Photography Tips

[The Renaissance Man]

With only a couple of weeks left in this years competition, I thought that this would be a good time to bring back this thread from last year's build-off. This is worth your time to read through!

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/good-photography-tips.84561/

Because the voting is based off of photos, this is a critical part of the competition that can directly impact how your bike and the effort you put into it is received. An average bike with a great photo is (in my opinion) poised to do better than a great bike with a poor photo.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[DJ Bill]

Hmm. Maybe one of my really junky bikes with a good photo might have to be entered..lol.

 

[kingfish254]

You scared me when you said there were only a couple of weeks left. We have three weeks left.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

You scared me when you said there were only a couple of weeks left. We have three weeks left.

Sorry, I'm thinking two weeks to try to be finished so that I'm not rushing the photos at the end.

 

[kingfish254]

Good thinking!!!

 

[us56456712]

I did spend some time planning the photo shoot for my BOTEN bike Jukadi. I figured it had to be a poor quality photo to match the build theme where quality is not a a concern, only function. I rode it out into the back yard, laid it under a tree in the midday sun and took a few. I used the most out of focus one. Ha!

 

[horsefarmer]

Thanks RM for bringing this thread back - I never read it before and there are a lot of great tips!

 

[kingfish254]

It's also a good idea to take a look at the the Finished Bike threads from previous Build Offs as well as the Voting threads and Voting Gallery threads.

 

[horsefarmer]

I was going to add, there were a lot of comments by rat rod and others about using Photoshop to correct your digital photos.
If you don't have Photoshop, I would recommend Photofiltre Studio.
http://photofiltre.en.softonic.com/
its free and works great.

 

[BARTO]

1. Take lots of the same shot so you have choices and make your final decision while reviewing your shots on a larger screen
2. Look at what shows up in the background of your shot....do you want it there (trash, cars, people, etc. etc.)
3. Use a pod to stabilize your photos if possible
4. If you want grass, weeds or bushes in your photo, make sure they don't dominate the photo
5. Stay away from crazy effects or unsusal shadows
6. Background should be a different color then your bike, you don't want your photo to blend
7. Ask for help in photographing and selecting your final photos

Not a pro - far from it, Just my thoughts

 

[gowjobs]

I was going to add, there were a lot of comments by rat rod and others about using Photoshop to correct your digital photos.
If you don't have Photoshop, I would recommend Photofiltre Studio.
http://photofiltre.en.softonic.com/
its free and works great.

GIMP is another option, but requires a bit more technical expertise. If you have PS experience, you'll probably be able to operate GIMP without issues.

 

[Kevin Kanouff]

The photo competition threads have some excellent (calendar worthy ) pictures to get ideas from.

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?categories/photo-competitions.102/

 

[horsefarmer]

The photo competition threads have some excellent (calendar worthy ) pictures to get ideas from.

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?categories/photo-competitions.102/

You re right, Kevin. Lots of great photos there!
Including my own 2014 entry which is July 2015 in the RRB calendar.

Gotta love that ratty old Hawthorne.

 

[Glen]

You re right, Kevin. Lots of great photos there!
Including my own 2014 entry which is July 2015 in the RRB calendar.

Gotta love that ratty old Hawthorne.

The ratty old Willys pickup cab looks pretty promising too...

Glen.

 

[horsefarmer]

Thanks! I have an old S-10 chevy frame the plan is to put em together. Maybe after a couple of rat rod builds under my belt, I'll tackle it.

 

[Kevin Kanouff]

You re right, Kevin. Lots of great photos there!
Including my own 2014 entry which is July 2015 in the RRB calendar.

Gotta love that ratty old Hawthorne.

That was actually one of my favorites!

 

[Glen]

Thanks! I have an old S-10 chevy frame the plan is to put em together. Maybe after a couple of rat rod builds under my belt, I'll tackle it.

Very cool. I had a 1952 Willys Station Wagon that I was hot rodding, but I sold it as a project. Was chopped with a 350/350 combo and a HQ Holden front end. I often wonder what ever happened to it.

Glen.

 

[horsefarmer]

I think I'm aging the it till the patina is right. Its getting close now!