Photographing a motorcycle collection

Hi All,

So I'm being commissioned to photograph someone's collection of 10 Harley Davidson motorcycles. The shoot will most likely be happening in a large empty warehouse or other large open space, and I'm looking for ideas on visually appealing arrangements. I have some basic ideas of various linear arrangements, but I was hoping for some more creative ideas.

The bikes range from early 1900's to 1960's Harleys, all pretty much stock, with a variety of colours from blacks, reds, blues, white and green. There are also about 3 outfitted with side cars which will add to the complexity.

I've been scouring google to try and find examples but I'm really struggling to find anything creative. I should hopefully be able to shoot from an elevated position of around 10feet which will make it easier.

Any suggestions on where to find inspiration?

98kellrs wrote in post #17693217
Hi All,

So I'm being commissioned to photograph someone's collection of 10 Harley Davidson motorcycles.

For what purpose?

You'll have to light them in a warehouse. Start pulling your hair out right now! ; )
Outside, at sunset would be my choice because you could start shooting early, & then just wait for the good light.

All 10 at once?

Maybe if you provided some links to arrangements that you have rejected?

The purpose is that he has now finished his collection and he'd like images of the entire fleet together as a momento in case he needs to sell any off.

The brief therefore is a couple of full-collection shots (i.e all 10 together), and then break it down into a few smaller groups (all the sidecars for example, and all the panheads etc) and then maybe some individual shots of each of the bikes and their details.

I'm quite happy lighting them all, I've got all the gear needed and I enjoy using it. Outdoors is another option but we're still in winter in Australia and approaching the rainy Spring season too so unpredictable weather is a major downside. The client also isn't particularly interested in sunset style photos, or anywhere natural so that rules out most of the large open spaces in our area. The warehouse was his choice, and he is choosing to hire it for the day from a real estate agent who has the place on lease.

An example of something similar, but not good enough can be found here: (photos not taken by me)
http://www.motorcyclec​ruiser.com …ke_view.jpg?ito​k=NL3Ox700

Another example here:
http://www.motorcyclec​ruiser.com …ew.jpeg.jpg?ito​k=FZfiyuEn

And one final one:
http://motorcycle.com.​vsassets.com …Group-Static--633x388.jpg

Are there any 'rules' to follow, or things to avoid when arranging multiple subjects? I have experience with a few bikes at once, but this task is larger and more complex and I'd like to be prepared on shoot day (next week).

In the group shots you have to be aware of perspective distortion. If you shoot close, with a wide lens, you will get significant foreshortening. The bikes in the front will appear much larger than those farther from the lens. This can even show itself in individual shots. So back up, use a longer lens, and learn how to light a large area evenly.

98kellrs wrote in post #17694220
The purpose is that he has now finished his collection and he'd like images of the entire fleet together as a momento in case he needs to sell any off.

The brief therefore is a couple of full-collection shots (i.e all 10 together), and then break it down into a few smaller groups (all the sidecars for example, and all the panheads etc) and then maybe some individual shots of each of the bikes and their details.

I'd suggest making a book, too.

I'm quite happy lighting them all, I've got all the gear needed and I enjoy using it. Outdoors is another option but we're still in winter in Australia and approaching the rainy Spring season too so unpredictable weather is a major downside. The client also isn't particularly interested in sunset style photos, or anywhere natural so that rules out most of the large open spaces in our area. The warehouse was his choice, and he is choosing to hire it for the day from a real estate agent who has the place on lease.

An example of something similar, but not good enough can be found here: (photos not taken by me)
http://www.motorcyclec​ruiser.com …ke_view.jpg?ito​k=NL3Ox700

Unless I had lighting like in one of these, there's no way I'd try to light ten bikes at once & make the chrome on all of them look good at the same time.
That's why I suggested late light like was used in your link above.

Did you notice that they used the slope of the road to better show the bikes in the back? You're probably going to need a cherry picker, fork lift, or something else to get up in the air. And you'll need to get high because you'll want to use a long lens as gonzogolf said.

Have you even seen the inside of the warehouse?

Thanks Gonzo, I was planning on using the 70-200mm so hopefully distortion will be minimised.

The warehouse has a mezzanine so I can shoot from quite a good height and the length of the warehouse is quite considerable too. I've seen images of the warehouse but don't have access to it until closer to the shoot date.

Worst comes to worst with be lighting I will light each bike individually and composite together. Most of my work is light painting and composting so that's not worrying me.