Classic & Vintage - Photography tips - means of support?

I've done a search for photography tips in the forums and have found some very good info, but the one thing I haven't seen an answer to is how do you prop your bike up? I'm particularly interested in an invisible means such as those wonderful photos in 55/rad's sig, for instance.

I imagine there is some post production cloning out of the prop device, just wondering what device y'all use to make the job neater and easier.

Two ways I have seen, but not used.

1) A prop stick at the proper angle to hide behind the top tube.

2) something under the far side pedal which is all the way down.

I think there was a thread somewhere in the forum that showed off some nice shots, and the secrets to getting them.

fishing line tied to a cloud!

Or just put something under the far side pedal. Like a snowbank for instance
http://velospace.org/files/DSC_0001.jpg (http://velospace.org/node/1838)

It has to be in front of a white garage door and then the force holds them up:D Seriously I use a thin piece of bamboo and conceal it behind the seat tube, or place a block under a pedal.

Aaron:)

The best trick is to use Photoshop or another image editor after the fact to erase whatever you used as a prop.

if your bike is a fixed gear and you ride don't ride clipless, sometimes you can balance it with one of the toe clips pressing against the ground

I use photographic background paper against a retaining wall in my back yard. I lean the bike against the wall, but with the photographic background paper, there is no depth perception, so the bike looks like it's suspended in air.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/CIMG2246sm.jpg

Thanks for the tips guys! All good suggestions, but I particularly like that background paper trick. I'll have to look into that some more. :)

Or a piece of copper pipe that I didn't bother to photoshop out....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/RabidKoala/IMG_0335.jpg

I use photographic background paper against a retaining wall in my back yard. I lean the bike against the wall, but with the photographic background paper, there is no depth perception, so the bike looks like it's suspended in air.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/CIMG2246sm.jpg

Nice!