Cycle Chic, originally uploaded by bang*.
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Cycle Chic
Feeling a little generous today so I’ve put a diptic together. I had no plan what I wanted to shoot for todays image, well that’s not entirely true, I have a wide angle, 10 sec f22 exposure city shot I want to take but I’m waiting on the weather for that one.
So I loaded up the 50mm on the 5D and headed out into the city. A few things caught my eye, two pigeons roosting high on an aged building facade, some funky side alleyways, A traffic sign (random eh?) and some bins. Oh yeah and a papered out shop window during a refit, only the paper they used is Christmas wrapping paper so It just says “Is this for me Santa?” repeatedly over the windows.
In the end though you get a shopper bike.
I wanted more of a filmic look to todays shot, I’ve been on a slightly nostalgic trip for the film days of late. I’ve very nearly bought a Voigtlander Bessa on a number of occasions just to shoot some 35mm colour reversal film. So in that regard I’ve gone for a slide film look here, smooth & creamy, neutral colours, with just a slight warm tone. It’s not a million miles away from what I consider my “normal” look so that probably explains a lot.
I found a great website that runs down the strengths & weaknesses of films from the past, for anyone wanting to try and get that filmic look back it’s worth a read. It also has reviews of a load of other photographic equipment, I’ve never looked at anything but the film reviews but it may have something of use elsewhere too.
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for sharing.
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
I love the tones. I feel inspired to give the filmic look a try. Thanks for the heads-up.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
I’ll be honest, I think I might have made the word “filmic” up. It works though. I’d say give it a go though, hark back to old tech and feel some nostalgia.
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Love that the tire tread in the left photo is so crisp … and the basket weave. Really fun pix!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Where did you get that bike? It has an old-school modern look. If that makes sense.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:23 pm
The only thing that looks modern on that bike is the light mount (sans light) on the handlebar. Everything else on it appears to be as old school as old school gets.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:47 pm
You know what, at first that light mount really bugged me in the image. Now though I think it adds a little juxtaposition & contrast. So maybe that’s the old school / modern vibe that B. C. is feeling.
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Very nice! Thank you for sharing!
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:08 pm
That’s totally a hipster’s bike!
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 pm
N’ah wait until I make my track bike the subject, now that’s a hipster bike
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:14 pm
wow. make me want to own that bike. love it !
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Makes me nostalgic for my old bike basket. I finally gave it away because there’s no where to put it on my fancy new road bike! Congrate on being FP.
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
absolutely lovely
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Nice clean photos. Thanks for sharing and Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:54 pm
มันดูคลาสสิคดีนะ..
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Very nice picture! I live in Cambridge and the amount of bikes I have seen since moving here has made me view them as somewhat mundane and boring, but your picture’s great, somehow you’ve made a bike look beautiful
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I know what you mean but I think that is sometimes part of the joy of photography, finding the beauty in the small details, seeing things differently. Thanks for the comment.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Great eye for the little things. You really captures the essence of that bike and brought it to life in this picture. Thank you for sharing.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Beautiful pictures
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
that’s a neat classic bike! i’m a beginner photographer learning on my dad’s old 1982 nikon FM2 and 50mm f/1.8 lens. have yet to develop my first few rolls, but i definitely enjoy the look that only film can capture.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Ahh the Nikon FM2, I spent my early days with one of those. Then when I was first employed as a staff photographer my kit consisted of two of them. So you have yourself a good tool to learn the art and craft of photography there. Enjoy it, you’ll struggle to ever find a digital camera which will take so much abuse and still keep on working.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Thanks for the inspiration. I enjoyed the post.
If you are up for some reading: http://thelifelessonslearned.wordpress.com/
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Love the colors and subject! Can’t wait for warmer weather to get out and ride!
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Love the photos! Nice post!
Congrats on the FP!
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I can almost hear the bicycle bell.
Kits
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:40 pm
I know right, dring dring.
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I love these types of shots. Shooting like that always makes the image more interesting to me. Love it!
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:31 pm
This photograph looks absolutely amazing. Very nice post.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Looks like a very clean bike or lightly used bike. We’re seeing more bikes as imagery to inspire or living on the edge.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Very romantic somehow. Like a screen still from some fabulous BBC period drama!
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Highly filmic. I love that cinema style.
Also, thanks for the great link.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:41 pm
I know nothing about the adjective “filmic,” or much of anything about photography. I do know, however, that this shot is truly beautiful.
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 pm
I want that bike.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Thanks for the kind words everyone. It’s interesting to read your comments and feelings on my photographs. I’m very humbled.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:04 pm
I find bikes to be a funny thing! I took a shot of some bikes in India in 2010 – I like it
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 pm
This is a beautiful shot .. the depth of field is awesome. I nmiss seeing bicycles with baskets in the front … very french but I like it.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Cool picture. Not everyday you come across the bike with that old school feel like this.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Congrats Ninja Master
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Well written Write-up. Glad i am able yo locate a site with some knowledge plus a great writing style.
You keep publishing and i will continue to Keep browsing
Thanks Again
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:30 pm
I believe that details make up the whole of any item/person that is photographed. Very nice job. I however would hop over to France with it and fill that basket with some fresh french bread
. I like your website pet portraits, they are really great. Congrats on being freshly pressed. It is fun to have so many people view a post.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 am
It makes me feel like summer in Europe….happy and free. Nice.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:57 am
very cycle chic! the photography is gorgeous!
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:41 am
Nice composition. Cool. Keep it up!
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:56 am
I don’t know why, but those photos remind me of how I imagine Paris, circa 1950′s, to be. Tres chic! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 am
You know your wrong for showing us that that pretty bike, because I for one think that it is gorgeous- and I wan’t it!! Did you build it…where did you find that? Bienvenue e Paris
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:41 am
Lovely photo. I love the organic lines of the basket versus the metallic shine of the bike contrasting against each other. They are at the same time competing and complementing each other. very nice.
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:10 am
Very nice…
it’s like a Vietnamese bike… I love it !
Best regards,
William
February 23rd, 2011 at 10:04 am
I rarely see bikes with basket on front nowadays..
February 23rd, 2011 at 10:18 am
Really amazing and crisp detailed photograph. Great !!
The weaves of the basket, tire treads detailed to the best possible limit… just amazing.
Thanks for the share.
Vanimator
http://www.vanimator.com