[mcA896]

what is this effect called? also, how would one produce it(nevermind what camera to use)?

 

[profro]

I think you can do that by zooming in with a fisheye lense.

 

[bbmj]

ive produced similar effect by using a camera mounted on a tripod, and using a lens with zoom, as you shoot the picture zoom from in, or zoom out, that is what creates that effect.
or at least thats what i think

 

[paranoid56]

i think you can also do that in photoshop..
Shane

 

[dropmachine]

OPen in photoshop.

Use lasso to generally select around the rider, giving about 30 to 50 pixels (depending on resolutions ) space around him.

Menu: Selection: feather 50 pixels

Filter : Blur: Radial Blur : set to zoom :

tada.

PhotoShop. Making those with no skills look professional forever.