shane132 Loc: Derry/Ireland

The North West 200 is a motorcycle road race in the North Of Ireland, so i decided to take my passion for bikes and take some pictures and see what i could capture. I think i did alright. Have a lot to learn on the modes and settings on the camera but i think i caught some good enough images.

Tight Corner


Thats The Way We Cut Corners In Ireland


Thats A Practice Lap Too


York Corner NW 200


Mad Men On 2 Wheels, I Love It.

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

Hi Shane,
North West 200... This type of racing truly sorts the men from the boys and I used to say you had to be Irish to compete :mrgreen: but that is said VERY much tongue in cheek :)

I like looking at your pictures but... and is there always a 'but'?

To depict the speed I just feel that a good shot needs to have the wheels 'blurred' or is revolving a better choice of word? I totally accept the vantage point you have chosen is at a slow section of the highway (track) but would you be better off going for a panning type shot at a different location? Please, please note these are questions as I am soooo envious of you being at the location you were at and were you there to enjoy the day, or were you there to take pictures?

Is this type of racing more dangerous than circuit racing? I believe it most certainly is and if you agree then it might be worthwhile figuring out where to stand for the next visit and yes I am still very envious.

THANK YOU for posting them

shane132 Loc: Derry/Ireland

Cheers glojo, i am planning on getting down tomorrow morning first thing as it is race day, i have found a better location for myself and plan on trying what you have said in order to get some blurred images so as to show the speed. Have you any suggestions what shutter speed to go for or ISO or exposure in order to help me get that sort of picture, or is it just a case of panning the camera while the bikes/riders are passing me by. Advice would be good please. as i am new to the camera setting as i am use to just setting the camera to auto and shotting. Thanks for the help.

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

This will teach me to open my big mouth..

First off I would strongly recommend you practice on shots that you can afford to throw away, then it is down to conditions on the day, light etc and where you position yourself regarding the speed of these amazing riders.

I would suggest you look at a shutter speed of no faster than 1/250th or even slightly slower. Take a few shots and then look at them in camera. My own thoughts are that a sharp picture is better than one with camera shake and if you cannot get a sharp picture with these slower speeds then so be it. Try 1/250th and if there is no blurring then shoot some at 1/125th.

Panning is an art and if at first we don’t suck seed :oops:then keep sucking eggs :thumbup: it will come with practice.

You look like you are getting quite close to the action which is good as the more powerful the telephoto lens the faster the speeds we need to avoid any camera shake.

Regarding ISO then that will be down to light conditions on the day and I am certainly NO expert and would bow to those far more experienced but I would be looking at either 200 - 400.

When you took some of those shots was it a damp day as I thought I saw spray coming off the back wheel in one shot? Just saw that last shot where it is clearly wet plus they have clear visors... BRILLIANT shots that show me the conditions.

Have I said that I am envious and really appreciate your posting these pictures.

I do NOT want to be too critical and keep practising with the focusing :)

C'mon Guy Martin

shane132 Loc: Derry/Ireland

Cheers mate. i will for deffs try what you have suggested. oh and i am greatful for the advice, thanks for all your help. I am really looking forward to race day tomorrow, and hopefully i will get some great shots, i am going to try and get in the same location i was in yesterday, and i will try and post up my results over the weekend. I love Guy Martin, he is a character, and some rider. i will try and get you some shots of him flying to it. Once again thanks for the help.

Me & Martin Jessop 208mph NW200

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

Hi Shane,
THANK YOU for taking my observations in the spirit they were meant and good luck :thumbup: :thumbup:

Hopefully others will offer more constructive advice.

Best wishes,
John

shane132 Loc: Derry/Ireland

Here john, thought you might like this picture of me and Martin Jessop, who was the fastest rider around the circut this week at 208mph. i am not trying to make you jealous or anything but hopefully i am in for some days racing. If you ever get the chance to get over here to the NW200 get over you will have a blast. chat to you soon and keep an eye out for my next posts, i will for deffs be cheering on Guy Martin and hopefully i will get the shots. :-D

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

THANK YOU VERY MUCH and good luck with the panning...

The benefit of a digital camera is we can chuck away everything that does not look right and it costs nothing :)

I will be thinking of you as I am stuck at home watching Gp qualifying :( (Definitely not the same as being yards away from the action on circuits that mere mortals refuse to race.