DSLRUsers.com

I joined some friends for an early morning in The Rocks on Australia Day to photograph the GIO Oz Day 10K wheelchair race.

It was a great morning to be out shooting and the action was good (and boy can some of those Paralympic Athletes move). It was perfect for practicing both telephoto closeup shots of the action as well as some wide angle panning technique.

A little pre race practicing on the course



The leaders steaming into the Rocks on the first lap



Some wide angle panning on one of the bends - 1/50th sec at 23mm with a little pop of flash from the on camera flash in Slow Sync mode - this one felt like it almost took me out



Down further on the course I could get really close to the riders without being run down on the corner - here I'm using a slightly faster shutter at 1/100 sec at 35mm and again a kiss of on camera flash. I got lucky and framed riders coming in opposite directions on the course.



lastly an image which to me showed the grim determination and incredible upper body strength of some of these athletes - it's not technically perfect but I like the image none the less...



any suggestions for improvement from people who actually know what they are doing when shooting sports more than welcome

You don't need any suggestions ....you have arrived. They are excellent shots. #3 is just like being there in that it drags the viewer into the image. Beautiful work.

All of these are wonderful. I do have a soft spot for #1, the eye contact is great!

You nailed them Rodney. All are great but #1 would be my pick because of the eye contact. To offer a suggestion, perhaps a tighter crop, but then again maybe not!

All great shots Rodney.
My only comment would be a little less vignette on the first image, maybe by 40% less. Otherwise excellent work.

Matt. K wrote:You don't need any suggestions ....you have arrived. They are excellent shots. #3 is just like being there in that it drags the viewer into the image. Beautiful work.

Thanks Matt - that along with the last were my favourites

aim54x wrote:All of these are wonderful. I do have a soft spot for #1, the eye contact is great!

Geoff M wrote:You nailed them Rodney. All are great but #1 would be my pick because of the eye contact. To offer a suggestion, perhaps a tighter crop, but then again maybe not!

Thanks Cam and Geoff

Sylvia wrote:All great shots Rodney. My only comment would be a little less vignette on the first image, maybe by 40% less. Otherwise excellent work.

Thanks - I've adjusted the vignette to be a little less dominant