Tips for Shooting Mountain Bikes
Shot on Canon EOS R50 : RF 50mm 1.8
Mountain biking has been an obsession of mine for a very long time, so naturally the first thing I wanted to shoot when deciding to adopt videography was a mountain bike edit. Luckily I'm not short on talented friends, ideal locations or patience for long drives. When I ventured into capturing a mountain bike edit for my first shoot, it wasn't just about filming; it was about learning, adapting, and understanding. Here's what my journey taught me and my top tips for shooting mountain bikes
1. The Magic of Wide Angle Lenses (But Don't Neglect the Close-ups)
I consistently found myself wishing for a wider prime lens in my kit bag. My options for the day were my 50mm prime lens or my 18-45mm. I tended to favour the 50mm on account of the wider aperture and better build quality, but due to the nature of the subject I often found myself shooting between 25-35mm on the zoom lens. I think a 35mm prime would have been perfect here, and it certainly moved up in priority on my 'to buy' list.
The capacity of the wider kit lens to capture the trails while showcasing the riders (Ollie Holmes) ability was vital. Yet, interspersing these with tight shots with a short depth field from the nifty fifty brought in dramatic contrasts—I only wish my camera body could have captured some of the finer details in a nice buttery smooth 120fps.
2. Seamless Motion is Cinematic Gold
Capturing the fluidity of Ollie's riding required equipment that can keep up. My DJI RS3 Mini was pivotal In capturing the smooth motion I needed, but the fluid head on my somewhat ancient Manfrotto tripod wasn't quite up to the task. With some careful operation I achieved some nice fluid pan shots with the tripod, however the tilt axis was not up to the task of tracking Ollie smoothly over the spines of dirt he was riding. The impact of the fluid head on the final product was jarring to me as an editor and made me consider using the gimbal a lot more when the situation allows for it.
3. Precise Planning with Lighting and Location
Spontaneity may have its charm, but planning is indispensable, especially when dealing with remote or concealed locations. I made a point of researching existing footage of the location to assist with storyboarding and shot lists, factoring in the terrain and the play of light. Pre-empting how the shadows would fall or and how my subject would be lit played a big part of my planning.
A bonus tip which unexpectedly payed off was to consider a backup location. Our initial plan was to spend a full day at Bolehills in Sheffield, with the old BMX track dirt jumps being the a comfortable footing for Ollie. After a few laps round and some time acclimating to equipment and conditions the geometry of the jumps wasn't clicking 100% with the rider. Thankful to some forethought we had a full suspension bike at hand and a quick switch over to Grenoside Woods gave us a great run of footage over the Steel City DH run.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
4. Acknowledge Your Rider's Stamina
Behind every gap, berm, and turn is a rider pushing their limits. Repeated takes might be a filmmaker's prerogative, but it's crucial to remember the physical strain on the rider. Coordinating and compromising became key in the closing stages of the day, knowing when to sacrifice a second (cleaner) take in favour of extending the run and covering more ground.
I was fortunate that Ollie had great stamina for more than a few takes, and wasn't bothered by the sight of the push up path. Despite working with an athlete who's familiar with hard work by the 6th hour on location it was time to consider the shots that were most crucial to the edit.
5. Dress as though you're riding
Bolehills and Greno are far from the most gruelling locations on planet earth but it goes without saying that you shouldn't be shooting in your best loafers. Consider comfortable footwear that can tackle terrain that would otherwise be challenged by a 29" wheel, warm clothes as you'll be moving around considerably less than your subject, and waterproofs because this is the UK.
Being a rider myself I was well prepared with kit and clothes for the occasion, and as I always do when riding I took along a spare pair of warm comfy clothes for the drive home.
6. Your Gear Demands Respect
Given that my equipment is mostly new I was overly conscious of protecting it from the elements. A decent and well packed camera bag can keep your gear safe during transit, especially if you're pedalling too and from locations (it can be tempting to let loose a bit when the trail is just right). Dirt jumps in particular have a reputation for being dusty in the warmer months, so keeping this in mind when switching lenses is paramount for your sensor. Dry bags and waterproofs covers were not needed on this occasion but they were on hand should the rain have hit.
Moving forward and planning my next shoots, I'm aware that the mountain and trails can be as challenging for my equipment as they are for the riders. From the assaulting dust to the unpredictable weather, you risk facing it all.
7. External Monitor: Time for New Gear
The main issue I dealt with during this shoot, as alluded to earlier was the framing of shots on my 50mm lens. Most of the issues were caused by confined space and not enough room to frame a shot correctly without compromising low light capability, BUT, I have to admit to a degree of user error here, hindered by relying solely on the articulating screen on my camera for composition. Investing in an external monitor has been on the cards for a while, but this has since moved up in priority as something I consider to be essential gear for this type of shoot.
8. Rely on Peers for Honest Feedback
I have always preferred to know that I'm heading in the right direction with something. Feedback is key to understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and having somebody to review your work provides a perspective that you cannot have as a content creator analysing your own work. Knowing you can ask someone for their constructive criticism is a really beneficial way to ensure you're on an upward trajectory.
I had multiple people to discuss ideas with, including Ollie,each had valuable suggestions and feedback for the final product. To ensure that the feedback is coming from the right people it's a good idea to seek advice from somebody who understands the process. For me this was an instagram message to Lew at Pedal Slip, a creator I've previously worked with and who's content has influenced my own creative processes in the past.
So How Did it Go?
Overall my first experience with filming mountain biking was an expedition of discovery. Each location, every shot, and every challenge presented an opportunity to learn. I have to mention the editing process as well, which presented just as many challenges as the shoot day. Right from the start I struggled with music choices, sound design, animation ideas, video length, do I cut this? Do I cut that? But once I had accepted that this was a first pass attempt at something I intend to be a long term hobby, everything became much easier. By grounding myself and enjoying the process everything started to flow.
Hopefully my thoughts from this shoot are useful to anyone facing the same situation or those thinking about picking up a camera and getting to work. Remember to stay in the moment and enjoy it, it's about the passion, the respect for the sport, and the thrill of capturing that perfect moment—both behind and in front of the camera!
Great outcome, mate. And cheers for the shoutout! I always send my stuff to other people before it goes live. Feedback is so valuable when it comes from people who understand the process.