Bicycle race

[Bill_Jurasz]

I've been asked to shoot a charity bicyclel "race" again this year. Really its just a long leisurely ride through county roads. Last year I did what guy did the year before (a photog I knew, but who could not work it last year, nor this year). He used 1" tall 3-digit numbers that each rider put on their helmets. Turned out very problematic to read, thus most photos did not get keyworded, thus most riders had a hard time finding themself. I need a better way.

The solution does not need to identify a single rider. Its ok if it just whittles down the choices to a smaller subset. And it is something that I must be able to visualize w/o zooming in on the photo. I will have over 1,500 photos to sort over. And I have a day job, so I can't take 20 hours just keywording images.

Thanks for any ideas.

[michaelnotar]

how about color coding, either on the helmets or bike frame or color combination. if on the bike, use bands on bar between seat and handles and on front/back vertical bar. if on helmet, how about every 90 degrees.

do they ride in teams or in groups depending on age or anything you can divide them amoung? you could probably come up with enought color combinations to represent the alphabet by each letter or a few letters per color. use their first or last name, last probably to reference. then they just have to choose within the first letter of thier last name.

just realizes my dad cycles, dont the pros wear big numbers on their back and front of their jerseys...?that would be easiest. something like 5x8 to 8x12 with large bold numbers. check out Boxes, Shipping Boxes, Shipping Supplies, Packaging Materials, Cardboard Boxes - ULINE, they can make custom labels that might be the cheapest way to go or look at these inventory labels.

http://www.uline.com/AdvSearchResult...LL&StartPage=2

Vinyl Warehouse Labels - Uline

Labels - Printed Message - Uline

[Bill_Jurasz]

Nice idea on the large jersey number. Would work if not too pricey. Alas, my boss is sending me out of town on business that week and I'm going to have to pass on the event altogether now.

[Will_Mass]

Originally Posted by Bill_Jurasz

Alas, my boss is sending me out of town on business that week and I'm going to have to pass on the event altogether now.

Lucky for you!

As a former/recovering cyclist, I must say; My cycling bretheren are cheap, cheap....CHEAP!!!!!!

Did I mention they're cheap?

They have no compunction about shelling out 2 grand for the latest Ti or Carbon Fiber framed bike. But, $15 for a pic????

Are you kidding??

True conversation,
Racer: Dude, I really like the pics you shot during the race.
Me: Um, then you should buy some.
Racer: Dude, I can't afford them.
Me: Dude, you're riding a four thousand dollar bike!

Priorities, I guess.

Now you know why I shoot horses.

[Al Schietzsch]

When you're addicted to bikes, there's no money left for other things. Just like photographers who spend all their money on lenses and so can't afford a new car. Wait - both of these are me.

[SKIP RUNGE]

>>As a former/recovering cyclist, I must say; My cycling bretheren are cheap, >>cheap....CHEAP!!!!!!

>>Did I mention they're cheap?
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I'll second that! Two years running I've photographed the professional criterium races that are held in my community. I shot every racer several times. Thank HEAVEN for those big jersey numbers they had pinned on! I was set up in a tent to even make prints on site...didn't sell not even ONE. Didn't even have a racer's MOTHER ask for one. I did a flashy poster and had fifty of them printed. Didn't sell one. Everybody LOVED them and wanted a free one. NOBODY bought one. The next year I sold one poster when I dropped the price 75%--to one of the promoters, not one of the racers!

The racers just wanted to know where they could find their photos online so they could download them and make a print themselves. After the first painful year, the second year I uploaded them all to Pictage, so they could easily order prints. I answered a hundred emails ("Hey what was that web site again?") but never sold the first print. Not even a postcard.

It was first class experience, though!

Skip

[George Hardy]

Hey Skip
I agree with you. They certainly are a cheap bunch. Thousands for a bike and nothing for photos. Had the same difficulty with mine of the 5th Annual Criterion race in Medford, New Jersey. Did make some sales after I posted a notice in their race forum but beyond that I believe I should have marketed myself in the local paper; but then I would be competing with their photogs. Have not figured out what to do about it.
George