Spencer Graf at Dirty Sanchez in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada - photo by virtumedia

Getting in a quick last lap as the sun goes down.

Photo of the Day on Oct 9, 2011 - more PODs

Selected by Ian Hylands - This just makes me think of speed, so fast, biggest gear, spun out, ripping down a trail at the end of the day...

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113 Comments

Score Time

+ 33

thelocalsride (Oct 7, 2011 at 23:02)

Really cool shot. I love the flare just peeking through the wheel.

+ 18

connor-rix (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:07)

....

Smells (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:26)

How does this happen? Is it just photographer skills or is there more? Amazing either way but it's just really really cool.

+ 13

chyu (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:52)

wtf is this?

+ 127

waughwilliam (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:56)

chyu, I don't know how to explain this. It's called a still image, and it's created by a camera which is controlled by another person as the rider passes by.

+ 12

RobbyBriers Plus (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:06)

Since this was taken at 1/60th of a second, and the rider is this blurry, he was going pretty fast. Photo has been taken out of the hand, or on a tripod, since that shutter speed is somewhat the limit of an out of hand crisp image. Lightning is perfect and the motion blur on the rider gives that feeling of energy in the image. Ian knows his job, so does Evergreen-P!

+ 12

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:11)

Robbie, the focal length is only 10mm. Rule of thumb for hand held shots is that you can hand hold as long as your shutter speed is equal to or faster than your focal length. So at 10mm you could just about get away with hand holding 1/10 sec. At 200mm you wouldn't get away with 1/60 sec, you'd be looking at a minimum of 1/200 sec hand held.

ScottPattenden (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:22)

Rad! Something different is always good! Top choice Ian!

RobbyBriers Plus (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:23)

oh my, didn't take that in consideration. I need to get myself a camera again.

cjm1201097 (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:48)

great selection Ian. love the motion in this one, it just makes you imagine the sheer speed Big Grin

Cain-bitches (Oct 9, 2011 at 4:43)

Nahh I'm not into this much at all. Its just a blurry sillouhette of a guy doing a wheelie... and I don't think blurry looks fast: getting low, tearing up dust trails, carving oververt all do though. And you can still take a perfectly crisp picture.

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 5:53)

Cain this is not a silhouette.

jumpingman (Oct 9, 2011 at 6:13)

Sick

- 13

beneathmiskin1 (Oct 9, 2011 at 6:25) (Below Threshold) show comment

To everyone who hates this:

Sorry it's not a picture of one of your butt-buddies riding over a mad gnarly rock in a downhill race

Matthew233 (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:34)

ghost rider Razz

, different but sill a pretty awesome shot, POD Smile

+ 17

BLIPDH (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:51)

to be honest i dont like this very much...but thats just my opinion

+ 13

RobbyBriers Plus (Oct 9, 2011 at 8:35)

We all know, that POD is more about the riding and what happens in the picture than what the photographer does to express what happens or how he brings it. People disrespecting photographers should ask themselves this question:

"What would Pinkbike be if photographers didn't like the way people ride bikes?"

Exactly. Have a nice day now, tomorrow will bring you another POD. Perhaps one you like.

torypowers (Oct 9, 2011 at 8:54)

yeah and considering it looks like it was taken with a fisheye, it probably was taken at around 10-20mm focal length, therefore the 1/60 wouldnt be too hard to pull off

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 8:57)

10mm Tory, it says in the EXIF. Wink

henrytgreene (Oct 9, 2011 at 10:29)

I'm giving this shot a 6/10. Not that anybody cares what I say.

iBuyNsell (Oct 9, 2011 at 10:51)

didnt even notice the fisheye at first. Nice pick Ian

hobbnobs (Oct 9, 2011 at 11:28)

seems like you cant appreciate this picture unless you have a PHD in camera's

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 13:05)

Not sure how my comment above got neg props lol. How can you get neg props for explaining a rule of thumb? Love the PB community. Smile

BLIPDH (Oct 9, 2011 at 16:03)

it didnt

Cain-bitches (Oct 9, 2011 at 16:17)

Jonathan, hahaa get a grip. Perhaps it's not a totally black, perfect silhoutte. But I personally would still say it is a silhoutte of sorts, given that it's lit from the back and that's made the subject darker than it would otherwise be.
It is certainly "silhoutted" to an extent. But did we really need to get all technical!?

