PRO

stephendottavi

Get to the Chopper

Canon EOS Rebel T7

settings

Aperture 56/10 ISO 200 Shutter 1/200 Focal Length 30/1

location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

upload_date

Jul, 2023

Views

Likes

Awards

People's Choice in Just Motorcycles Photo Contest

Peer Award

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was captured on a bright summer day in Philadelphia, on the east side of Passayunk Avenue, during a combined bike ride and walk around the city. Since getting my first camera at the end of April last year, it has been either clipped to my chest or in my hand for at least 70% of the time when I'm outside the house. I believe that dedicating time to learn and leveraging the creativity and problem-solving skills I've developed over my 48 years without a camera is crucial. Then, I aim to integrate these skills into my future years with a camera.

Time

The photo was captured between 10am and 11am on a bright summer day in July. The sunlight at this hour provided excellent natural lighting, enhancing colors and shadows, and perfectly embodying the vibrant essence of summer. This timing offered ideal conditions for showcasing the scene's details vividly.

Lighting

It seems I've already shared all the details I can recall about the lighting conditions from my previous descriptions.

Equipment

This photo was captured using a Canon T7 equipped with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, without the use of any additional equipment.

Inspiration

Fueled by my deep passion for motorcycle photography, the Harley Davidson Sportster, a classic icon of American craftsmanship, captivated me. This chopped version, embodying customization and the motorcycle's rebellious spirit, urged me to immortalize its unique character in a photograph. It was more than a photo session; it was a tribute to the enduring legacy of motorcycle artistry. (slightly embellished)

Editing

I exclusively shoot in manual mode and save my images in RAW format. Consequently, I engage in post-processing of my photographs. Reflecting on my personal timeline, I remember that this photo was captured relatively early after acquiring my first camera, around the 2 and a half to 3-month mark. Since then, my approach to photo editing has significantly evolved. I've gained a deeper understanding of the software and have a clearer vision of what I aim to achieve, although my workflow has remained consistent. Initially, I transfer the photos from my camera to my desktop, then import them into Lightroom Classic to begin editing. For certain tasks, I find myself more at ease using Photoshop, and there are techniques I exclusively know how to execute within Photoshop.

In my camera bag

When I'm out capturing photos, my camera equipment is quite minimal. I take only the lens that's attached to my camera when I leave the house. In my pocket, I carry an extra battery, lens wipes, and additional SD cards. My bag holds a bike lock and an air pump. If I anticipate taking longer exposures, I also pack a tripod and some ND filters.

Feedback

Currently, I feel that I'm still on my own journey of growth in photography and not yet in a position to offer advice to others. However, my suggestion would be simple: venture out, dedicate time to experiment, and don't hesitate to press the shutter button.

See more amazing photos, follow stephendottavi

stephendottavi

stephendottavi

Get to the Chopper

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow stephendottavi

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.