How the Bike Industry Takes Bike Photos
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2024
- Have you ever wondered why photos of bikes you see on a website or in a magazine look so damn good? Is it the camera? Is it the fact that it’s a professional athlete’s finely tuned race bike, or is it simply brand new? Maybe it was photographed in a studio? Photoshopped? Maybe…While it surely could and very well may be one or a combination of several of those factors, in reality, it’s usually more about the rules. Yes, the rules.
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9:31 "I think we nailed it!"
proceeds to show random picture with bottles left on
😂😂😂
Bottles on, logos not lined up, wrong gear, dropper post slammed... Yup, nailed it.
Absolutely 🤣 and he can claim it's his sense of humour
True!
That was a repeat of when he explained the 1-2-3 method, @ around 2:46 - after which he proceeds to say that everything about that shot was wrong 😂
Don't know why he didn't show the "correct" picture - he probably missed the timing and didn't want to drop his bike again 😅
I used to shoot bike photos for a company within the industry and I can tell you everything here is 100% true! I actually used to go so far as carrying the bike up trails to avoid getting any dirt on the tires and to keep it as clean as possible when shooting photos. Great video Seth.
He left out a lot more. He didn't discuss camera settings, tripods or even lighting.
@@kanukster those arethe basics in photography not only for bikes, no need
🤣🤣
I knew most of these just from reading mountain biking publications for years, but I never noticed the halfway extended droppers on trail bikes!
But still…in the “pro-picture” he took he still forgot his dropper post as he said it should be, his back wheel aligned with it’s front wheel, both bottles were there, and that gear was not in the 4th counting up. 😂😅
You cannot hide your theater acting background. That is what gave you and will always give you the edge over the other "just enthusiastic mtb youtubers". You look at the world as an artist. Good for you.
When I flip bikes I follow these rules for photographing cover photos. It makes a huge difference and I can usually sell a bike within a week while others are sitting months before they sell.
The number of marketplace listing I see where the first pic is just the front wheel. I swear you could flip bikes just by taking a good picture and airing up the tires
@@wertacus sometimes I wonder
Could you make a tutorial on how to flip bikes on marketplace and giving tips ?
@elias8981 you're not gonna believe this but there's an entire flip bike series on this channel. The hardest part IMHO is tactfully sending out lowball offers and watching the market like a hawk
It goes back to the old “no pic no click” principle,
that’s what people used to say on mod forums when you’d post one without a good thumbnail 😂
Seth please make MTB ride videos more often. I love to see you ride the trails and build new things.
he made a video a little while ago about why he doesn't really do those anymore. It basically boils down to weather constraints and the pressure to perform well for a video causing him to get hurt a lot in those videos. Also I don't think that style gets enough views anymore which is also probably a big reason why he doesn't do them anymore. I also really miss his trail building videos but he said that they don't get enough views to justify the cost/effort
Woo hoo! That's my Giant Yukon 2 in Hope, Alaska in the montage! Thanks, Seth!
Those pesky cages photobombed your final draft. Thanks Seth, I really enjoy your outside/inside industry pov.
The wheel logos were in different positions too
He could just talk about the things they do when photographing, but he actually went all the way to de-adjust his set-up. That is dedication!
Glad you're back and didn't just vanish like several other bicycle related channels that I was subscribed to.
I have been watching since berm creek and even earlier, and never does it get boring
After all that, the final image had wheels out of line, bottle cages included and seat post slammed. Still an entertaining video though 😊
Yeah I think he somehow mixed it up and didn't notice it 😅
@@schninzent8914 you can see in on the camera screen the bike was set up properly for the real shot, but it never made it in.
I found this immensely entertaining. I knew a few of the basics but had never thought about most. I laughed out loud three times which is the mark of a good video!
It’s like you read my mind! I just noticed some of the items media photos do and I was thinking 🤔 that would make a great video. Thanks for making this and sharing it with us. 👍🏼
Amazing that Seth has been at the top of the genre for years now, and continue to create original content. Didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did ... I can stare at his bike for hours!!
I needed this video for selling my old bike. Thank you!!!
Omg the gumshoe music during the photoshoot... The editing on this channel is so underrated
Seth says 'guidelines' many times, but a better word might be 'conventions'. Very fun video! Actually might help some people take a super nice photo when they want to sell their bike as used.
