Capturing Motocross with Slow Shutter Speeds

Whats the slowest shutter speed you can shoot to achieve useable images?

I decided to find out at the local MX track. These photos were all shot on a Nikon D750 using a 25 year old Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 lens. The lens nor body has any form of stabilisation or vibration reduction. All these shots are hand held which means no monopods/tripods.

The useable images i came away with were taken using a shutter speed of between 1/25th sec to 1/50th sec at 200mm focal length. This is very slow for a 200mm lens of this age and not advisable if you want a great hit rate of sharp in focus images. I had never tried to shoot with a shutter speed this slow on this lens and so I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of the shots worked and had the effect i was aiming for. What I wont tell you is how many shots were complete rubbish and blurry/ out of focus ( Hint- It was A LOT ).

Murray Valley Track Day

I recently had the chance to get a taste of the Murray Valley Training Centre and ride this awesome little track. For a few years now i have heard only great things about the track and it sure didn't disappoint. It's so technical and tight but so so much fun once you link up all the turns correctly. Its mainly a 2nd gear track and teaches great smooth throttle control as you can only use full throttle 10% of the time and i only click up into 3rd for a few seconds. The track is hard work (compared to a larger circuit) on a 1000cc but was much easier than i expected which i attribute to the amazing Race Centre suspension setup i'm running on my RSV4.

When i wasn't out on track i decided to snap a few pics around the pit exit to practice some slow shutter and rear curtain sync flash shots. The following images are just a few of them and dont cover the scope of a full days photographic coverage at the track.

I can’t wait to make the journey up to Murray Valley Training Co again as its an absolute blast and i can see it really improving my riding. Big thanks to the legends that make it all happen.

Head to the Murray Valley Training Centre website for more info and their upcoming dates

Motocross at Krusic's Ride Park- Gippsland

Spent an awesome weekend away at a friends holiday house at Golden Beach in Gippsland. Had such a great time away from the city with mates, talking smack, drinking and the best part is that Ride Park was just 5 mins from our house. Ive been wanting to  check out  Krusics Ride Park  for a few years now but the distance was just too far to make a day trip out of. 

I hadn't been on a MX track in 3 years (plus i'm also really bad at MX) but had a heap of fun. After my body couldn't take any more of a beating i parked up the bike and headed out to take some photos of the proper riders. 

Does anyone want to trade MX lessons for some photos? :P