Today’s post features something a little different. I’ve strayed from my preference for nature photography and today I’m presenting some photographs I took recently as an exercise in creativity. I’m a member of the Canmore Camera Club and at each meeting we share photographs we’ve taken, based on a pre-selected theme. For this week’s meeting, the theme was bicycles. The challenge with such a theme is to photograph the subject in an interesting way, something other than just taking a picture of a bicycle. So, how do you make a bicycle interesting?
My initial thought was to focus in on specific parts of the bicycle. Here are three close-ups of elements of a bicycle, a tire valve, the sprocket and the derailleur.
Using these close-ups, I was looking for interest in the detail of each of these elements, the threads on the tire valve, the sprocket teeth and chain links, the gear teeth on the rear sprocket and the derailleur assembly. I’ve tried to use sharp detail and some bokeh (diminished focus in the areas behind the subject) to draw attention to the primary subject of the photograph.
As I wandered the streets of downtown Canmore, I was able to find many bicycles, including some that were uniquely decorated. I found those to be interesting for their difference from more conventional bicycles. I tried to photograph these subjects from an interesting perspective, capturing what was unique about them.
This one caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the colourful paint job and then the cruiser style frame. This cycle is reminiscent of an earlier time with its basket, comfortable seat, fat tires and a functional basket. If you look closer (with my help in the next picture) you’ll see the floral tread pattern on the tires. How’s that for interesting!
I soon found another eye-catching cruiser-frame bicycle. Another interesting paint job, pink with complementary floral pattern fenders and subtle touches of rust on the pedals.
I kept an eye open for bicycles in motion as well. I was looking for an interesting combination of cycle and rider or some aspect of the two. I like this first picture of a young male rider moving away from me. His demeanour could only be described as “cool” and he was very striking in his red, checked jacket. The cycle was a little understated but the overall look was quite fashionable.
This last photograph is most typical of the Canmore cyclist and bicycle. A mountain bike frame, equipped with road tires and piloted by an outdoorsy, athletic rider. I’ve pictured that part of the photo that showcases the essence of cycling, the pedalling. That place where there torque meets the sprocket, where the sprocket leverages the torque and where the rubber meets the road.
A little different photographic experience and lots of fun!