bikes Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Ed O'Keeffe Photography

9 June 200828 May 2017

BMX Tailwhip on ramp at Southport

The above photograph is my favourite BMX photograph I have taken. It was a couple of weeks back that Mark and I were running around Southport trying to make the most of the strong sunlight and blue skies. As far as I know the rider pictured is doing a trick called the tailwhip. Having never been a BMX rider this is only from my quick research on the internet that I can tell you this. The trick basically involves jamming your right foot between the front wheel and the front fork of the bike, then whipping the rest of the bike all the way around (360 degrees) and then jumping over the bike and landing back onto the pedals. A difficult trick to start with but even more impressive on a ramp. In my opinion this trick makes for a good photograph but it is made even better by the way that the long shadow of the biker is down the ramp. There was very little colour in the original image, so I processed it in Photoshop CS3 to convert it to a black and white photograph.

2 June 200828 May 2017

Harley Davidson Chrome Tank Detail

“Live to ride – ride to live – free-spirit”. The road at the end of Southport Pier seems to get overtaken by bikers on sunny weekends. Saturday was no exception with over 60 motorbikes of all shapes, styles and sizes. Obviously being a photographer, I was attracted by the chrome fuel tank of this massive Harley Davidson. After seeing some of my dad’s great engine detail images of motorbikes I knew he would like this photograph, so thought I would take it. Unfortunately the reflective nature of chrome means that if you look closely, you will see myself and Mark sat on a bench taking this photo. This is less obvious in the above black and white version as the colour original has Mark’s bright yellow shorts reflected on the tank.

31 May 200828 May 2017

BMX Biker at Southport Skate Park

Mark suggested a day trip to Southport; until I arrived it had completely slipped my mind that there was a great opportunity to take photos of the skate park from the pier. Last year I took a photo of a guy jumping the spine ramp. Today was much better, the light was fantastic and in the right place, there were also many more people out on their bikes and boards. The person in the photograph above was clearly one of the oldest and most experienced riders in the park and he got some great air off this vert ramp. I really like the look of the graffiti underneath the bike.

11 August 200728 May 2017

BMX Biker Jumping a Half Pipe

Southport has a very long pier, which is chiefly over developing land. One interesting note is a small skate park on the north side (on your right as you walk seaward along the pier). I found it interesting to watch the skaters and bikers because you look down on the park from the pier. It’s only small (just a couple of jumps and half pipes) but I enjoyed watching the guy in the photograph above jumping the tops of the half pipes. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me publishing this picture. To be honest, visiting and photographing skate parks and extreme sports really interests me and is something I plan to do a lot more of in the future. In the picture he is actually in the air; the front wheel isn’t resting on the top of the jump, it just looks that way because of the timing.