early morning or late afternoon. While respecting the space and safety of the athletes, be creative and use the environment of the event to help you get the image that catches your eye, while having fun.

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Dixon825

Dixon825

Landis

Pro Crit at Tour of the Gila 2012 Silver City, NM Thank you so much for this incredible honor of being featured! It was a very fun and tricky shot w... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Dixon825

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Pro Crit at Tour of the Gila 2012
Silver City, NM
Thank you so much for this incredible honor of being featured! It was a very fun and tricky shot w...
Read more

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Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.