Friday, 16 November 2018

Quick rant: Bikes & Cameras




For the longest time, I've been obsessed with bikes and I've liked cameras. Avy is obsessed with cameras and likes bikes. We've been hanging out for a few years, and the biggest thing we've learned together is that bikes and cameras go great together. They're two of the best hobbies to combine.

The main thing that fascinates me about bikes is that cycling is adaptable and modular as a concept, so it can be anything to anyone. Cycling can be competitive sport, a utilitarian tool, or a lifestyle to share with friends. I try to dabble in all aspects of cycling, and I've been playing with filming my riding for a while now.  Photography and film has is part of cycling to me now. I love it because photography is personal and unique to each individual in the same way as cycling.

I love Avy's work under the Boss Culture name because he approaches photography the same way I approach cycling, taking a personal approach by using it as a tool to develop his identity and making it fit his personality. He doesn't necessarily want to compete with professionals, but he always seems to compete with himself. When we shoot, we're always looking for something new, and that's what makes it fun. It's all about the adventure.

Cycling isn't central to his most of his content but bikes are a perfect tool for urban photography. Urban photography by car can be hard, finding parking and fighting through traffic instead of spending time shooting. On foot alone, photographers are limited to a smaller area. With a bike and a good lock, photographers have all the opportunities that they would on foot but with access to much larger area in the same amount of time. More exploring is always good.

In my opinion, bikes are also great subjects for photos. I'm not just talking about "bike porn", showcasing expensive, vintage, custom or otherwise unobtainable bikes. I'm talking about normal bikes in their natural settings. Bicycles played a big role in the development of transportation since the industrial revolution and are still important for personal mobility in most parts of the world, including here in Canada. The general impact of the bicycle on the world is often overlooked so I also feel like pictures of well loved bicycles can have a lot of gravity to them. I can always imagine a story behind a picture of a bike.

Both cycling and photography are hobbies that are tricky to turn into anything profitable unless you have exceptional skill or experience. Both are best enjoyed for personal reasons, and for me, combining them is the most satisfying way to have some thrills while exploring and creating something out of the experience. Mixing photography and cycling is how I push myself to get out of the house and enjoy the real world these days.