Bike Tools

Always looking for photographic assignments for myself is something that has helped develop my photography skills in a way I am hoping will one day pay off. Quite literally.

Being a self-taught student of photography I feel that I must endeavor to learn as many techniques as possible. It is interesting to see how certain - well most - skills cross over into other areas of photography.

Recently, I saw an opportunity to pitch my services to a tool company. Of course, I needed to show that I knew something about shooting tools. Now, I've shot products before, but never the tricky shiny metal ones you see in this post.

Even more reason to work to master the techniques required for these objects. So I set up my home studio (in slightly modified format) and brought in a handful of my bike-specific tools from my shop. I could tell that the shapes and facets of these specialized tools would lend to capturing light in a unique way.


I don't know about mastering techniques, but I feel pretty good about the composition and abstraction of some of the shots. I know, shooting tools or most products is not about projecting abstraction, but in the market of bike tools these perspectives show enough to get the point across.


Some of the shots were not about capturing an abstract image, but to show specific points about the tool.


Other shots were to show an overview of the object without focusing too heavily on any one area or point.

Overall, a good shoot. I was happy with what I learned and the company was impressed with the results as well. I am already formulating another similar shoot using some of these tricks and trying new ideas.

A constantly changing learning process. Just one of the aspects I love about photography.