Feature image by Bob Ianson.
While I didn’t make it to last month’s field trip to the MX track, VCC member photographs definitely made me wish I had. Next time for sure!
This was a fantastic idea for a field trip — something completely different, technically challenging, and a great learning opportunity for anyone wanting to improve or try out shooting any motion.
Since I missed this one, I asked two members who attended — Kim Passmore and Bob Ianson — to share what they learned from photographing the event.
Dry, Dusty, and Dynamic
The photos posted on the VCC Field Trip Gallery showed that conditions were dry and dusty—perfect for motocross photography! The dust, along with the brightly coloured bikes and riders in full gear (many were kids!), really seemed to add atmosphere and depth to the shots.
Bob and Kim pointed out that the Nanaimo MX track offers remarkably close access, unlike many sporting events where photographers are kept well back from the action. The trade-off is that you need to stay alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, and keep a safe distance from the track edges and corners. Safety first.
They mentioned that dust clouds and flying dirt also add a practical challenge to photographing motocross. Be prepared to get your clothes dusty, and bring a camera blower, soft brush, and wipes to help keep your gear clean.
Bob and Kim both agreed that the best part was simply watching and shooting. (The little tykes on their tiny bikes were apparently adorable, while the older riders were incredibly skilled.)
Photographing the Action
Photographing motocross presents its own technical challenges. Keeping both the rider and bike tack sharp was surprisingly difficult.
I learned that focal length requirements vary greatly depending on where you’re standing. A zoom lens reaching 400 mm is useful for some shots, but many images were captured between 47 mm and 105 mm. Zoom in to fill the frame with the rider, zoom out for panning shots, and probably avoid changing lenses unless absolutely necessary in such a dusty environment.
One great piece of advice was to scout the entire course before taking a single photograph. Different corners, jumps, and straightaways lend themselves to completely different images, from frozen-action shots to panning opportunities.
Nanaimo MX 2 by Bob Ianson
Shot at f/9, 1/640 sec, ISO 500 using a 28–400mm lens at 400mm.
In post-processing, Bob reduced highlights and exposure to compensate for the dusty conditions.
What I love about this image is the dust. Instead of being a nuisance, it becomes part of the photograph, obscuring the background and helping separate the riders from their surroundings. The second rider emerging through the dust adds depth and tells more of the story of the race.
Smooth Running by Kim Passmore
Shot at f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO 160 using a 100–400mm lens at 100 mm.
Kim used a polarizer. For many of her later panning shots (this is one of many), she used a 3-stop ND filter to achieve slower shutter speeds. Motion blur was created in-camera with only minor post-processing.
This image really demonstrates why panning is such a powerful technique. The blurred background and wheels create a strong sense of speed while the rider remains sharp enough to be the clear subject. (It’s the kind of image that makes me want to get out and practice panning!)
Kim mentioned that motocross riders are the most difficult subjects she has panned to date because they constantly change both speed and elevation.
Final Thoughts
It sounds like a thrilling event to experience and photograph, with a constant variety of opportunities presenting themselves around the track.
Beyond the action, there is a strong community aspect to the event. Many of the riders are local kids, and parents appreciate seeing photographs of their young racers shared online. Bob had the bonus of photographing his grandson competing!
I’ll need to hone my skills at shooting in very bright light and capturing high-speed action. I’ll also need to practice my panning skills—a technique that looks easier than it is.
The more I learned from those who attended, the more convinced I became that this is a field trip I won’t be skipping next time.