Hey seth! just wanted to say I rode the bentonville Berm Creek Sunday! it was absolutely incredible. So glad you inspired that! also did the Bush Push!
Great video as always, Seth! You continue to be my favorite CZcamsr by far! I could listen to you talk about absolutely anything. I love all those montage pics, like the one with the bike just tossed on the ground! All of these "rules" for taking bike photos are another example of the elitist side of bking. I belive people should ride what and how they like and put their own experiences into their photos. The elitist attitude is a substantial barrier to the growrh and sustainability of the sport/industry.
This is really good advice for those of us that are selling our bikes and needing to post pictures. Thanks Seth!!
4th gear from the largest gear is a new one for me, I haven't heard that one before, but I'm still learning. I have to agree that telling the story is the most important part.
I always thought the jockey wheels need to be vertical aligned. Supposedly that is in the 4th gear.
@@zonoskar I guess it's like Seth said, it depends on what kind of bike you're currently on. 4th gear on my 2020 Trek Marlin 5 vs my 2022 Santa Cruz Hightower C 4th gear aren't close at all. I'm going to see if I can get some shots for better bike Thumbnails. A few years ago I didn't know about the drive side out thing. LOL!!!
Protip I picked up from Doddy when he was at GMBN: use acrylic rod for a stand. It's nearly invisible/easy to edit out.
Seth you absolute nerd, you have changed my life with your videos, I appreciate every video you have done back to messing around in Florida. Thank you for your creativity and killer storytelling. I hope you take a sec to read this comment and appreciate how far you have come. You have come so far and create nearly perfect content (as you know, duh.) LOL (lots of love) keep it up bro.
Great video and I’m loving this type of content!
Another great video, thanks!
And the colors are incredible! Any chance of sharing what filming equipment you're using?
I line up the valve with the max pressure label for what always seems like a good reason.
This felt like one of the old seth's bike hack videos and I loved it so much...
This is perfect. Hahaha I have just finished custom painting a frame, fork, handlebars, and crank set. This helped. Thanks Seth
Seth just wanted a video purely to show off that bike………I approve also as always learned things I didn’t k ow I needed to know thanks again Seth
😂 Bottles and cages are in the photo. I hear the GCN folks talking about "Shadow Stands" a lot when reviewing reader bike photos.
Hey Seth big fan of the channel and I am very interested in the sport what do you think of a avalanche reflex 1 as a starting point would like your opinion
In addition, I would go further back but use a longer focal length. It reduced the perspective distortion. So the handlebars don’t look like they flare upwards, and the wheels appear perfectly circular
As someone who works in the industry you absolutely nailed it Seth! Lots to consider when going on a bike shoot lol
Same, my job was to take photos for Specialized in Brazil, it was such a great job taking the bikes to cool places and also having the experience to ride many models
The saddle is too far forward 😂
Nice video, and surprisingly interesting topic. I realize I almost never intentionally take pictures of my bike nor anybody’s bikes. When we go out with friends we picture people only. One can see we’re biking because of our gear.
Thank you for explaining these (absurd) media standards!
I had taken some (wrong) pictures of my bike and didn't know what was wrong with them until I saw this video.
Yeah, I get the need to be able to compare, but sod it, I'm on your side, the picture needs to be genuine, as it was when I rode it. 😎
What exact fork do you have and do they still make it? I really love the color of the logo/text on the fork.
I too am guilty of bumbling around with my bike photos. Thanks for the Pro tips! :D
Knew all this info from some roadie roots back in the day (hardcore roadies are taught these traditions early on! Ha.).
However with the saddle height on the dropper - I'll generally have it fully extended when selling a bike so people can see how much drop there is (don't want people thinking I've specced a 125mm dropper on an XL enduro bike for example).
Hey Seth, I'd love a video on how to maintain your MTB, from beginner to advanced and the frequency you should do them
Great video! BTW this is the first time I am seeing AI generated video summary from CZcams below the description. After watching the entire video I would say it did a great job summing up the video. Wild times to be alive!
I think you're right in your description of the photo orthodoxy, except for the valve position. I've seen valves at 12 o'clock (as you described), but also 6 o'clock. Personally I like 6 o'clock better because it looks like the tires are ready to be inflated, and also looks gravitationally stable. Though I appreciate that 12 o'clock (in conjunction with tire logos aligned to valves) makes the tire logos legible.
