Cycling photography Mallorca with Phillip Pearce
In February 2016 I took a short four-day break in Mallorca for cycling photography with my friend Phillip Pearce. He was training for professional mountain bike races, including the Olympics.
Phillip told me about two weeks before he left that there was space in his apartment. I had not been abroad with a bike for ages. Therefore I took a few days off to visit him in Pollensa, Mallorca, in the north of the island.
It was touch and go. I was returning on 11 February and my passport ran out on the 12th. After calling the Spanish embassy, I confirmed EU flights were fine. Then I booked a 7:15am flight for sunshine, cycling and photography.
Training and evening shoots
Phillip Pearce from St Austell, Cornwall, is chasing success in the cycling world. He is a talented professional mountain bike rider. It is always a pleasure to train with him.
During the trip we rode road bikes in the mornings and afternoons. Then we headed out with my camera in the evenings. A hired car made it easy to reach beautiful sites across the island.
Portraits when the light changed
All photos used a new Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens. I also packed a 35mm, but I never used it. The only night I needed it, I had left it at the apartment to save weight.
When the mountain light failed to soften, I switched to portraits of Phillip. The session lasted about ten minutes. Those frames were useful for his social media. He is skilled at sharing training stories online.
Tripod and handheld
Some frames below used a tripod. Others were shot wide open, handheld, on the Sigma 20mm f1.4. Phillip’s night head-and-shoulders portrait was handheld at 1/100 sec, f1.4, ISO 2800 on a Nikon D810.
It was my first time shooting that lens wide open handheld. I am happy with the results. The only fill light was Phillip’s iPhone. With a high ISO and a fast lens, that was enough to lift shadows on his face. The sunset behind the mountains helped too.
I really enjoyed the short break. Four days suited me. I could return home quickly for work and family. I wish Phillip every success in his season. JawPhotography is based in St Austell, Cornwall — the same town as Phillip. For portrait or sports storytelling closer to home, see our portrait photography page.
