Inside The Wall Of Death!
Aug 25, 2017 16:47:48 #
With little discussion as to quite what I would be able to do, I was invited to take some shots inside The Wall. I expect most of you have seen something similar - guys riding, usually Indian vee-twin, motorbikes round a vertical circular wooden wall. Its an exciting experience for all concerned! My friend Ken Fox is famous for his antics and has a family troupe that ride a variety of machines, including several ancient Indians. Photographically, its a bit restrictive as you're stuck a little short of central in a 28-foot diameter wall and, in my case, with a 16mm wide angle lens. The effect, as the rider's head is considerably closer to you than the wall, is to enlarge the head and upper body. actually getting them in shot has to be anticipated as they do whizz by rather quickly - and of course you really want to include the public peering over the top to portray the atmosphere. Well, here's what I got and any suggestions in case I manage to arrange a second shoot would be appreciated! Oh, no flash, just some very overhead LED floods.
Aug 25, 2017 19:17:54 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
A thought might be a touch slower shutter to try and catch just a hint of motion....All very well done shots Dave, what a treat..
Aug 25, 2017 22:38:56 #
magnetoman wrote:
With little discussion as to quite what I would be... (show quote)
What a fantastic opportunity! I also think you did a nice job of capturing several different tricks and, of course, getting the audience response is a nice touch. My favorite is the last shot. It looks like he is completely stationary and standing next to his motorcycle only that he on the vertical rather than horizontal plane. It makes you do a double-take. What a fun series and I'm certain that you had a great time getting these wonderful shots. Well done BTW....great choice of lens.
Erich
Aug 26, 2017 01:40:35 #
You did very well given the circumstances. The distortion thing isn't as bad as you probably think. We learn to expect perspective distortions like that, and you get them even without a wide angle lens.
Aug 26, 2017 02:46:15 #
Frank2013 wrote:
A thought might be a touch slower shutter to try and catch just a hint of motion....All very well done shots Dave, what a treat..
Yeah, I did think about going slower Frank but chickened out after the first attempt - couldn't risk not getting an acceptable shot I suppose!
Aug 26, 2017 02:48:36 #
ebrunner wrote:
What a fantastic opportunity! I also think you di... (show quote)
Think it would be better with a bit of motion shown, he does look too staionary for my liking. Thanks for your comments Eric.
Aug 26, 2017 02:55:06 #
R.G. wrote:
You did very well given the circumstances. The distortion thing isn't as bad as you probably think. We learn to expect perspective distortions like that, and you get them even without a wide angle lens.
Distortion might have been less if I'd laid down and shot upwards? Trouble is, they leave all the spare bikes around the centre with precious little room for anything else, and you daren't go closer 'cos they've got to come down! I'm sure he'd let me have another go but we only meet around once a year! Thanks for commenting RG.
Aug 26, 2017 03:07:50 #
magnetoman wrote:
Distortion might have been less if I'd laid down and shot upwards? Trouble is, they leave all the spare bikes around the centre with precious little room for anything else, and you daren't go closer 'cos they've got to come down! I'm sure he'd let me have another go but we only meet around once a year! Thanks for commenting RG.
For those interested - the inevitable composite!
Aug 26, 2017 03:54:53 #
magnetoman wrote:
......you daren't go closer 'cos they've got to come down!......
You'll just have to get up there with them and run along behind them to get your close-ups
. Better still, get very good at running backwards - then you'll be able to get some shots from the front 
.Aug 26, 2017 04:26:26 #
R.G. wrote:
You'll just have to get up there with them and run along behind them to get your close-ups . Better still, get very good at running backwards - then you'll be able to get some shots from the front .
. Better still, get very good at running backwards - then you'll be able to get some shots from the front .Perhaps sitting on the back, backwards.......come to think of it, I did that once on fairground ride and felt very ill afterwards!
Aug 26, 2017 07:16:46 #
Frank2013
Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.
magnetoman wrote:
Totally understand...Yeah, I did think about going slower Frank but chickened out after the first attempt - couldn't risk not getting an acceptable shot I suppose!
Aug 26, 2017 09:37:02 #
ebrunner wrote:
What a fantastic opportunity! I also think you di... (show quote)
I had the same reaction as Erich, took a double take thinking he was standing on the wall. I might be the only one here but the still motion in this instant caught my eye and made me think this photo through.
--Jim
Aug 26, 2017 09:58:39 #
Aug 26, 2017 10:00:25 #
magnetoman wrote:
With little discussion as to quite what I would be... (show quote)
What a great opportunity for you Dave !!! Dangerous and exciting all at the same time. I don't think I have seen images such as this before and although not envious because not sure I would do this, but if given the chance ... I probably would. As I was observing the photos, the last one confused me at first. I thought, how could he be standing in a vertical position like that, then I downloaded and saw he had to have been moving. I suppose to avoid confusion a slower shutter speed would have put the scene into more perspective, but reading your comments is understandable to why you didn't. The composite looks spot on. A job well done.
Dave
Aug 26, 2017 10:10:31 #
Dave Chinn wrote:
What a great opportunity for you Dave !!! Dangerou... (show quote)
Thanks Dave - perhaps I can Ps some movement- any idea? Not something I've tried previously.
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