Shoot Journal: Winter Park Day Shoot

When preparing for a mountain biking day shoot (or any significant shoot for that matter), I go over the equipment I'm bringing probably a million times.  It would be devastating to drive 2 hours to a shoot and realize I forgot a lens, or my camera!  I highly recommend making a list of everything you need for specific types of shoots.  This way you can go over the list and ensure that you've packed everything.  Of course, it's also good to check that list again as soon as all the gear is in your car!  Sometimes I've even stopped halfway to a shoot just to make sure I have everything, it's kind of OCD but it ensures that I'm prepared.

It's always important to have a backup for your camera and flash, should something really go wrong.  My main rig is a Nikon D3s, but I held onto my D300 as a backup just in case.  Every shoot I go to, I place this is a separate bag and keep it in my car.  Before that, I shot the D300 with a D200 as a backup.  One day, my D300's CF door latch broke, and I couldn't get the card out to replace it.  The D200 saved me, and gave me something to shoot while the 300 was in for repairs.  You just never know what may happen in the field.  Being over-prepared is always better than just taking what you think you'll need.

Mountain Bike Action: Top tips for successful mountain biking photography

Keeping up with the fast pace of mountain biking, and showcasing the speed and intensity of the sport can often be difficult.  Following the tips below can help guarantee some incredible results!