autofantasia's photos with the keyword: cycling

So this week the theme for The Sunday Challenge was panning , not a technique I've used or even practiced before, which I guess is good because it saw me being pushed out my comfort zone. The idea for those that haven't come across it before is that you capture a moving subject in a way that shows they are moving via the blurred background, as opposed to when you use a fast shutter speed and end up with both the subject and the background in sharp focus. As I say, not a technique I've used before so some reading up and picking of brains was required. Not an easy technique to perfect I read and boy were they right about that. I spent over an hour in a lay-by to start with trying to capture passing cars and out of the 100 or so shots I took I wouldn't say I was in the slightest happy with more than a couple of them. This is one technique that has a high fail rate for sure ... at least for me. Next I went to the local park to try and capture any local dogs that were being exercised, but had very little success with that either. Then I remembered an area to the rear of the local leisure centre where there is a cycle path and went to wait for an appropriate subject to come along. And I waited, and I waited, and I waited! Then just as I was about to give up and go home for a heat and something warm to drink I saw this chap approaching me. I had one chance to get it right and although it is far from being the perfect shot at least I came home with something I felt I could post without too much embarrassment. P.S. Still having major broadband connections so I'm afraid I might be slow commenting on what you guys have been up to lately!

This week's Sunday Challenge had the theme of metallic and although I did take several shots this week with the theme in mind, in the end I've opted for a shot I took a while back, but have never posted. It was taken at Classic on Show on the outskirts of Stokesley earlier this year and the subject is an old bicycle, which was made by Hetchins. I'm not sure of the age of this particular bike, but for over 75 years Hetchins have apparently been building superior quality lugged steel frames for the discerning enthusiast and racer so it could be very old indeed. Hyman ('Harry') Hetchin actually started selling bicycles in the 1920s; later he acquired himself a partner and frame builder, Jack Denny. Victory in the World and Olympic Championships in 1936 entitled Hetchin to display the champion's colour bars on his transfers. The elegance and fine workmanship of the frames have made the marque legendary. You can find out more about the history of the marque, model types and frames of special interest by visiting the site below: www.hetchins.org It's also worth pointing out that Hetchins are apparently still very much in demand and are produced today by Hetchins Lightweights. The latest model is called the Magnum Opus Ultralite and you can find out more about new production by visiting the site below: www.hetchins.com

Another from the series of shots I took for the The Sunday Challenge , which had the theme of At The Market , but which also extended to cover shop displays. This was in the same window as the Victory Bears that everyone seemed to feel were too nice looking to actually eat and comes with added reflections and more traditional processing!

Another from the series of shots I took for the recent The Sunday Challenge , which had the theme of At The Market , but which also extended to cover shop displays. This is a photo I took of part of the window display in Bettys Tearoom on the High Street. As you can see these were specially made to commemorate the Tour de France coming to North Yorkshire. As some people overseas might not know much about Bettys or realise that these are edible, I've copied the following text from their website: Wearing the iconic yellow jersey that was introduced in 1919, the year Bettys opened, our adorable cyclist bear looks set to take his place at the front of the greatest bicycle race. Handcrafted from Swiss Grand Cru milk chocolate with marzipan decoration, he certainly leads the pack as a uniquely charming gift. “With our heritage, we thought it would be nice to do a vintage cycling bear, so we went back through archives to see what cyclists used to wear,” says our Product Development Manager, Lesley Norris. www.bettys.co.uk

For those that don't know, this year's Tour de France started in Yorkshire ... yes I know, that's what I thought! Anyway, despite being a keen cyclist I didn't make it along to the start today, but I did manage to shoot this beautifully carved tree in Harrogate a few weeks ago. So, ooh la la, ee by gum! letour.yorkshire.com

For those that don't know, this year's Tour de France started in Yorkshire ... yes I know, that's what I thought! Anyway, despite being a keen cyclist I didn't make it along to the start today, but I did manage to shoot this beautifully carved tree in Harrogate a few weeks ago. So, ooh la la, ee by gum! letour.yorkshire.com

For those that don't know, this year's Tour de France started in Yorkshire ... yes I know, that's what I thought! Anyway, despite being a keen cyclist I didn't make it along to the start today, but I did manage to shoot this beautifully carved tree in Harrogate a few weeks ago. So, ooh la la, ee by gum! letour.yorkshire.com