Photo help, what would you want to see?

[thecharmed01]

Recently I've been looking at a lot of the 'cafe-racer' type bikes lately and I did a photo shoot with a model on one which has got me a few more bookings for similar shoots.

I'm just curious though, as to whether the shots I got are what people want to see - as while the customer was rapt, I'm wondering whether there are things I missed shots of that I should get next time, or whether I managed to cover it pretty well.
He's submitting images to a few magazines and seeing as photo's of bikes are not something I've done before any constructive suggestions would be welcome.

Also some ideas as to which image/s should be submitted. As I am so not part of that scene and while I can tell him which I like, that's not so useful if what I like is vastly different to what bikers in general like.

I put this here as there are way too many forums here and I couldn't decide whether it should be here or not so sorry in advance if it's wrong.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.380964361935074.94344.197195160311996&type=3

[mashman]

I'm just curious though, as to whether the shots I got are what people want to see

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.380964361935074.94344.197195160311996&type=3

too much clothing, too few bikes

[Tigadee]

Great shots although in most of them you need to work to isolate your subjects from the background.

While I realise that perhaps your client wants it that way, you should shoot two sets - one with the shallow DOF to isolate the model and bike more from the background (which while industrial is not all that interesting or complementary) and another set the way the client wants it. That way if you show the difference, the client might change their mind and prefer your (more attractive) set.

Using the low sun is an excellent move (except the first shot where the sun is almost overpowering your secondary light source) and provides a free and powerful spotlight. A second flash/strobe on the bike would have been good, unless the emphasis was on the model and not the bike.

In the last few of the bike only shots, the framing was a bit sloppy, as you sometimes include other bikes but cut bits of them off. Use tight framing again to isolate the bike from the background, and again a light source on the bike (either a diffused strobe or just a reflector) will do wonders.

Excellent work overall and you'll only get better from here. :yes:

[thecharmed01]

Great shots although in most of them you need to work to isolate your subjects from the background.

While I realise that perhaps your client wants it that way, you should shoot two sets - one with the shallow DOF to isolate the model and bike more from the background (which while industrial is not all that interesting or complementary) and another set the way the client wants it. That way if you show the difference, the client might change their mind and prefer your (more attractive) set.

Using the low sun is an excellent move (except the first shot where the sun is almost overpowering your secondary light source) and provides a free and powerful spotlight. A second flash/strobe on the bike would have been good, unless the emphasis was on the model and not the bike.

In the last few of the bike only shots, the framing was a bit sloppy, as you sometimes include other bikes but cut bits of them off. Use tight framing again to isolate the bike from the background, and again a light source on the bike (either a diffused strobe or just a reflector) will do wonders.

Excellent work overall and you'll only get better from here. :yes:


Thanks, some of the photo's are more about model than bike, and others were more about bike than model. There was a bit of a mix because of the situation with both parties.
They chose the location and it was what they wanted. I could have shot two ways, but then we only had about an hour to shoot with the light the way it was and then we lost it. I wonder if I would have needed two separate shoots as posing models takes a lot longer than objects but Wellington's weather doesn't always give us two days with such amazing light. :wacko:
It would have been nice to have got some shots with a softer backdrop. Might think about setting up two ways next time and see if I can get two lots - I was just really worried about time with dusk being so fast.

The last shots were extras and the boys asked me to get them after I'd packed up my gear already unfortunately. Otherwise there would have been a lot more light. We'd lost the sun at that point and as I was only supposed to be photographing the first bike, I'd thought we were done. Kinda threw them in extra.
Didn't want them to be too flashy as they weren't cleaned and they'd just done a mini drag race on the gravel with them hahaha
One of them is in fact broken (the green one) as he'd just laid it down in the gravel and dinged up the side you can't see, snapped off a lever and made a bit of a mess of it. Was funny, but gutting all at once.

[mossy1200]

Is she single and can you send me her number

[jrandom]

The photos without the woman in them are better.

[Madness]

I thought there were a few shots where the background were distracting & out of place. Moving closer to the stack of drums might have been an idea & using the symmetry of them. That tilt slab building you can see just ruined the whole period look of the shot it was in.

[thecharmed01]

The photos without the woman in them are better.

haha to be honest, I like them more... still not sure if I was getting what they needed though.

[Tigadee]

The last shots were extras and the boys asked me to get them after I'd packed up my gear already unfortunately. Otherwise there would have been a lot more light. We'd lost the sun at that point and as I was only supposed to be photographing the first bike, I'd thought we were done. Kinda threw them in extra.
Didn't want them to be too flashy as they weren't cleaned and they'd just done a mini drag race on the gravel with them hahaha
One of them is in fact broken (the green one) as he'd just laid it down in the gravel and dinged up the side you can't see, snapped off a lever and made a bit of a mess of it. Was funny, but gutting all at once.

Boost the contrast and turn the photos into B&W or sepia and see how that turns out... And burn the highlights to bring them down.

Also try HDR effect on those photos and see if it gives it a gritty rough look.

[thecharmed01]

Boost the contrast and turn the photos into B&W or sepia and see how that turns out... And burn the highlights to bring them down.

Also try HDR effect on those photos and see if it gives it a gritty rough look.

This is a good thing? I'll give it a shot!

[Geeen]

Some very cool photos, My preferences are photos 14 to 28. Only thing i can add is in some of the shots the bike and model almost become part of the background. The depth of field Tig was talking about should sort that tho

[cmoore]

great photos, my "girl on bike" pick is 8, but the background is too distracting......the others are the close ups of the bike or the group, they are cool.....most bikers think bikes are sex on wheels....so the model should either be the focus or compliment the bike...IMO!!....she looks great by the way.

