Yeovil Show 49
Apr, 2021Views
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Awards
Action Award
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Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken at the Yeovil show ground during their annual event. As well as showing-off local skills and businesses the show also contains a vast array of displays including horse riding skills and racing. This picture was taken during an exhibition of motor bike riding skills.Time
This picture was taken during an exhibition of motor bike riding skills during the afternoon entertainments in the main exhibition ring.Lighting
Although there were clouds across the sky the lighting was good, giving a bright even elimination devoid of any harsh shadows or highlights.Equipment
I knew there would be crowds at the show and that it could be difficult to get near to the action, so I decided to take my Canon EOS 60D instead of my full frame Canon 5D mk3, as this would give me more reach with my canon 135mm f2.0 L lens. Things happen very quickly at the show; there is movement everywhere, so there was no point in bringing a tripod and I made do with one of my mono pods to steady my camera if necessary. I often take a small light monopod when photographing weddings or events as they provide a means of carrying your camera as well as allowing you to pan while taking shots of moving objects. Not to mention taking the weight off your hands while stationary, which is helpful when using long heavy lenses for long periods of time.Inspiration
You never know what to expect when going to such an event so I kept my options open when deciding to take my camera gear to the show. The advertising did stated that there would be a motor bike riding display, so this was just one of the things on my list to look out for. When the display started I saw how there were arranging the ramps so knew where the best place to stand to get the pictures I wanted. I wanted to get a set of images outlining the trajectory of the bike and rider from take-off to landing. This would not only give me the opportunity to pick out the 'best' image but also to combine the set of images to show the complete path taken by bike and rider. The fact that the rider also did some acrobatics during the jump was a real bonus.Editing
I always post process any images I use. Generally photographs are taken using only one exposure, so you are only going to get a perfect exposure (whatever that is) when you have perfect lighting which is not often, and in 40 years of photography using film and digital I have only managed to capture a handful of images that could not be improved by some additional darkroom work or computer post processing. Why? Because our eye automatically and continually change their aperture (f stops) in real time when scanning a scene. Cameras can also do this BUT unfortunately when you press the shutter it can only use the 'one' single aperture at that instance, which means some parts of the scene may be over or under exposed! Thats why Ansel Addams created the 'Zone System' which modifies the exposure/development of the film/paper to partly counteract this deficiency. In digital photography this is accomplished by using the exposure, curves and various other ways to modify the image.In my camera bag
Currently I have three cameras Canon R5, Canon R , and a Sony A6300. I use all three at a wedding but only take one or two out at a time when photographing landscapes or doing commercial work.Feedback
Get into the correct position/view point and take a few test shots to get exposure. Ensure your shutter speed is high enough to get sharp images. My shots needed 1/1600 of a second to freeze the action.
