Girlie Racing

After a pretty busy weekend and start to the week, I was not up to much tonight except for helping Kim get her gear ready for this weekend’s race. Her and 3 of her girlie-friends are participating in a 6 hour adventure race. She has done an adventure race with a couple of the girls already so they should have a great time. I’m shooting a wedding on Saturday, so I don’t get to play.

Besides, I’ve been working on other types of training.

Our house is nothing but one big gear closet, but this week has been especially so. My climbing gear is out from where I gave the girls a quick(ie) rappelling (and compass/land nav) clinic earlier this week and I’ve had my photography gear strewn about. On top of the kite gear that never seems to be put away during kite season, it is a mess around here.

Here is the better part of what Kim will be taking with her this weekend. I believe they will be camping all weekend so more stuff will be added to this pile as the week comes to a close.

Kayaks are part of the race this weekend, but Kim’s boat was not in view of the back door during the torrential rain storm we experienced tonight, so I snapped a quick shot of my boat that happened to be in view. It will have to do for the purpose of this post.

And, the bike. Big wheels roll faster. Isn’t that what they say? She will be riding with gears and (front) suspension for the race. Smart girl.

Clarendon Cup 2009

It has been a busy week and the weekend isn’t letting me slow down at all.

Today was my first time shooting a pro cycling event. I have watched many races and raced a few myself, but attending the race with Richmond Pro Cycling was something different. With my press pass in hand I set out to see what I could come up with.

The sun was bright and it was pretty darn hot so I knew I would have to deal with a lot of ambient light. I brought along a minimal set of gear as my primary camera body is in the shop for a factory recall. I set up a couple of small flashes off-camera to see if I could get a decent result.

The field was full of big-name teams and was amazingly fast. On the first lap one man took off and ‘timetrialed’ for over an hour and a half holding off the pack. A break away group finally reeled him in and worked him over. An impressive solo effort none-the-less. The RPC guys held on pretty well, but it was a tough day for fighting it out. Many casualties out there.

Overall, it was a great day to be back in NOVA and DC. I was satisfied with my lighting and I continue to learn as I shoot with my small but effective set up.

After the race I got to do a bit of sightseeing in my former hometown with Kim and our friend Kara. Even though it was Kara’s first time visiting DC, we didn’t stick around very long as we were whipped from the long day and the heat (and heavy camera gear), so we found a great little Indian food restaurant and devoured our fair share.

Memorial Day at Claytor Lake

It is nice when things slow down to a holiday weekend pace. Naps and playtime all weekend long. That is what ’slowing down’ is all about. Izzy thinks so…

Sailing and paddling on Claytor Lake is always a nice way to relax and enjoy the water. Time to dust off (one of) the Sunfish for the first time this year.

One of my paddle toys…

BMX Freestyle

Last week, on the way home from riding with the Gov’nah during Bike to Work Day I noticed someone riding a bike in a rather different way. He was all alone in a parking lot spinning and flipping the bike and himself all over the place.

As soon as I saw the spectacle, I knew I had to photograph him. So I introduced myself, shoved my card in his hand and told him that I wanted to take pictures of him riding his bike. He emailed me in quick fashion and this is the result.

Now, I have seen BMX Freestyle riding before. However, this was a chance for me to get it on film. Well, get it on screen.

As with most shoots, this one presented its own set of challenges. Mainly, the whole moving target thing (this guys moves around A LOT) was what gave me the biggest challenge. I wanted to work with off-camera lighting (in addition to the excellent late-day sun) for this subject.

Off-camera lighting is generally stationary, so it makes it hard to hit a moving target. Once I got my timing dialed in with his moves we were off and running, or riding. Eventually, we worked on specific moves in specific areas so that I could get the lighting and composition close to what I was envisioning.

With a very cooperative and skilled subject, my job started getting easier and we got some great shots. We are both looking forward to doing this again. While this was not a bad spot to shoot, finding other settings for the next shoot are at the top of the list.

Bikes in the Park

Tonight was the first night of the Bryan Park Crit Races (there is an official name, but it escapes me) and the turnout was decent.

Since I have been a lazy bum on the bike this year (i.e. trained not at all) I did not race. Instead, you guessed it, I shot the race with my new appendage.

It was good to see all of my friends racing but I have to admit I missed it more than just a little. Oh well, that will teach me to snowboard all winter without so much as looking at my bike. Besides, there’s always Fall racing right? I hope.

Anyway, I have been waiting to shoot a road race (crit at least) to see what I could come up with. I brought the lights and a host of swirling ideas with me. After setting up, taking test shots, and tweaking my settings a bit, I finally started to get the results I was going for.

I took a few under ambient light, and the results were ok.
What I was really going for was something with a little more grit. Something to help illustrate what crit racing feels like.
The light (sun) started to drop and become more even. Then, I could work with more consistency in my lighting. Things started to come together and I was able to try some techniques that I have been hoping to effectively incorporate into my skills.

All in all it was a great experience with lighting a race like this. I am happy with the results and expect to shoot the race again in the coming weeks to see what else I can come up with.

And, a bit shout out to Jeff and Brendan of Richmond Pro Cycling for an impressive win tonight. Jeff took the win with Brendan’s exceptional hard work.

See more of them racing tonight’s race here.

