NikonGear'23
Images => People, Portraits, Street, PJ & Cityscapes => Topic started by: Øivind Tøien on February 21, 2019, 11:08:04
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Well, Yukon Quest was not quite that long this year due to a smaller stretch that required transport due to lack of snow north of the starting point, Whitehorse in Canada. But nevertheless very impressive. By luck the winner, Brent Sass (of Eureka, north of Fairbanks) arrived in Fairbanks here in Alaska at noon a little over a week ago, after spending a slightly more than 9 days on the trails. Thanks to the tracker that was available from the main page (https://www.yukonquest.com/ (https://www.yukonquest.com/)), it was easy to figure out mushers location and when to show up. I also had a special motivation for showing up this time (in all closer to a 30km bike trip for me back and forth and around in the finish area), which I will not reveal yet, but you should be able to figure it out ;) . The capture was also a bit more interesting when mushers show the wear of the trail, although the light was a bit flat. Bear with me, this is going to be image heavy!
The ice on Chena River was posted not to be safe, but some brave souls ignored it to cheer Brent Sass in. I stayed safe up on the bridge for an overview:
#1
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882642.jpg)
#2
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882641.jpg)
#3
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882694.jpg)
Finally there, meeting all the publicity.
#4
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882639.jpg)
Helping personell care for dogs, so they stay on track and do not get distracted.
#5
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882646.jpg)
..and dogs get some really nice rewards.
#6
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882703.jpg)
Brent Sass arrived with all 14 dogs (out of 14 allowed max), and they were in fantastic shape, which is quite a feat. It is common that mushers drop off weaker dogs as the race goes on. The chief veterinarian whom I happen to know was really impressed by how the dogs looked. Also most of the team was new dogs, never participated in the race before which makes it really interesting - congratulations in place!
#7
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882640.jpg)
Then the winner is sort of whisked to the side for interviews while the dog handlers take care of the dogs for a little while. I was later able to chat with him and he told me that he had basically not slept in 9 days, just 1/2 hour naps on a very few occasions. The dogs get their needed rest and there is also mandatory lay-overs (last one 8 hours at last check point), but he spent all the time taking care of the dogs. This race is to a much higher degree self-supported, carrying all supplies, than the other big race, the Iditarod.
#8
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302893398.jpg)
During the interview, when talking about how the dogs performed , and in particular one called Jeep, he got very emotional - he was given that dog from his mentor Joe Reddington who had passed away fairly recently.
#9
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882680.jpg)
But it is not all done yet, the sled has to be rigged down and the dogs fed and taken care of. This is where it is chance to meet the musher and their dogs. Here is a big and small sled.
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(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882709.jpg)
#11
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882712.jpg)
I wonder if this was the dog Jeep, it was supposed to be a leader initially thought to be a short distance dog - one of the leaders were black.
Edit: This is confirmed, I found an image of Jeep regarding the Golden Harness Award on the Yukon Quest Twitter page,
https://twitter.com/theyukonquest (https://twitter.com/theyukonquest), direct link to image: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dzl6gu3W0AAaYhf.jpg (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dzl6gu3W0AAaYhf.jpg)
#12
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302902778.jpg)
Finally home in the dog truck, fed and ready to sleep soon.
#13
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302912112.jpg)
#14
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302902777.jpg)
Next team to arrive and take the 2nd place finish was that of Hans Gatt. There was just enough time to do some scouting for a location by bike and foot, to find a place on the river that looked fairly safe.
#15
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302882739.jpg)
#16
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302912113.jpg)
I was too far away to get the finish line, but touched up with him at his dog truck.
#17
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883162.jpg)
Back at the finish line I was able to get the third place winner, Allen More. As only key personell and official media were allowed insider the fences, I had so try shoot over the heads of the receiving crowd.
#18
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302902783.jpg)
Full activity at the finish line - Registration - veterinary checks and dogs to have teir rewards. Musher Aliy Zirkle who I photographed previously is petting the dog to the right.
#19
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883205.jpg)
Identity check of a dog
#20
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883316.jpg)
And the reward, apparently a nice piece of halibut.
#21
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883210.jpg)
3rd place interview of Allen More.
#22
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302902781.jpg)
Again, not done yet, but many helping handlers small and big to rig down and take care of the dogs.
#23
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883236.jpg)
#24
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883234.jpg)
Fed and ready to sleep at home in the dog truck.
