Critique on motorbike shot

[madbison]

Hello

Any critique on this photo welcomed.

I went for a DOF that showed both the dam in the background and the bike. I guess the point was to show where it was. Does this subtract from the shot? Would really like to know what you do not like, and why, and what you do like and why.

Cheers
David

[Teeth]

I find the crop too constricting. To me, you're either going for a location shoot to show the bike in a natural area with a beautiful valley/dam/countryside. Or, you're going to take a bike detail shot with less emphasis on the surroundings. My eye was first drawn to the detail of the bike, and secondary the remainder of the photograph.

Possibly try taking the same photo early morning/later afternoon in the day to provide a more interesting shadow and don't be afraid to back up and position the bike in a corner of the frame if you're looking to emphasis surroundings. I would love to see this about 30ft back and 10ft up and to the right, with the bike in the bottom left (probably impossible unless you're into climbing trees).

But nice bike! I sure don't mind the theme you've made with your photos.

[MikePrattPhotography]

Personally I would have used just enough DOF that the bike was in focus.. the background is WAY to distracting and the crop is a bit odd... The bikes leads the viewers eyes right to the dam and then right off the picture.

I also dont feel that the area suits the bike. maybe if there were some pavement to show that you just took a turn off sort of thing.. but to me it doesnt fit.

Nice pic though!

[madmike0408]

I agree, the crop is a bit weird to me, I like the idea of showing the background but if you worked the DOF a bit so that you could still tell where it was but so that it wasn't as obvious.

[madbison]

I took the same shot with various DOF options. This one is with a narrow DOF, and the camera focused on the rear of the bike. This means the front of the bike, and the Ducati wording is out of focus.

Does this add anything to the shot, or subtract from it?

[williejr]

Since this is a road bike and not a dirt bike the setting for this shot does not complement the bike whatsoever. I can not tell that is a "Dam" in the background in either shot. So if it is important for you to incorporate the dam in your bike shot, I'd move miles closer and shoot this nice machine on hard pavement.

[vk2gwk]

In the second shot you loose focus on the front wheel. A different angle - more broad side - could have solved that. I do not think the background has any significance when you shoot a bike like this. Although the tires look "road" I think this more an off road bike, by the looks of it.
either you shoot the bike or the landscape but the combination is not very effective.

For non Australians: what we call a "dam" is what others call a water reservoir. (ACT plates?)

[madbison]

All good points. I get the point about the surrounding not really being suitable, nor important with the bike. I am trying to find a decent road to put it on, and time to set up the shot. Will post as soon as I do. I think a super twisty paved road in the background is the only suitable shot.

Any thoughts on what I could have in the background if I was to do a close-up full frame shot of the bike? I was thinking only a white background, or completely black background would be OK. The shots I have done with scenery, fences, and brick walls behind it only detract from the bike. Arguably, the bike is showing signs of age and wear, which will show in a close up, but I don't really mind, as it is a bike that I use, and it shows.

vk2gwk, Yes, I am in Australia, and they are ACT plates. The bike is actually really only good for the road. It is descended from a Supermotard, which is a motorcross bike with slick tires. This is the Ducati Hypermotard, which has much more road suspension, big wide road tires, and 1100cc engine, total weight 172kg dry, which is way too heavy to do any serious offroading. I don't mind picturing it in a dirt setting, as it is sort of showing where it came from (and has very much left behind!)

Thanks again for all the tips and pointers, much appreciated!

[vk2gwk]

Good on you madbison - I think a brick wall or other neutral backdrop will do well.

Again: for non Australians - ACT plates means: the bike is registered in the Australian Capital Territory - the Aussie equivalent of DC. :) (Canberra being the capital of Australia - and not Sydney as a lot of foreigners think... :) )