Bike Tools

Always looking for photographic assignments for myself is something that has helped develop my photography skills in a way I am hoping will one day pay off. Quite literally.

Being a self-taught student of photography I feel that I must endeavor to learn as many techniques as possible. It is interesting to see how certain – well most – skills cross over into other areas of photography.

Recently, I saw an opportunity to pitch my services to a tool company. Of course, I needed to show that I knew something about shooting tools. Now, I’ve shot products before, but never the tricky shiny metal ones you see in this post.

Even more reason to work to master the techniques required for these objects. So I set up my home studio (in slightly modified format) and brought in a handful of my bike-specific tools from my shop. I could tell that the shapes and facets of these specialized tools would lend to capturing light in a unique way.

I don’t know about mastering techniques, but I feel pretty good about the composition and abstraction of some of the shots. I know, shooting tools or most products is not about projecting abstraction, but in the market of bike tools these perspectives show enough to get the point across.

Some of the shots were not about capturing an abstract image, but to show specific points about the tool.

Other shots were to show an overview of the object without focusing too heavily on any one area or point.

Overall, a good shoot. I was happy with what I learned and the company was impressed with the results as well. I am already formulating another similar shoot using some of these tricks and trying new ideas.

A constantly changing learning process. Just one of the aspects I love about photography.

Tour de Chesapeake 2009

Ugh. I am just back from a whirlwind two day trip. After starting off yesterday at 5a.m. (see ‘Rollin with the Gov’nah on Bike to Work Day’ post) we then worked long and hard getting all of the materials and equipment loaded (in Richmond) and transported, and unloaded for the annual Tour de Chesapeake in Mathews, VA.

This was Kim’s and my second year with the event after Kim taking over Bike Walk Virginia last year. It was a dry run for us last year as the event was already planned and all help accounted for. I actually rode the entire route last year. Not so much this year… It was all about work.

Up at 5a.m. again this morning after a few hours of sleep and we didn’t stop until I backed the 27′ Penske truck into our driveway this evening about an hour ago. We’ll be unloading the materials and equipment tomorrow morning with some much appreciated help.

It is all worth every bit of work we put into it. The area in and around Mathews, VA is quite spectacular. Being on or near the water is how Kim and I often prefer to spend our time. So the work didn’t seem too much like work – until I sat down tonight after coming home. Seeing all of the riders having a great ride just makes it that much easier.

BUT I am spent and ready to go ‘nighty-night’ for like, 12 hours.

Aside from other responsibilities, photography was one of my tasks for the event. Getting the photos downloaded and backed up is always a priority after shooting an event which is the only reason I am posting to my blog right now – it takes a little while to download 700 images.

Here are a couple shots I snapped throughout yesterday and today. Later, I will be posting a photo essay about the event on their (Tour de Chesapeake above) website. Check my blog over the coming week(s) or so to see when I post about the essay.

Cyclists are quite visible… even while having lunch.

I couldn’t quite figure out where this guy is from.

Two very happy campers…

Enough thanks cannot be expressed to all of the volunteers (and employees) that make this event such a huge success each and every year, but I’ll try anyway. THANK YOU!

Can’t wait to do it again next year. Did I really just say that?

Rollin with the Gov’nah on Bike to Work Day

This morning started out early as Kim and I had to meet up with one of the many groups of cyclists that were riding to Monroe Park and meeting up with Richmond City Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. The groups were then led downtown to the Capital by the Mayor and Governer.

Many of the ‘movers and shakers’ in Virginia cycling advocacy were present. Most importantly, my wife Kim was representing Bike Walk Virginia, a non-profit organization committed to the promotion of non-motorized transportation.

Here she is. Mrs. Bike Walk Virginia.

Here is another one. He’s one awesome biker. The ‘Gov’ himself.

The Gov and Mayor speaking to the crowd.

Roasted Beans in the Slip

As part of a personal project that I assigned myself, I am working with Richmond Pro Cycling (www.richmondprocycling.com) on a photo essay. The project was conceived in effort to create a photographic assignment for myself.

The team is something of an anomaly as typical race teams are considered. It is formed as a non-profit organization and their mission surprisingly, is not to race bikes but to actually help develop its athletes into true role models through education and community outreach. How friggin’ cool is that?

Who wouldn’t want to bring this message to light through photography? Well a lot of folks I suppose, but for me this seemed like something that begged for recognition.

I will be posting on this subject in the weeks and months to come as I am ‘following’ the team through the better part of its race season this year to compile information for the photo essay.

So what does all this have to do with roasted beans in the slip? Ha, I met a couple of the team members at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery today for some interviews and photos. It was my first time trying their coffee and boy look at what I have been missing. Big roaster churning away in the front smelling up the entire slip producing some of the best tasting brew I’ve ever had.

I snapped a few shots and got in a couple short interviews before the guys had to head out on a training ride. I’m looking forward to my next visit to the roastery.

Traction on blog

Ok. So I finally decided to get my blog rolling.

I’ve been thinking of keeping a blog for a while, and once I split my site into two different portfolios (www.samperryphotography.com and www.samperryphotographer.com) I decided that a blog would make an ideal landing page for those that are not directed to one of my portfolio sites.

It looks like a great way to share my photography with a broader audience. Check back often. I’ll do my best to keep it current, and most importantly interesting.

Well, here we go.