Photographing motorcycle with rider

[geoff5093]

I'm really not sure what section to put this under, but I thought this was the best place. I'm taking some family shots for a co-worker who's son is being deployed soon, and she would like me to take some shots of her son on his bike. I was planning on shooting some stills and some with him riding as well, this will be my first time shooting this so does anyone have any tips or photo examples of shooting riders on the road?

[BT-S]

shoot during sunset with the sun to your back..
obviously shoot out the passanger side window and if possible place your camera on some type of bean bag to absorb vibration from the car while on the window sill..
shoot al servo and in burst mode..
make sure the compostion when shooting is having the riding going into the frame, not out.
shutter speed is usually around 1/the speed you are driving (ex: if you are going 50mph, shoot at 1/50 SS)

i have a couple examples on the 2nd or 3rd page of my flickr..

[Likwid]

For riding shots find yourself a nice turn with no traffic, and no gravel.

Plop yourself down in the turn just after the apex. Have him take a few passes to make sure he's comfortable with the turn. Then set your shutter speed high-ish (depending on how fast he's taking the turn) and pan with him, just enough to blur the background a bit and keep him in focus. Additionally keeping the camera steady and blurring the rider a little can give that sense of speed.

Here's a couple shots, I did a really bad job panning, but you can see what I'm talking about in terms of setup.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GBuf3CFwN3w/Sv8efR62mnI/AAAAAAAAAFA/jPUw8tM6CHk/s720/IMG_0190.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GBuf3CFwN3w/Sv8fprF4CfI/AAAAAAAAAFk/yHglUwAisz4/s512/IMG_0214.JPG

[thekid17]

i was just about to ask this question

[robscomputer]

Here's a good collection of riding photos.

http://killboy.blogspot.com

Panning is useful, just get an idea of the rider and the turn, take a bunch of photos. The hardest part is making the riding look more aggressive than it really is.

[PhotosGuy]

I was planning on shooting some stills... Without the helmet, I hope? ;)

More: First shoot with moving cars need advice. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=358481)

[geoff5093]

Thanks for the advice so far, I haven't shot this before and wanted to have a few tips before I go out, I don't know anyone else who has a bike that wants to be photographed so I won't be able to get practice before hand, unless I take photos of random people.

I wasn't planning on shooting from the car, I was planning on being by the side of the road and photograph him as he rides by, but I'm always open to new ideas!

Without the helmet, I hope? ;)

More: First shoot with moving cars need advice. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=358481)
Oh of course, I was planning on doing the traditional leaning against his bike with his helmet on his lap/knee, arms crossed on top of the helmet and what not. Thanks for the link too!

[cebuRyda]

I did a couple of "posed" shots. Check it out here...
http://www.cebuphotos.com/f49822605


Thanks for the advice so far, I haven't shot this before and wanted to have a few tips before I go out, I don't know anyone else who has a bike that wants to be photographed so I won't be able to get practice before hand, unless I take photos of random people.

I wasn't planning on shooting from the car, I was planning on being by the side of the road and photograph him as he rides by, but I'm always open to new ideas!


Oh of course, I was planning on doing the traditional leaning against his bike with his helmet on his lap/knee, arms crossed on top of the helmet and what not. Thanks for the link too!

[mbx5brian]

That is cool i live about 30 mins from deal's gap were killboy takes the pics.