#25
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883288.jpg)
#25
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883228.jpg)
Now it was just time to catch the 4th place finish Michelle Phillips up at the bridge again. The river looks really treacherous. After 5th or 6th place they had to cut the finish short and move the finish line up to where they entered the Chena River. It has not been cold enough this winter - most of the cold went to the lower 48.
#26
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883246.jpg)
Stil a good crowd to cheer Michelle Phillips in.
#27
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883414.jpg)
Just finishing this race is really impressive, so she has all reason to be happy at the interview.
#28
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883254.jpg)
#29
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883284.jpg)
#30
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883293.jpg)
#31
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883300.jpg)
It was starting to get dark, and I did not stay for more. The rest of the teams kept coming in over the rest of the week (this was Monday) and by Friday the red lantern price could be handed to over to rookie Hendrik Stachnau of Hamburg, Germany. But we are not done yet, next up the public and the helpers.
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The story and all pictures are nice, but the last one #31 really has something special going for it .....
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The temperature was at a very comfortable at -7°C; clothing of helpers and public is accordingly not as cold weather specific as usual. A considerable crowd showed up, considering this was a working day, but the arrival at lunch time probably helped. Winner and second time Yukon Quest Champion Brent Sass to the left. Who is just public and who is helpers or dog handlers is not easy to figure out unless one can spot a badge. There are lots of volunteers needed in these dog sled races.
#1
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302887032.jpg)
#2
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883322.jpg)
#3
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883357.jpg)
#4
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883353.jpg)
#5
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883387.jpg)
#6
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883368.jpg)
#7
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883392.jpg)
#8
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-3/p3302883413.jpg)
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The story and all pictures are nice, but the last one #31 really has something special going for it .....
Thanks for the kind comment Birna, I really liked that too.
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#5 has the same coat as me :)
thanks for the event.
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What a story Øivind!
Thank you so much for sharing these lovely images and your commentary.
Truly impressive!!!
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Beautiful and emotional story and images. Sensitive work.
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Fons, Jacov and Paco for the enthusiastic comments. I really enjoyed capturing these.
But no one have discovered the special motivation I had for capturing these yet - it takes a little digging into, but then it should be in plain sight. ;)
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This is way more than just an event report. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks Fons, Jacov and Paco for the enthusiastic comments. I really enjoyed capturing these.
But no one have discovered the special motivation I had for capturing these yet - it takes a little digging into, but then it should be in plain sight. ;)
I dunno the abnwer to that, Oivind, but I know when I see another good year of Iditarod coverage in your images! ;)
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Is one competitor special? ;)
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Thanks for the kind words Akira and Carl.
Carl, the Yukon Quest is favored over Iditarod (which only exceptionally have started in Fairbanks) by us inhabitant of interior Alaska, but that was not the special reason in this case.
Hugh, I have no special relationship to any of the competitors, in fact I never met any of them before, although I thought someone could perhaps take that as a (false) bait. Think more photo-related, no need to dig into information from anywhere but what is posted here on NG is adequate to answer the question about my special motivation. ;)
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Phantastic sensitive reporting, lovely portraits, what a great treat. Thank you!
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Love the photos, but no clue on what the special reason :o
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Batteries - hold up well in the cold?
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Thanks Frank and Bent for the enthusiatic comments.
Batteries - hold up well in the cold?
It was not very cold for the batteries, so that would not have motivated me to get out ;D , but you are on to something there - batteries in what?
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Mmmm - a new electric bike to cover the 15km there, back, and around the finish?
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That is not photo related enough. (And my pedal power works well enough around here, not that much hills.) It is a much more obvious answer. (Perhaps so obvious that no one have noticed :D ).
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D500?
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D500?
Yes! I got an order in for the D500 at nearly the last moment before the free grip order went away after February 2. (I expect to be announcing the grip for sale shortly - still sitting in the box.) What is better for a first outing to test this body than a sled dog race in the cold? I used D500 with the 300mm PF most of the time while the D7100 took most of the wide shots. I will post more on the the battery use in the dedicated thread. (There is already an obvious clue to my initial question here in that thread. ;) , http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,8114.msg137083.html#msg137083 (http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,8114.msg137083.html#msg137083)). I sort go against the stream in these Z times, but while have had a brief encounter and found a Z body to have a pronounced want factor, with a little rational thinking they would not serve me well with my shooting style at this point of time (and it would be a much larger investment).
