The challenge to introduce urban bicycle portraits for my personal project was inspired by an earlier street-style oriented Cycle Chic photo shoot with Taj. However, this time I wanted a grittier, more lifestyle feel to my images, and exposed bricks and rough peeling textures of Dumfries back yards made a suitable playground.
When I mentioned using a bike for a portrait prop, Justin said he owned one and would be happy to bring it to our session. I pre-scouted the area and also browsed my Urban Cycling Pinterest Board for some inspiration and creative ideas.
His climbing shoes tucked away, Justin changed into a black hoodie with thick red stripe pattern on the sleeves. This brought us back to the back of the Stove because I thought that the solid black rectangle of the lift door there would form a backdrop for more bold geometry-framed look.
Finally, I read in the paper that the Odeon Cinema, that served Dumfries for 90-years (opened as The Regal in 1931) was to close down, leaving the town without a large-scale cinema, with only 69-seat Robert Burns Centre facility left. I wanted for us to honour the last days of the venue and take some urban bicycle portraits in front of the Odeon. Just for memories sake…
