My first year in photography - the learning amateur eye.
2010 has been a good year for photography for me. I was given an old Nikon d70 at the end of last year as a present which triggered my love of photography, downhill mountain biking being my other obsession, they both went together like bread and butter!
Read on for the story of my first year in photography,
I started off the year as a full on amateur, I knew the basics, but that was it. February was my first race experience, it was only a get together of some locals and doing some timed runs, but it was an ideal opportunity to sharpen my skills.
![photo]()
![photo]()
I only had the opportunity to photograph one proper race this year, which was BDS round 3, Llangollen during the summer, which was amazing! I loved every bit of it. It was also nice not having to constantly be asking mates to go around that berm again or that jump because the photo was shit, it was like a river of riders, constantly flowing down the trail.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Next year I shall be driving and I'm certain I will visit a lot more races! (Hopefully enter a few too.) Between the races I have just been up at the local trails with the camera, except when I visited France in August:
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
You can't beat local trails. These are the ones in which I visit the most often, I have so many photos to choose from!
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
This year I received my first POD, which was such a massive surprise. Getting this honestly pushed me to carry on what I do:
![photo]()
I visited Glentress, which was brilliant! These pics are the result of a borrowed camera:
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Learning to use a remote flash has been a great experience in itself!
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Next year, I plan to carry on taking photos, hopefully upgrade the camera, buy a few new lenses and other bits and pieces and try explore new places and meet some more amazing people.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Read on for the story of my first year in photography,
I started off the year as a full on amateur, I knew the basics, but that was it. February was my first race experience, it was only a get together of some locals and doing some timed runs, but it was an ideal opportunity to sharpen my skills.
That would be Andrew Kelly with roost
Dan riding with Andy looking confused
I only had the opportunity to photograph one proper race this year, which was BDS round 3, Llangollen during the summer, which was amazing! I loved every bit of it. It was also nice not having to constantly be asking mates to go around that berm again or that jump because the photo was shit, it was like a river of riders, constantly flowing down the trail.
Gee man
Mr Fairclough
Dan going in for the kill
Next year I shall be driving and I'm certain I will visit a lot more races! (Hopefully enter a few too.) Between the races I have just been up at the local trails with the camera, except when I visited France in August:
Nice crisp whip
Lew whipping the small table
Some of the epic scenery
Guy with style on the airbag
Mad frenchies
The new and improved Les Gets road gap photo!
You can't beat local trails. These are the ones in which I visit the most often, I have so many photos to choose from!
Jake on the stepdown at the quarry
Lew riding the rockgarden at Ilkley
Jake getting some roost!
Mike with a bit of old school urban freeriding
Joe and Ant doing the berm gap
Jake railing the switchbacks
This year I received my first POD, which was such a massive surprise. Getting this honestly pushed me to carry on what I do:
I visited Glentress, which was brilliant! These pics are the result of a borrowed camera:
Joe doing a super flat table
Joe and Tom in a train
Pretty sweet griz air
Learning to use a remote flash has been a great experience in itself!
Josh riding up at ilkley
Getting low on the flat corner
Whip in the snow
Mike riding the rock garden at Ilkley
Next year, I plan to carry on taking photos, hopefully upgrade the camera, buy a few new lenses and other bits and pieces and try explore new places and meet some more amazing people.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Anyways, really loved the pictures man! Keep up the good work, and i look forward to seeing some amazing shots in the future!
Shoot lots and lots and take criticism, even if it is harsh. You need to hear it to improve. Better hearing it on here than from a photo editor with a $10 000 contract.
There are many people in the industry that, no offense, shoot photos that are in a completely different league to these. They don't get the lucky breaks such as a PinkBike article. You should be thankful for the opportunity to hear peoples opinions on your work, even if it isn't what you want to hear to stroke your ego. Succeeding doesn't happen over night (or just a year shooting). You've got a long way to go but good luck to you
MTB photography is a deceptively hard undertaking, it's a shame certain members (previously) have been very quick to berate your contributions. It's a pretty clear article title; 'My First Year In Photographing-the learning AMATEUR eye' !!!
Crack on fella, I'll see you on a windy hill soon I hope, we'll have to have a good natter and compare Nikon's
thanks
even better since it featurs me
looking back at all the old photos brings back soooo many memories!
Keep up the good work :-)
now how do i share this with friends?
haha
curly-haired-invader.pinkbike.com/blog/Ayearinphotography.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAuiLsvSr2Q&feature=autofb
This is what passes as a front page article on pinkbike these days? My little sister got a camera for christmas this year, if she shoots some random events full of lurkers, with no concept of lighting or composure will you dedicate an article to that too? Don't get me wrong, keep shooting and by all means develop your passion, but pinkbike is struggling for content these days.
oh oh and learn to quote
That is all.
Do they teach hypocrisy (or grammar, or syntax for that matter) in England?
"but what part of you though that posting comment on here would change the people at pinkbike to change their choices in articles top post on the front page?" The part where they blocked my original comment. Maybe whoever read it will find its' value and not just pass it off as the immature internet pissing contest between glass-egos that it's become.
Have a nice day.
If you could explain why at all this is helpful to anyone, please do.
There's not a single one of these photos that I'd say was badly lit, or composed.
If you wanted to have some photos up and gain some publicity, maybe you could make a blog too, it's easy to do.
if you have a problem with pinkbike and their content, contact them, dont slag of a guy who is doing something he is passionate about, support him, he may be the guy in 2 years time who's working as a photographer in the industry and you may need to rely on him!
regarding emjay, i dont care if you have had a couple of articles published in magazines, this dosnt make you judge, jury and executioner on other peoples work. its a f*cking website where people are encouraged to share pics,videos, reviews etc.. its not f*cking dirt magazine, these guys are doing it for free because they love it! for someone who works in the industry im suprised that you can be so unsuportive. you come across as a total ass and your the kind of guy that if i met up on the trail, would probably brush off and not bother speaking to because you seem pretty high and mighty, the sport can do with out people like you (on the trail or in a magazine).