For some reason, it just doesn't do it for me ...
They don't look very happy...
They look more like the cars than people - notice the similarity between this ladies helmet and the grill on the front of the car behind.
I think what I like about photographing my normal targets is 'the story' - who are they? what are they doing? where are they going? I can't find any story or personality in these 'cyclists'.
I also like the personal sense of style that my usual subjects exhibit. I find these cycling outfits 'generic', they say 'I'm a cyclist' ... and no more.
I understand wearing all the kit (except helmet) for a fitness blast. Lycra, close-fitting breathable top, shades, shoes - all make a 1 or 2 hr serious road workout more pleasant. I don't hold people running in running clothes/shoes to be weird, and ditto those cycling for a specific fitness purpose like a Tri or cycle race etc. It's when people feel they need this kit to trundle along a waterfront or pop to the shops, or arrive at work after 20 minutes that gets my goat.
ReplyDelete"It's when people feel they need this kit to trundle along a waterfront or pop to the shops, or arrive at work after 20 minutes that gets my goat." Exactly! And it's so much easier to hop on a bike and make a quick trip to the store if you don't have to get all geared up and put on your special clip-on shoes.
ReplyDeleteI keep coming back to this, so I guess I should just post up a comment and be done with it. I think your premise is a bit faulty; you say the cyclists don't look very happy, but I don't believe that a smile is a reliable indicator of a person having a good time. For myself, having a good time on the bike, often revolves around a challenge (a 3,000 ft climb for instance), or competition. I may not be smiling during those times, but I guarantee I am having a great time. Second, I have never considered the helmet/grille similarity before - good observation - it makes sense, their function is the same; vents for cooling the engine, whether it is the motor in the car, or brain in the head. Anyway, I don't think I will ever understand the whole "fashion" cycling thing, but I do appreciate reading of cycling in different places around the world. Keep it up.
ReplyDelete@ Michael - I wasn't actually meaning that they weren't happy, I was just exploring and trying to explain why I don't enjoy photographing people in cycle-specific gear - perhaps it is because I can't see 'who they are'. I also don't consider the photos I take to be related to fashion - it's more about capturing the personalities of Auckland cyclists. They display their own sense of style - what ever that happens to be ... it quite often is not 'fashionable'.
ReplyDeleteIt's often very hard to figure out why visually you like one thing over another.
@Michael: I'm with you on the "fashion" cycling thing. I couldn't care less what people are wearing, on a bike or just walking down the street.
ReplyDeleteOf course a stylish dresser will stand out in any situation (and good on them) but that's just not me. I don't think my t-shirts and ripped shorts will be gracing the pages of Auckland Cycle Chic anytime soon ;^)