Photographer’s Notes First of all, I recognize not everyone will resonate with my subject. I hope those who don’t will rate the photo, not the subject. Those who do, I hope, will add a point or two in voting because they resonate with the subject. I am not a slave to symmetry when it comes to voting my photos.
Second, there will be DNMC storm troopers who will say, this isn’t a bike, it’s a motorcycle for Schwinn’s sake. To them I say, ‘balderdash!’ Not the first expletive that occurred to me, but I digress. This was a ‘Bikes’ challenge. We’ve had ‘Bicycles’ and ‘Bicycles II.’ This was ‘Bikes,’ not ‘Bicycles III.’ And this is clearly a hot sports bike – my sport bike to be specific. So get over it. Of course by the time you read this, it will be too late to get over it … so this paragraph is here solely to make DNMC police feel guilty and to entertain the rest of you.
Now to the excruciating story of the photo in case you care.
I had in mind a photo where the bike was shrouded in mist. Or possibly where it was emerging from the mist with a comely, partially (or less) clad winsome model aboard wearing nothing by spike heels and a smile … you get the picture.
So I rented a theatrical fog machine and arranged for models. The fog machine put out too much, and at the same time too little, fog. Not quite enough to match my vision of dense billowy fog, but it was more than enough to fill the garage with dense fog, perfectly smooth, and without features.
Oh, and did I mention the models cancelled at the last minute? Something about tired, headache, or 40 degree weather and rain – damn their wimpy constitution.
So I made a few hundred attempts with fog and no model(s). No joy.
I then moved the bike (Get it? Bike!) outside in the pitch dark and tried light painting it using a small LED flashlight. Turned out way better than I expected and it was the origin of this photo. Oddly for me – there was no HDR here, just straight light painting during a 30 second exposure.
So now you know. I hope you appreciate the photo and my pain!
For the record, according to Motorcycle Review, "The BMW K1300S is one of the most appreciated super sport motorcycles in its segment. There is no wonder why, as the bike has anything it needs to be considered a speed demon" ... including 175 horsepower driving a 550 pound vehicle. Yowsa!!!!!
And also for the record, I have no affiliation with BMW. I am just an enthusiast and a very happy owner!
Post Processing • Pre-process RAW Original (PSCS5)
• Dodge & Burn Background (PSCS5 Overlay Layer – Masked)
• Clone Distractions (PSCS5 Clone Layer)
• Dodge & Burn Bike (PSCS5 Overlay Layer)
• Brighten (OnOne Perfect Effects Glow Layer)
• Adjust Color (OnOne Perfect Effects Auto Fix Layer)
• Crop (PSCS5)
• Resize (OnOne Perfect Resize)
• Sharpen (PSCS5 USM)
• Border (PSCS5 Stroke Layer)
• Border II (PSCS5 Canvas Size)
• Save for Web (PSCS5)
Camera Data • Date: 2013.04.06
• Camera: Nikon D3
• Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
• ISO: 200
• Aperture: f/13
• Shutter: 30 Seconds
Statistics
Place: 24 out of 109 Avg (all users): 5.9758 Avg (commenters): 7.5000 Avg (participants): 5.7333 Avg (non-participants): 6.1139 Views since voting: 590 Views during voting: 232 Votes: 124 Comments: 4 Favorites: 1 (view)
Dr.Confuser, while this is intended to be a critique of your image, let me say right up front that you've not given me much work to do! Honestly, this is a fantastic image, and in my unbiased view was under-appreciated by the voters.
I think you've composed this beautifully, with all tires, metal parts/footpegs, fairings etc exposed lovely. Exceptionally sharp and detailed, and wonderfully processed. Just love the color and saturation of the paintwork -- it really pops out of the frame!
I think Oliver touched on the only shortfall of this particular image, and that is the lighting. By the looks of things, it was one (maybe two) lights facing the bike which exposed the side of the bike perfectly. However, what would've made the world of difference is a fill light up above to light up the seat and console and mirrors which are coming through underexposed. Likewise, the front tire is disappearing into the background with most of the detail in the rims and brake disks. A little extra light to bring back the detail here and the kickstand too.
But honestly, that's all. A little extra lighting to bring out those details of interest and I firmly believe this would've been a 6.2+ score.
Hope this critique has helped some! Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything related to this critique!
Just for the record: When I read "bike" challenge I immediately thought motorbike. I was disappointed to see so few motorbikes. This however stands out in the quality stakes WD on superb light and processing. (yes Oliver is right but it's forgiveable)
I often have those thoughts especially when I see my true in the wild wildlife work (hours and days of patience) being deep 6'd by DNMC police and thus I connected with this :)
"Second, there will be DNMC storm troopers who will say, this isn’t a bike, it’s a motorcycle for Schwinn’s sake. To them I say, ‘balderdash!’ Not the first expletive that occurred to me, but I digress. This was a ‘Bikes’ challenge. We’ve had ‘Bicycles’ and ‘Bicycles II.’ This was ‘Bikes,’ not ‘Bicycles III.’ And this is clearly a hot sports bike – my sport bike to be specific. So get over it. Of course by the time you read this, it will be too late to get over it â€Â¦ so this paragraph is here solely to make DNMC police feel guilty and to entertain the rest of you."
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