In April 2024, Marc Jordan of Triumph East London invited me to join him and his customers at the Triumph Adventure Experience in Wales. Not only to capture the action with my photography and videography knowhow. But also take part in the festivities.
Festivities which included trying out the brand-new Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro motorbike in it’s natural habitat. That of course being off-road in the mountains, trails and forests of Wales.
What is the Triumph Adventure Experience?
The Triumph Adventure Experience is located in the Welsh town of Ystradgynlais. For those who aren’t too clued up on Welsh geography, Ystradgynlais is a mere 12 miles north-east of Swansea on the country’s south coast.
Here a team of experienced, professional riders conduct off-road training experiences on the last Triumph Motorcycles models capable of tackling such terrain.
The range of motorcycles includes:
- Triumph Scrambler 400 X
- Triumph Scrambler 900
- Triumph Scrambler 1200 X
- Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE
- Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
- Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro
In the morning, you undergo a safety briefing, get kitted up in Triumph’s own protective wear from head to toe, then choose your bike. Once on the bike, you hit the road for a fifteen mile journey to the off-road experience centre in the hills.
Upon arrival you are required to demonstrate your ability to handle the machine with some basic off-road manoeuvres. This includes but isn’t limited to, tight circles in both directions, accelerating then skidding to a stop, slalom between cones on tackling steep his.
Once everybody has demonstrated that they can be trusted to hit the trail, that’s exactly what we did. This is also where the fun begins and the GoPro went on.
Capturing the Motorcycle Action with Photography & Videography
My biggest concern with taking part and capturing everything was carrying my kit while riding a motorcycle off-road. Not only was it off-road, but on harsh terrain, in the wet, going through deep puddles and rivers.
As I knew there would be risks involved when it came to damaging kit, I packed as light as possible. I also communicated with the instructors what I intended capture, whether or not they could assist should I not feel confident in keeping my photography equipment safe.
Recently I published an article titled “What’s in my Photography & Videography Kitbag”. Discussing everything I own relating to my work in the industry. On the day of the Triumph Adventure Experience, my kitbag was much lighter.
Here is a list of the photography and videography equipment I used on the day:
- Sony A7iv Mirrorless Camera – Buy on Amazon
- Sigma 56mm f1.4 Lens – Buy on Amazon
- Lexar Professional 64GB V90 SD Cards
- SmallRig Cage for Sony A7iv Camera
- SmallRig Side Handle
- SmallRig Matte Box Lite
- K&F Variable ND Filter – Buy on Amazon
- Manfrotto 3N1-25 PL Rucksack
- GoPro Hero 10 and Helmet Chin Mount
The beauty of shooting with the Sony A7iv mirrorless camera is how easy it is to switch from Photo to Video Mode in an instant. My settings for each were already in place. Making life on the trail a whole lot easier.
Prior to setting out I debated taking my DJI RS2 Gimbal with me, but decided against it. That would be another expensive bit of equipment prone to damage. And also extra weight in the rucksack which I would be carrying all day.
With the Sony A7iv internal image stabilisation activated, I was ready to shoot the whole day completely handheld. The SmallRig side handle attached to my camera’s cage enabled me to do this with ease.
Optimistically I took the SmallRig matte box lite, hoping for some sunshine. However it was overcast all day and rained a fair bit. The matte box still aided with eliminating a bit of unwanted light from above. But most importantly kind of protected my lens and filter from the rain.
Shooting Techniques and Equipment Choices
Choosing the right shooting techniques and equipment was crucial for this particular Triumph Adventure Experience. I was not just a spectator capturing still images and footage; I was actively participating in the off-road experience while carrying my gear.
Given the conditions, from riding through uneven, muddy terrain to managing steep hills and river crossings, making calculated decisions about my gear and shooting style was essential. My primary concern was to minimise the risk of damaging equipment while maintaining high-quality footage that showcased the energy and adrenaline of the event.
Handheld Shooting Instead of the Gimbal
Normally, for a shoot like this, I would have taken my DJI RS2 gimbal. The gimbal is fantastic for smooth, stable shots, especially when capturing dynamic action scenes such as motorcycles speeding across uneven terrain. However, I knew the gimbal would present a few challenges on this day.
For one, the Triumph Adventure Experience demanded a lot of physical effort, and I would need to carry my gear all day while manoeuvring on a motorbike. Adding a heavy and expensive gimbal to my pack would only increase the risk of damage and discomfort. Not only that, I was capturing both photos and video throughout the day. Switching from handheld for portrait photos to setting up the gimbal would have been a logistical nightmare.
So, I made the conscious decision to shoot handheld. The Sony A7iv’s internal image stabilisation became my best friend for this shoot, ensuring that I could maintain somewhat smooth footage even without the use of a gimbal. The built-in stabilisation of the A7iv is effective enough, particularly when paired with my SmallRig camera cage and side handle, which provided additional balance and control.
By keeping the setup compact, I was able to be much more agile and responsive, enabling me to capture quick, impromptu moments of action without having to set up or adjust my gear.
This handheld approach allowed me to be flexible with my shooting angles and positions, ensuring that I could get in close to the action, capture dynamic low-angle shots, and quickly move to new perspectives as the riders tackled the trails.
Using Low Angles to Capture Dynamic Action
Low angles play a significant role in my shooting style. Not only during the Triumph Adventure Experience, but for most of my shoots. In two other articles, I speak about why I use low angles for capturing motorbikes and cars.
