Shifting Gears Photo

Photographer’s Note

The title of this shot is a double entendre, it indicates both the driver's actions and the coming changes in my photos. This will be my last shot from Korea in the foreseeable future. I am back in the US, it is nearing the weekend and I am going shooting, and the next one will be from here.

The motorcycle driver in this shot is carrying cases of glass bottles of the local alcohol of choice; Soju. I tried my best to track this guy as you can see by the streaks in the bg, but the out of focus subject shows I didn't quite succeed. I posted it never the less because I thought the effect was pretty neat even if it wasn't what I was trying for. The color and framing are as shot.

I find it interesting that the driver's hard hat is in the basket. Hard hats, as in the type people wear on construction sites, are common head wear on 2 wheeled vehicles here in Korea. That they would be completely ineffective in any sort of crash does not seem to be a concern.

jurgen, rjb874, delic, pablominto, dareco, feather, Zelanda, jlbrthnn, bakes888, pboehringer, ryno, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pcp (3346) 2007-09-20 19:10

Wonderfuly captured...Nice colors and good Composition makes this picture more special..

TFS

Senthil

jang (720) 2007-09-20 20:12

enjoy straight holidays(At Chuseok).

jurgen (1994) 2007-09-20 20:15

A very good panned picture. That the motorcicle is a little blurred ads a touch of speed to the picture, because the background is completely blurred --it even seems a Photoshop effect. Wonderful work.
And yes, as much as I know, helmets intended for construction sites or for labs are not safe enough for bikers. He will certainly have some injuries in an accident.

delic (6735) 2007-09-20 23:56

Hi Greg,
That hard hat must be a feel-good thing. You are right that it won't help in a crash. Interesting image, nothing is sharp because of the slow shutter speed, yet it works because of the visual impact. Regards,
Hakan

pablominto (39872) 2007-09-21 0:40

Hello Greg,
This is a fine action capture!
The typical scenery is well captured and the panning is well done, good colours and a fine composition!
I'm looking forward to see the new line of images...
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

ribeiroantonio (21711) 2007-09-21 5:59

It is a good panning but I think the f/10 is a bit to slow for this photo. I would like to see more definition on the man. The hard hat in the basket is amazing. Anyway, still a well done picture with good colours too.
Antonio.

dareco (17024) 2007-09-21 6:24

You can actually 'see' the speed here. Amazing to me that people in Asia ride around without a helmet. Funny that his hard hat sits in his basket. A really good capture of daily life in Korea. Good colors. TFS

feather (49848) 2007-09-21 7:52

There is no doubt the hard hats will be completely ineffective in the basket of the bike ;D. Interesting subject as in the west we would not see cargo on a bike. Although not entirely successful, your panning has shown a lot of motion blur in the background. Panning is an incredibly difficult technique.
Kath

Zelanda (5692) 2007-09-21 9:16

Hola Greg,
Estupenda captura en la que se aprecia muy bien el movimiento.
Excelentes colores y dinamismo.
Saludos cordiales
Ros

jlbrthnn (36802) 2007-09-21 14:42

Bonsoir Greg,
This image satisfies me, the movement and the picturesque character of the scene is interesting, especially if the trade of the motorcylcist is known.
Good night and good weekend
Cordially
Joel

jurek1951 (25708) 2007-09-22 0:31

Hi Greg,
Nice composition and very good light. Lovely colours also.

bakes888 (18055) 2007-09-22 3:42

Hi Greg. I’m not surprised the bike and rider are a little blurred, 1/13 sec is very slow for such a shot. But you have captured the effect very well. Well composed also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.
PS. I’m looking forward to your hometown photos.

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-24 9:27

Greg,
LOL!!! What a perfect post to celebrate your change of places and action. I alreday saw also your welcoming post to the US. Very appropriate posts, indeed. Although, I prefer this image much more than your starting one. No wonder! You lived for a long time in Korea and it is probably much easier to get a meaningful image form were you're parting versus were you're arriving. Have a good start! Welcome home!
Regards, Peter

ryno (4564) 2007-09-26 11:17

Hi Greg, I love the blur of motion in this one, and the general feel of it. The shot is quintessentially Asian in content and atmosphere, perhaps the light plays a part. It makes me wish I was there now. Nice one!
Ryno

jonathan_hart (22564) 2007-09-27 9:32

hello Greg
good shot, dynamic, speed feeling, fine tones
regards
jo

gunbud (27515) 2007-09-28 19:27

Hi Greg,
Very appropriate photo to post upon your departure from the Far East. Clear colors help highlight the blurred action effect of this wonderful action image.
Regards, Tom