SHOOT! Mountain Biking Mtunzini Magic

 

You’re very fortunate if you get to shoot one of the MiWay Big 5 MTB Series, as these events take place at some of the most gorgeous outdoor locations in the country. Superb single-track trails, rugged climbs and super-tube downhills are the order of the day, so it is no wonder that mountain bikers flock from all over to get a taste of the MiWay Big 5 vibe.

 

The Zini Estate Buffalo Classic, the first race in the series of five mountain bike races throughout the year, could not have wished for a more perfect location than Zini River Estate, near Mtunzini and Empangeni on the KZN North Coast. Stands of indigenous forest, vast fields of sugar cane, side-winding trails through eucalyptus plantations, wooden boardwalk routes through mangroves and raphia palms … biking does not get much better than this.

 

And neither does photographing mountain biking. The consistent change of scenery allows you to shoot against a constantly varying backdrop, but you obviously have to make sure that you have the ways and means of getting around the course at speed. A quad- or motor bike is great, so try to arrange this up front or plan shooting points easily accessible by vehicle. For more information on the MiWay Big 5 MTB Series events, check out www.miwaymtb.co.za

 

Image 1: Bridge Busters

 

The Action: This arguably rates as one of the most dramatic compositions you could get at a mountain bike race. Just on 10 km before the end of the Zini Buffalo MTB Challenge, the racers blast across this arched concrete bridge at warp speed.

 

The Shot: I looked at the arched columns of the bridge when I got there and thought a shot from the top would be awesome. The only way to get to the top was to do the monkey walk … fortunately my Seismics had great grip!

 

The Technique: As the riders tend to get lost against the bland concrete, I decided to set up remote flash on Pocket Wizards behind the pillars, to pop them into sharper focus.

 

The Specifications: 1/400th sec @ 4.5; Nikon D800 + 16mm fish eye lens; ISO 1.0; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (-1); off-camera flash on Pocket Wizards; Lightroom filter applied.

 

More Information: www.facebook.com/miwaymtb