Mountain bike photography is challenging; let’s face it. You can take a boring picture of a rider in a vast mountain landscape, but those get old after a while. So what makes mountain bike photography so challenging? This is probably due to the difficulty of conveying action to the viewer. Suddenly, 25 mph of rip-roarin’ downhill action looks like they’re barely moving. However, it will take a little while to realize that good images follow a simple formula. To help you along, here are a few basic things that will help you start taking better mountain bike shots:

Rule of Thirds

Professionals and novices alike use this soft “rule.” First, divide your scene into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. You don’t have to make it perfect. Place your subject (the rider) on one of these lines or where the lines intersect. Generally speaking, this makes for a more pleasing photo than placing your subject in the middle or off to the side. Still need convincing? Try it both ways with the same image and see what happens.

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Lighting and Backlighting

Light is one of the essential tools for making a photograph stand out. Sunsets or sunrises, which cast long shadows, are generally more inviting than the midday sun’s bright, “contrasty” color temperatures. Backlighting further enhances a subject’s drama, creating a subject framed by rocks and trees and standing out from the bright sun.

Convey Action

As mentioned above, it takes a lot of work to convey action with mountain biking photography. Fast shutter speeds are ideal for getting crisply focused images, but if not set up correctly, they will stop the action dead in its tracks. It is always helpful to include movement in an action photo showing the rider moving quickly: wind, body action, or dirt/dust in the air.

Zoom Out

It is sometimes just about the landscape; the rider becomes an element of the image to convey grandeur and scale. This is usually the easiest way to shoot mountain biking photography, but remember to mix things up and keep these to a minimum. As well as placing the rider strategically in the image, it is crucial to give the landscape he’s riding through or in proper scale.

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Mix your perspectives

A great rule in photography is to keep a constant mix of perspectives to keep things interesting and the viewer “on their toes.” With mountain bike photography, perspective can make or break a shot. When riding, it’s easiest to compose images in your head on the climbs since you’re essentially looking at the scene without the rider. Zoom in to show emotion: pain and joy are common on rides! Use different objects in the foreground for interesting bokeh.

Those who ride have the opportunity to see parts of the world that few others have ever experienced. In addition, trails generally have picturesque backdrops that make for excellent photographs. You can hopefully use these tips to create better images and make your rides more memorable!

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