Motorcycle Photography and how to be good at it
Automotive Photography in Three Easy Steps: Tips & Tricks
Shooting from low angles creates an epic, almost heroic feel, which was perfect for the adventurous vibe of the event. The bikes look more imposing, the dirt kicks up more dramatically, and the riders appear to tower over the scene, making for a visually engaging narrative.
Given that I was shooting handheld, getting those low-angle shots presented it’s own challenges. I found myself crouching, kneeling, or even lying on the ground to capture the motorcycles as they tore through puddles, climbed hills, and splashed through rivers. The SmallRig side handle attached to my Sony A7iv’s cage was invaluable in these moments, offering additional control and support, especially when I needed to hold the camera steady close to the ground.
One particular shot that stands out was when a rider sped through a stream, water spraying everywhere. From a low angle, the camera captured not only the rider’s focused expression but also the way the water kicked up around the tires, creating an exhilarating sense of speed and energy. These low-angle shots bring the viewer closer to the experience, providing a visceral sense of what it’s like to be part of the Triumph Adventure Experience in Wales.
Filming in 60fps for Slow Motion
Another key aspect of my approach to filming the Triumph Adventure Experience was the use of 60fps (frames per second) shutter speed. By shooting at 60fps, I ensured that I could slow down the footage in post-production without losing quality, resulting in smooth, cinematic slow-motion shots. This technique was ideal for capturing the fast-paced action of the day.
Slow motion not only adds drama but also highlights the finer details of the ride—whether it’s the splashing of mud and water as the bikes thunder through the streams or the subtle shifts in the riders’ body movements as they manoeuvre their bikes.
By slowing down the action, viewers get to appreciate moments that would otherwise pass by in the blink of an eye. This was a conscious decision in my shooting process: I chose specific moments that I knew would look visually stunning in slow motion. By alternating between regular-speed action and slow-motion sequences in the final edit, I was able to create a dynamic viewing experience that kept the audience engaged and fully immersed in the experience.
Of course, shooting at 60fps does require certain adjustments. For one, the higher frame rate meant I needed to be conscious of my exposure settings. The weather was overcast for much of the day, and I was working with a variable ND filter to adjust the exposure as I moved between brighter and darker areas of the trail. The K&F ND filter proved essential in helping to manage these lighting changes without over or under exposing the footage.
Overcoming Weather Challenges at the Triumph Adventure Experience
The Welsh weather can be unpredictable, and this day was no exception. As mentioned earlier, it was mostly overcast with periods of rain, which presented some unique challenges for both photography and videography. Rain can wreak havoc on camera equipment if you’re not careful, but it also offers unique opportunities for more dramatic shots.
I was prepared with my SmallRig matte box lite, which helped to shield the lens from raindrops and glare, while the variable ND filter reduced the brightness of the skies. Although I had hoped for some sunlight to break through the clouds and create a more cinematic atmosphere, the rain added an element of ruggedness to the footage. The wet, slippery terrain also increased the intensity of the experience for the riders, making for more compelling visuals.
To keep my gear safe, I made sure everything was packed securely in my Manfrotto rucksack, which is not only weather-resistant but also incredibly durable. The rain meant I had to be extra cautious when pulling out my equipment, quickly shooting and then packing everything away to avoid any unnecessary exposure to moisture. At the same time, I didn’t want to miss out on any action, so timing was key.
One of the most memorable shots from the day came when a group of riders crossed a stream during a downpour. The rain combined with the splashing water made for a striking scene. By shooting at 60fps, I was able to capture every droplet of water in stunning detail. Slowing down the footage in post-production created an almost ethereal effect, where the raindrops and splashes appeared suspended in midair, adding an artistic touch to an otherwise raw and rugged moment.
The GoPro: Capturing POV Action
While the Sony A7iv handled most of the action on the ground, a GoPro Hero 10 came into play when I needed to capture point-of-view (POV) shots. Mounted on my helmet using a chin mount, the GoPro allowed me to document my own experience as I rode through the challenging trails.
These POV shots added a personal, immersive perspective to the footage, letting viewers experience what it’s like to ride a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro through the rugged Welsh landscape.
The GoPro was set to record in 4K, ensuring that even these small action cam shots could be seamlessly integrated with the footage from my Sony A7iv in post-production. I chose a chin mount over other mounting options because it offered the most stable and balanced perspective while riding.
Chest or handlebar mounts can often result in shaky footage, but the chin mount kept the camera steady while still allowing for dynamic movement as I turned my head to look at different parts of the trail.
The GoPro footage captured the roughness of the terrain from a rider’s perspective—the bumps, splashes, and quick turns that characterised the off-road experience. In the final edit, I combined these POV shots with external footage to give the audience a sense of both the rider’s experience and the overall atmosphere of the event.
Post-Production and Final Thoughts
Once the day wrapped up, the real work began—editing the footage and photographs to create a cohesive and engaging narrative that captured the essence of the Triumph Adventure Experience. The mix of handheld shots, low angles, slow-motion clips, and POV footage provided me with a diverse range of material to work with.
In post-production, I focused telling a story of the weekend. From travelling to the Triumph Adventure Experience to our arrival and immersion in it. Colour grading was also essential, particularly because of the overcast skies and changing weather conditions.
I adjusted the colours to bring out the richness of the landscape while maintaining the rugged, raw feel of the event. The final product was a high-energy, immersive video that conveyed both the thrill of the ride and the beauty of the Welsh terrain.
Overall, the Triumph Adventure Experience was an incredible opportunity to test both my physical abilities as a rider and my technical skills as a photographer and videographer. The challenges of shooting handheld, working in unpredictable weather, and capturing dynamic action shots all contributed to a unique and rewarding experience.
