Digital Camera World - UK (2019-12)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

nlisting the help of Finley

Davies for our next shot,

it was soon clear that this

10-year-old rider has some

amazing tricks in his locker.

This particular trick is known as a ‘tuck-

no-hander’ in mountain bike parlance, and

Matt used his knowledge of dirt jumping

and mountain biking to anticipate the best

moment to shoot. It was essential to freeze

the action at the split second when Finley’s

arms were at their maximum extension.

Having pre-focused, Matt looked at the

viewfinder as Finley approached, but kept

both eyes open so he could track Finley’s

jump in his peripheral vision before he came

into the frame. This feels odd at first, but

gets better with practice, Matt explained.

Expert opinion

Again, thanks to using flash, continuous

drive mode wasn’t an option, but this shot

freezes the action in exactly the right place.

Matt’s use of pre-focus – just in front of the

top of the jump – and a medium aperture

means that the image is sharp and we

can see the expression on Finley’s face.

E

Use off-camera flash

Shooting fast action in low light will test

any photographer and their equipment. Elite

sport like rugby or football is played under

floodlights when the ambient light is poor,

but Matt didn’t have that luxury here.

Fortunately, his Godox flash controller

synced to a pair of AD200Pro heads allowed

him to light Finley from both sides as he hit

the jump zone – Matt dialled in -2 stops of

compensation to balance the light levels.

Challenge 2

Shoot a rider

attempting

a jump trick

Camera Sony Alpha 7R III

Lens Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

Exposure 1/125 sec at f/7.1, ISO 800