surfer79 (Oct 9, 2011 at 18:51)

at 1/60th of a second you def. dont need a tripod for this shot. pretty easy shot to shoot and imo, not the greatest. however, being that its not the typical pod its nice to see something differant.

beneathmiskin1 (Oct 9, 2011 at 20:35)

I see the downhill pact has downvoted me

poozank (Oct 9, 2011 at 22:16)

this is just like that super blurry berm sequence that everyone hated

JaseZ (Oct 9, 2011 at 22:25)

I like this picture, i think it's brilliant. But no-one is bagging it (as much) like the last "blurry" POD. I find that rather interesting....
But still a sick pic nonetheless (:

dirtworks911 (Oct 9, 2011 at 23:49)

JaseZ: It's too freakin blurry!!!

Beneathmiskin1: You sound like you're gay.

BLIPDH: I respect you.

beneathmiskin1 (Oct 10, 2011 at 6:17)

Dirtworks911 i respect your opinion. But no, sorry to disappoint

JonathanCarre (Oct 10, 2011 at 7:56)

Cain, get a grip? For pointing out the fact that this is not a silhouette. 'Perhaps it's not a totally black, perfect silhoutte', that's exactly what a silhouette is. Silhouette means outline, you can only see the outline of an silhouetted object as if in a 2D form. Wink

hobbnobs (Oct 10, 2011 at 9:17)

SHUT UP WITH THE CAMERA NERD TALK JESUS CHRIST YOUR ALL LUCKY 98% OF PINKBIKE ARE MALE OTHERWISE YOU WOULD NEVER GET LAID

JonathanCarre (Oct 10, 2011 at 9:31)

Camera nerd talk lol. I wouldn't say understanding your camera was nerdy, more essential if you're to use it properly.

hobbnobs (Oct 10, 2011 at 10:52)

ok im sorry

Cain-bitches (Oct 10, 2011 at 11:05)

Pfft, photography is an art, not a science. No definition need be set in stone, and if a subject is significantly darker than its backround - I consider it to be a silhouette of sorts. Even if it isn't a clipped black shadow.

Would you consider this a silhouette? http://missilhouette.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/silhouette_intro.jpg

henrytgreene (Oct 10, 2011 at 13:19)

I consider that a very hot girl who looks like she's ready to f*ck

JonathanCarre (Oct 11, 2011 at 0:11)

Part of her is silhouetted, part of her isn't. Photography is an art, yes, but the way your camera works has much more to do with science.

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+ 18

Andrew-Taylor (Oct 8, 2011 at 20:03)

ⓅⓄⒹ

Bjammin (Oct 9, 2011 at 8:43)

oh mah gawd

toefungus (Nov 6, 2011 at 18:27)

SUCH A STUPID POD

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Jiper (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:18)

I have plenty of photos like this at the end of a days ride, they usually end up in the recycling bin. sorry but its true.

emarciniak (Oct 9, 2011 at 16:54)

Buddy judging by the pics on your profile they should all be in the recycling bin... And no you don't have any pictures that even come close to the quality of this one.

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vt6spd (Oct 9, 2011 at 3:33)

Well, today certainly has stirred up mixed emotions about POD's and what they are meant to be. Pic of the Day. plain and simple. It's one photo for one day. Tomorrow there will be another one. And the next day, another one. They are purely for a change in scenery like your desk top back ground. They may not all be amazing, they may not all be the world class riders we hear about all the time- Infact, its nice to see that "change" where you probably have no idea who it is, but the symbol of riding is clear. WE all love to do it, regardless.

iesubach (Oct 9, 2011 at 11:15)

I love this photo, because it's different, but I can see why some people wouldn't, but it's not like they have to wait till tomorrow to see another, as there are thousands of photos uploaded every day that they can look at, nobody's forcing them to stare at the pic. They just enjoy bitching.

vt6spd (Oct 11, 2011 at 2:58)

Well said-

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hermo44 (Oct 9, 2011 at 8:16)

Maybe its because I'm JUST a rider and don't do any filming or photography, but POD's like this just seem to bug me. I'm not hating on the picture at all, I think it's unique and interesting, but it's not something that would necessarily catch my eye as a POD. I really don't know when the definition of a POD transitioned from "a great photo of a biker," to "a great photo with a biker in it," but it still confuses me. I realize that the creativity and eye of a photographer are important components of making a great picture, but it seems like we've been drifting away from giving riders any credit in good photos. After all, if it wasnt for the rider in a photo, its unlikely that it would be POD. Either way, this is still a great picture, i just don't really see why you need to have an eye for art to be able to appreciate and understand why a certain picture is POD... what does everyone else think?

