D
dalethorn
Guest
Another mirror portrait, if a bit less sophisticated ...
It's actually a good portrait - all the more so given the reflection.
Another mirror portrait, if a bit less sophisticated ...
I always enjoy these riding "in situ" shots, John. Have you tried any longer exposures?
that IS cool. I think I'm looking for around 1/6 - 1/4 second....I want just a bit more blur in the scenery. Now I know you can't hold still for that amount of time in all situations. But maybe you can go with a burst mode where you shoot around 30 or 40 to get 1 or two keepers. Surely there are one or two long straightaways out there in your neck of the woods.
That shot is 1/6. Part of the problem is that I prefer motorcycles that vibrate - thumpers, twins, and the odd triple. That vibration gives the bike character but makes photography hard. As I ride, I'll often touch different parts of the motorcycle to see how much that particular part is vibrating. Some places have killer POVs but shake way too much, like above.
Photogs that shoot rigged cars have it easy because they can use really long shutter speeds–up to a 1/2s and longer–to get these really long blur lines. What they don't tell you is that very often the car is off and there's one or more people pushing the car just out of the frame.
Motorcycles, on the other hand, look coolest when they're leaned over, the horizon all Dutch angled and everything. That you can't fake. You can't fake being leaned over 10 degrees while going just 10mph-you'd fall right over. So you need some speed, which makes things shake.
This motorcycle journalism gig isn't all sunshine and rainbows... by john m flores, on Flickr
Apex Hunting by john m flores, on Flickr
Riding through Algonquin Provincial Park by john m flores, on Flickr
But speed isn't the only factor. Low angles and tight roads also help, if not for motoselfies, at least for road shots.
Eastern Connecticut with the 2015 Indian Scout by john m flores, on Flickr
A note of caution: thinking about the camera and the shot and worrying about the camera failing or falling while riding can be very distracting, which, on a motorcycle, can be deadly. Kids, do not try this at home, which would be kind of pointless anyway, unless your home was The Dragon.
I'll stop posting selfies now.
playing with LED ringlight as hairlight
Good work! You could pay a bunch for a portrait session and not do any better.