Any tips on photographing a frame?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 6
From: West of Ireland
Bikes: Raleigh 531c, Marin Muirwoods, Brodie Romax
Any tips on photographing a frame?
Hey, I have a new bike frame that I haven't touched but I'm gonna start building it up soon and maybe document the progress. I tried taking pictures of it "brand new" but they turn out crap - not what I am looking for at all! Any suggestions on how to make it look better? Thanks
#2
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 2
From: Plano, Texas
Bikes: Panasonic DX4000, Bianchi Pista
Youll get a better looking pic by zooming in a lot with the camera, and walking back till you get it
all in frame. It flattens the perspective, and gives a more professional looking picture.
Overcast midday light looks good since it doesnt cast such harsh shadows.
Don't forget to put the bike against a white garage door with the drive side facing the camera,
shift it into the highest gear, put the cranks so the left is hidden behind the seat tube, spin
the wheels so the valve stems are hidden, take off computers, seat bags, bottles, and non-carbon
bottle cages. I think that covers it!
all in frame. It flattens the perspective, and gives a more professional looking picture.
Overcast midday light looks good since it doesnt cast such harsh shadows.
Don't forget to put the bike against a white garage door with the drive side facing the camera,
shift it into the highest gear, put the cranks so the left is hidden behind the seat tube, spin
the wheels so the valve stems are hidden, take off computers, seat bags, bottles, and non-carbon
bottle cages. I think that covers it!
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The first rule of flats is You don't talk about flats!
#3
Youll get a better looking pic by zooming in a lot with the camera, and walking back till you get it
all in frame. It flattens the perspective, and gives a more professional looking picture.
Overcast midday light looks good since it doesnt cast such harsh shadows.
Don't forget to put the bike against a white garage door with the drive side facing the camera,
shift it into the highest gear, put the cranks so the left is hidden behind the seat tube, spin
the wheels so the valve stems are hidden, take off computers, seat bags, bottles, and non-carbon
bottle cages. I think that covers it!
all in frame. It flattens the perspective, and gives a more professional looking picture.
Overcast midday light looks good since it doesnt cast such harsh shadows.
Don't forget to put the bike against a white garage door with the drive side facing the camera,
shift it into the highest gear, put the cranks so the left is hidden behind the seat tube, spin
the wheels so the valve stems are hidden, take off computers, seat bags, bottles, and non-carbon
bottle cages. I think that covers it!

The list is extensive, but your list will get a photo into the right ballpark. The rest will be the usual OCP nit picking.
#4
Healthy and active
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 887
Likes: 4
From: Caldwell, Idaho USA
Bikes: mid-60's Dunelt 10-speed, Specialized Allez Sport Tripple, Trek 7.2 FX
Also, a white garage door might not be the best thing. The bike will almost certainly be darker than the background. I have always found the most pleasing photographs are made when the background is a little darker than the main subject. A blanket of a darker color could be hung behind the bike. The farther you can get it away from the bike, the more it is likely to present a very soft focus that blends into the background.
With photo editing programs you can also take your pictures with grass or trees in the background. Drive a steel rod into the ground for the bike to lean on. Smudge it out and replace it with grass on the computer later.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
I prefer the bike to be some distance from the background. Avoid a background the same shade or colour as your bike or a fussy detailled background; very light or dark backgrounds can skew the exposure reading.
You can prop a bike up by a pedal on a brick/log/curb.
3/4 views from the front seem to work best.
Make sure you show the details that matter to you, either by positioning components, altering your point of view or getting closer.
Use a moderate telephoto zoom and fill the frame with your image. Look at the image in the viewfinder, scan around the edges and move your point of view to get the best composition.
Most digicams work well enough to get a decent picture. You can post some of your bad pics for critical advice.
You can prop a bike up by a pedal on a brick/log/curb.
3/4 views from the front seem to work best.
Make sure you show the details that matter to you, either by positioning components, altering your point of view or getting closer.
Use a moderate telephoto zoom and fill the frame with your image. Look at the image in the viewfinder, scan around the edges and move your point of view to get the best composition.
Most digicams work well enough to get a decent picture. You can post some of your bad pics for critical advice.
#6
I use the "Cuisine" setting on my camera to photograph bicycle components. Try different settings.
I also find that setting up the lighting, and then turning off the flash often works. A flash washes out a shiny frame.
I also find that setting up the lighting, and then turning off the flash often works. A flash washes out a shiny frame.
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Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
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Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 62
From: TN
Bikes: 2013 Trek Madone; 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker
The best website on how to take pictures of bicycles:
Pictures and bikes so pretty, they will make you cry.
https://raydobbins.com/
examples:

Pictures and bikes so pretty, they will make you cry.
https://raydobbins.com/
examples:

Last edited by brianmcg123; 01-03-08 at 04:53 PM.
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 6
From: West of Ireland
Bikes: Raleigh 531c, Marin Muirwoods, Brodie Romax
Thanks folks, I will give it a go at the weekend and post some pics for critique;-) It is brilliant white so will see what I can find for a background.