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:03)

You certainly don't need an eye for art to appreciate an image.
No image is going to please everybody, it's impossible. You're going to have people with every single POD that don't like the image for whatever reason, but it's how they put that across that's the bugbear I think.
You have constructed a well put across statement about your thoughts, and I think people will appreciate that, even though you don't necessarily like the image. It's the people that just come on and say stuff like 'This is shit' or similar that start the arguments.
As to your point about riders making images I agree, they are an integral part. Personally I think the rider and photographer are equally important, you wouldn't have the quality photographs if you remove either. Remove the rider, you get a quality photograph with mediocre riding, remove the photographer you get quality riding with a mediocre image.

hermo44 (Oct 10, 2011 at 9:06)

good point, without a photographer you get nooo image haha Razz

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Horizon123 (Oct 9, 2011 at 19:45)

Its a great picture, people need to grow up and stop being dicks of the internet.

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rydindirty (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:32)

Congrats on the POD Spencer and Matt!

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sanguinetti-94 (Oct 9, 2011 at 11:29)

I'm usually really into your photo's but personally i don't believe that this should be pod, but its a good shot.

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Jervis400 (Oct 9, 2011 at 14:20)

Dont like the way the rider is blured :/ The background should be instead..

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george0812 (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:52)

that is a really really really really really really good photo

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tjeza (Oct 10, 2011 at 20:40)

i like it. variety is the spice of life people.

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spyk27 (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:00)

super sick and super trippy

[Reply]

name-dropper (Oct 9, 2011 at 17:20)

who argues about POD? seriously...
nice shot btw!

[Reply]

wisman (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:04)

this is a soule, man, or baby ,whats happend?

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pedrowerneck (Oct 9, 2011 at 15:36)

i love the last lap, just before the sun goes down...they are the best!

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pozprider (Oct 10, 2011 at 10:26)

szopom is le magam ha ez a fos kép több mint 200 favos lett :O:O

[Reply]

Luke-VTT (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:42)

Awesome and POD for sure!

[Reply]

TheDude123 (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:16)

awesome

[Reply]

Keks22 (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:14)

Nice!

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rockyflowtbay (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:43)

pretty cool

[Reply]

jamisteel (Oct 9, 2011 at 23:20)

awesome shot

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Fizzy (Oct 9, 2011 at 10:25)

Shhhhhhhiiiii ka ka!

[Reply]

crashvictom (Oct 9, 2011 at 23:27)

POD? really?

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krazykyless (Oct 8, 2011 at 13:40)

POD?

[Reply]

kachow (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:16)

hes like a ghost biker sooo sick.

[Reply]

PoMiT (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:30)

Nice POD

[Reply]

kwilliams420 (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:13)

Makes me miss summer.

[Reply]

QCIrider77 (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:10)

just f-ing giv'n er'!

[Reply]

SXTRAILRYDER (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:10)

Different, I like it!

[Reply]

two-tyred (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:31)

VERY cool...uuunnnggghhh!

[Reply]

bigayre (Oct 8, 2011 at 11:22)

epic

[Reply]

Adrian95FR (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:43)

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pokalface (Oct 10, 2011 at 2:59)

POD!!!!

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nasrannn (Oct 8, 2011 at 6:36)

damn slowdown !

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madbike329 (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:40)

not the best tbh Frown

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tomzbikes (Oct 9, 2011 at 10:20)

WHO LET THE 2 YR OLD LOOSE WIV THE CAMERA?????

DexterH (Oct 9, 2011 at 15:25)

Who let the two year old loose on the computer? Seriously, caps lock isn't needed.... but spelling and punctuation are!

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biker-boy13 (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:09)

it's good but doesnt deserve photo of the day

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callumsmyth (Oct 9, 2011 at 4:44)

Epic fail of a pod , was you blind when you picked this ?

uttanutta12 (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:04)

i dunno but you were definately not listening in your english lesson's

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dh-4-life (Oct 9, 2011 at 3:44)

cool bike

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Below threshold threads are hidden

- 18

jake-nangle (Oct 9, 2011 at 3:23)

This is rubbish! Pods are about riding, not the photographers skills.

mikethebike27 (Oct 9, 2011 at 3:54)

wow, listen to yourself....

