Speed Bumps

Armed with a day off and nothing better to do, I chose to watch the penultimate day of this year's May Bumps. Because I like a challenge, I decided to try shooting nothing but panning shots. This was easier said than done. It was a very bright sunny day, so getting a slow enough shutter speed was the first challenge. Using my lowest ISO (64) and smallest aperture (f22), I managed to squeeze the shutter speed down to a workable 40th of a second. Second challenge was that I hadn't tried panning in years, so my technique was rusty to say the least. I ended up taking a very large number of shots to get a few I liked, but that is what large memory cards are for.

 

Lent Bumps

Saturday 15th of March was the final day of the Lent Bumps. It was a very sunny (but surprising cold) day, so it seemed rude not to go and watch. Watching the Bumps involves a lot of waiting between races, interspersed with brief periods of manic activity. I managed to catch a couple of bumps (don't ask me who bumped who). In between, I tried to grab some portraits. I always enjoy the little ritual of the successful crews adorning themselves with greenery. As it was the final day, a couple of the very successful crews were also able to parade their comically over-sized college flags.

May Bumps

I recently made it to another CCC 'Wednesday Workshop' meet.  This time is was out and about for the first day of the May Bumps.  From previous experience, I had a strategy of being near the start for the early, lower division races, moving down river as the standard improved.  This meant that I saw quite a few bumps.  I shot over a thousand frames but have deleted 90% of them.  There were lots of very unsuccessful panning shots.

The first image in this set was probably my best shot of the day.  As the sun started to drop behind the hedge next to the tow-path, gaps in the hedge cast patches of light and shade on the river.  I was lucky enough to capture a bump with the conceding cox beautifully lit by one of the sunny spots.  It made what otherwise might have been a rather confused picture.  However,for their sheer joy, I also like the last two shots.  In the W1 division, Caius bumped to take 'head of the river'.  It was their Stroke's first ever bump, and to say she was happy about it is an understatement.  Much to the amusement of the rest of her crew.