Sometimes I'll run my logos opposite of the stem, I like the asymmetry on certain setups and for this particular reason.
10:57 Wellington New Zealand... (on one of the few non windy, non raining days)..
q8)
Hi Seth, I'm headed to speak with my city council in 3 weeks about turning some unused land into a bike park for my town. I've watched your videos for a while and I'm hopeful we can at least get small park with trails started.
Is there a minimum amount of land that's really required? 10-15 acres? Or is more needed?
As a photographer, thanks for this tip, now I know how to make better photos of my mtb, as it always lacked something. And if I incorporate it into nice storytelling, there is nothing that can stop me :D
for gears, on MTB i always did biggest cog. for road, it's supposed to be "biggie smalls" fastest gear.
i follow some of the rules, if and when i feel like it, for ride snapshots. i usually don't change gear, sometimes set wheels properly, usually set cranks level (or at like 2 o'clock). if i'm taking a pic of a side, it's drive side, but there are other cool angles too.
Awsome how he showes us how he does it❤
- [00:00] 📸 Pictures of mountain bikes in natural environments offer personality and story.
- [02:00] 🏔 Choosing an appropriate environment for bike photography enhances authenticity.
- [03:00] 🚲 The "one, two, three" method is recommended for pro-style bike setup.
- [04:00] 🚴♂ Product photos should focus on the bike, not personalizations like bottle cages.
- [05:00] 🧼 Cleanliness is key for product photos; bikes should be spotless.
- [06:00] ⚙ Gears, cranks, and pedals should be set in neutral positions for comparison.
- [07:00] 🛠 Dropper seat posts should be adjusted appropriately for bike type and user.
- [08:00] 🔍 Attention to detail: sag indicators, wheel alignment, and quick-release levers.
- [09:00] 🔄 Tire logos should align with valve stems for professional presentation.
- [10:00] 📷 Capturing bike photos should reflect the authenticity of the riding experience.
- [11:00] 🤝 Joining the Substack community offers early access and additional content.
Always entertaining. Cheers.
Seth, you should consider making a video where you purchase a modern rigid mt bike and bikepack for a few days and make a longer video, i believe this would potentially attract a different audience which may lead to increased views, and if you brought alex along, it would provide him with a video too! Similar to the road biking trip with him to the florida keys, but on an mtb!
Thanks mate!
Hey can you make a video on different forks and which ones to get for a good value
I’m surprised you have not 3d printed a prop stick or something lol great video Seth! My two favorite things mountain bikes and photography!
should have done a bike photo contest in honour of the last statement! would have been cool for the community to see it!
As a photographer, very cool video. Love all the details for an advertisement photo. I would add a little off camera flash to make the bike "pop" and you could photoshop out a small stand or stick. Thanks for the video.
Are you in Laural Park at Jump Off Rock? Been there many times! Nice video!
Congrats on the 1 million.
Love these but when will Riding videos come out, or a second channel for raw footage, these are fine for the masses and I like them, can’t wait for them to come out, but I miss those old berm peak videos of riding or doing something interesting on the trail… just a thought
is it possible to flip suspension forks there is a fox 38 factory grip 2 2023 for 300 is it possible to flip??
Are you releasing all substack videos on CZcams because it’s been almost a month for the aliexpress tools and they are not on CZcams yet :(
Would also help to center the seat post head on the seat rails.
It needs Schwalbe - Bronze Brown - tyres. They have them in many profiles and widths. I use a Hans Dampf version 2.4, 2.6, and 2.8 etc. They come in multiple compound versions, from harder to softer to sticky and so onward. And blaze like razors. The color...is always either full black, or bronze black. Try them!
Agreed on all points, except I do try to keep it to driveside only.
try making a double front suspention and a double rear suspention mtb!!! love ur vids, would be amazing if you would do that
I guess as a photographer and a bike nut I don't know how to photo my bike. I don't want it to fall down and scratch or do any damage to it. I just want the on looker to know I actually ride and not just take photos of my bike. I try to get stuff that I think my viewer needs to see. Thanks for the lesson Seth. Your never to old to learn something.
