I was recently asked to capture photos of this stunning pimped out blue Toyota Pick Up Truck and I jumped at the opportunity. This is my first car shoot and I can tell you it was a blast on so many different levels.
I am really happy at the way the photos turned out and did a lot of homework before the actual shoot. I wanted to incorporate my style blending fine art with my two or four wheeled friends. First up was the location. I wanted to find the proper background for this truck that suited both the owner, Kim, and her sleek low riser. Kim is not your typical ‘foo foo’ woman and is not afraid to get her nails dirty. I really wanted to find a location that suited both the edginess of the truck along with her personality. From drop down skirts, chrome mags to full on handcuffs this truck was tastefully done up.
Next up was researching what makes a good car photo. Lots of information out there – some good and some really bad stuff. So I took notes and learned. We decided on a day and I prayed to the weather Gods for weather that I wanted and they listened. Thank you!
I was stoked to find that the locations I chose worked perfectly. And luckily, I had chosen a few as we had to move from our first location to the second one. I will admit that I thoroughly enjoyed taking photos like this. I really liked researching my ‘subject’ and working the car. Taking photos of this truck opened my photographic vision to a whole new ball park and I would love to have the opportunity to try it again. In an odd sort of way this photo shoot reminded me of people portraits. Although my subject didn’t move or frown it did have it’s own ‘quirkiness’ that I needed to adapt to. Both come with their own set of special challenges!
I would like to thank Kim and Alex for giving me this opportunity!! And I can say with certainty that I am looking forward to another car shoot in the future. Any takers?
Taking five at the Algonquin 2 day rideWhether at the races for fun or for competition it’s always great to be riding with buddies.
The 2013 Ontario Off-road riding season is soon upon us and personally I cannot wait! An opportunity to share good times with friends, ride a new trail and become one with the bike. I am also looking forward to riding the trails with my camera gear in tow searching for those perfect action shots. I have many plans this summer and, hopefully, some good news to share in a few weeks. In the meantime, Cecile Gambin Photography will be out in full force this season at most of the off road and cycling events throughout our great province. So, don’t forget to ham it up when you see my lens and say ‘hello’!
A doll? No…you want a bike for Christmas. Next year make sure to put that at the top of your list.
With the year rapidly coming to a close my thoughts turn to how much fun I had this season. Fun riding, fun photographing, fun talking, fun being with friends and fun making lots of new ones. And, as always, fun promoting our sport because we all know riding woods is just too much fun not to share.
CGP would like to thank you for your support. As a reminder, all 2012 photos will be removed from my gallery via my website on Dec. 31, 2012. By purchasing photos it has covered my costs for travel to events, and allowed me to keep my equipment in good working order (dust, rain and photographic equipment don’t mix well). I look forward to attending most trail rides and races next year and will post photos as they become available.
Thank you also to Offroad-Ontario, the KTM Trail series, the CMRC Trans Canada, Substance Projects, Sasquatch Vintage Racing, the CMX, and to all the countless volunteers for a superb year.
Finally, I am hoping that my next post in the New Year will have some fantastic news. But, for the moment I must keep my mouth closed. In the meantime, please have a safe and happy holiday season. See you out on the trails with either my camera, my bike or both.
Welcome to the 59th edition of The Corduroy Enduro. For access to photo albums please clickHERE.
Over 150 + riders from across the country gathered September 21-23 to race the country’s hardest off-road event. This years race was made even more special as one of the worlds top ‘Extreme Enduro’ athlete Chris Birch from New Zealand suited up and raced his first event in Canada. The Cord, as this race is affectionately called, is touted as Canada’s toughest race as riders slash it out over the picturesque but harsh, rocky, hilly and rooty trails of the Haliburton Highlands in eastern Ontario.
This event would not be possible without the help of countless volunteers. Club members from across the province came to help – LVDR, HORRA, TNT, BMA, HHTR, OCMC, SCORRA, ODSC, OFTR. A HUGE thank you again to Dave Wrack, Ed Strohak, Blair Sharpless, Dennis Lever, Ken Hoeverman, Kevin, Scott & Sue and many others for pointing me in the right direction. We all know my map reading abilities are astounding!!
A HUGE shout-out is also extended to Tracey Evans, her mom and her sisters for keeping the riders, volunteers and others well fed and, for making fresh mashed potatoes. Do you have any idea how long it took these women (and Dave Wrack) to hand peel potatoes with love for over 50 hungry racers for Saturday nights dinner? I can assure you…they all had arm pump at the end of the peeling marathon.
