well not exactly awful just nothing special-sure its a cool perspective but it does not capture the true essence of mountain biking nor is it nice nor does it deserve POD. No offense to Dan Baram.
It's a primo photo that's been executed very well, this take a lot more effort than just another photo of someone riding, you've got to get well outside of the box to get a pod these days, such is done here..
I think this is a great photo from a photographers point of view... To get this timing is hard when a rider is pinning down the trail... not only is is difficult form a photographers pov, but for a rider to get this close to the photographer is dangerous. Props to Dan for having that much balls to get that close to the riders handle bar ends.
I'll confirm what suspended said about it being difficult to time and courageous to be there. I like to take dirtbike photos and I love wide angle pictures, but that of course means being way up close. When you're a foot or two away from a dirtbike roosting a berm over and over and over again until you get the perfect shot, you definitely go home with bruises. There have also been many times that I've almost been run over, and that certainly would be worse.
I've seen better closer up pictures then this. By all means it's better then what I could do but not really what I'd consider PODworthy. Saying that, it's a picture on one website for one day, no need to get so worked up over it.
Everyone's a critic and to be hypocritical here's my take: The shot is really good. The only think I'm scratching my head over is why the rider isn't in sharper focus. With a 5.6 aperture I would expect the DOF to be a bit deeper. Maybe it's motion blur but the plant came out tack sharp. The only thing I can think of is that sometimes when an unsharp mask is overused it drastically increases the influence of the DOF, but again.. not sure if that's the case. Anywho, not like any of that's important, the shot is both technically and visually great. I wouldn't mind hearing a little more on how Dan put this shot together.
Why is everyone getting so mad at the photographer? If you look at the rest of his photos they are much better. It's pinkbike's fault for choosing his worst photo.
it's an impressive shot but idk it just doesn't really do it for me, it's not a matter of taking a better picture, its a matter of... not sure really but I just don't like this pic much, summary: impressive: yes, gets me stoked to ride: not really
What's the point of having a comments section if everyone shuts you down for presenting an alternate opinion? Personally, I'm not a fan of the photo. That doesn't mean I'm saying I could take better photos or that the photographer isn't talented. There's just a ton of photos on the site that I prefer to this one.
Its not that it is a terrible or excellent photo. Just that some people can appreciate it and some just want to see some wicked wippage. As the photographer, one would expect to see a 50/50 opinion coming back from a shot like this. All good if you don't like it, wait for tomorrow. If you do, enjoy gazing into your screen. Have a good one PBrs.
Although I like the idea of this picture, with a new perspective thinking outside the box etc. My personal opinion is the photograph itself ( speaking of focus and colour) is not very good. A cool concept but no very well executed.
This is not your typical POD photo, but the composition and closeness to the rider are the things that make it. The majority of people who shoot will appreciate this.
I would like to point out that that handlebar end is roughly 3" from about $5K worth of camera and lens. This is a very difficult picture to capture! props to the photographer for having the cahones to hang in there, and props to the rider for not decapitating the photographer!
would be a great photo in an article about a rad trip or something, but not pod... if you want to see it as "art" it should really have a better description along with it. Just my half cent.
Okay, I think most of you have made your point that it is an artsy photo, and great point of view from the photographer. With that being said, the picture is BORING for the average pink bike viewer.
So 1 person comments on it on the 24th may and it makes pod. Dan does have some very nice work as i have seen in the past but.if you want to call this art then i better rescue all my deleted photos ready for some POD love