One Day, Three Lights

Three images from the campaign shoot for the new Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 cyclocross bike that looks so good I thought of nicking it. Anyway, why three? Just to show how much the light can change during one session. This was shot in one of my favourite locations for quality of light and that is the South Downs of England. Maybe its because the sea acts as a ginormous reflector I don't know but whenever I go there it is good. And this day was no different. First shot natural light into the sun flares through the boughs. Second shot hours later, again almost directly into the sun that yielded a fantastic yellow-tinged glow, a bit like a Cadbury's Flake advert but without the beauty interest.  Lastly, as the dark clouds gathered and made for a great backdrop, I had to use flash to balance the subject exposure and still retain that lovely sunburst. The window for the last two shots lasted half an hour to 45 minutes max. So it helped to work with an experienced model (thanks Jo!), somebody who knew that to get the very best out from the moment meant some spontaneous interval training. No nipping off to beat the traffic. These images and others will trickle out in advertising and road tests throughout the following weeks. Post shoot celebrations involved fish and chips and glugging back tea. I do like to be beside the seaside!

South East Regionals champs-back on the Blad

HogHill Regionals 2010 - Images by Geoff Waugh

The light fired, the snowmelt made conditions tough to ride but great to shoot. I managed three rolls during the one hour event. Not a great strike rate and I could do with a spare back for the camera and an assistant to reload for me! But what I did get I was pretty pleased with. The contra jour monos are particularly pleasing. An 80mm lens on a Hasselblad is like a 50mm standard lens on a 35mm outfit so framing becomes an issue if you want to exclude track debris - by that I mean spectators and other people with cameras! That said, the more I shoot with this camera the more I understand it's legendary status.
Wish I'd got one years ago!

'BladCross

Had a bit of time yesterday to scan some medium format stuff I shot at Eastern Region cyclocross rounds.

Regional Cross - Images by Geoff Waugh

Always learning, always....

I made a mistake at the Three Peaks. And it's a long way to go to make a mistake; a near 600 mile round trip. But as the header says, we're always learning and I shan't do it again. Oh yeah, I came back with some photos, but I could see from the images that circulated the net like wildfire after the event that I had been too complacent. This video on the British Cycling site brought it home to me how much I had missed.
Obviously, in a race of this nature one cannot be everywhere, but I had taken my cross bike and decided to ride between locations, carrying light: a Hasselblad, Horizon Perfekt and the trusty white Holga. First mistake was to go to the same spot as I did in 2008. I got a banger there then and was suckered in. The rocks look amazing and you can see the field as it strings out up Simons Fell.  The ride back down to the road was great though (eyes off the prize already Mr Waugh?).

Then I prevaricated. Turn left and ride the road to Whernside or right and go up Pen y Ghent lane? I went left and hooked up with some most pleasant ladies also race chasing. Whernside was full of walkers. Why not? It was a beautiful day and the Ribblehead viaduct is sort of famous. But I was getting frustrated about my backgrounds. I shot a few panos of the viaduct with and without riders but was frustrated with the multiple line choices. Luvvy alert! You know how it is. Still, the descent down to the tea van was wicked. Oh dear. 
Not chasing after the leaders meant I still had plenty of time to ride back to PyG lane and push up a ways and take some shots.
BUT, I should have stuck to my original plan which was to shoot Simons Fell and then go as far up Pen y Ghent as possible. In fact, if I do it again I will only go up Pen y Ghent and shoot the sh*t out of it! I spread myself too thin. Looking at my panos there are one or two I like. But no bangers. Not for me. My medium format is still in the dev so we shall see. But, like the racers, I am not phased by this year's edition, they will be back to attempt a personal best and so will I. Maybe without a bike, they are way too much fun.

Rutland Cross on a 'blad

Took one camera to the National Trophy Cyclocross round at Rutland Water and that was my Hassleblad. I understood that I would be restricted in many ways. No built in light meter, no wind-on,no autofocus, one fixed lens. No nada. But what it took away with one hand it gave with the other. More mobile, less faff, superb glass, no back ache!
I soon learned what I had forgotten from so ago: the 80mm lens is the standard focal length on the 6x6 format and that meant if I wanted to isolate a rider, or whatever, from the background or crowd then I would have to get closer and find a better position. No biggie. In fact, for once I left spectators and debris in the frame on purpose. I slowed down. I took for ever to unload and reload a roll of film. I found the back to front waist level finder a bit of a mind game. So what. I got cold wet feet from wading in the reservoir. I shot six rolls of film and I had a grand day out. But this wasn't a paying commission. There were no deadlines. Still, given the right client and the right deadlines I wouldn't hesitate in using the camera again. Sitting feeding negs onto the scanner and listening to it hum away is fairly theraputic! Can't say about a flickering light on a card reader now can you?
NB: I am not a retrogrouch. At least I am trying not to be. I believe in using different tools to achieve varying results. If you like the images leave a message. Signing onto Blogger costs nowt and takes minutes. Ta!

Crossvegas shot of the night

Oh yes. Don't ask me why muscly men in gold lame pants were in a field at a cyclocross race afterdark, but this guy obviously felt a need to join them. No pit brolly but style for miles eh?
Look out for more (proper) images in the upcoming issue of Rouleur magazine.

The Longest Day......

World Cyclocross Champs, Hoogerheide, Netherlands. 2009 from Geoff Waugh on Vimeo.

Up at 3am to travel to the cross Worlds in Holland. Freezing cold. Course hard as iron fast as tarmac. Snow warnings for UK when he got back to the French side tunnel. Big fall in Kent. M20 closed. Trucks and cars scattered all over the place. I got in at 2.30am. Some of the party got back at 6.30 the following morning. Worth it though! This video illustrates the crazy nature of a cyclocross world champs - turn the volume up! Then a big stills slideshow. Stick with it......