TheArbez (Oct 9, 2011 at 6:37)

Its the other way around I think...

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:05)

Surely it's about both?

Dirt-time (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:32)

you must be taking the piss if so good effort but if not that's quite worrying!

fraserbritton Plus (Oct 9, 2011 at 9:42)

Photo of the day homie, not rider of the day. A lot of you need to grow up.

jake-nangle (Oct 9, 2011 at 19:32)

Tbh, it is a bike website, it isn't a photography website. Sure, I want to see the photographers skills but this is more or less the same as I can take on my phone camera. This doesn't really take that much skill whereas hitting a huge kicker and pulling a sick trick does. I'm not being a d*ck, it's just my opinion.

IanHylands Mod Plus (Oct 9, 2011 at 22:07)

Actually you probably couldn't take anything like this on your camera, this does take a lot of skill, this is a photography part of the website, and really not everyone here wants to see someone pulling a sick trick over a huge jump every day. If you want to make your own POD a jump shot every day go for it. Otherwise there will be a jump shot every few days, a DH shot every few days, hopefully Freeride, trail riding, BMX, artsy shots, and even some street and XC shots every now and again as well.

virtumedia (Oct 9, 2011 at 23:30)

Haha sorry Ian I didn't mean to neg you! I am on my phone and hit the wrong button.

IanHylands Mod Plus (Oct 10, 2011 at 11:05)

no worries I quit giving props on my phone for that same reason, too many wrong props...

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- 11

xtr3m3 (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:22)

wat is this?

tomMTBbooth (Oct 9, 2011 at 3:02)

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=A+POD

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discokelton (Oct 9, 2011 at 0:34)

what the f*ck, how is this pod, theres so many good young riders out there that should get pod but no we get this shit, and i think its crap whats the point of this photo like really?

+ 14

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:12)

It's different, it's creative. It shows somebody thinking differently about mtb photography. It's brilliantly exposed, the composition is good.

+ 20

mhailo (Oct 9, 2011 at 1:47)

It's photo of the day. Not rider of the day.

brooce (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:32)

Yeah... It's not that I don't like this photo, but the rider is simply blurred, it looks like an error - there are better photos for POD on this site IMHO

mhailo (Oct 9, 2011 at 2:54)

It's not always about which photo looks more awesome.. I'll repeat what Jonathann up there said ^^^

mikyleee (Oct 9, 2011 at 4:49)

there's 365 days in a year, one photo that YOU do not like isn't gonna make a difference, there's always tomorrow Smile

MiloXC3 (Oct 9, 2011 at 5:24)

I hate people who think POD's should only have a big jump or berm in or don't accept the tiniest of blurs. This is a great image!

TheArbez (Oct 9, 2011 at 6:36)

I'm pretty sure it's meant to be blurred, because it gives you a different perspective.

all-out-bmx (Oct 9, 2011 at 7:40) (Below Threshold) show comment

im my opinion this is a waste of a POD.

hillatoppa (Oct 9, 2011 at 10:03)

Nice concept, good light and the trail would probably have been dry and super fast.
I'm wondering how it would have been with the rider in focus, sharp as a knife, and the foreground grass blurry... ?

iesubach (Oct 9, 2011 at 11:22)

Some of you guys need to chill out. To start it's not ';a waste of a pod' as quite a phew people like it (also, as POD's aren't finite they can't really be wasted). Also even if the photos not to your taste, it's still not a 'crap' photo, and nobody's forcing you to look at it. If you don't like the pic, just click on the 'photo' link above, and find all the pictures you want, that are to your taste, instead of bashing someones work. Ok tell them what you'd like to see next time, but saying 'this is a crap shot' doesn't help you get a picture you like tomorrow. After all it's just one photo out of thousands, chill!

all-out-bmx (Oct 9, 2011 at 11:41)

you cant chill if ur not worked up

JonathanCarre (Oct 9, 2011 at 13:03)

Of course you can chill if you're not worked up, what sort of statement is that? I've been just chilling all day, and I haven't been worked up. Wink

all-out-bmx (Oct 9, 2011 at 15:41)

i dont mean chill as in "im just chillin" i mean as in "chill out bahh"

emarciniak (Oct 9, 2011 at 16:59)

all-out-bmx is a f*cking stupid hillbilly

mikyleee (Oct 10, 2011 at 7:36)

well said.

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