Classic & Vintage - Bike Photography - how d'you make them stand up?

As I look through the pics here, and on the SS/FG forum, there are some REALLY nice pics. I'd like to do similar justice to my bikes. I can find nice places, and I know good light when I see it, but how the devil do you people get your bikes to stand up on their own in the middle of grassy meadows etc? I wanna!

use a prop rod, long and thin; position your camera so to hide the rod with one of the bike's tubes.

That would work. Most people just lean the bike against the garage door. I've also heard of people photoshopping the stand out of the picture.

Fishing line and tent pegs.

psssst! Buy a kickstand.

One of my bikes has a kickstand, but if you think I'm adding one to my EG Bates trackie, think again! The prop sounds like the best answer - there is a river nearby where I can lean them on a chainlink fence (see the pics of the Bates in other threads), but it's hard to get the light right there. Cheers all!

Found a thicker stick, turned the non-drive side pedal so it's almost on the ground, propped it up. Used a friendly angle to hide the stick.

I sometimes hang a large piece black of black cloth up against a wall for background, then lean the bike so that (hopefully) it doesn't fall over... Sometimes just the garage door. Sometimes a colorful section of planter out front.

White garage doors have special hooks for bikes...they're white so they blend in.

psssst! Buy a kickstand.
They work beautifully for pictures in almost any setting.

They work beautifully for pictures in almost any setting.


Argh! I PROMISE to use my kickstand when I photograph my Raleigh Royal. However, neither of the Bates's, nor the Gazelle is having a redundant piece of iron and rubber fitted just for pics!

Milk carton, one of the ones you carryed LPs in and made bookcases out of in collage.
Top

Best advise on shooting a bike photo on the web:
http://bikerodnkustom3.homestead.com/photo.html

forget those great grassy medows etc.Look for a blank wall.and get the camera down at bike level.

Argh! I PROMISE to use my kickstand when I photograph my Raleigh Royal. However, neither of the Bates's, nor the Gazelle is having a redundant piece of iron and rubber fitted just for pics!
Sammyboy, I'm just fooling with you!;) Many people don't like kickstands. I find them rather helpful and don't mind having them on all of my bikes that are currently ridable (I know, I know this is so very non-OCP:D ). We'll have to wait to see whether I go kickstandless on my '66 Paramount. I can't imagine a bike without one--- But a Paramount!?! :eek:
Good luck on your quest to find the perfect way to pose your bikes so they look as if they have an invisible rider.

Sammyboy, I'm just fooling with you!;)

Many people don't like kickstands. I find them rather helpful and don't mind having them on all of my bikes that are currently ridable (I know, I know this is so very non-OCP:D ). We'll have to wait to see whether I go kickstandless on my '66 Paramount. I can't imagine a bike without one--- But a Paramount!?! :eek:

Good luck on your quest to find the perfect way to pose your bikes so they look as if they have an invisible rider.

As I look through the pics here, and on the SS/FG forum, there are some REALLY nice pics. I'd like to do similar justice to my bikes. I can find nice places, and I know good light when I see it, but how the devil do you people get your bikes to stand up on their own in the middle of grassy meadows etc? I wanna!

check out this thread...it gives away the secret!

photo (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228508&highlight=photography)

oops...in the second photo, you can see the prop-rod...forgot to say that!

Viagra. :o

Hey Bob - don't worry, I know you were all just yanking my chain. Me and MHendricks went at the kickstand issue at length once, and he loves to tease!

Argh! I PROMISE to use my kickstand when I photograph my Raleigh Royal. However, neither of the Bates's, nor the Gazelle is having a redundant piece of iron and rubber fitted just for pics!

Some bikes need a kickstand and others don't;) Sounds like Sammyboy has it figured out. FWIW I have about a 50/50 split on kickstands vs no kickstands. Best bet is to get the Crescent Girl to hold it up for you:D

Aaron:)

Perhaps if I get my girlfriend in a bikini, she could hold them? Given that I ride a 24" frame, and she's 5'1, it may look a little out of balance?

it may look a little out of balance?Depends on how small the bikini is!

There was a guy on eBay a while back who sold a lot of bikes; he always had a hottie with lots of cleavge holding the bike.
Top

Well, the beaches we normally frequent don't require bikinis, but I'm not sure what ebay would think about that, or BikeForums for that matter!

Well, the beaches we normally frequent don't require bikinis, but I'm not sure what ebay would think about that, or BikeForums for that matter!

In that case, I really don't think anyone will be looking at the bike; it'll be other proportions that are of interest.

Neal

Sam, I might be interested in purchasing another bike from you. Please send lots of pictures. :D

Several solutions, really : a tree, a big tree, a pot, a big pot, several pots, a hedge, and- of course- the eternal 'almost invisible' assistant!

Well, the beaches we normally frequent don't require bikinis, but I'm not sure what ebay would think about that, or BikeForums for that matter!
I know exactly what BikeForums would think about that. That's why you shouldn't do it.;)

How about your GF in her bikini, you in a Speedo, and using the auto-timer on your camera? Something for everyone.

Hahahaha, wipe off the dribble gents!