Contrary to appearances, it's not so obvious. A bicycle is a unique set of shapes, and it's quite easy to lose its beauty with an ill-fitting frame. There are also a few proven tricks that allow you to easily achieve a better effect. In this short article, I'll cover the most important things to remember. All the photos of our single-speed bike shown here were taken by Michał Nowak. Be sure to visit his website, because he takes beautiful photos (especially product and car ones) and, like no other, he creates the atmosphere on set, which translates into the results. Here's the link:
https://www.grandmasterpicture.com/
Proper setting
The bike must be upright. This is a basic rule, though not so easy to achieve. Props for support will be helpful – a nice stick, a helmet, a bag – or the ground, so they don't distract from the view or look heavy. You can also lean the rear wheel (you'll be surprised how stable it is) or the handlebars against a wall, although achieving a satisfactory result can be tedious. Especially since the latter should also be upright.
How to photograph a bike? First, prepare it.
Preparing the bike itself is also important. Adjust the wheels so that the valves are symmetrical, preferably in the highest (or lowest) position possible. The tire markings (if installed correctly) will then be legible. The crank should be horizontally forward or aligned with the diagonal tube, or possibly the seat tube, although I'm not a fan of the latter. If your bike has gears, it's worth adjusting them properly. What does this mean? If you have a front derailleur, the chain must go to the large chainring, and at the rear, to the top of the cassette. For drivetrains without front gears, choose the largest rear cog. A dropper post goes to the main position.
Many people also forget to properly adjust their quick-release levers. Set them either aerodynamically, flush to the rear, or parallel to the fork and chainstay (the horizontal chainstay).
And most importantly, how to photograph a bike? Always from the drive side!
Frame
How to photograph a bicycle? In an interesting setting or studio. But that's not enough – there are also technical issues. If you're photographing the bicycle itself in its full glory, try to position it slightly away from the edge of the frame – this is where the lens can slightly distort the image, which will be visible on the wheels. For a classic side shot, the axles should be in a single, horizontal line, approximately 1/3 of the way up the photo. Try to achieve maximum sharpness on the bicycle and blur the background. If your camera can't handle this, graphics software will help.
How to photograph a bicycle? Consider what you want to show.
Sometimes, like in some of the photos here, the bike is just a prop. If it weren't for the bright color, it would disappear into the background. So choose your shots, but also the background, to suit your goals. Here, the yellow stands out perfectly against the wood and metal. Note that for bikes with a complex paint job, a solid background works better. The balance between detail and overall effect is also important. I often see bike photoshoots where I have beautiful shots of the bike's hubs, derailleurs, or rear triangle, but the overall picture is lacking. And I want to see that bike! Take your time with both aspects. How to photograph a bike? Don't rush. And remember, these are just general guidelines—sometimes, for the sake of an unusual effect, it's good to break a few rules. ;)
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