When you’re visiting any of the most picturesque mountain bike trails in the country or overseas, it would be a mistake not to take photographs. Not only is mountain biking a great sport to capture in action, but there are also a lot of incredible views you can see on the way.
As a professional photographer, I’ve been often hired to do photography and videography in large recreational and mountain bike events. I know how to properly set up my equipment and when it is best to take a shot, giving my clients the high-quality photos they are expecting.
But let’s be honest, not everyone has the equipment, expertise, and time in taking up striking mountain bike photos. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to take good pictures yourself. Whether you're using a GoPro or just your phone’s camera, there are a few basic mountain bike photography tricks you can do to improve your shots.
By the way. If you love any of the photography you’re about to see, you can find more and purchase Mountain Bike Photography prints at: https://devonbaletmedia.picfair.com/
Taking epic mountain biking photos is about catching the essence of the adventure through lighting, timing, angle, and environment.
Here are some MTB photography tricks I would like to share with you:
Rule of Thirds
If you know a little bit about photography, you’ve probably heard about this trick before. This rule allows you to capture a more aesthetically pleasing photo compared to when your subject is positioned in the middle.
To achieve a stunning photo that adheres to this rule, you should divide the shot into thirds horizontally and vertically. Your camera may have this option or you can just visualize it in your head. The way you break up the shot doesn’t need to be perfect. You just need to make sure that the point of interest or subject will be located on a third.
The idea of “thirds” doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s more about creating space in the photo and naturally inviting people to look in certain places.
Angles
Finding the perfect angle is important to emphasize the photo’s subjects and make the shot more striking. Achieve better-angled photos by refraining from capturing eye-level shots. You can try to get as low as you can to capture the intensity of the biker and dramatize the photo’s effect.
Taking pictures from above or below riders, or from various sides creates greater drama in the finished shot.
Lighting
When it comes to lighting, make sure that you can take full advantage of the natural light available. I would recommend taking photos in the morning or afternoon to give your photos a more inviting look. Capturing excellent photos can be difficult at midday due to the harsh light the sun produces.
Another great time to capture pictures is right at sunset. Shadows create a highly dynamic landscape and help emphasize the scene’s intensity.
Best Mountain Bike Trails
If you’re into mountain biking and love to take photos, then you’re in luck as the United States has countless mountain bike trails across the land. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced biker, there are a lot of spots where you can enjoy the sport while enjoying scenic views. With this, you will be able to enjoy your love for mountain biking and photography at the same time.
Here are some of the best mountain bike trails around the country that you should try:
Monarch Crest
One of the go-to mountain bike trails in Colorado is Monarch Crest, which is located at Isabel National Forest. What mountain bikers love about this trail is that it’s quite an extreme, high-alpine ride. Despite that, the trail is smooth, with little to no rocks that obstruct the way.
There are also spectacular views of valleys and mountains at Monarch Crest. You should not miss out on taking beautiful photos of this trail’s picture-perfect scenery. There are also hot springs on this trail where you can relax with other mountain bikers.
Colorado has so many incredible views. Getting out on your mountain bike opens a world of possibilities.
Lunch Loop
Another great mountain bike trail in Colorado is the Lunch Loops Trail System. By going on an adventure here, you’ll be able to experience challenging terrain and splendid scenery. Located just a few miles away from Grand Junction, this trail is pretty accessible to locals and tourists.
Lunch Loop is near the entrance of the Colorado National Monument, so you can guarantee that you’ll see unbelievably scenic views when you go on a biking trip here. Make sure that you can take photos of the different spectacular sceneries around this bike park.
Western Colorado is home to some of the world’s best mountain biking. It is a massive mountain bike destination that also happens to be my home base.
Divide Trail
If ever you’re in Steamboat Springs, there is an incredible single-track biking trail you should experience, which is known as Divide Trail. The best thing about this trail is the scenic views you can take a glimpse at when you go on an adventure here. From striking ranch land views to picturesque alpine forests, Divide Trail will surely not disappoint when it comes to stunning sceneries.
To immortalize the moment, make sure that you can take photos and videos of your Divide Trail adventure. Take a shot of every magnificent view you encounter as you embark on this epic ride.
Riding near the mountain towns comes with some chilly moments. So long as you’re dressed warmly though, even late fall, mild winter, or early spring rides make for incredible experiences.
Mills Peak
Mountain biking originated in California, which is why it’s not surprising that there are many spectacular biking trails all around the state. One of the most thrilling trails is Mills Peak, which is a 15-mile out and back trail that takes around six hours to fully complete.
Mills Peak is an underrated trail system that every mountain biker should try. You may also drop by at the Mills Peak Fire Lookout, which gives you a splendid view of the counties of Plumas and Sierra. Of course, as always, don’t forget to take photos and videos to have something to always remember this epic adventure.
Mountain bike photography comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s about the awesome air. Sometimes the scenery. And sometimes it’s about the rider and how muddy they get.
Wasatch Crest
When we talk about the sport, a lot of mountain bikers immediately think of Utah as one of the best places with the most exhilarating trails. You can find different types of terrain in Utah, making the adventure more fun and challenging. From dialed bike parks to cross-country trails, Utah offers an extensive variety of mountain bike spots.
One of the best ones you should try is Wasatch Crest. This mountain bike trail has a 400-mile interconnected singletrack created by professional trail builders. What’s more, Wasatch Crest is the only mountain bike trail in the US that is recognized as a “gold-level ride center” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The views are incredible in Wasatch Crest as well, so don’t forget to take high-quality photos and videos while you’re here.
There’s a reason so many people love mountain bike photography…
Make the Most of Your Mountain Bike Adventure
Whichever mountain trail you decide to explore, the most important thing is you have fun. Don’t forget to capture all the exciting moments and all the amazing views. Taking photos will give you a way to freeze memories of you doing something you like. With this, you will be able to document your adventure and be able to express yourself creatively. Who knows? If you’ve really made a nice shot, you can end up having a nice photo that you can use as a mountain bike wallpaper for your phone or laptop.