GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

[The Renaissance Man]

This is one of my favorite pictures from all of the finished bikes this year.

 

[bean]

Thanks Renaissance Man . I was laying on my stomach to get this shot. Got lucky with the light coming through on the top left....... I didn't notice it until I got home and started looking through the pics. All the shots were taken with a 5 year old $90 Olympus camera.

 

[kingfish254]

Thanks Renaissance Man . I was laying on my stomach to get this shot. Got lucky with the light coming through on the top left....... I didn't notice it until I got home and started looking through the pics. All the shots were taken with a 5 year old $90 Olympus camera.

I agree with RM, this shot really shows off the split tubes and the background shows off the non-existant seat tube. The lighting and composition turned out perfect. In a couple of weeks, I am going to try to duplicate this shot with my bike to show of the split tubes. It's always cool to see the shots that everyone comes up with.

 

[BDC]

Yep. Got sick of sharing the macs with the accounts department so I bought a Centris 610 some time during the renaissance.
I still have the Photoshop v1.1 floppys too. And Aldus Pagemaker.
I also do lots of advert layouts in psd in my graphic design biz: www.ultragraphics.com.au
Write and shoot for the motorcycle media these days as well. Archives are here: www.davidcohen.com.au or on fb: https://www.facebook.com/BigDavesPlace

Here's a bit I wrote ages ago on photographing motorbikes: http://www.davidcohen.co/how.html

 

[kingfish254]

Bump for easier access

 

[KOTA]

Try to get a shot from EVERY angle. If your bike sits "low" it can really enhance that look.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Bumping for some great tips as the deadline approaches.
Guess I can add a tip as well: think about what you include in the picture, remember that one guy who used a "Park Tools toilet paper roll" to prop up the bike? Memorable photo, good composition, superb build, but the prop almost became the subject .

 

[Captain Awesome]

Drug this out of the archives to the current competition

I think we’ll make this one a staple for all future categories and just keep it in the forefront

 

[Captain Awesome]

The finer details……..some are nit picky but speaking from personal experience they are things I look for. Humans are visual and sometimes the subconscious influences our intentions

In most cases I prefer the front wheel and bars straight. Very rarely does a juxtaposed stance appeal to me unless it’s done with purpose

Cranks/pedals fully vertical or horizontal for photos

Even the littlest stuff like to rotate wheels to get valve caps, logos, etc positioned uniformly. Logos on sidewalls lined up properly on the rims in line with the valve stem or 180 opposite

 

[68z27]

Cap'n A, I know what you mean. Back in the day as a part time bike shop employee (mid 80s to early 90s) I would have a few people "bang on my eardrums" because I was taking a few extra moments when assembling a bike and aligning the rim brand with the tire brand.

 

[ingola]

The finer details……..some are nit picky but speaking from personal experience they are things I look for. Humans are visual and sometimes the subconscious influences our intentions

In most cases I prefer the front wheel and bars straight. Very rarely does a juxtaposed stance appeal to me unless it’s done with purpose

Cranks/pedals fully vertical or horizontal for photos

Even the littlest stuff like to rotate wheels to get valve caps, logos, etc positioned uniformly. Logos on sidewalls lined up properly on the rims in line with the valve stem or 180 opposite

Oh my gosh I'd be overwhelmed I find a spot run around the bike clicking the photo button hopping for the best sometimes I win sometimes I loose.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Logos on sidewalls lined up properly on the rims in line with the valve stem or 180 opposite

Cap'n A, I know what you mean. Back in the day as a part time bike shop employee (mid 80s to early 90s) I would have a few people "bang on my eardrums" because I was taking a few extra moments when assembling a bike and aligning the rim brand with the tire brand.

