The Official S-T.N Photography (methods) Thread

[DredheadV2.0]

As opposed to the Camera thread, the intention of this topic is to discuss methods for capturing the best possible still images of your motorcycling experience, whether you're going for the Von Hoohah-style crystal clear landscape or the rad, on-the-fly pic of yourself in a knee-draggin' lean.

Mounts, methods, and misc, basically.  Wanna talk best camera, see the other thread.  

[torags v2]

I like a monopod for a quick resting place for the cam, without dismounting.

This is my quiver for it.

Signed quick draw McGraw

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I will have to try the ground mount method

[Scoop]

I like a monopod for a quick resting place for the cam, without dismounting.

This is my quiver for it.

Signed quick draw McGraw

I like that idea.  I would also like a good method of mounting the camera so I can take pics while riding.  I have seen a few RAM mounts, but would like ideas......post pics.  I wish to feed off of your ingenuity

[bubba zanetti]

I bought one of these "Ultramounts"from Aerostich for $30
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Ultra-Mount-p-16289.html

It attaches to almost anything, handlbars, fairings. It takes OK pictures on the fly but is a wonderful mobile "tripod" for off bike pics. The more I use a steady base, and not handheld, the better my photos get.

Great thread ... there is so much to learn.  

[Leanintree]

Another one of the 'best tricks' that seems to spawn good photos is the 'Don't keep the damn camera level' method. Seems to add a sense of perspective and action to action shots (as well as making you look like a hero if your photo'd in a turn...).



Leanintree

[1KPerDay]

I like a monopod for a quick resting place for the cam, without dismounting.

This is my quiver for it.

Signed quick draw McGraw

Also doubles as a convenient mortar launcher for pesky cagers.

[torags v2]

"Also doubles as a convenient mortar launcher for pesky cagers. Bigok"

I like it, never thought of that.  

[Thunder7]

I bought one of these "Ultramounts"from Aerostich for $30
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Ultra-Mount-p-16289.html

It attaches to almost anything, handlbars, fairings. It takes OK pictures on the fly but is a wonderful mobile "tripod" for off bike pics. The more I use a steady base, and not handheld, the better my photos get.

Great thread ... there is so much to learn.  

Looks like a great item, but also looks like it will only support point and shoots.

[Jeff]

I've found that for those ubiquitous road pictures, two opposite techniques can help give the picture something extra.  The first is to put the camera right down on the pavement, and the other is to put the camera 8 feet in the air.  You can crop the result to put the horizon back where you want it.

the camera is on the ground in this one.


and, the camera is over 8' above the road in this one.

This is a great idea for photography in general. The results can just make the viewer feel there's something different about the photo because it wasn't taken at the same point of view as they see everything.

Jeff

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I snagged this link off ADV: elevation techniques

While I found it informative, I also found it hard to reproduce the effects. I guess I'll just have to keep on practicing!

[Busy Little Whiner]

My method in generating that special glow accent on a part is to employ a hand held shop light and no flash... I shoot multiple shots and select the best one...

Home made end cap to my HRC exhaust...  


Vintage Marchesini magnesium wheel powder coated bronze...


I also like the way candid shot invites the viewer to read the subject...

[MisterEd]

Well, I don't have much to say about particular tools and so forth for helping to shoot better pictures.  My current camera is a little 2 MP point 'n shoot.  I don't ever carry a tripod or other "official" camera support with me.  The camera lives in my tank bag on the road.  This IS different than my past adventures in photography - I still own an old Canon A1 with a bag full of lenses, motor drive, multiple flash heads, tripod, etc. and I still have packed away in a storage unit an entire chemical darkroom.  I like PhotoShop MUCH better, thanks  

For me the method is in the eye and looking for the unusual.  Whenever I shoot, and particularly on the road because of the fleeting nature of the sights that I'm seeing, I'm alwasy on the lookout for the unusual - be that an odd perspective, and odd angle, something neat or funky or old or strange by the side of the road or even trying to put a new spin on "typical" shots - hey, just because they're typical doesn't mean YOU can do them well.

So, in what follows, I'll share some of my thoughts about the shots I've taken and what worked and such that made me keep them.

The "typical" road shot can be done other ways too.  It works with rails as well:


And by the way, as in the last shot - don't ignore the VERTICAL orientation!  Some folks almost never turn the camera on its side.  A vertical shot can add a lot to a subject just becuase it's an unusual perspective.  It can also take a relatively horizontal subject and give it added interest




I particularly like to find old buildings and such along the road whether I include the bike in the shot or not.  I love the way the old structres contrast with the modernity and sleekness of the machine that I'm riding






I like the composition of the next one.  Your eye is drawn down the road and then just naturally drifts over to the bike and its reflection in the puddle.  The nearly lone tree on the left has the effect of balancing the picture so it doesn't seem lopsided.  It tends to evoke the idea of a very small bike (and by extension a very small rider) in a very big place.


Don't be afraid of foggy conditions, rain, darkness, etc.  I've shot some pictures in what seemed like crappy conditions that later turned out to be pretty good shots just because of the mystery or seeming danger in the shot.


I like to shoot sunrises and sunsets as well.  You need a few clouds or at least some mist in the air to make it really nice.  I've found that a time about 30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset seems to yeild the best results.






Back to the "unusual perspective" thing.  I try out a TON of these shots when I'm on the road.  I've probably shot 200 of them and I end up liking maybe five.  I like to try to get a great "road" shot with the bike in extreme closeup in the foreground - or at least shot from a dramatic or unusual angle.



(this one's my current favorite)



And finally, remember to take in the grandeur of a place.  I like to place the bike in frame at some awesome location as a size reference - again, small bike and rider, very big place


I think the best pictures I've seen are those that shy away from the typical and the "normal".  Get away from the "Kodak Good Picture Handbook" and experiment.  That's one of the great little things about digital cameras - nearly unlimited storage capacity for pictures on removable media.  I have to admit that I fight myself sometimes and sort of stay in "film" mode with respect to capturing shots - but there are times I'll shoot 50 frames of something just because I see something a little different each time I move around the subject.  Sure, I end up discarding 47 of those in the end, but at least I've got the shot.

Happy shooting.

[Slonishku]

I like a monopod for a quick resting place for the cam, without dismounting.

This is my quiver for it.

Signed quick draw McGraw

Doesn't the camera get rattled half to death sitting on the tube?

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I think this one would look great in B/W.

[torags v2]

Doesn't the camera get rattled half to death sitting on the tube?

That's just for my monopod.

Great eye MisterEd, good images.

Ditto on the pre sunrise/sunset.

[torags v2]

To further MisterEd's point about the presunrise.... Out my breakfast nook window....

[Yankee Dog]

Thats my camera mount there on the left.    

 

I manage to take a decent photo or two while underway with it.  I like it because I can easily reposition the camera as needed.  Even while moving.  

Forward




Backward




It is rather expensive to operate however.    

Yankee Dog

[torags v2]

I know... I know... High maintenance costs.......

[Thunder7]

I have to say- I'm seeing some really great shots here. This is awesome.