I hope you enjoy the photos that I have selected for my photo report. Comments are always appreciated and thank you for those of you who take the time to do so. There are many more photos available (please see the link above or click on the ‘Gallery’ tab). Because there were so many riders and my computer has been very unstable lately I have only uploaded a few photos from each area I went to. This also helps keep the album down to a more manageable viewing size. Please email me with your minute number, side plate number, description of the bike and clothing would also help. And while I did my best to try and take photos of everyone please understand that chasing around over 150 riders is not easy and I apologise in advance if I was not able to get a photo of you.
Chris Birch, KTM/Red Bull/Comsol Bell Racing pro athlete aboard a KTM500 charging up fresh loamy dirt on Friday’s second test of the day at Scott and Sue’s place. Chris just came back from downhilling in Whistler, BC’s famous bike park and little did he know that a little bit of the west coast greenery and mossy woods greeted him here.All around nice guy Patrick Beaule, KTM/Aldo Racing/Flanny Media, using the Cord as a training ride for his upcoming Dakar 2013 race.Yamaha backed rider, Brian Wojnarowski, staying on the throttle throughout the entire weekend finished the event in second place only five points behind a world class rider. Congrats on your awesome ride Wojo!Shooting the breeze early Friday morning before the mandatory riders meeting.As the saying goes…’a picture is worth a thousand words.’ You may interpret this pic as you like.A rider at the MX1 grass track early Saturday morning under a light rain, or was it sun. Oh wait…it was both as temperatures, rain and sun changed regularly every 5 minutes. The Cord definitely tested my skills as a photographer with the ever changing light!Birchy’s slight bobble in the rocks didn’t stop him as he swiftly and skillfully attacked the infamous Greens Mountain.Scott Bowes choosing one of the many lines available on Greens Mountain.There was carnage on Greens Mountain Saturday morning as racers took to the hill in the opposite direction of Fridays test. Spectators lend a hand to weary, tired and frustrated riders.Saturday afternoon racers faces resembled this beautiful Styrofoam mannequin head – dirty with a wide-eyed ‘WTF did I just get myself into’ look?Kevin Burnett from Rally Connex displayed his big Katoom with some nifty discoteque-ish lighting.I am sure some racers were dreaming early Saturday night after an exhausting day of mud, sweat and tears. The Cord has a way of reducing a person’s ego to bits and pieces and many first timers need to know that and be reminded that many don’t complete this race on their first try.Sunday morning saw the pros once again riding the pristine trails on Scott & Sues property.I could spend all day here shooting at Scott & Sues. Found a really cool line that requires a seriously skilled rider. The landing could hurt a bit but it would make for a killer photo. Any takers?
An estimated 50 spectators lined the south side of the ‘Tunnel of Love’ silently waiting for riders to test their skill…and let’s face it…watch some carnage.Knackered is the word that comes to my mind but I’m sure this rider thought of a more expletive word.The normally quiet and reserved Wojo rocked the tunnel as he cleanly bounced around the rocks a few times looking for a pass in his quest to gain time on Chris Birch.Rome Haloftis, Vet Expert winner, focused and railing another gorgeous Haliburton Highland forest just past the Tunnel of Love.Birch captures the win and with it the top finisher for the 59th edition of The Corduroy Enduro. Congrats Chris!The future of off road racing Zach Lewis always ready and riding in style at Sedwicks Quarry, Sunday afternoon. Zach finished second in his category and I believe the youngest finisher in the Cords history having just turned 16 a few months ago. Congrats!Easy viewing for the last race of the weekend at Sedgwick’s Quarry.‘Mad Mike’ Pflug showing off his collar bone post-Romaniac race.Brian Wojnarowski giving thumbs up before the last Endurocross of the weekend.A relaxed Chris Birch before the last test of day. Birch is one of the most humble and down-to-earth pros I have ever met and it is refreshing to see this in a top level athlete.
Ummm…this is no time for a nap Birchy! Despite the fall in the soft sand, Chris Birch comes back and pulls off a win at the spectator friendly EnduroX race Saturday afternoon.
Offroad racing in an urban city just became reality. On August 26, 2012 Motomotions inaugural XC event took place at Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort, in Kitchener, Ontario. Fielding Offroad Ontario’s largest race turnout the event (over 200) was both challenging yet fun for racers and spectators alike.
Under another blazing hot sunny day, the newly layed out course held up well under dry, dusty conditions. With lots of switchbacks, off camber climbs, near vertical ups and downs – the course can be crowned as one of the most difficult on the Offroad Ontario XC circuit. Not impossible…but challenging. And in my opinion…challenge is good. I don’t know about you but that’s how I learn and how I get better. There were a few bottle necks in the morning races but don’t forget…this is a brand new course. Hiccups are bound to happen and I am sure these will be dealt with appropriately next year.
