Chicago Cyclist Commuter Bikes: A Photo Series

Hey guys,

It's finally time to be a little vocal about who I am and what I do! I mean, I do go to some of the rides say "hi!" and ride bikes. Anyway, I'm Kevin, I am a photo student at Columbia College and also a photographer. 

Currently I am working on a photo series of bicycles used on the streets of Chicago. They are meant to be professional profile images on a white sweep. The idea of the series is to show the huge variety of bicycles people use. We as cyclist know this but this gives someone who doesn't a view into how much bikes mean to people. All the quirky parts, accessories, wear and tear, it goes on. 

I also want it to evolve into more showing the riders of bikes eventually. The final outcome and product is eventually a book with the title Chicago Cyclist Commuter: Bicycles.

Let me know what you guys think. I am also looking for bicycles to shoot! Which is why I posted ;) 

check out my site: http://kevin-gebhardt.com

my flickr: FLICKR  and as well as the CCC bikes set: HERE

thanks guys!

- Kevin Gebhardt

Views: 1182

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on March 25, 2012 at 3:47pm

Here is another one!

Bicycle from my friend Ashley!

If anyone would like to have their bicycle featured in my series (also part of my final in my studio class), message me! It would be greatly appreciated! 

- Kevin

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on March 25, 2012 at 4:05pm

I have a couple of commuter bikes I would love to have photographed.  I sent you a message.

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on March 25, 2012 at 4:31pm

sent you a friend request...I would like to help with a bike to photograph.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 25, 2012 at 4:48pm

Kevin,

Thanks for doing this. I love your concept. Your skills with a camera are obviously superb.

I hate to rain on your century, but commuter bikes are nicked, scratched, covered with mud and blood and often have roadkill stuck to the tires, chainring and rear derailleur. The bikes I see are clean, appearing brand new and never ridden. The image does not fit reality. I would recommend showing them "as is" and in their natural setting. Also, a profesional presentation should have clean copy; spelling errors, bad punctuation and grammar problems detract from what you are trying to accomplish.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on March 25, 2012 at 5:18pm

It's definitely in a young stage right now. I'm in the "finding bikes" stage. But it's not about having just having knicks, road kill stuckto the tire/chainring, derailleur. It's about showing the vartiey of bikes being used. I feel like I'm missing variety. 

I'm also this to improve my skill at commercial work (the actual image, rather the text.). For the final product I would have someone go through and help me with the typography. Like I said it's in a young stage and I'm in the collect of bicycle images right now! :)

I also really like the in studio look for this project to JUST highlight the bicycle. What I might do for web purposes is to go from digital crop sensor to large format (very high quality) to enable users to zoom in and really investigate the nicks, scratches and nasty stuff on the bicycles. but that's for down the road.


Gene Tenner said:

Kevin,

Thanks for doing this. I love your concept. Your skills with a camera are obviously superb.

I hate to rain on your century, but commuter bikes are nicked, scratched, covered with mud and blood and often have roadkill stuck to the tires, chainring and rear derailleur. The bikes I see are clean, appearing brand new and never ridden. The image does not fit reality. I would recommend showing them "as is" and in their natural setting. Also, a profesional presentation should have clean copy; spelling errors, bad punctuation and grammar problems detract from what you are trying to accomplish.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 26, 2012 at 3:15am

I've got a variety of bikes in my personal stable and in my shop.

See my photostream here at The Chailink -and on bikeforums under the profile Amesja.  I'm a horrible photographer but seem to to better with bikes than any other subject.  Maybe because I just love them so much I'm able to look at them with a more loving artistic eye.

Permalink Reply by Mike Fiasco on March 26, 2012 at 7:34am

Your photos are beautiful, Kevin.  I'm sure you're going to have a lot of pretty models lined up soon.

Permalink Reply by Samuel Diaz on March 26, 2012 at 7:55am

I would gladly put my bike in your project

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on March 28, 2012 at 11:43pm

Here's another bike and I am about to respond to all those that have messaged me(since I went on a lil vacation)! 

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on March 29, 2012 at 12:22am

Yo James! Nice rides and photos! Every Wednesday and Thursdays nights I get into the studio to shoot bikes (and if not bikes, people). If you have time you can come on into the studio at my school on either of those nights. Just message me about it and I'll give more info!

Or I can swing by and take one for the evening.

Kevin

James BlackHeron said:

I've got a variety of bikes in my personal stable and in my shop.

See my photostream here at The Chailink -and on bikeforums under the profile Amesja.  I'm a horrible photographer but seem to to better with bikes than any other subject.  Maybe because I just love them so much I'm able to look at them with a more loving artistic eye.

And Sam! Same goes with you! Just shoot me a message and we can set-up times to a) having you and your bike come into the studio either of those nights or b) I can come by and use it in the studio for the night and return it the next day.

Samuel Diaz said:

I would gladly put my bike in your project

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on April 21, 2012 at 8:35am

Reformatted the entire layout to one standard(preview):

Permalink Reply by Kevin Gebhardt on April 24, 2012 at 3:10am

This beautiful bike is Tim S's! Awesome old steel ride. 

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service