[Whipspeed]

I've been trying to get a static shot of a rider warming up on rollers & Sam kindly agreed to let me shoot him whilst warming up. I wanted a blank sky, so I lay on my back on the ground, with my head almost under the front wheel, whilst he cycled on the rollers.
I know I need to get both hands in shot & possibly a little more of the legs and bike (only had 24-105 with me, not 10-20) & perhaps a little fill in flash to brighten his face. Can you think of anything else. I had a suggestion of having him against a background of the race start, which I tried, but it lost impact.
The only manipulation on this is a bit of dodging on the face to lighten and USM in CS2.

Any critique or suggestions would be very welcome.

[Markulous]

Think you've pretty much covered the "deficiencies" in what is, to my eye, a pretty good shot - and certainly useable/useful!

Why were you after a blank sky as it could look impressive with some clouds/blue sky behind - or are you hoping to drop in a background?

[Whipspeed]

Blue sky was the idea, but do you know where I can get any at the moment? Hopefully next time I take it, there will be blue sky as that is what I would prefer, but it is cloudy again today, so I'm hoping for sunshine tomorrow! 5 minutes is all I need, just enough time to get the shot.

[Markulous]

Lots of blue sky here - admittedly surrounded by grey clouds (and often clouds are in front of that blue sky! )

If you get a bit more time, maybe worth trying a slightly slower shutter and go for a touch of movement blur - to show he is actually doing something and not just posing!

[Dave Canon]

I am happy with the white background but I think you should have included the whole of the subjects right hand. I am not sure whether fill in flash was needed, I think a reflector might have been enough. Anyway it is a very good picture and taken from a good angle.

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

Blue sky was the idea, but do you know where I can get any at the moment?

You should take and keep a selection of "sky" photos justs for occasions like this. I keep about a dozen of varying weather to use as drop-ins.

[Whipspeed]

I suppose I could drop in a sky behind this, but I like to take them naturally & I'm useless at PS.
Mark - are you in Wales at moment or Peaks? If it's sunny in Peaks, that's good as my son is camping & walking up there for his Duke of Edinburgh award.
Movement blur, yes, good idea, but just legs & only a bit.
Thanks for all the good ideas and yes I'd forgotten about a reflector instead of flash.

[Markulous]

[quote=Whipspeed;140620]I suppose I could drop in a sky behind this, but I like to take them naturally QUOTE]

Agree - and damn difficult to make a dropped in sky look natural IMHO!

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

Mark - are you in Wales at moment or Peaks? If it's sunny in Peaks, that's good as my son is camping & walking up there for his Duke of Edinburgh award.

Peak District - mix of sun and showers. Seen a few groups of soggy walkers trudging around - ahh, D of E, brings back memories (we went to Lake District in the snow and got hypothermia!)

[Whipspeed]

I'd better get the house warm & a mug of hot chocolate waiting for him tonight then Mark. Thanks for the weather update
Have to say, he's really enjoyed the D of E silver this year & can't wait to start gold next term.

[Markulous]

Well, it's actually sunny at this particular moment - but sure to 'grey over' shortly with, I'm certain, an amount of precipitation!

D of E is at least one good thing that's come out of 'that lot'! Oops! Can't believe I said that! There's The Prince's Trust as well!