Mountain States Cup: Cheyenne Mountain Explosion

Chris Delauro, Team Colorado Singletrack: CAT 2/3

Doug Johnson, Bandwagon Racing: PRO

Jon Brickner, Winter Park Winery: CAT 1

Unknown: w/o visible number

Christine Irelan: CAT 1

Colin Cares, Kenda/Felt: PRO

Day 1: Time Trial

Hosted in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, todays race was an interesting shoot especially when considering that when running solo, (and not having a copy of the race sheet), I didn't have the slightest clue as to when the next string of riders would be passing through. With such an unknown in a relatively short race, today I setup my lights and limited my work to an interesting 10meter stretch of trail. Here I ended up spending most of my time anticipating the occasional rider, waiting, 20min or 20seconds. On more than a couple occasions I was surprised while making adjustments to the speedlights, a rider would swoop around the corner giving me about 3 seconds to clear the trail, and try for a couple shots.

Similar to climbing photography, my primary concern is others' safety, and second is not being "one of those photographers." One of those who unnecessarily get in the way while shooting with little regard for the subjects priorities. (e.g. not having to slow down during a race for a photographer in the middle of the trail.

Tomorrow I'm headed back to the park around 1130 so as to setup for the Pro category, the best riders, in the worst light.

I enjoy a challenge, this will be fun.


(D700 w/17-35 f2.8 & 28-120 f3.5-5.6/ 2xSB900s, SB800, RadioPoppers JRX studio, Lumiquest III Softbox)

The softbox attached to the SB900 at camera right (mostly, except for shooting on the other side of trail), with the other two lights bare. SB900 3meters down camera side of the trail (mostly), and the SB800 across the trail 2meters from the 900 w/softbox.