Photographing Motorcycles – post editing process
Introduction
Spending hours of your time taking photographs should be fun especially if the subject is one you are passionate about. Shooting though is just one part of a longer process. The images inside the camera still have to be viewed and work undertaken to finalise a set of images suitable for saving, printing or passing on to the client. We need our images to be great but thats easier said than done. If you are lucky, then you may get a few like that but we may need to edit most images to improve their look and final outcome. Having a strategy in place before you take any photographs will help in this respect.
A strategy? What do you mean?
Maximising your effort from the start will mean that you have thought about the aims/goals of the shoot. Have a plan in your mind as you start shooting so that your photos get the best possible start. Consider ing the following as you shoot will mean less chance of you missing something important.
How many pictures should I take?
Only you can decide how many images will be sufficient. There is no real answer as everyone is different. I myself prefer to take too many than not enough but that means more time reviewing and sorting later. If you have the time thats fine but if not reduce the shots you take over time and as you gain experience. Having a file storage system that works and makes for easy workflow is probably more important than the number of images you take.
- Equipment and Software:
- You will need a certain amount of gear for capturing great motorcycle shots, such as cameras, lenses, and accessories. The more you have the better the end product should be. You can get good results from mobile phone cameras but you get better quality images with a DSLR type camera. You dont need to start with loads of lenses. A couple will be enough.
- Editing Software is a must (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.) in order to make improvements to colours and exposure issues. Pixelstyle Photo Editor is a good free option as is GIMP.
- Editing Techniques:
- Play around with adjusting exposure, contrast, hue and colour saturation. Try making some of the images black and white. Just this change alone can make an average picture look decidedly better.
- Taking closeup photographs will bring out the details and textures of the bike, emphasizing its design and features. Motorcycle components are made of different materials and these can produce reflections depending on where you position the camera.
- Composition and Angles:
- Composition in motorcycle photography is one of the key factors to consider. It is all about working with different angles, framing the subject, and perspectives that work well with bikes such as closeup shots. Start at ground level and work your way up to discover shots you never thought possible. Creativity is the byword here. Try to see the subject not just as one subject but more a compilation of parts each with its own shape and unique characteristics.
- Think about capturing some dynamic shots—while riding, during stops, while at your location. Can these be done and safely? Riders can still ride past even slowly in order to capture movement in the photographs.
- Retouching and Special Effects:
- Reviewing your photographs after a shoot could involve retouching techniques like removing unwanted objects, blemishes, or distractions. Most software programs have the tools that can assist with these issues .
- Think about learning these tools as a starter – selection tools, redeye, smudge, clone stamp tool.
- Before and After Examples:
- In the images above, editing effects can both enhance an image, or make it look visually extreme. You should play around with the colour options to see what is possible. You can save several copies of the same image each with a different effect. Editing is a powerful and creative method of changing the look and feel of a photograph. You could even make your own POP art images if you so desire.
- Tips and Tricks:
- Light: other ways you can think about your final images are to think about utilizing natural light effectively. Light changes throughout the day, so consider when is the best time to harness the light at the chosen location.
- Background: choosing the right background,
- Capturing Speed: ensure the location lets you do this and that there are no safety issues to worry about. If in doubt just keep this type of photography to the racetrack.
- Resources and References:
- Here is a list of some useful resources, tutorials, or further reading for those interested in delving deeper into photography and editing.
| Website | Website Details | URL Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Adobe Photoshop Tutorials | Official Adobe Photoshop tutorials covering a wide range of editing techniques, from beginner to advanced levels. | https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/tutorials.html |
| 2. Fstoppers | A platform featuring photography tutorials, industry news, and reviews, covering various editing software and techniques. | https://fstoppers.com/ |
| 3. Photography Life | Provides comprehensive articles on photography, including editing tips and techniques for both beginners and professionals. | https://photographylife.com/ |
| 4. 500px ISO | Offers tutorials, tips, and articles on photography and post-processing, highlighting various editing styles and software. | https://iso.500px.com/ |
| 5. Phlearn | Specializes in Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials, covering a wide range of editing skills from basic to advanced levels. | https://phlearn.com/ |
| 6. Digital Photography School | Features photography tips and tutorials, including editing guidance for photographers of all skill levels. | https://digital-photography-school.com/ |
| 7. DIY Photography | Offers articles and tutorials on various aspects of photography, including editing techniques and post-processing tips. | https://www.diyphotography.net/ |
| 8. Light Stalking | Provides photography resources, including editing guides, software reviews, and practical tips for photographers. | https://www.lightstalking.com/ |
| 9. Sleeklens | Offers tutorials, presets, and tools for editing photos in Lightroom and Photoshop, with a focus on various genres of photography. | https://sleeklens.com/ |
| 10. KelbyOne | Provides online courses, tutorials, and resources for photographers, covering editing techniques and software like Lightroom and Photoshop. | https://kelbyone.com/ |
These websites offer valuable resources and tutorials for photography editing, catering to various software platforms and skill levels.
Conclusion
If you are new to photography or have some experience already, editing of your own photographs is a process that every photographer gets to learn. The sooner you can get to grips with using a software editing program the better. Practice and experiment as much as you can as it will make the process so much quicker and easier in the future. Just learning a few basic tools can take you such a long way in a short period of time. Knowing how to remove an unwanted object from your image can be so rewarding and give you added inspiration to learn even more. Good luck!