Curbar Climbers

by pgweber

Yesterday I cycled into Derbyshire and at Curbar near Bakewell, there was a heat of the 'BRITISH UNIVERSITIES
& COLLEGES SPORT - HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP'.

This is a cycling competition where riders set off at one minute intervals up a 1 mile climb of about 600 feet.

Near the top there was a spectacular view across the valley as the riders approached. It was interesting to look at the agonised expressions as they struggled to the summit.

These are two of the competitors from Sheffield University, the one on the left having done the climb already but now encouraging his colleague to the top of the climb.

I set my K10D on AF-C and Focus Point on AUTO (with 50-200 wide open to blur the background) and it seemed to do ok for focussing most of the time.
Uploaded31/10/2010 - 10:46
CategorySports / Action
Shutter Speed1/250
Aperturef/5.6
LensN/A
ISO400
Focal Length125mm
Views/Likes80/0

pianoman
Posted 31/10/2010 - 11:44 Link
Rather them than me but a good shot love the perpective and the sheer enjoyment captured in their expressions .

This hill looks steep !
All the best

David
rustytheclown
Posted 31/10/2010 - 13:35 Link
Good shot.
Regards
Russ.

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs"
Ansel Adams
puma
Posted 31/10/2010 - 14:23 Link
super shot well done
PPG link
sandinista
Posted 31/10/2010 - 14:30 Link
I'm a very keen cyclist myself but not a fit as these two lads.Great shot, captures the essence of a hill climb very well.
Great simplicity is only won by an intense moment or by years of intelligent effort. T.S Eliot

Gear Not enough!!
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My not so new website
GIULIO57
Posted 31/10/2010 - 14:52 Link
Very good pic. Giulio 57
PPG
pgweber
Posted 31/10/2010 - 21:44 Link
Thanks to all, for your positive comments.

I did a bit of sports photography in my student days and absorbed the idea that to capture the facial expression was most important.

Cycling is a bit more difficult than other sports in this respect as the riders tend to be facing the ground. So a low viewpoint and a bit of exposure compensation for shadow is required. Add to that a wide aperture to isolate the subject and a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action. Though it is out of focus, an interesting location/background helps to make the shot.

Pianoman, looking at their faces I am not sure these lads are enjoying the competition - the climb AVERAGED 1 in 9.
Peter

Pentax K5
Pentax DA 18-55 Mk1, 50-200 (Samsung), 16-45, 55-300 Mk1, 35 f/2.4
Pentax MZ6 + FA28-90, FA50 f/1.4, M 50 f/1.7
Tamron 80-210mm & 28mm
davidtrout
Posted 31/10/2010 - 22:40 Link
Nice one Peter. As well as their expressions you've captured the steepness of the climb.
It brings back memories of my youth, I used to love road racing on hilly courses but hated time trials, included hill climbs.
David
szgabor
Posted 01/11/2010 - 06:30 Link
Nice shot Peter. It is a well done shot.
Regards,
Gábor
My website
nonur
Posted 01/11/2010 - 14:36 Link
Nicely done, very effective!
Regards,
Nezih
pgweber
Posted 01/11/2010 - 17:59 Link
Thanks also to David, Gabor and Nezih for their comments.

With the weather-proof credentials of Pentax cameras, I am looking forward to giving cyclo-cross a try. Anyone know if our cameras are mud-proof too?

Regards
Peter

Pentax K5
Pentax DA 18-55 Mk1, 50-200 (Samsung), 16-45, 55-300 Mk1, 35 f/2.4
Pentax MZ6 + FA28-90, FA50 f/1.4, M 50 f/1.7
Tamron 80-210mm & 28mm
Edited by pgweber: 01/11/2010 - 18:00

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