Nail the Shot: Pro Camera Settings for Epic Dirt Bike Action Photos

Flying dirt. Roaring engines. Split-second jumps.
There’s nothing quite like the rush of capturing dirt bike photography.

As a photographer who actually rides dirt bikes, I’ve learned that getting crisp, dynamic dirt bike shots comes down to three things: timing, positioning, and camera settings.

Whether you’re shooting races, mountain rides, or just your friends hitting jumps in the woods, mastering your camera settings is what separates a great dirt bike photo from a throwaway. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through the best camera settings for dirt bike photography, and explain why they work so you can confidently photograph high-speed action anywhere.

Check out my Dirt Bike Portfolio, here!

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Why Camera Settings Matter in Dirt Bike Photography

Dirt bike photography is not just fast-paced, it’s unpredictable, messy, and full of raw emotion. Your subject might be jumping 10 feet in the air or flying past you at 40 mph. That means your camera settings need to be dialed in to either freeze action or intentionally blur motion to show speed. The right settings let you capture:

• Every detail of flying dirt
• The strain in the rider’s body mid-air
• Dramatic backdrops without losing focus on your subject

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The Best Camera Settings for Dirt Bike Photography

Let’s break down the core settings, why they matter, and how to use them effectively.

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1. Shutter Speed: The Star of the Show

Dirt bikes move fast, and your shutter speed determines the entire vibe of your photo.

Use a high shutter speed (like 1/2000 to 1/6400) to freeze the action.

This setting is perfect when you want to capture every flying speck of dirt, the rider’s intense focus, and the raw power of the machine. One of my favorite photos was taken at 1/6400—every piece of kicked-up dirt frozen midair, the rider tack-sharp, looking like a total boss.

Pro Tip: Use a high shutter speed when shooting toward the sun—bright light helps keep ISO low.

Use a lower shutter speed (like 1/100 to 1/250) to show motion blur.

This is my go-to when I want to emphasize speed. The background streaks, the wheels blur, and the whole image feels alive. Just know that your subject might be a bit soft, which is the point, it’s about movement, not perfect sharpness.

Pro tip: Try panning with the bike while using a slower shutter speed to keep the rider sharp and the background blurred. It takes practice but looks incredible once you nail it.

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2. Aperture: Control Your Depth

For dirt bike photography, I usually keep my aperture between f/2.8 to f/5.6 for portraits and action shots. A wider aperture (f/2.8) gives me that beautiful background blur while still locking focus on the rider. If I’m shooting a wider scene, say, the rider carving through a mountain pass, I’ll stop down to f/8 or f/11 to get more of the environment in focus.

• Wide open (f/1.2 – f/2.8): Isolate the rider from the background.
• Narrower (f/4 – f/8): Keep more of the scene in focus.

Pro Tip: Want to show the terrain AND rider? Use f/5.6 and stand further back with a longer lens.

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3. ISO: Don’t Be Afraid to Push It

Outdoors in bright daylight, you’ll likely keep ISO at 100–400, but don’t be afraid to push it up if you’re shooting in shade or at golden hour. I’d rather raise my ISO and have noise than sacrifice shutter speed when shooting action.

• Daylight: ISO 100–400
• Cloudy/Golden Hour: ISO 400–800+

Pro Tip: Use Auto ISO with a minimum shutter speed set to 1/2000 to ensure action isn’t accidentally blurred.

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4. Auto Focus: AI Servo Is Your Best Friend

AI Servo (or Continuous AF) lets your camera track the rider as they come at you or speed past. You’ll need this to keep up. Pair this with:

• Eye Detection AF (when rider’s face is visible)
• Zone AF for fast-moving subjects across the frame
• Back button focus for more control

Pro Tip: Don’t rely on a single focus point unless you’re really precise. Zone gives you more forgiveness.

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5. Drive Mode: Go Burst Mode

Use High-Speed Continuous Shooting

• Better chance of capturing the moment (like when both wheels lift)
• Just be careful not to flood your card with throwaways

Pro Tip: Shoot in short bursts rather than holding it down endlessly.

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6. White Balance + Picture Style

• White Balance: Cloudy or Daylight—avoid Auto on golden hour
• Picture Style: Standard, Neutral, or Faithful
• Black & White: Can be used in harsh light for dramatic effect

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7. Always Shoot in RAW

JPEG throws away data. RAW lets you:

• Recover sky and highlight detail
• Adjust shadows on dark helmets
• Save shots taken in tricky lighting

JPEG vs. RAW: Which Format Is Right for You?

Pro Tip: Use lossless compressed RAW to save space without sacrificing quality.

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Editing Tips for Action Shots

• Boost contrast and clarity to highlight dirt texture
• Lift shadows under helmets
• Sharpen details on the rider’s gear
• Reduce noise if you pushed ISO

How I Cull and Edit My Supercross Photos: My Full Process

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Mastering Dirt Bike Photography: It’s All About the Ride

Photographing dirt bikes isn’t just about nailing your settings, it’s about being in sync with the moment. When I’m out in the mountains, dust in the air, tires spinning, and engines roaring, I don’t have time to second-guess every setting. That’s why practice and preparation matter. You learn to feel the light, trust your gear, and anticipate the rider’s next move.

Don’t worry if your first shots are too blurry or if you miss the peak action, it happens to all of us. Some of my favorite images came from moments I didn’t plan. A splash of water, a glance from the rider, or even a misfire that ended up capturing motion blur I didn’t expect.

So take the time to learn what works best for you. Try freezing action one day and experimenting with motion the next. Switch up your angles, play with focal lengths, and remember that the settings are just a tool. What really matters is the story you’re telling; the grit, the thrill, and the freedom that comes with life on two wheels.

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Ready to Get Dusty? Go Shoot!

Next time you hit the trails, whether it’s with friends or on a solo ride, bring your camera along and give these settings a shot. Experiment, review your photos, and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty (okay, a lot dirty).

Have questions about settings or gear? Drop them in the comments below. I’m happy to help or share what’s worked for me in the field.

Anyways, thanks for reading! And good luck getting your next shot!

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Related Reads:

Denver Supercross 2025 Hub: Photo Highlights & Behind-the-Scenes

The Ultimate Supercross Photography Checklist: Dirt, Drama, and Dead Batteries

The Top 15 Photos from Supercross Denver 2025

Check out KRX Media’s Motorsports Portfolio!

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