These are some motocycle photography tips that amateurs can use, even if they’re using their phone or a portable camera.
To take amazing photos of your motorcycle, you don’t necessarily need a $500+ camera nor a studio. You’ll likely have one if you read this article.
This guide is not a tutorial on motocycle photography, but a guide for anyone who wants their bike to look good. Here are some tips!
These tips are not for professional motorcycle photography. I am not a professional photographer, but an amateur who has been around for some time. I don’t own a studio. I like to make the most of my limited resources and get the best shots possible.
A Nutshell for Better Motocycle Photography
This is the summary of how to take better motorcycle photos. Here are some examples of people who have taken great photos of motorcycles.
Many of these motocycle photography tips are specific versions of general photography tips. All of these tips are important if you are taking portrait photos. Some tips may be specific to motorcycles or vehicles, but others will be general suggestions like the suggestion to turn on lights (a bit like closing your eyes).
Since the mid 1990s, I have been photographing motorcycles for a while. Photos for even longer. I started taking photos of motorcycles in the mid 1990s, when film was still available.
I became semi-obsessed about photography along the way. Motocycle photography is the happy union of my two passions.
Many guides on motocycle photography focus on taking photos of race cars, studio photography by professionals, and photos of people like Keanu Reeves beside his masterpiece. It’s great — we all love Keanu Reeves and BikeEXIF — but that’s not what interests me. I want to help people show off their bikes with the simplest tools they have at hand.
Use Even Bright Lighting that is not too Diffused
The first tip for Motocycle Photography is lighting. Make sure the light falls evenly on your bike.
Also, ensure that the light is not too harsh. Avoid direct sunlight as it can create shadows and stark contrast.
High contrast and shadows aren’t necessarily bad. If you are an artist photographer, you can create dramatic effects like when a motorcycle is capable crossing the desert. However, it is not a good idea to use harsh lighting when you are trying to show a bike to sell or display. Exterior lights can be used to brighten dark areas With some creative lighting, you can easily get very advanced in motorcycle photography.