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Well done Øivind!
The D500 is now quite affordable and is very good value for money IMHO and it does not have the limitations of lens incompatibilities of the D5600 and the D7500 and is much better built. Possibly also easier to grip in your cold climates - not that it is an issue for me where I am.
I got mine about 12 months ago at a post Christmas sale when Nikon Australia was running a cash back offer to stimulate sales. Paid around $US1,400 (including 10% GST) IIRC. Body only.
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I thought about a new camera, but took a wide shot and it didn’t show your new camera. Congratulations it is a nice camera and works well in the cold, I have just used mine in Norway in minus 10C for a whole day, no problems
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Thanks, Hugh. It is not quite that well priced here for a new one when the grip is hopefully sold, but getting close. One could even get a refurb one here for less than that price now, but then with only 3 months warranty (they have been not been in stock at Cameta). The best offers were about the same about a year ago too, but then I was still in conflict with CNX-D and it would not have been a good start of the relationship. It was a close race to the D7500, in fact I was close to pushing order button on that one a few times, but in the end a number of things added up for the D500, which makes it mostly a no compromise body. Related to night sky captures, it has a gentler 24 neighbors algorithm for the spacial filter so should in theory provide better star colors than the D7500. Your argument with the grip is very valid. While the grip of the D7500 fits "like a glove", it is a tight one, and best operated without winter insulation on the hands. The one on the D500 is just the right size, and shutter button is in just the right place. The D500 viewfinder is however the main attraction. Perhaps luxury, but in the end the feeling for a body contributes to provide inspiration for the image capture.
Thanks to you too Bent. I have already used it down to -25°C without problems. I will be getting back to a further analysis of the battery/power consumption.
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Thanks for sharing! For sure some very nice event images again this year ;)
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Thanks for the kind words, Erik, glad you liked them. :)
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Thanks for the kind words Akira and Carl.
Carl, the Yukon Quest is favored over Iditarod (which only exceptionally have started in Fairbanks) by us inhabitant of interior Alaska, but that was not the special reason in this case.
Hugh, I have no special relationship to any of the competitors, in fact I never met any of them before, although I thought someone could perhaps take that as a (false) bait. Think more photo-related, no need to dig into information from anywhere but what is posted here on NG is adequate to answer the question about my special motivation. ;)
Well, I managed to confuse the Yukon Quest with the Iditarod, but I wasn't confused about your images! ;D
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The D500 is now quite affordable and is very good value for money
The D500 is a phantastatic camera by any measure (it replaced my former love D3 and it is better in any respect). After all the time with both, the D850 is just another work horse, the D500 is a love affair. Only in the low ISO, the D850 is something special. The D500 is special at all ISO. I am a very acoustic person and the shutter sound of the D500 is wonderful. And she is so sober, adds nothing, takes nothing away in her IQ. What a great camera!
If for my work it would not be a great choice to have an FX and a DX body at the same time, I would rather get two D500 instead of the D850 & the D500. I am happy, only a very small lust for the Z6 because she is the right blend of D600 & D5 IMO.
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Well, I managed to confuse the Yukon Quest with the Iditarod, but I wasn't confused about your images! ;D
Thanks for further comment Carl - yes, it is easy to get them mixed up, both are very impressive events.
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The D500 is a phantastatic camera by any measure (it replaced my former love D3 and it is better in any respect). After all the time with both, the D850 is just another work horse, the D500 is a love affair. Only in the low ISO, the D850 is something special. The D500 is special at all ISO. I am a very acoustic person and the shutter sound of the D500 is wonderful. And she is so sober, adds nothing, takes nothing away in her IQ. What a great camera!
If for my work it would not be a great choice to have an FX and a DX body at the same time, I would rather get two D500 instead of the D850 & the D500. I am happy, only a very small lust for the Z6 because she is the right blend of D600 & D5 IMO.
Thanks for the comment Frank. Yes, the sound of the D500 mirror/shutter is very nice, sometimes I mistake it for just a shutter activation without mirror movement, similar to in live view mode on D7100. During this event I shot short burst at 10 frames/sec almost the whole time, and it was not annoying at all, like continuous mode can be on other bodies. It can be hard to hear it from a distance during astrophotography. With all noise reduction turned off in CNX-D I gain a stop compared to D7100 at high ISO, but even noise reduction in camera at low gains almost another stop with very moderate loss of resolution.