Commercial Photography In Florida

How to Shoot a Bike

Motorcycles have a few years past a century in the market and still a key sales factor is defined by the emotions a picture can trigger. Believe it or not, the angle and background chosen for a shot, sets the mood of the picture and the dream you will develop after taking a glance at the picture.

Lets use the following pictures as examples for the topic in discussion:

Exhibit A

This is a beautiful picture of a vintage Yamaha, a pioneer model to the Enduro saga, garnished with a cold yet colorful background.

This scenery instantly sets the mood and invites the rider or would-be to take a ride before wintertime strikes.

This ideas is valid and risque as well, because winter time is a deterrent to the sport. One could say a cold ride is for the hard-core riders, or for those who take the sport seriously, no matter what.

To me, it is an invitation to using a different background with a less conflicting concept or a more neutral climate. Remember, the temperature sets the mood along the colors you choose.

The bike is a beautiful model, a balanced structure, classic and modern, passive and wild. Love this machine, especially for those accessories reflecting another era, with all the simplicity of what a motorcycle is. Regarding the angle, is a bit too flat and dull, but its OK because of the classic style of the overall picture concept.

Exhibit B

This is a jewel crafted by the most creative studio on earth called Deuss. They refurbish a used bike and make it shine like new or better, with assertive modifications and cosmetics.

In the picture, you see a dramatic make over on both structural and appearance, keeping the basic retro look intact.

A mission impossible gone brilliantly well.

But, what a bout the angle? well, it is a perfect flat frontal angle and the background is cleverly set to white in order to preserve the importance and relevance of the subject. You cant go wrong this way.

My only comment is, given the chromed finish of the fuel tank, the photographer could have used a different background (say a 18% grey) to be able to play with illumination and making the bike look more fashionable. Just a thought.

I like the orientation going leftwards, as a rebel sign and once again, the bike;s design is awesome.

Exhibit C

A combination of the previous comments are embedded in the picture. A pale grey allows for some shades on the ground and the perfectly flat frontal angle along the right orientation, results in a conventional and solid frame.

I would say this is a great way to formally feature a bike, without taking the risks of a more aggressive look.

I can even see real estate available for copy, which in fact could have been more generous on the top or the sides.

Very well groomed bike, polished tires, shinny red trimming on the tank and that timeless Yamaha look.

It is certainly a tough job that of portraying a bike for those who dream and already dare to ride a motorcycle, because at the end, it all goes down to the emotional fulcrum. How to trigger emotions on a picture? good question and the answer comes along the lines a critic shares with others.

There is no last word about featuring emotions through images but, comparing and speculation about the idea opens a path of reference, which can be useful at times and give you some benchmark value for you to start off your project. Good luck.