I had a blast taking pictures for this event. Taking photos in a new facility always amps up my creative juices. The most difficult part of the day (besides becoming ‘crispy’ from too much sun) was the dust. Like most of the race season this summer the dust has been relentless. I decided to stay with one lens as I did not want to change it out in the open. I just spent good money cleaning my sensor and, quite frankly, I cannot afford to part with my camera for a few days while it sits on some white lab table at Nikon HQ.
Not only was this a spectacular event Chicopee had a their restaurant/bar open and lots of beers were sold during and after the races for spectators and racers alike. Entrance money from over 400+ people was also collected in support of the Rick Hanson Foundation. Killer award plaques – sporting a huge 10×15″ size – found their way into the hands of podium recipients. Pro autograph session, free posters, vendors, exhibitors and tons of activities for the entire family. Need I say more?
I have put together a photo report with some of my favourite photos. I hope you enjoy them. The rest of the photos are available via my website at http://order.cecilegambin.com/riders. And, if you want to know my where abouts and what CGP is shooting next catch me on Facebook under Cecile Gambin Photography.
The PeeWee course was the best and the cutest I have ever seen. Held under a canopy of trees the little racers battled it out riding some sweet flowing singletrack.‘Soupy’ working his way down the course.Riding the ridge at the top of the ski hill overlooking Kitchener.Urban racing was a treat with a beautiful 360 degree view every lap.Activites for young kids were plentiful during the races. I would just dig jumping around in this bouncy castle!Balloons, face painting, beach volleyball (lots of sand for the wee ones), a bouncy castle, and lots of race action = fun for kids.Fastest pit stop I’ve ever seen. This future ‘Yamaha’ rider is lucky to have Dad in his pit crew.Lots of vendors and exibitors were on hand by the chalet.Not your usual find at an offroad race but at least Sally was well tucked in for her afternoon nap.Race time. Yamaha’s Brian Wojnarowski drinking up at the start line.Start of the Pro men’s race, third place finisher, Brian Gallt from the US, leads out Wojo and VandenHoek.Brian Marshall flying up the wall finishing the day in 9th.Jacob Faber rides hard to a first place finish in the Expert class.Kevin Cockayne hammering a rough section of the course finishing a strong 5th in the Pro class.Wojo, and Pro race winner jumping the logs in the enduro section of the course.Once fatigue sets in and even the pros have a hard time with the enduro section.Ethan Sultana ripping through the long flat downhill before the sweeping left hander at the bottom of the course.One happy morning racer. Congrats on the race finish!!Left to Right: Steve Polonoski from Macquire’s and Motomotion, Suzuki’s Mike VandenHoek finishing a solid 2nd, Yamaha’s Brian Wojnorawski cleaning up in first, and Chris Gallt riding KTM rounding the podium with a third place finish.Jill Carney wrapping up a hard fought race with a third place finish in the Ladies A class gives her son a drink of water. By the end of the day Jacob had learned how to use the Camel back hydration system. This is good news for any parent as he can now carry his own water 🙂
Sizzle! Hot off the press – Ron Golden of Motomotion, in collaboration with KTM Canada, have chosen my photo of XC number one plate holder Josh Long as a background picture to this uber cool award plaque. This is one sweet looking award which if I were racing I know I would work extra hard to be able to land one and proudly hang on my wall. Congrats to Motomotion and their graphic artist for the creation of the award and poster. Job well done!
A few weeks ago after the Burnt River XC race KTM and APEX backed rider Josh and myself headed out for a photoshoot session. Riding with blistered hands and broken toes Josh was a complete pro and was super easy to work with. Josh busted out some sick riding moves, and even caught me off guard a few times as he litterally flew over my head. Knowing ahead of time what the photos were going to be used for helped me in directing Josh. Forty-five minutes later, the photoshoot was a wrap and Josh hurried back to the awards ceremony for his podium finish. Not bad day for a guy riding with a few broken toes.
It was a treat to shoot a gifted rider and a bigger treat for me to see my work on this 12×15″ award plaque and promotional poster approved by KTM Canada. Shooting one on one really taps into one’s creativity and I relished at this opportunity. At the end, I was very happy with the shoot and showed my potential photos with confidence.
Mark Sunday, August 26th down on your calendars for a XC race that you won’t want to miss. Bring your family and kids as there will be a host of activities for every age group – think bouncy castles for the wee ones, peewee races and more. My husband will be bringing our two young children and I am excited to show them how family orientated the wonderful world of offroad racing is. Plus, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Rick Hanson Foundation – another uber cool detail about this event.
