Cyclists and Portraiture

Memorial Day Ride 2013

Memorial Day Ride 2013

One of the many things I love about bikes is the people who ride them. Bike people stick together. My dentist is a cyclist, and I trust him with metal tools in my mouth for a reason that has nothing to do with dentistry: he loves riding a bike.

Although the culture of cycling is extremely varied we all have one thing in common, we never outgrew the pure pleasure of balancing on two wheels and pedaling ourselves wherever our tires can take us. A friend of mine always reminds me of the George Bernard Shaw quote, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing”. Playing, riding, it’s all the same. Let’s keep riding.

Here’s what I love about photography: We can make many written documents that explain the differences of people and just as many to explain the similarities of people, or we can look at portraits. I have chosen portraits to tell the story of the growing bicycle culture that is prevalent in Troy, Albany and Schenectady. Once I get a few images finished, they will be displayed here as well compiled into a book.

4x5 camera

I shoot with a 4×5 view camera. The shoot will take any where from a half an hour to an hour.

Please, contact me and be apart of this project.

What I need to know is:

What type of cyclist are you? (Road, MTB, BMX, etc.)
Where is your favorite/most frequent place to ride?
What time works best for you to schedule a shoot?
Are you willing to sign a model release?

Thanks!

Comments

  • I just found this website and wonder if perhaps you can put me in touch with other local cyclists. I live in Petersburgh and mostly ride alone, but would love to find those in surrounding areas who road bike. Thanks!

    Wish I had found you when you were still photographing. But hopefully you can help me find local road cyclists, and even trail bike cyclists which I do sometimes. Thanks for your help.

    Chris Hibbs

    • Carrie Will

      I’m still taking pictures. I’d love to take yours.

      • brian koehler

        I’M A ROAD CYCLIST FROM GUILDERLAND.JUST HAD LEG SURGERY.I WAS AWAKE FOR SURGERY AND SURGEON (ALSO CYCLIST) NOTICED MY CANNONDALE SOCKS. THE 90 MINUTE PROCEDURE FLEW BY… QUESS YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TOPIC OF CONVERSATION WAS.MY HOME RIDE IS THATCHER PARK. I LIKE YOUR PROJECT. SEND YOUR E-MAIL AND I’LL SEND SOME PIXS.OR WE CAN SET ON UP. O/-‘O→

  • Cynthia Fairbanks

    Alone I ride a road bike and took up cycling after acquiring a road bike thru a divorce… or I ride a hybrid when accompanying my family (with my 5 year old on the Tug-a-Bug)… I rode across Nebraska twice with my brother (who went on to become a CAT 2 cyclist — had a heart attach during a race at the age of 37, but still rides even doing the Race Across America– but he’s another story) and a hundred or so other riders on BRAN (Bike Ride Across America)… I’ve also ridden across Morocco on vacation with friends… I cooled on biking for awhile after breaking my jaw commuting in Northern Virginia years ago…. now that I’m a parent of 3 kids, I’ve tried to instill a love of cycling with my children and the importance of safety! Good luck with your photo book- I love the images I have from cycling and always turn to the companionship of my bike when I have an issue to think thru and clear the cob weds in my brain!

  • Dave

    Great project! Can’t wait to see the book!
    Ride on…

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