Different Perspective Sports Magazine Issue 3 | Page 9

Above - In many respects photographing a Cyclocross race is similar to a
triathlon where you are offered a lot of freedom of movement. This enables you
to gauge the best vantage points and hope that action unfolds right in front of
you. I was focussing on the guy in yellow in this shot as that is the steeper, more
technical line that requires a sharper turn at the bottom. To me this presented the
most likely place for a crash. I was proved wrong as I saw the rider in blue lose
control in my viewfinder so quickly turned to capture him. I just about managed it
but had I not had my eye to the viewfinder I would have missed it.
Left Top - Getting this close to the action is not for the faint hearted and requires
careful judgement as not to get in the way of the riders or get hit. Using a wide
angle lens allows you to really bring the viewer into the action. The riders head is
not needed here - the shot is about the hill and mud.
Left Bottom - I used this log as a “leading line” to draw the viewers eye into the
image.