I look forward to being the Chicopee official photographer. A huge title and I am honoured to be able to wear it. See you in a few weeks at the races and don’t forget to smile and style it for the camera! Thanks to Ron Golden and his hard working crew for putting this entire event and idea together.
With respect to the Burnt River XC race this past Sunday a few adjectives come to mind to describe Offroad Ontario’s seventh stop: fast, slow, technical, abusive, relentless, tiring, bumpy and rocky.
Riders were treated once again to a very sunny, hot and humid day making the almost 15 km loop exhausting. Add in copius amounts of baby heads and many finished the race with blistered hands and battered bodies.
Thanks to Offroad Ontario and the gang at the Burnt River Offroad Facility for a great event and of course, kudos to all the competitors and their families getting all crispy under the scorching sun, cheering for the riders.
Click HERE to see pictures of both the AM and PM races. Side note: I have not posted all pictures of the PM riders. Please email me with your plate number and I’ll upload the picture for you. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
Knackered and dirty and showing off the new ‘stache and beard tatoo.Kids raced early in the morning before the heat set in. What am I talking about…it was already 28C!The start of a very bumpy and rocky and hot and tiring AM race.The Shack on his way to a first place finish. Congrats!Dry dusty conditions were not only tough on the riders but equally tough for photographers as flash kept lighting up dust particles in air. I also cannot figure out how this guy got so dirty?Always time for some last minute Rekluse adjustment with Bryan Marshall.Zach Lewis riding through the daisy’s. This kid’s got style!Scrubbing with Josh Long.Kevin Cockayne on the rocks.Wojo bringing it to the finish line.Checkered flag for Wojo.Getting sideways with KTM’s Josh Long.Not only was I treated to great riding all day by the racers I also had some cool one on one time with KTM’s Josh Long after the race. This is one of my favourite shots – unconventional angle and it shows the talent this rider has. Pretty low scrub!Roosting the berm with Josh Long.
On July 15, 2012 Honda Canada kicked off an exciting new motorcycle venue jumping on board what the Europeans and Japanese have already figured out – that MotoGymKhana is both a fun and competitive skill based event. Welcome MGK to Canada. Let’s ‘Rock the Red’.
For the uninitiated MGK is described by Wikipedia as an event consisting of speed pattern racing where the rider follows a new course ‘layout’, reacting by driving the bike into turns, braking, and accelerating in a closed loop. The goal is simply to complete the course in the fastest time with the fewest errors.
Driving the bike hard into the next turn and looking well ahead to the next pylon.
Honda Canada recognised the skill needed to pilot a motorcycle through an MGK layout. Together with Honda’s ‘Rock the Red’ program and spiffy new CBR 250R’s and 125R’s, head Instructor Yoshi Nakatani and partner Vicki Gray began teaching eager students how to successfully compete in today’s event by giving them the necessary skills and practice time before the competition.
The instructors are passionate about motorcycling and between them have quite an impressive CV. Yoshi is recognised by JAGE (Japan Moto-Gymkhana Association) and has the distinct honour to introduce this sport to Canada and the USA while Vicki has ripped it up on the road racing scene having competed at the World Cup level. She is also the person behind one of the most complete international motorycle online magazines for the ladies ‘Motoress‘. Pretty cool, huh?
Keep your ears and eyes open as MGK is just debuting and I am certain more training and competitive events will follow. For more information regarding MGK please visit my previous blog titled MGK on a CBF1000: http://www.cecilegambin.com/wp/page/3/.
Learning to manoeuver the bike using short radius turns at slow speeds. Balance, skill and a good dose of confidence is key in staying upright – all made easy through the expert advice of former World Cup road racer Vicki Gray.Head instructor Yoshi Nakatani following a student rider while working on short bursts of speed followed by tight turns.Spills happen occasionally but at least they’re at slow speeds.Waiting for Godot and taking a break from the weekends relentless 30C heat and humid weather.Yoshi…hamming it up with the Honda Ladies.After 3 weeks without rain Mother Nature decided it was time to let loose. The trainees walk the course with Yoshi and Vicki. Riders only get to see the layout once before the competition begins. The hard part is not the bike but remembering where to go.Hard rain couldn’t keep spectators and competitors away from the main event.The start gate. The electronic time keeping system had to be shut down due to thunder and lightening. No worries though as umbrella girls became flag droppers and Honda personel became timekeepers with their BlackBerry’s. Let the games begin.Matt McBride entertaining the crowds and showing them how it’s done.
Allison Grummet throwing down the hammer (on wet roads none the less) and ripping up the track!This photo was taken from Honda Canada’s associate event in May. I like the colours and the strong leading lines in the picture. The flag is raised because the rider is receiving a time penalty for dabbing his foot while negiotiating ‘The Keyhole’ section of the course.