jiangshi

A little love for the great Ray Dobbins:
MY PHOTO SETUP

pcb 

Lots of good points so far. Just like an understanding of bicycle basics (gears, brakes, tire pressure, rider position) contributes to better riding, an understanding of camera/photography basics (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens focal length, depth of field, lighting & exposure, composition) contributes to better photos. Some folks definitely "have an eye," and get great images without much conscious effort, but most of us do better with some learning and practice. It's definitely less about the hardware, and more about knowing how to get the most/best out of it. But sometimes the hardware does matter.

As with people, bikes usually look better shot from further away, zoomed in (telephoto) than up close, zoomed out (wideangle). Close/wide, especially looking down, distorts perspective and ovalizes wheels. Everything looks kinda scrunched and wonky, though this may not consciously register. Far/tele compresses perspective nicely and keeps round things round:


Neutral backgrounds are usually better than garage doors:


Placing busy backgrounds far away is usually better than sticking them right behind the bicycle.


But if the background is close, using a wide aperture to soften the background helps:


These are all what I'd characterize as beauty/catalog/establishing-type shots. Mostly filling the frame with metal, not much in the way of dynamic composition. I think there's a considerable difference between good product photography and making compelling images that happen to have bicycles in them. I do OK when it's about the bike. I'm far less successful when it's all about the image...

poprad

Yep. Ray's the master of modest equipment meets careful preparation thus turning out world-class pics. My best work doesn't come close to his.

My one tip is that macro (close ups) of interest areas really make a bike look good. I particularly like the fork crown, seat cluster, and bb areas:

[IMG]Vanilla 26 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Centurionelli 108 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Vanilla 2 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]P1010680 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Centurionelli 098 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

JetWave

I am always at a loss trying to figure out how to take sharp details pictures. I have used a tripod, brighter lighting, fastest shutter speed, but never be able to get super sharp images. Your pictures here ( especially the Campy brake picture)are excellent examples of sharpness and details that I always wish I can get. Would appreciate if you can share some tips. Thanks.

poprad

Thanks for that, my best success with the macro shots is actually with digital compacts. I brace my hand on something like part of the frame, and set the camera to the macro mode (usually a flower icon). Sometimes I'll have to use manual focus mode to get it to lock onto where I want the focus to be. Starting out, using a tripod and good lighting as you mention doing takes many errors out of the process. If you're doing that you just need to ensure the camera knows you're taking a closeup. Most compact digitals are actually quite good at close focus shots, but you have to be the right distance lens-to-subject that your camera "reads." Your manual should tell you what the rarge is (like 4 to 8 cm) for using macro mode. Once you figure that out your closeups should be pin-sharp.

also note, most cameras let you option either multi point or center single-point focus. Many compacts even have a "select focus point" function that lets you move the focus square around the filed of view so you don't have to have your focus point in the middle of the frame.

What are you shooting with?

I like unique juxtapositions too. I had a headbadge made to match the label of my favorite Belgian ale:

[IMG]Jen Green custom headbadge by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]

bwilli88 

First hold the camera steady, tripods help, mantra - Stop, Steady, Shoot.
Focus
Before you shoot Frame the image, Look UDAA (Up, Down, All Around). look for things that stick out around the subject.
Focus
Make sure that the lens is clean and dust free.
Focus
Did I mention Focus
Golden hour for red or blue objects and the Blue hour for yellow or Green
foCus

Bikes like children are short, get down to their level, Squat


and last but not least clean you own glasses so you can focus.




Brian

sloar 

Great tips here, I'm with Robbietunes on this, I take horrible pics. My pics are usually crisp and clear, I just get horrible angles and shot placements. I never know where to shoot, and for some reason my bike shots always make the handlebars look distorted and huge looking. I do admire,"envy" great photography though, and it always makes it more enjoyable to see quality bike photos on this forum than the garage door shots.

rootboy 

You said it, Leegf. It's all personal preference. I've always been a "straight photography" buff. But even the greats, ie; Cartier-Bresson, W. E. Smith, et al, dodged and burned and manipulated in the dark room. To some extent. I really don't mind a little manipulation in digital photos, as long as it is not over-done.

On cameras, I have a Canon DSLR on which I sometimes use a very sharp, and old, Nikon manual lens for close ups. But I've found it's hard to beat my little Canon PowerShot S110. Amazing little camera, with a very good lens on it.

rootboy 

"Bikes like children are short, get down to their level, Squat"

Important tip, Bill. One sees so many bike pics shot from a standing position. Placing the lens horizontally in line with the frame helps so much.

rootboy 

Superb, Poprad. Or should I say… SUPER!

franswa

Photography is definitely subjective, as is all forms of art. Once you have a grasp of the fundamental rules, it's really enjoyable to break those rules and venture out of your comfort zone.

Also important to note that if you plan on taking your photography further, you may want to consider calibrating your monitor(s) for color and contrast accuracy. My workflow(which I have honed throughout the last 7 years) is such that my editing is for my ultimate end product, which is the print form(especially for my clients). Images on a monitor can greatly differ from those on an actual print. I also shoot in RAW format, which by nature, is flat in color and lacking in contrast - meant to be processed with software to one's liking. This format helps preserve the data within the image, allowing for the most latitude in retouching without being destructive to the files.

I rarely ever use a tripod unless I am doing a very low light long exposure. Even for macro shots, I usually shoot them handheld.


Some more pics to share:

franswa

Muy sexy!

ScottRyder 

Lot's of good advice in this thread .. I'm usually a fan of bright, open shade. Sometimes a recent rain comes in handy too:



But bright sun can be just as effective:



Scott

franswa

Fret not, my friend. If I were the type to be offended, I would never make it as a working photographer. We all have preferences and how we see things and choose to express them will not please everyone. I too shoot film(medium format) for my personal projects. With the different film emulsions, the colors/saturation/contrast was already baked into the process. It's not the case with digital and shooting RAW. JPG compression, however, does try to bake in those features, but at the detriment of the image in my opinion.

rootboy 

Well said, thanks. I'm with you on compression. Always shoot in RAW. Even with my meager, amateur gear.
Those shots you just posted are fantastic, Franswa. One can tell you are a pro, looking at those.

SJX426 

I have enjoyed the attempt at taking good pictures but fall short in so many ways. In any case I offer you bling:
[IMG]LC_FrntHub_05w by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

eschlwc

@JetWave, when using a long exposure or nearly anytime i'm using the tripod, i use the 2-second delay feature, because no matter how gentle i am, the camera shakes when pressing the shutter release.

xiaoman1 

From my perspective, most important background or lack there of, boken and camera angle....maybe already said.
Regards, Ben

poprad

That's a great tip, I do the same for any macro work on a tripod.

Chrome Molly

I'm just happy when I get the actual subject and not my thumb.

franswa

Don't forget that your stance and body mechanics are key.

raymond1354

There is some really solid advice here. Thank you.

I was wondering if there is a standard for photo documentation w.r.t. bikes and components. To give some background, in my real job, we often document things. There are standard distances, angles etc. for photos which are always taken at the same settings and with the same lens. It means that the views taken at one time can be compared to those taken at another time because there is no variation in technique. This really helps in assessing things.

Often, from what I have seen here, people request more photos when assessing a bike. If guidlines for photos don't exist, would it be worthwhile to work some out with all the experts?

Thanks

r

MrB67

That is a beautiful shot!