Those are pro wheel assembly tips. The valves 180° opposite of the logos makes it easier to find the valve in a hurry

 

[ingola]

Those are pro wheel assembly tips. The valves 180° opposite of the logos makes it easier to find the valve in a hurry

I brought my bike to a "pro" they made everything match but forgot to make sure my brakes didn't rub torn tire later won't do that again

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I brought my bike to a "pro" they made everything match but forgot to make sure my brakes didn't rub torn tire later won't do that again

That sucks. The kids don't know how to set up rim brakes anymore

 

[ingola]

That sucks. The kids don't know how to set up rim brakes anymore

Nope

 

[Captain Awesome]

Bump

 

[BobbyStillz]

Couple tips (two parts) on trusting your instincts with photo staging and final pic options.

PART 1:

You know your final vision better than anyone. Suggestions can be helpful and insightful, but sometimes they can divert you from your vision. If weighing design options. Always shoot your original choice first. This gives you the freedom to experiment and play with your original vision, and ensures you have photos without a time crunch.

Last buildoff, I was debating what color grips to use. My original choice (orange) fit the final vision I had for the build. Suggestions (upon invitation) were given, which I saw the potential in and wanted to try out. I took the bike out two days before the buildoff end date, to shoot it with purple grips. I got a ton of cool shots, but I just wasn't sold on the look. The following day I was going to reshoot with the orange grips. Well, time and daylight got away from me, so I wasn't able to shoot in as many of the spots I had chosen the day before. Though I was happy with my final shot(s), I was really pressed to try and get those shots. It would have been far less stressful if I had started with the orange, and took pickup shots in the purple.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Couple tips (two parts) on trusting your instincts with photo staging and final pic options.

PART 1:

You know your final vision better than anyone. Suggestions can be helpful and insightful, but sometimes they can divert you from your vision. If weighing design options. Always shoot your original choice first. This gives you the freedom to experiment and play with your original vision, and ensures you have photos without a time crunch.

Last buildoff, I was debating what color grips to use. My original choice (orange) fit the final vision I had for the build. Suggestions (upon invitation) were given, which I saw the potential in and wanted to try out. I took the bike out two days before the buildoff end date, to shoot it with purple grips. I got a ton of cool shots, but I just wasn't sold on the look. The following day I was going to reshoot with the orange grips. Well, time and daylight got away from me, so I wasn't able to shoot in as many of the spots I had chosen the day before. Though I was happy with my final shot(s), I was really pressed to try and get those shots. It would have been far less stressful if I had started with the orange, and took pickup shots in the purple.

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This also leads to a good point……. do not wait until the last minute. We have had so many times where weather or just the clock in general get the better of people. We will not extend the deadline so that you can get a sunny day in order to get your photographs. Start earlier, and take far more pictures than you think you’ll ever need. More options the better

 

[BobbyStillz]

PART 2:

When choosing your final photo (for judging), find a balance between one that showcases the bike as a whole, and one that highlights the custom work you have done. I was torn with my last build, as the rearview shot featured my hubcaps, paint job (especially the chainguard), the keychain that inspired the build (My Pet Monster), and the loc-nar esque orb light under the steertube.

All my custom work is featured prominently, but it may not be the best shot for judging if someone hadn't followed my full build journal. I may have had increased reception with a more traditional front-view or profile shot. Neither is wrong. It's your vision. Highlight your vision.

P.s. part 3 the background is secondary to the bicycle. It should highlight and not distract from your bicycle. "The mountain is beautiful, but I can barely see the details of your bike."

 

[BobbyStillz]

I would suggest to do some home work before setting out to shoot. We have all looked for inspiration and ideas for things pertaining to building the bike, so looking at pictures for ideas on how to frame a good shot is not very different. The real difference is looking at the composition instead of the subject.

Everyone has been making good points!
The one pet peeve that I have is using a brick or a big chunk of wood to raise the kick stand off the ground! A trick that I've used is a socket. I have a set of impact sockets that are black or I have wrapped one in black masking tape also to try to minimize the focus.
Here's an example...

A 50cal shell works well, as well.