Motorbikes (static)

[Ady N]

Have got the chance to shoot a private collection of bikes including the only Petronas FP1 in the country, an MV Augusta, Benelli and some classic race bikes from the 70's. The setting will be a well manicured garden with a large conifer hedge for the backdrop. Just after some ideas for angles & lighting. OCF or just reflectors? CPL filter? My usual bag is people moving fairly quickly so this is something a little different and any tips would be most welcome. Cheers

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Wrong setting I'd suggest, super sports bikes in a pretty garden ain't never going to look right they need to be on Tarmac or similar. Use the driveway, go wide and low with just enough DoF to get the bikes sharply focused from the front to near back and the background fully oof.

 

[Ady N]

Fair point about garden setting. There is a narrow(ish) bloc paved driveway but the backdrop would be a garage door.............the garage is large so potential to shoot inside garage maybe for more appropriate setting?

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Slightly I guess, bad light I would have thought, not many garages are gonna look nice even blurred ...sorry Im not being much help, like anything photographic, good light and location can make the difference between sweet shot and another mundane shot.

 

[kman]

As Adam has said, you want the location to complement the bike and its character. But perhaps you have no choice in the matter so you have to make the best of whatever setting you got. A lot depends on the time of day/light conditions - personally i prefer shooting at night or in dark areas so you can control the light. OCF may not work in daylight unless you can overpower the sun with your strobes...

From what you've described I'd shoot at night, use the paving, and control the light on the garage - side light just to pick up textures, change its colour with gels perhaps but OCF at night or lightpainting will give you more options.

A powerful macho bike its good to shoot from low, get a bit of perspective distortion to empower the bike....

 

[Ady N]

^^ Thanks for that advice, may well be an option - I am stuck with the venue!