Leaders: 'The Assassins': LA Biker Club

These are two members of 'The Assassins' a Los Angeles area

(apparently) bike club taken on the street in West/Central L.A. I had

noted the great care in grooming the nearest gentleman, an apparent

leader, had taken to perfect his 'look', and he rewarded me with a 'street

portrait' sitting there at 11:30 p.m. at the street side while atop his bike.

Your ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate

harshly or very critically, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment; please share your photographic knowledge to help improve

my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

I am not sure what your standards for sharpness are for photos taken on the street with available light at 11:30 p.m. but for what is in the plane of focus - man's beard, facial features and eye -- all are pretty sharp.

This is a photo of course with selective focus, there's no getting away from that; one has to choose one's narrow plane of focus and that is on the foremost 'Assassin'.

Look at his beard and mustache -- looks sharp to men.  Naturally all things in front of and especially behind this plane of focus will be out of focus and blurry as planned.

Thanks for the comment and the chance to explain.

john

John (Crosley)

John, The face certainly says a lot. I like the way you framed it with the leader in the sharper focus, he is obviously the more intimidating one. The light and tones are very nice. 

Photos can lie, or they can accidentally (or maybe on purpose) tell the truth.  I suggested to the guy, right, that he look a little tough, because his bike gang, I am sure, projects itself as 'tough' but not so much him to me on that night.  He was pretty 'OK' with me and not surly or disrespectful.

But I knew he was with a bike group, gang or not, and the name 'Assassins' says something of the image they wish to project, so in keeping with the image they wished to project, I had him throw a little glare.

I suggest that in doing that I told more truth than if he had been jocular (which he was not) or self-conscious.  After all, this seemed to come naturally.

Throwing the rear guy out of focus was about the only choice, given low light. I had framed the 'leader' (I suppose) singularly, bikes in background, and called the second guy in for a dual portrait, intentionally intending to throw him into blurriness, to make the contrast, but still highlighting the name (however blurred) Assassins on his jacket. (notice the name is spelled with script that looks like flames?)

That's the way it was a few nights ago in Los Angeles. (Walter Cronkite style).

Thanks for the comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Great shot.

Tommy

For portraits, I felt lucky to have happened on this guy and have him amenable to being photographed -- such circumstances for most people are extremely rare unless they hand around bikers, and I decidedly do NOT.

I'd like to, but I do not lead a biker life style or wish to, but to photograph them is wonderful.

They make wonderful subjects.

I tried an Internet search on the club, but found no decisive answer or identity; just a lot of gangs and clubs named 'Assassin' or like names.

Thanks for letting me know your feelings; happy to have pleased you with this.

john

John (Crosley)