Tip 4: Hero Shots Motocross is an extremely exciting form of motor racing because bike and rider often leave the ground and because the sport is performed on loose dirt, which provides a solid spray (a "roost") of dirt as the rear wheel spins under acceleration. As you'll discover, these young athletes love to show off. The entire sport of freestyle motocross originated from riders who flipped their machines sideways while in midair—actually turning before touching down—to increase their speed through a turn that included a jump at its entrance. Over the years, these mid-air gyrations evolved into a competition all its own. Hero shots are often most available during practice sessions that precede every event. Arrive early and catch the guys showing off before the pressure of winning becomes too great. Here's a good technique for determining exactly the best moment to click the shutter. Pick your spot, pre-focus, and then follow the bike/rider through the section without pressing the shutter release button. Instead simply say "click" to yourself or use another comfortable technique to let yourself know when you'd take the picture. Typically, riders approach a turn at full throttle. When they've waited as long as they consider possible, they chop the throttle completely and apply both front and rear brakes at full strength. As they approach the apex of the turn, they release the brakes and begin to feed in throttle. As they exit the turn, the throttle will be full on, creating a roost of dirt off the rear wheel and lightening the front wheel to the point where it may lift off the ground. That's the point where the image looks most spectacular. By NOT pressing the shutter button (and having the SLR mirror block your view of the moment of exposure), you'll be able to pick the point where the best action occurs. Tip 5: More Risk, More Responsibility Back when I captured these moto moments, track security was far more relaxed than it is today, so if you plan to apply some of these techniques, your best bet is to attend a local event rather than a big-time professional race. You'll be able to get closer to the action, and that means better images. It also increases your risk, however and there are several rules that will prevent you from making a painful mistake: • Never turn your back on the action. If someone loses control, you need to see him coming so you can step aside. • Keep your left eye open. For the same reason as not turning your back; be aware of these fast-moving machines and be prepared to get out of the way when things get scary. • Use a long lens when standing outside a turn. When a rider falls, inertia will carry him and his machine to the outside of the turn; make sure you're not there when it happens. • You're fairly safe standing or kneeling inside a turn with a wide angle lens, but make sure that no camera straps, loose clothing or other "snaggable" material is hanging (or blowing in the wind) where it could catch on a passing bike. Not only can you get hurt, but you may cause a crash that either injures competitors or removes them from competition. Pan Techniques It’s important to brace yourself solidly to reduce camera shake. Begin your pan well ahead of the point where you plan to shoot the picture. Pick one of the markings in your viewfinder and place it on a point on the bike or rider. Make sure your image is well composed when the mark and point are aligned; then you can concentrate solely on holding the camera in the correct relative position. A successful professional photographer, Charlie Morey got involved in motocross as a rider when the sport was first gaining popularity in the US. He has used his riding experience to great advantage as a writer, editor and photographer.