FEATURES
From the desk of the designer …
TIPS FOR TAKING
A GOOD PICTURE
OF YOUR BIKE
7By Sarah Little , Layout Artist for Thunder Roads Magazine of OK / AR
Hi guys- I know you don ’ t hear from my point of view very often , “ T ” keeps me hopping making sure that the great content she creates looks good on the page . This month , we ’ re issuing out a call to action to YOU our readers . We want your Readers ’ Rides . That being said … what we really want are good pictures of your ride ! I asked “ T ” if I could put together a quick little “ wish list ” when it comes to bike pics , and maybe some helpful tips and tricks to get a photo that we would love to publish !
1Keep it PG . Our magazine strives to maintain a PG rating , so please don ’ t submit photos containing nudity , profanity ( or profane gestures ) or that are suggestive in a way that would make any of our readers uncomfortable .
2
Think about where you are shooting it . What ’ s behind it ? What ’ s in front of it ? You want to make sure there is a good , clean , well-contrasted background for your bike picture . For example , a concrete wall is a great backdrop- unless you ’ ve got a white or gray bike , or have lots of chrome . In that case , a red brick wall , a nice blue sky , or even a green park would
be a better choice .
3
Lighting , lighting , lighting … there ’ s a good chance you ’ ve spent a lot of money making the details of your bike look awesome . Make sure that when you take your picture you ’ re in a place where the lighting is even ( not one end in the shade- or dappled by leaves on a tree you ’ ve parked under ) You also don ’ t want
Your paint is too cool to not show off with even lighting . Find a spot in the even sun ( or shade ) and adjust your settings to show the true color of your bike . to be in direct sun at midday where the details on your chrome are blown out because its too bright . Personally , I like to shoot in late afternoon / early evening …. 4-6 p . m ., on a
clear day .
4
Say Cheese ! No , not really ! But if you are going to be in the pic with your bike , LOOK at the camera . No one wants to see the back of
your head .
5
All the Angles . When you are shooting your bike , first make sure you get at least ONE shot of all your bike , but don ’ t forget your detail shots
LOOK AT THE CAMERA ! Be proud of your ride and show us your face ! However , don ’ t show us anything that is not PG , please .
24 Thunder Roads Magazine of OK / AR