Tips for taking pictures of motorcycles
#82
05-29-2015, 07:22 AM
6th Gear
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Very good help
I enjoy looking at pictures of motorcycles, plus I look at a lot of them for buying and selling. I have seen some really good artistic pictures and some really really bad ones. I am not a hobbyist photographer, but I've learned a few simple practical tips for getting good pictures. I will add a couple of tips, but I would really like to learn some tips from you folks who are good at taking good motorcycle photographs. Maybe this will even be turned into a sticky, but I invite all to contribute a tip or two.
When taking a picture of the whole bike from the side, shoot it at tank level to get the best detail and profile. Front and back shots look better from about a foot above the tank level.
Same tip goes for a zoomed in shots of specific parts of the bike like the engine, oil bag or saddle bags. Of course if a look down angle shot helps show off the detail like engraving, then of course do it, but rarely does the angle need to be more than 30 degrees maximum.
Always try to take the picture with the sun or your light coming from behind you. Shadows loose the details of the motorcycle. I know that may require moving the bike around, but it is worth it to get good shots.
Sparkling chrome looks great, but too much can be too much. Using the early morning or late afternoon sun can defuse the light enough to show off the chrome without taking away from the rest of the bike. I’m sure others here have some suggestions to help there.
For selling the bike, I find that four profile shots are plenty to show the bike. But take the front and back shot from a slight angle to the side to give the shot more perspective.
I find that unless the subject of your photo is the area around or behind the bike like the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, the more simple the background, the better. I ride around looking for building walls because they lack detail in most cases that distract or confuse the motorcycle lines.
Beary
When taking a picture of the whole bike from the side, shoot it at tank level to get the best detail and profile. Front and back shots look better from about a foot above the tank level.
Same tip goes for a zoomed in shots of specific parts of the bike like the engine, oil bag or saddle bags. Of course if a look down angle shot helps show off the detail like engraving, then of course do it, but rarely does the angle need to be more than 30 degrees maximum.
Always try to take the picture with the sun or your light coming from behind you. Shadows loose the details of the motorcycle. I know that may require moving the bike around, but it is worth it to get good shots.
Sparkling chrome looks great, but too much can be too much. Using the early morning or late afternoon sun can defuse the light enough to show off the chrome without taking away from the rest of the bike. I’m sure others here have some suggestions to help there.
For selling the bike, I find that four profile shots are plenty to show the bike. But take the front and back shot from a slight angle to the side to give the shot more perspective.
I find that unless the subject of your photo is the area around or behind the bike like the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, the more simple the background, the better. I ride around looking for building walls because they lack detail in most cases that distract or confuse the motorcycle lines.
Beary
#84
06-05-2015, 02:31 PM
Stellar HDF Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
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Sorry if it has been mentioned but for me I have rarely seen a picture of a motorcycle taken with the bike sitting on grass that really really pops for me although there are some in this thread that do look pretty good. If the choice is between grass, asphalt and a natural color concrete/brick/stone/marble, the motorcycle picture sitting on the finished surface natural color probably will be the picture that most captures my eye. I have sold a few of my past motorcycles quickly using this technique so it seems also to perhaps appeal to others.
My signature picture is not an example of what I'm talking about. lol
My signature picture is not an example of what I'm talking about. lol
Last edited by Xcrossbow; 06-05-2015 at 02:42 PM.
#86
06-10-2015, 09:47 PM
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#87
06-13-2015, 10:10 AM
#88
06-19-2015, 09:54 AM
Cruiser
Signature Pics
Great thread and a lot of nice photos, and it seems to me that the signature pics on this board should improve after guys start using some of these tips. One of the problems with pics is finding the right background. Bike pics that look like someone has evergreens mounted on the fairing and TourPak, or one that I saw looked like it had some sort of plastic cat on a stick mounted to the front fender and a PVC pipe mounted to the back of the bike just don't look good to my untrained eye The other tip, that I think is a particularly good one, is about fill flash.
One thing I don't recall reading is about the rule of thirds, I think its' called. Something about making the subject either 1/3rd of the photo and the rest background, or vice versa.
I've taken more pictures of cars than I have of bikes, but they all look better with the vehicle at an angle, even in side shots they recommend having the front wheels turned slightly.
Looking forward to getting out this weekend with the camera and using some of these tips.
One thing I don't recall reading is about the rule of thirds, I think its' called. Something about making the subject either 1/3rd of the photo and the rest background, or vice versa.
I've taken more pictures of cars than I have of bikes, but they all look better with the vehicle at an angle, even in side shots they recommend having the front wheels turned slightly.
Looking forward to getting out this weekend with the camera and using some of these tips.
#89
07-08-2015, 09:55 PM
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