Photography Tips for Mountain Biking

How to Capture Your Epic Mountain Bike Ride

Are you an avid mountain biker or just getting started with this exciting sport? Then you probably love spending your free time tackling challenging forest trails and technical tracks. Of course, you’ll want to share those epic rides with the world. Wondering how to do that and what gear you’ll need? We’ve rounded up some useful tips and handy products for you.

What gear should you bring on your ride?

Keeping your footage stable is probably the biggest challenge when filming your ride. Especially when mountain biking on rough terrain, this can become even more demanding. That’s why it’s important to choose an action camera that’s shockproof and built to handle a few bumps. It’s also worth remembering that you may encounter mud and water along the way. So, go for a model that can handle the elements or choose additional protection. And just as importantly, make sure you pick the right memory card for your camera.

Take a look at our memory cards so you won’t miss a single moment of your ride.

How do you mount an action camera to your bike or MTB?

Have you made your choice and decided to go for a GoPro, for example? Then you can mount it to your handlebars or saddle. However, many mountain bikers prefer attaching their camera to their helmet. Make sure to check that the mount you choose is compatible with both your GoPro or action camera and your type of helmet. One advantage of mounting your camera to your helmet is that you can angle it both up and down, allowing you to film sections of the trail as well as your own point of view.

One downside of this method is that it’s easier to snag your camera on something, for example when riding underneath low-hanging branches. Looking for an alternative? Many mountain bikers choose chest mounts, which allow you to attach your action camera securely and steadily to your chest.

Ready to take it a step further? Edit your video!

You’ll probably already enjoy watching your ride back, but maybe you want to go one step further and keep your viewers engaged from start to finish. And perhaps you’re ready to try some editing? There are countless programs available for editing your footage — it all depends on your personal preference and your level of experience. Want to learn more? Then this article about the basics of video editing will help you get started.

Taking photos?

Filming yourself and your ride is, of course, an awesome option, but capturing a photo of yourself on your mountain bike — for example racing through a corner at full speed with mud flying everywhere — is also great to share or even hang on your wall. But what’s the best way to approach this? Pick a great location and ask a riding buddy to take an action shot of you. There are several ways to capture action photography: you can “freeze” the action using your camera settings to create a perfectly sharp still image, or you can use a slower shutter speed. With the latter option, the mountain biker remains sharp while the surroundings become blurred, creating a stronger sense of motion. Want to learn more about capturing movement? You can read all about it in this article.

Still eager to learn more?

Then check out our free Kamera Express Masterclass on Action & Motion Photography!