Calvert-Toefield-Sep 6, 2008

Update: The uploaded images have been removed.

*****

I wasn't at the track championships, if those were the races at the Kissena Velodrome. I've only been to the races at FBF and PPk and once recently at Central Park.

Unfortunately I did a pretty bad job in processing these pics. They're much too muddy and over done. The originals are soft toned because of the overcast and lack of light but they do look more realistic - for the most part.

Checking the full image set I notice that you're in another shot that is part of the Flickr set. Image 7856 (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2835893500_964def125e_o.jpg).

There's also a shot taken from the same point the 5th image was taken and similar in look. You're "6th" back, out of the saddle but looking down. (My image number 7947.)

In image 7880 (not uploaded) you're at the top of the GAP (Grand Army Plaza) hill, second in a group, but the image is off focus. My camera doesn't do follow focus very well so I do pre-focus. I focus on a spot and wait for the riders to reach that spot and then I shoot. It makes for a very hit and miss approach, especially since one particular lens I have has a lens group that floats loosely in the mount and easily shifts focus on its own. But the alternative, "servo" (continuous) focus, fails for me in anything but bright sunlight, and even then it's not that good. In image 7880 I either shot too soon or the lens didn't hold focus.

My image 7897 has you almost at the top of the GAP hill. It's somewhat close up, has a good intense look, but soft focus.

Image 7913 is mid downhill but you're small in the image, and slightly blurred. Ironically another rider right next to you is fairly sharp. One can only pan with one rider at a time and it's usually too fast for me to consciously pick anyone.

I've uploaded the original jpgs for these images to Flickr. They're full size, unenhanced, as generated by the RAW conversion program. I'll only leave them there for a day or two so grab them while they're there. Check my Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14060984@N05/).

do you have any more? I believe you and I met at the NY state track championships, my name is Giancarlo Bianchi, in the NY state album, I am the one with the celeste Bianchi and in this one, I am riding the jamis in the 3rd pic. I can be reached at brunch43@hotmail.com, Let me know, thanks!

Great work, thanks so much, keep them coming!

thank