Best Way to take photos of bikes?

[northwind]

A man of taste

I've had some success with "Press the button and hope", on the other hand



I even like the OTT contrasts in that one, I've got a slightly touched up version with the foreground lightened but it's not as dramatic- though technically a better photo.

Here's my shot at it (pun intended! )

Ingredients:

1 minging bike (albeit in the best shape and colour, with the right amount of plastics);
1 hazy day;
2 miles of roadworks;
1 crappy photographer + bridge camera.

Mix all together, and out comes this:

[img][/img]



i like this 1 its my desktop atm ( i had to resize for puttin on er )


but ima goan wash my bike again might try n tidy up the down pipes n change the background but keep the same angle theres a place called toghill which looks over the wole of my area so if i have that as a back drop i recon itl look awsome pic was taken on a 5.0 mega pixles cam but i recon its a kick ass angle

Originally Posted by northwind

I find that chosing your shot well, ie location and position, is the most important thing. That's how I took this work of genius:



What raises it above the rest is the artistic position of the garden hose, and the horrendous harshness caused by having the flash set too high.

I thought that was TSM's bike for a minute !!

Ah pics, A nice background is the key and also something that makes it a little unique...

Originally Posted by K

This could work better if it was cropped to a tall, narrow shot - concentrating at the bike towards the top and following the reflection down the length of the picture.
The only problems being that there is a bit too much of the quay exposed - the water level needed to be higher so there's not as much break between the bike and its reflection.
What would let it down though is the upper background - unfortunately it's too busy with little or no conformity.
The reeds are pale and plentyful on the left, but green and petering out on the right - it really needs to be one or the other.
Above the tank the skyline is good, but unfortunately doesn't continue that was towards the back of the bike - the trees on the left need to be absent.


maybe like this- sorta??




With regards to L or H framing - the very basic version is for the eye to either have a line to follow, or to be forced to concentrate on the subject as it's boxed in. But to my mind some or the 'rules' on composition are too strict and mathmatical when compared with the reality of what your brain translates.
In reality the Last Supper is technically appalling. It has about three vanishing points - but it still looks right and so you can throw maths and technicality out of the window.
It also is far to bottom heavy in its composition - until you remember that it was painted on a high wall and so the correct viewing angle foreshortens the foreground - making it more balanced.


At the end of the day people will pay thousands for a Jackson Pollack - which looks like it was painted by a handcuffed chimpanzee having some kind of seizure. So go figure.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

I thought that was TSM's bike for a minute !!

This is not the greatest bike in the world... No, it's just a tribute Purely a temporary measure.

[mattSV]

A few of my faves for your critique/advice - all done with a point & press.

I really fancy getting a digital SLR but can't really afford it at the moment

Super retards at Beaulieu - passing v.quick so hard to get the focus right - tried panning the camera but still a bit blurred





Sunset in Majorca - like the light effects on these



5 mins later



Ribblehead on the Norf/Sarf last year - couldn't quite get the shot without the other bikes in it



Newquay, on a tour of Devon/Cornwall last year

ooo look at u all colour matched luggage !... u sure u aint gay ??

the headland hotel that is!!.... I had a wonderful night in there in my youth with 2 lovely ladies.. .....

I like the sun coming through the clouds there- its like god shinin on ya !>.


the ribblehead one- u cud cut it thin and het the bikes out via photoshop cudnt ya?

et voila >>>>