People are scared of bikers. Not that I'd approach one who has a beer in one hand and is swinging a steel chain in the other but the ones I've met have always been interesting and friendly. Treat then with respect and you get the same. And who's going to feel aggressive towards a balding 61 year old guy with glasses and arthritic hands? (See illustration from a press photographer who got me from behind at the Chuck Berry statue dedication here.)
There is a detail in the top photo I really like. I was shooting in a very tight space and had to use a short focal length. That makes his hand and cigar disproportionately big and powerful. I wish the white foam cup was out of the frame, though.
13 comments:
I think your comments about bikers being nice applies to older bikers. I would not strike up a conversation with a biker in his 20's. And I would never touch someone's motorcycle.
I don't think I've ever talked to a biker. Well not a real one. Gorgeous portrait.
What a great portrait shot Bob, very interesting face that guy. How cool do they look as a group!! Love it!! was good to see the other shots too, love to see 'press' situations, you were right in the thick of it, go Bob!!
My son and his then-girlfriend-now-wife were visiting the US. I took them to a really authentic biker bar; all fried food, beer, pool tables. She wanted her photo taken with them, and they were only too happy to oblige. Also, once on Candid Camera I saw a sequence where a lady with a teeny-tiny chihuahua asked different bikers to hold her dog while she went in the convenience store; they cooed and kissed the dog, etc. I tried to find this on Youtube, but couldn't. That said, that first guy is a hunk! Great photos, both of them, and never mind the cup.--Hey--my WV is 'summer'!!
Forgot to say that only one of your bikers is wearing accessories like these.
I like the group shot. Works in b/w too.
I have always find bikers very interesting. I usually photograph them when they come into town for Memorial Day Weekend. Very friendly and talkative.
Just big teddy bears, right? Sometimes styrofoam cups just happen B. Just like the damn green trashcans in Paris. Most of my BW shots are because one ruined a good color s hot!
V
I'll take your word for it, Bob, but I am still steering clear of most bikers.
Bikers are people, they are not so bad. I like the top photo, shows lots of character and roughness.
Great portrait. My only encounter with bikers was when I was waiting in line with some to see the first Star Wars movie years ago. They were smoking in line; I'm allergic, so I asked them to please not smoke. My boyfriend freaked out because he thought they'd--what? beat up on me? Instead, they put out their cigarettes and we had a great conversation about science fiction.
le premier portrait est grandiose, la classe le biker
Absolutely. Bikers are the greatest and so many people are scared of them.
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