[thecharmed01]

Well, seeing as I didn't capture several different RAW images per image, I just played about with faux HDR stuff.
Kind of interested to see what people think as I don't use it as a rule :)

[Tigadee]

Hmmmm, they all ended up looking overexposed though... I was more thinking like this:

[thecharmed01]

Hmmmm, they all ended up looking overexposed though... I was more thinking like this:


Ahh ok.... so dark and grungy.
I think I see where you are heading. To me they look much darker than I usually go, probably why I didn't push it too much.

That's what people want to see in bike images then? Darker than I think.

[Tigadee]

Hmmmm, either that or your screen or my screen are out!

Try this and see if your monitor is correctly set for brightness...
http://www.photofriday.com/calibrate.php

[steve_t]

I also think your brightness might be too low. As a general rule, I hate HDR. People always seem to overdo it. I also hate the white vignette some people do :crazy:

[ducatilover]

That CBXsem-fiddy is teh sex.

I know nothing about fancy picture snapping, but I like your work and I do think I need her number and blood type

[Winston001]

I'm just curious though, as to whether the shots I got are what people want to see -

In my opinion your photos are excellent. The model has vitality and dominates her photos which works for me. The bike is slightly less important but still has impact.

As for subject matter I am not a fan of girls on bikes. It always seems a cheap mix of soft porn mixed with machine. Not - I hasten to add - that your photos are anything like that. But it is a genre to avoid.

If you are going to pic models on or around motorcycles then the human being is who our eye is drawn to. Ok, apart from the slavering oil-breathers on KB. :D

[thecharmed01]

Hmmmm, either that or your screen or my screen are out!

Try this and see if your monitor is correctly set for brightness...
http://www.photofriday.com/calibrate.php

Mine is calibrated for print :/

[Tigadee]

As a general rule, I hate HDR. People always seem to overdo it.

:yes: Me too... Only in a rare occasion does it actually help.


Mine is calibrated for print :/

:yes: Ah, it's different for web which is more contrasty and vibrant... 'Print' as in CYMK? Or Adobe RGB?

[Asher]

Why isnt there a photography sub forum on here? seems like there is enough people into it.

[steve_t]

Mine is calibrated for print :/

Colormunki?

[Number One]

Why isnt there a photography sub forum on here? seems like there is enough people into it.

There is a social group I think. But not a sub-forum probably cos this is a biker site not an every hobby site.

[thecharmed01]

:yes: Me too... Only in a rare occasion does it actually help.



:yes: Ah, it's different for web which is more contrasty and vibrant... 'Print' as in CYMK? Or Adobe RGB?

CMYK, otherwise when I order client prints and albums things would go mega wonky lol

[thecharmed01]

Apparently I can't quote Winston001 cause this dopey site gives me weird errors..... :wacko:

So Winston001 :
hahaha you would have thought that totally knowing there were like 10 drooling bikers 'spectating' with beers. Poor girl. Lucky she loves to pose!
I'm interested in doing more bike pics, I need to learn what people want to see more though... so this is all good!

[Tigadee]

CMYK, otherwise when I order client prints and albums things would go mega wonky lol

Oh yes, calibrated for CYMK definitely looks different than for web - less vibrant and slightly different tones too.

If most of your work is for print, then you should leave your monitor settings alone. Use a separate custom setting on your monitor for web or consider a second monitor set for web if your work is 50/50... Good excuse to go dual monitor on your set-up! :devil2:

[cmoore]

check out this book, The fine art of the motorcycle engine : the story of the Up-N-Smoke engine project / Daniel Peirce

[thecharmed01]

check out this book, The fine art of the motorcycle engine : the story of the Up-N-Smoke engine project / Daniel Peirce

Oooh thanks. I'll have a hunt on Amazon and see if I can get a copy!

[Tigadee]

Ahh ok.... so dark and grungy.
I think I see where you are heading. To me they look much darker than I usually go, probably why I didn't push it too much.

Or you could try something more retro...

[Drunken Monkey]

I don't know what your specific goal was, but I just jizzed my pants...

[cmoore]

Oooh thanks. I'll have a hunt on Amazon and see if I can get a copy!

the library has it.....there are other motorcycle specific photgraphic "ART" books as well.....

[thecharmed01]

I've decided I think to invest in Topaz HDR in a few weeks when I get paid.
Had a chat with a friend who was playing around with his version and we came up with some funky faux HDR effects I kinda liked.
It's going to have to wait a couple of weeks though as I've a trip to Auckland next week haha

Thanks to all for the feedback, I've got a lot more learning to do with bike shots clearly!

I think I do people so much better myself hahaha
Did a burlesque show last night in Welly, was great fun! Boobs everywhere!

[nathanwhite]

Pics of cool classics :niceone:
Pics of girlies :niceone:
Pic of girlies posing on bikes <_<

However pics of girlies RIDING bikes :niceone::niceone:

I agree with having a shallower DOF for the model pics though, because your background items physically quite large, they have as much visual weight as the subject/s themself and are quite distracting. Darkening the edges or even closer framing would solve this.

My favourite from that set is #14. The lines of the exhaust and frame pull your eye all over the picture, but it keeps coming back to the grenade in the centre. Infinate Loop. :woohoo:

Pics #1 & 27 have far too much clipping. I like to shoot in RAW so I can get most of that sky detail back after the shoot. Or if I have a tripod, I will shoot two different exposures and blend them with photoshops HDR function to get, not the super clarity of most HDR's, but a good exposure all over the picture.