Honda CBX Cafe Racer
May, 2017Views
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Contest Finalist in Blurred Subjects Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in A Road Trip Photo Contest
Peer Choice Award
Contest Finalist in Single Monochromes Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this image as part of a series for my client, who is the builder, owner, and rider of that custom Cafe Racer style motorcycle. I shoot a lot of rolling automotive images for cars and motorcycles every year when the weather gets warmer but there is always a new challenge with every shoot. What the traffic is like, what kind of day it is weather-wise, and what look my clients are going for.Time
This particular photo was taken mid day during a warm and very overcastLighting
For automotive photography, overcast weather is a double edged sword, being that you have beautiful even lighting without the blue reflection of the sky bleeding into the color of the vehicle but the sky offers no drama. It forces me to get creative every time I face the situation.Equipment
Nikon D750, Nikon 16-35mm f4.Inspiration
I have always been a car guy. Mixing cars into my photography repertoire was one of the best things I’ve ever done on a personal level. I always used to look at the Motor Trend, Car and Driver, SuperStreet, and Import Tuner magazines and seeing the images of the vehicles in them always amazed me, especially the shots of the vehicles in motion. I knew I could shoot my own, and I set out to do it.Editing
The only post processing I did to this image was adding some clarity, and converting to black and white. Crushing some of the black and pulling some detail out of the engine of the motorcycle.In my camera bag
All Nikon Cameras/Lenses: D750, D500, 16-35 f4, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 85 f1.8, 105 f2.8. Variable ND filter, Manfrotto 190CX4, four Elinchrom RX4’s with various light shaping attachments.Feedback
The gear I use isn’t as important as the settings and situation of the shot. You can do this with any setup but there is a certain recipe, as I like to call it. All the blurring is a result of the camera settings. I never add in motion blur to any of my rolling images. Shutter speed of about 1/40-1/60 sec is one of the most important ingredients. After that, depending on time of day, drop your ISO real low and stop your aperture way down to around f18-f22. The last and equally as important part of the “equipment” is having no fear and getting a little crazy. Most images are taken from another car that is driving along the subject, matching speed. They can be taken right from the passenger window and they will come out wonderful. However, for that truly dynamic shot, you need to be a little crazy. To get the low angle images, I actually hang out of the passenger window aand drop the camera way down low so it’s, I would estimate, about 4-7 inches off the road. With a vice grip on the camera, and group autofocus, I snap away on continuous-hi. “Accuracy by volume.” No camera strap, no lens hood. At 60mph, all those two accessories do is create shake in the camera and that will leave you wondering why ALL of your images are blurry. Bottom line: greater the risk, greater the reward.