My road bike pics are all wrong....kickstand,wrong side,turned bars,tires not aligned,....but hey,they're mine 😎
The best way to get a better photo of your bike, which was not mentioned, is to not use the normal or wide focal length of your phone or camera, most of these shots are taken with a 70-200 lens to compress the background and make the bike look more as the human eye sees it, so try the telephoto lens on your phone.
Is this in the settings?
10:12 My bike is featured in Seth's video! My life is complete
🤣🤣🤣
Nice
It's immortal now.🎉
That's pretty awesome
One point to add: back up and use the longest (telephoto) lens you have. this compresses the field, keeps things more parallel, increases background blur, etc.
Try it: compare with a wide angle photo standing close to your bike...I bet you won't like the results as much (but hey, as is the point of this video, your mileage may vary!)
One of the bike picture was of a bike on top of Copper Harbor. That was nice
I “liked” the video to help the algorithm for you, but it’s not my cup of tea.
It was a high quality video for those interested. Over all, love your content!
3:28 What brand is that black chain? Thanks
More backyard trail and feature builds please!
9:34 I think thats as close that we can get, proceeds to show the first picture he took at 2:46 classic Seth XD
Seth has done videos on so many different quirky bikes in just waiting for the day he builds a motorized bike. Hopefully if he does he does his research on these kits and gets a good one would be a good series of entertaining videos to watch.
As someone who mostly just uses a bicycle to get around and is interested in photography in general, some of thart stuff seems just insane. Well... Now I know why many of those photos look so much alike.
Actually, amongst any contention about style and positiona, ive watched your video a few times as im about to sell a few bikes i dont want as the weather gets warmer. I hope the local market where i am will result in more hits on my adverts with nicer setup photos.
I'm halfway through rotating the tyres to betweem the rim labels, tubeless sealant drips splashing on the bikes and the floor 😂
One thing, that i am doing every time, is turning handlebar few degrees to the right, so the legs of the fork will be on the one line, from point of view
It's the difference between a picture of a dog at a dog show and the same dog in the woods running around covered in mud and leaves. One just seems...happier...I also like the way you pointed out, like in fight club, "we don't use kickstands". Things got very serious for a second there...:)
One other thing I would have adjusted is that the seat was slammed forward on the rails... I would have had it more neutral👍
I've always thought it was a bit ridiculous how channels like GCN critique bike photos and point out the "imperfections" of crank position and gear selection. Thank you for highlighting this silliness and snobbery.
The final shot you showed still had the bottle cages installed!
I follow all of these rules to a tee when taking photos except for the raised seatpost part I keep that shit slammed always no xc rides here
Also go 90 - 100mm lens for minimal distortion, at f-stop 8 or more :)
Can you review BMX acessories (Odyssey lights, And gimicky items)
Cool! now I know how to do the opposite of some of these to give my bike pictures as much personality as possible :D
GCN show this perfectly in their bike vault segment of their tech show
Bizarre, because I already do all of that and didn't even know it's a thing. Except, I always point the valve stems up. I did decide to offset the tire labels to the valve stems on my newest build though. Btw, should've slid the seat back to a neutral position. Good video sir.
The 123 method is what Mountain Bike Magazine uses for their product photos where the bike looks like it’s standing in place. They have an assistant holding the front tire then letting go for a second to get the shot.
It never occurred to me that this is how it is done. I always assumed they had a stand cleverly hidden behind the frame and wheels.
Seth's custom titanium is the nicest looking bike I've ever seen.
Wonderful!
Grasping for content lol. I still enjoyed the video. "Valve stems pointing down" 😂
Greetings from Ukraine, thanks for the video, it was interesting. If it's not too much trouble, can you recommend a lubricant to keep the chain clean as well?
i love this
Love this vid
Wrist watch industry is the same. Analog watches are always set to 10 minutes after 10 for pictures. Cool video Seth.
And the second hand is always at seven.
Yo Jump Off Rock. I love riding up there from my house in Hendersonville.
it's funny about the cranks being level, as historically "the rules" say drive side crank is supposed to be inline with the down tube which puts the non drive side pedal behind the back tyre.
Seth : The Last Bike Bender! 😉Just kidding, nice informative video 👍
Are you going to make more obstacles for berm peak??
People align the logo to the stem on a wheel but I think it is better to align the part indicating tire pressure to the stem.