My JPG Bicycle Collection.
By David Roy
20 March 2008
Soon after I joined JPG, I began browsing for images of bicycles and cyclists to add to my favorites. As I built my collection I discovered an interesting continuity between the photos. JPG members have allowed me to see bicycles and cyclists from around the world. I've seen bikes in all states of repair, from professional racing bikes to mutilated and destroyed bike parts. Sometimes, I have to look very closely to find the bike in the image. I look for bike photos of all kinds. Often, the bikes or cyclists are the main subject of the photograph, but sometimes they are hiding the in background or edge of the frame. The quality of the image isn't always important to me, I'm just glad people are out there taking pictures of bikes. About the only bike pictures I will not favorite are those of cyclists crashing or injured. I know crashing hurts and I think it would be bad luck to favorite these kinds of images. Unless these shots are very well made, and artfully presented I really dislike them. Some of my favorite photos are those of bikes that are frozen. Having lived in Los Angeles all my life (except one year in Florida) I would've never known a bike could freeze in such a way if it weren't for the images on JPG. I really enjoy the great panning shots that some of you have done. I also admire you brave photographers that have (or appear to have) taken pictures while riding. Good for you! I know it's hard to ride while operating a camera, let alone take good pictures! I never anticipate running out of bike photos to favorite here on JPG. Why is the bicycle such a popular subject to photograph? Cycling provides such great motion for the photographer to capture. I love seeing pictures of cyclists leaned over in turns or sprinting in full flight. In racing, the peloton is full of color and energy. It's really a photographer's dream. I also think it's because cyclists and photographers have so much in common. I've heard of the photographer being described as a "one-man band", the same is true for the cyclist. Just like when you operate your camera to take a good picture, when you ride a bicycle, your whole body is engaged in the activity. Riding a bike is quite a feat, we all started with training wheels for a reason! Cyclists, like photographers are also very dependent on their equipment. It amazes me that I've gone over 40 miles per hour and ridden thousands of miles on machines that weigh less than my camera bags! The most important thing these two fascinating machines share is this: both are useless without their skilled operator. Cycling and photography were meant for each other, so keep those bike pictures coming!
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