Looking for a Photographer to Create This Wall Art with a Vintage Bike

[hvbster]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for either a photographer or a high-quality image to help me recreate this type of wall art. My goal is to use a vintage racing bike and create a similar effect with multiple frames, just like in the picture below.

If you know a photographer who could take these shots, or if you have access to a high-quality image that I could use for this project, I’d be happy to pay for it. Any tips, recommendations, or offers would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Where are you? I may know someone.

 

[Big Block]

Interesting project

there may be multiple paths to achieve this.
The one I would choose is:
Determine the overall dimensions of the 'image" This will guide the number of photos(s) required to achieve the required pixel count for high quality printing. I would go with finished resolution of 300dpi min. That way a close inspection should not disappoint.
Once that is determined, then take the required number of photos using a tripod-mounted camera, set back and zoomed in to avoid any distortions. Also allow for plenty of overlap for each image.
Assemble the images into one in the software and then save portions of the image using the required final dimensions, applying bleed marks to fit the frame
Then get each image printed and framed. Might be cheaper to find premade frames in a variety of sizes and then get the images printed and then trim to the required size.
I would also get the final print at full size printed using a black and white plan printer (multiple abutting images if necessary). This is the cheapest print available. Temporary tape the black and white print to the wall to guide final image placement. You also need to allow for the drop depending on the hanging system of each frame. Test elsewhere, measure the drop and use that before installing the mounting point.
The wall colour should also be taken into account. Ideally the bike would be suspended against the finished wall using the lighting (natural or artificial) when it would be normally viewed. This way it promotes the impression of being hung.

There are a few things in that image I wouldn't do or focus attention on, but then I am a cyclist. Or great if you want to start a conversation amongst cyclists about what they would do differently!

Here is the link to one photo I took. It required multiple images, overlapped. However our weight restrictions meant no tripod, and given the remoteness of the location, it was unlikely I would return. Once assembled I sliced it up to about 20 individual A3 size images, had them printed. To show the image, I lay them on the floor, abutting adjacent prints. That way the viewer can see the scale of "the roof of the world".
Make sure you scroll across.
https://live.staticflickr.com/8401/8932981435_68c8a6ba46_o.jpgThe original image is much crisper, not the jpeg compressed image seen.

 

[minor_LEGEND]

/\ Nice image BigBlock /\

 

[hvbster]

To answer the first question, I live in the Italian Alps, not far from the Stelvio Pass.

Thanks BigBlock.
I had this approach in mind, i.e. photographing individual images from a constant distance and then stitching them together digitally. Of course, I would need the approximate dimensions of the bike to scale it correctly.
I would then have a test print made in black and white. Then mounted it on the wall and placed the picture frames.
If this turned out satisfactory, I would have had the approximate image sections printed professionally and in high quality.
I have already bought the picture frames at flea markets and via Etsy. I found some nice older ones.
However, I am a little worried that the approach with the individual pictures is too complicated, do you think that one picture is not enough due to the quality?

The bike should of course ideally be placed in front of a white wall. My wall in the living room is also white.

Your picture is great. That's exactly what I want

There are a lot of things you could pay attention to. Ideally, choose a dream bike, some bike with a story. But to be honest, I would be happy with any bike or any help. I've been trying to realize this project for a long time.
And somehow I can't find anyone in my area who owns a nice vintage road bike.

 

[Woz]

Vintage velo with a story I have. And can demonstrate.
Decent vintage analogue grand format and panoramic cameras, tripods, lighting etc. have
Flat bed scanner to get all this in the digital age I have
Digital equipment for proofing I have

All expenses paid to go over to the Stelvio, go up in a 22T granny gear, go down it in about a 48T, get drunk on Peroni and Grappa or what ever you have around there, do some nice photographs, do some more nice biking, do some more nice drinking, do some more nice photography, would be right up my Boulevard.

I reckon a week minimum. We could split the diesel money 50 - 50.

 

[Woz]

More seriously.

You should absolutely have no problems finding someone more local in your parts to help.

If this was me:
- one medium format digital camera.
- several test / proofing on screen.
- RAW file goes off to a professional printer with the biggest print-out possible.
- You buy two print-outs, one to cut up using your frames as templates, one for reference or in case you mess-up.
- Above all, you take your time. The nature of photography is reality is captured in a split second, but preparation is all key.

If the photographer and printer did a good job, the pictures on your wall will withstand close inspection in individual frames.

 

[Big Block]

What decade do you prefer for the bike? Have a look at Speedbicycles and click on the numbers in the left column to view the bikes.
Did you want a bike which has been fully restored, or a bike with patina?
It is quite a straightforward process to photograph, process and print. In Australia small prints are cheap, large format colour printing is expensive and in this case, unnecessary. I go to a local printer for my good quality prints. The only large format print needed is a cheap black and white that you place your frames over to get the selections, and then for using to mount on the wall.
What would be the overall dimensions? Full size or less?

My bikes tend to be from the late 1940s and early 1950s as they show a rich variety of component manufacturers and innovations.

 

[Woz]

Speedbicycles is a great resource

Interesting project this. Normally when we look at a painting or picture, it's the frame that keeps the "contents" all together and we can observe the whole thing (like composition) or look closely at fine details of interest. Here it's different, on one side we want the subject to visually spill out of the frame and connect to others - and so it must appear fairly consistent. The same would apply though, each individual frame ideally would make for something of interest to look more closely at, but it can't be over-done with too many tweaks and stand-out too much.

Personally think for the actual taking of the photograph one high resolution picture will offer the consistency (no movements, no stitching, etc.) - even in a controlled environment with a proper studio camera it would be difficult and time consuming to make individual pictures.

For the printing, and actually making the final art work, placing the frames etc., there's certainly a few options. Perhaps projecting the image on the blank wall could be better and that could dispense with a full size complete print altogether? If the individual print scaling is calibrated then effectively it could potentially be cheaper to crop areas and there would be little physical waste. I think though all prints would need to be done more-or-less at the same time for batch consistency.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Vintage velo with a story I have. And can demonstrate.
Decent vintage analogue grand format and panoramic cameras, tripods, lighting etc. have
Flat bed scanner to get all this in the digital age I have
Digital equipment for proofing I have

All expenses paid to go over to the Stelvio, go up in a 22T granny gear, go down it in about a 48T, get drunk on Peroni and Grappa or what ever you have around there, do some nice photographs, do some more nice biking, do some more nice drinking, do some more nice photography, would be right up my Boulevard.

I reckon a week minimum. We could split the diesel money 50 - 50.

I do know someone, but didn't know it
was you!