Motocross with D500

Took my D500 to the local races to try it out before the AMA national in 2 weeks. Used it with my Nikon 80-200 2.8. Tried group and 25 point focus areas. Seemed to have better luck with 25 point. Shot with much higher shutter speeds than normal, since I was checking for sharpness. Thanks for looking.











He saved it.















He saved it and kept the holeshot.



















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I think these are well done - I think heavy toning works well for sports like this (less well when you can see faces/skin). Overall my preference is always for shots where you see the "face" - those are more effective . Most times framing tightly is the right choice, but shot #1 is a great illustration where the wider framing adds good context.

Shot 1 & 5 are probably the best IMO because they do a great job of showing action - especially 5 with the trailing riders having to deal with the flying mud from those in front. I really like that shot.

John_A_G said:

I think these are well done - I think heavy toning works well for sports like this (less well when you can see faces/skin). Overall my preference is always for shots where you see the "face" - those are more effective . Most times framing tightly is the right choice, but shot #1 is a great illustration where the wider framing adds good context.

Shot 1 & 5 are probably the best IMO because they do a great job of showing action - especially 5 with the trailing riders having to deal with the flying mud from those in front. I really like that shot.

Click to expand...

Thanks, John. As I mentioned, it was mostly a test shoot, so I wasn't worried about getting faces like I did when I was shooting sports like soccer, softball, etc. My transition into the D500 has not been as smooth as it was with my 4 previous Nikon bodies(50,200,300, 300S). Even had to send it for repair. I think I'm finally confident in it enough to put my 300S in back up mode, and make my 500 my primary body.

I would echo the preference for shots showing the "face". Evening/night racing shots give more opportunities with clear goggles, which means the eyes are visible and people really respond to those images. That said, it is motorsport and standard motorsport slow shutter speed panning shots are typically most effective from a profile view as I'm sure you know because you incorporated some in the OP. Good wider shots with multiple riders like yours are also useful. If you go to the amateur days at an AMA national*, you will probably be able to get good shots of the starting line from the side which is a good position. When I was at Washougal last month, the pro starting line had was pretty limited unless you were with NBC Sports. One thing missing from this set are closer shots (or "handlebars and head" shots as I like to call them). Maximum filling of the frame is very beneficial with higher ISOs in crappy lighting or at night. Because a human being is fully visible and the potential for jumps and dirt flying is very high, motocross is easily my favorite motorsport to photograph. There is more variety in types of shots than 4-wheel motorsports IMO.

*I recommend going to amateur days just to scout out good shooting positions long before the huge crowds show up.

I have been shooting motorcycle enduros for the last two years. My first year I shot with a D7100 and a D600. This past year I shot with a D500. The D500 was a huge improvement specifically the autofocus. Don't be afraid to shoot in maximum FPS. What I have learned is that the more you can show action in a photo the more interest you get for purchases. I too like to try and get as much facial features as possible.

I usually shoot at around 1/400th of a second or less so that I cannot see any wheel spokes or knobs on the tires. I also will shoot at around F8 or F9 so that I get enough DOF so the rider and bike are sharp from front to back or side to side. Just imagine the photos with the dirt flying and the wheels and wheel spokes blurred.

When you can get facial expressions, concentrate your focus points on the face. If not I focus on the body or helment.

I mostly shoot in group or single point continuous autofocus. Motocrosses are a little different than enduros. With the amount of air those guys get I would think the 25 point would work great. The single point autofocus takes practice but since the course of the Bike is constant and predictable it is easy to keep a single point on the rider. I actually have one of the buttons on the right side by the lens mount programmed for single point while I leave regular focus on group. With the push of a button i can switch back and forth with focus settings.

Finally, if lighting gets to be a problem, don't hesitate to put the camera in single point metering.

Good Luck

Nip

they are so small.. good for them

nice series!