Motorcycle Photography With A Macro Lens
Forcing yourself to slow down and get close. I may not have otherwise seen this perspective of the drive chain and spokes on my KTM 990 Adventure. Unless I was lubricating the chain.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
I believe that every photographer tries to reinvent themselves within their craft at some point, and sometimes it requires a different lens, or perspective, to start seeing the world around them in a new and fresh way. This, as a motorcycle photographer, was a decision and a route that I took recently.
I suppose I have been curious about macro photography for as long as I have been a photographer. But I was by no means passionate about it. Too much insects and flora perhaps? I have a second-hand Canon EF 100mm f2.8L IS Macro lens in my dry box that I purchased years ago for big food shoot and I never took the lens out afterwards. So I decided it was time to get it out and have a go with it.
By now you’ve probably figured that I wasn’t planning on photographing insects or flora…
After using the lens for this shoot, I would say that the sharpness and handling are really great! The stabiliser might show its value in some low-light conditions, but I’m happy to have it there anyway. I was using the lens on my Canon EOS R6II with the EF lens to R mount adaptor and I had no problems whatsoever with the auto-focus.
The macro capabilities of this lens, as well as the 100mm focal length, gave me some good opportunities to not only get close but to experiment with foreground and background compression. I love all the patina, dirt, and wear and tear that came into view on my dash with this lens.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
As far as my passions go, photographing motorbikes is right up there, so ‘getting close’ to my KTM 990 Adventure was something I was interested to try. Any hobby must provide a bit of dopamine to be relevant right? So I though that trying out a less used tool in my arsenal would be a great motivator.
So, what is a macro motorcycle photography shoot to me, and why would I want to give it a go? Well I believe that from time to time it’s necessary as photographers to slow down. To focus on, and remind ourselves about the art and skill of good composition, and of the virtue of patience. Using a single focal length lens, or prime lens, forces us to do this. To slow down!
Tiny catchments of light react well when shooting with a macro lens. I enjoyed “playing” with this spot of light shinning onto my aluminium clutch master cylinder cover. The 100mm focal length allows for a very shallow depth of field as well.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Motorcycle’s can be complicated beasts. They are the sum of their parts. All those bikes that I love to photograph are not a single object, but a creation made from thousands of parts held together by welds and nuts and bolts. While newer bikes today are indeed now mostly festooned with electronic systems - traction control, cornering ABS, engine modes, and rain modes - older more “analogue” bikes like my 990 give us a very different type of feeling while riding them. They have what many perhaps refer to as character or even a soul. Switchable ABS and fuel injection, that’s it! Your throttle hand is your traction control!
KTM 990 Adventure rear suspension preload adjuster knob shot with my Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS Macro lens. You breath at the wrong moment and you can loose focus. Faster shutter speeds such as 1/250 or 1/400 work well in these situations.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Front sprocket and drive chain on my KTM 990 Adventure. Shooting your bike with a macro lens can often show areas on your motorcycle that might need a bit of attention. For example after looking at these shots I could clearly see my chain needs a deep clean and a healthy dose of chain lube.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
They have a unique personalised style in their aesthetic as well, but no lack of masterful craftsmanship. I bought my 990 for a singular purpose. To ride it and to ride it a lot. As such it has it’s own unique patina patterns, little touches from the kilo-meters covered , the borders crossed, and the many slips and spills along the way. A collection, a collection of reminders from our time together so far.
The digital speedometer display on my KTM 990 Adventure. Shot with a macro lens.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Wear and tear on the spikes of my foot pegs from over 40,000km of dual sport adventure riding. I had never noticed this level of wear before. Only after looking at the shots later did I notice it. I actually like the visual aesthetic of the patina on the tips of the spikes.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
It’s fair to say that while I was shooting with the Macro lens I began to feel very philosophical. There is a hidden beauty all around us, but sometimes it’s invisible to the naked eye. Getting in close with my eye helped me to appreciate those details that I’ve never noticed before: numerics on the dashboard, wear and tear on the spikes of my foot pegs, and scratches on the rear brake master cylinder heel guard from years of off-road use.
I think Marco photography also demands a very different kind of technical ability as well. For it to work well you must have a fundamental knowledge of exposure, composition and lighting. Lighting a shot well is a challenge in itself anyway, but with macro, the difficulty is multiplied.
The wear and tear clearly visible on the twin front brake discs of my KTM 990 Adventure. The close focusing distance and the 100mm focal length provide neat creative possibilities when you approach the frame with thought and care.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Our modern cameras’, sophisticated as they are, have automatic functions that can often fail us on the best of days, so with a macro lens on you would for sure want to switch to full manual mode for the best control over your exposure.
Wear and tear clearly visible on the magnesium clutch cover of my KTM 990 Adventure. The close focusing distance and the 100mm focal length provide neat creative possibilities when you approach the frame with thought and care.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Good composition is important yes, but somehow only relative. It’s great to remember all the golden rules, but the most fun starts when you break the rules, preferably in an intelligent and thoughtful way. In the end, it just takes practice and visual experience.
A close up shot of the left hand side rear side panel with the seat visible at the top of the frame. 2012 KTM 990 Adventure.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
I really enjoyed my marco motorcycle photography adventure. I was a step out of my comfort zone and I’m glad I did that. It made me look at a familiar object that I see everyday in a new and different way. That is a good thing.
I advocate implementing change in your familiar photography routine whenever you can. Perhaps a macro shoot could be that change for you?
