single photos Speed King (View Larger Option)

I used to be fast, I used to be quick, I used to be shiny I used to be

slick.

But now I'm all rusty and my bell doesn't ring, no one would know I

was a Speed King.

Wasn't really sure which category this should go in, but street

seemed to be the nearest fitting slot.

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

what a great find.. a fixer upper indeed.

Lovely exercise in black and white - plenty of contrasts in tonality, shape, and texture. 

My best always,

michael

Great work!

regards

/RA

Nice composition with beautiful tones and details. I would show a little more of the wooden background for the texture and the story you want to tell.

Regards

Gamini

Dear Alf,

This is quite evocative...all of us can read something personal into a subject and shot like this one. The limerick is nice too! :)

Tim

A really beautiful b/w-result with very nice lighting, Alf!

Hi Alf.

This is a top notch image my friend.

The 200mm lens setting at F/2.8 reveals the wealth of detail that your lens was designed to deliver.

I enjoy B&W imagery very much as the good old film days come back to mind. I would have used TRI-X film developed at ASA 400,  printed on Kodak F4 or F5 paper for that very rich contrast look.

Best Regards, Mike

Ahhhh, one triathlon too many....  The b/w translation is superb.  Mike

oh yes, great poem... :-)

Alf,

Superb photograph and does strike the imagination but still touching to see Speed King in this state. Technically very well taken, I also like the texture of the wood, straw and so on. B/W works really well for this sad subject.  Regards,

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful b/w image with wonderful processing.  Take care, Patsy

Well, this bike has to be nearly as old as you and I !!!! and I think most of those adjectives almost apply (at least to me!!!) Really enjoy the processing in this one Alf. Excellent tones and detail, good choice!

Its got a bit of character eh, but I think it might be beyond the "fixing up" stage : - )

Many Thanks Stepanie!

Alf

MICHAEL

I'm really glad you like the B & W aspects of the image, I thought the subject was well suited to it too.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

RA

Many Thanks for your kind words!

Best Regards

Alf

GAMINI

I think you have a good point and ideally I would have liked to have shown more of the structure, but just above bike out of the frame is a comparatively new looking padlock that just didn't seem to fit in with the scene, so I chose instead to fill the frame with the subject, there has been no cropping at all.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

(What kind of an animal IS this)

A dying breed my friend!

Not just a "one trick pony" you know........I have at least two now : - )

Many Thanks Jamie!

Best Regards

Alf

TIMOTHY

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback. Its very gratifying to read that you liked the photograph and the limerick. Though the photograph was somewhat more difficult to obtain.

The limerick was written in my head by the time it took me to type the first line.  Sometimes photo's get me that way, usually other peoples though.

Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

MIKE P

The software I use (Nik Silver Efex Pro 2)  imitates all kinds of old film effects. I didn't use any film effect for this image, it was more or less a staright B & W conversion, but  It might be interesting for me to process  the image as you described, albeit as a digital technique, not a true film process.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback my friend!

Best Regards

Alf

MIKE M

If I could epitomise my feelings on a Monday morning when the alarm clock rings for work, and show it in a single image........this is it!  : - )

Many Thanks Mike, glad you like the little poem too!

Best Regards

Alf

BACHIR

The once proud and shiny speed king, reduced to a state of decay and disrepair and beyond all help, does indeed convey a feeling of sadness, and a bit of nostalgia.

Its also very gratifying to read that you found it touching.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

PATSY

I'm really glad you liked this one Patsy! Many Thanks for your positive feedback!

Best Regards

Alf

GAIL

I'm fairly certain your bells are aren't rusting and your bottom bracket is still intact : - ) Though after the journey to Scotland I'm sure I've developed a fault in my sprocket lol

Its very gratifying to read you liked this one Gail and I do appreciate your feedback.

Many Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

I love old and/or rusty things to begin with, so I really love this shot.  The setting is great with the weathered fence behind, and the B&W tones are superb!  Oh....and you get extra credit for the poem!  :-)

I like this. Reminds me of the thing I used to ride a while ago.

Regards, Tibi

I think my name could become synonymous with old and rusty things : - )

The background is an old shed that is practically falling down, I would have included a bit more of it, but there was a new looking lock on it, that just didn't fit in with the rest of the image.

I'm really glad you like this one, I couldn't help but wonder about its origin, hence the little poem that I typed as I uploaded it.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

TIBI

They just don't make them like this any more!

"the thing" makes it sound like a bit of a monster, well maybe it was : - )

Glad you like it and thank you very much for your interest!

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

"Trickier than a cart load of monkeys" as my old Grandma used to say, though I can't think why!

Take Care

Alf

There is a story in this capture.  How did the bike get there?  How did it break?  How long has it been there?  Who owned it?  The tonality in the monochrome is wonderful.  Well seen.

-Lynne

Lots of eye candy and superbly processed into B&W. I got an immediate chuckle from the title.

I must have misheard her I thought she told me she went to a "Grammar" school : - )

Cheers!

Alf

LYNNE

Its kind of like an old car, you look at it and wonder what it has experienced, its history, its owners, its gradual sad demise.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Lynne.

Best Regards

Alf

TAMARA

Everything has a story, a tale to tell, a yarn to spin. Every stone and blade of grass, should we be so astute as to listen : - )

Glad you liked the little poem or "Rap" as you put it.......now I think about it I could put some music to that too : - )

Sincere Thanks & Warm Regards

Alf

TONY

Glad you liked the B & W I used Nik silver Efex once again to process this.

As for the title, well ......I pondered over more serious titles like "Dilapidated, Wreckage, Mangled" and even plain old "Broken" but thought the other end of scale was much more fun and even a little bit more thought provoking.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

Hi Alf

I love the quirkiness of this image and the poem that accompanies it!  Your capture of this fine old bicycle evokes memories,thoughts and feelings from bygone days when this mode of transport was ridden carefree and joyously, without all the safety gear required these days!   A superbly composed image which really works for me in B & W!  Thank you for sharing Alf.

warm regards

Jacqueline