Taking photos while biking is dangerous

[OpticsDan]

Anyone think taking photos while biking with your phone is dangerous?

 I’m a camera guru and passionate about most forms of biking. I love taking cool photos and posting them to my Strava activity log. But I find phone cameras and other sports cameras on the market to be either dangerous, not cool, or uncomfortable. 

Anyone have input on this topic?

[VikK]

Photo's look great! Would you use a mounted sports camera instead or are they not really good enough yet?

[anchskier]

@VikK - The mounted sports cameras are great, but they have their limitations.  I currently have a GoPro Hero 10 that I am getting used to using.  The video quality is amazing.  I still can't figure out how the stabilization is so good when mountain biking.  I can have it fixed to my handlebar, yet I can see in the video where the cables and bars come into and out of view by a significant distance despite knowing the camera is moving just as much as they are.  The main drawback to it is that it is fixed to one spot with one perspective.  I can take photos with it and/or take screen captures from it's feed, but it is only looking one direction and from one elevation.  When out biking, I often want to get photos of things off to the side or from a perspective above the trailside brush line.  This is where the phone comes in.  Many times, I can pull it out of my jersey pocket, take a photo, and put it back without ever even looking at the phone more than a general glance to make sure I am pointing in the right direction.  I usually take a number of photos as I move the phone around so I can pick the best one when I have a chance to review them.  

[Soren]

Thank you. A friend just gifted me a GoPro he never uses, so I'll be trying that out soon on my K-edge handlebar mount -- for videos, not photos though. I'm not a fan of the distortion. I haven't looked into other sports cameras. What do you think of the available options and have you tried any?

[OpticsDan]

@Soren  I've recently been trying out a Gopro vs an iphone. My main issues I have with the gopro are:

1) if it is helmet mounted it adds significant weight and throws my head off balance - also looks questionable! 

2) the process of reviewing photos/videos from the gopro and getting them uploaded to strava is long and cumbersome. 

I agree on the fish eye distortion - doesn't look natural. I've tried the "flat" setting on the gopro and find that is fairly good. 

[VikK]

I haven't tried any so was curious if someone who takes pictures think they are any good. I have the same balance skills as @Jane , I still won't grab a water bottle on the move! 

[CreakyCrank]

Great photos - once did a MTB through the Saguaro National Park west of Tucson - amazing scenery.

[Soren]

Sounds wonderful. I've only been to the eastern Saguaro NP, which was a ridiculously fun but short one way route, much akin to a rollercoaster for bikes. I had never really seen such grandiose cacti before going there, I would love to spend more time in Tucson!

[CreakyCrank]

Agree with @anchskier : bike handling skills are a big part of this, but so is situational awareness.  Are you in a car-free area, with known terrain - or are you mountain biking down a rocky/rutted/twisty trail at high speed? 

Safety first (for yourself and all others nearby). I take photos on nearly every ride I'm on, never had any crashes or close calls - never endangered anybody else, as I check and re-check myself and surroundings first, and make sure that I am not putting myself or others in danger.

[OpticsDan]

@anchskier and @CreakyCrank  thanks for the input! On my rides, I'm always finding spots to take photos and make a snap decision to stop and take a photo or risk trying to take one one handed.  Have you ever tried bike mounted or helmet-mounted cameras for taking photos for strava? 

[anchskier]

Like a lot of things, it isn't a simple answer.  In my opinion, it depends a great deal on the specific situation and the skill set of the rider.