How to take better photos on your motorbike adventures

A few simple tips to take better photos on your motorbike adventures, not matter what camera you are using, even a phone camera. It can apply to any adventure.

[@jamie.miller.inspiring]

One of the many reasons I love your channel is your attention to detail with the shots you choose to capture both video and stills, anyone can get lucky to take an amazing shot, but consistently taking them shows the amount of hours you have spent behind cameras :)

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, Yes, I have had a camera in my hand for a few decades now. I am glad you are enjoying the videos and stills

[@horsesoldier1]

Hi Joe, thank you for your tips on taking photos. Your photos are so beautiful. Glad I didn't miss this one. Take care, mount up and ride on

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, Indi, I hope some of them help

[@ladytradiej8027]

Omg, that shot of the snowboarder in Japan was my favourite. I love your stills. 😊

[@freewayproject]

Japan mountains are definitely a great place to shoot

[@mullins6429]

Hi Joe, thanks very much for putting that presentation together. I feel sure it will help me and others improve 👍🇦🇺

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, I hope you got something from it

[@sbc0772]

Well done and Thanks Joe - this is so helpful. I appreciate that you share your wealth of knowledge.

[@freewayproject]

thanks mate, I hope it helps.

[@chrisduffy8018]

Thanks for the tips! I'll put them to good use as a beginner photographer. I always enjoy your photos at the end of the video.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, I hope some of it is useful

[@DavidGibson-se1ev]

Joe some great useful hints and you sure do capture the moments well Thanks for time and effort to share with us Looking forward to your next adventure Have a safe Christmas Thanks heaps Dave

[@freewayproject]

Thanks DAVE, I hope some of it is useful

[@Coolhand99au]

Great video Joe I do love the shot of the green tree with the white foreground the one you travelled back for also the shots of the Bungle Bungles where amazing Travelling and fiming on your own is a lot of work to tell your story, different camera angles, stopping setting up the camera , riding by resetting You do tell a good story

[@freewayproject]

Yes, it took me a few guys to get that tree in the white grass, I nearly thought I was going to miss it again with all the wind. It was hard to hold the camera steady. Yes, there’s a lot to do when filming and taking photos but I do like exploring Capturing it and telling the story so it is a win-win

[@marksteele4364]

Thanks Joe, appreciate the advice will try and apply it in my next adventure .cheers

[@freewayproject]

You are welcome Mark, Hopefully some of it might help

[@mozaic_channel]

You’re a very talented dude. Very nice way to drive home the point.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, i hope it helps.

[@JohnnyWSmokeyJnrsMum]

A Coffee table book the size of a Jack Thompson's Down Under!? I'll take one for sure 👍🏻

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, I have been looking into what to do with the images, with a book there is a minimum print run, so still trying to work out, if that is viable, or if single prints might work. I just need to create the time to get it done, but I keep going on these long rides on my motorbike.😂

[@777interesting]

What great explanation Joe, coming from a photographer I can understand some of what your images are about and what they are trying to tell us all about your amazing adventures .... cheers mate .....

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, there is so much more I could explain and go over but it would go over most peoples head if they weren’t into photography and giving too much information at once again would just confuse things. I’m glad you are enjoying the series.

[@dizzymonk]

Thanks for this Joe. I've been following your beautifully presented adventures across Australia with interest. I'm not from Australia so it's great to see so much of it. I myself have just been on a bit of a jaunt around the South Island of NZ on my Royal Enfield (classic) - and I was about half way around when I saw this. My photos improved by following your tips .. so thanks for that!!

[@freewayproject]

I am happy it might have helped. Any suggestions what might be worth checking out on the south island ?

[@dizzymonk]

@@freewayproject oh - where to start. I was travelling around for just 9 days. There are so many places I enjoyed. One really beautiful road is the Haast Pass between Wanaka and the West Coast. It's all beech forests and waterfalls and mountains that stretch up into the clouds. The Catlins area in the South East is wild and beautiful, I enjoyed the coast along the south of the South Island - more big wild beaches (some good surfing on some of them) - and of course there are the Southern Alps and all the lakes ..... and that was not even doing any of the even more interesting dirt roads and old roads from the mining days ..... I think I'm just talking myself into going back there again .... :) :)

[@freewayproject]

@@dizzymonk thanks for that, i'll start doing some research

[@jbgrant7250]

Thanks Joe, very interesting and helpful. Cheers

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate I hope some of it is useful

[@charliepope1953]

Great tips Joe - thank you

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, I hope some of it might be useful

[@BangoDurango]

Thank you so much! I watched one of your videos for the first time before this one and halfway through I was thinking to myself, I wish I could take as beautiful a picture as he does. And then I stumbled across this video😊 definitely a subscriber looking for your next adventure. Great content

[@freewayproject]

thanks Patrick, glad you got something from the video. I'll try and share a few more things as I go along in the next couples of series.

[@robertmauter6493]

Hey there Joe, as always informative video and helpful, thanks again for sharing with us all, my dad that passed away last year at age of 100 use to tell us all, son I learn new things daily, so same with me as well. Take care Joe, Merry Christmas and happy new year to u as well. Rob

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Rob, I hope you got something from it. Yes, your dad was right and IT try to learn something new every day, it makes things way more interesting as there is so much to learn and explore.

[@peterbell5556]

Brilliant Joe.. maybe a brief introduction in taking your camera off auto. Cover focal point , shutter speed, ISO , depth of field. You could actually really make a difference to other folks images.

[@freewayproject]

I may have a look at doing a little more, but the start with I kept it as simple as possible and short

[@noelbowerman1562]

Some very valid information ,I always enjoy your stills.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, there is so much more I could go over and explain, but it would probably go over most peoples heads if they weren’t into photography and too much information would just confuse people. So hopefully a little bit might help a couple of people.

[@noelbowerman1562]

The rule of 3rds and depth of field, could be the next logical lesson.

[@freewayproject]

@@noelbowerman1562 to keep it simple i'll have it balance and how to direct the viewers eye

[@markdawson5215]

This was just the first time I'll watch this episode. Loved it. Another aspect you don't mention here is your skill at using available natural light as a tool in the process. There's clearly a great deal of forethought; it's not just created after the fact. Also, in addition to the lines, I'd love to hear your thoughts behind what interests you when choosing balance and imbalance for the elements within the frame.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Mark, yes there is so much more I could talk about and go over, but I was keeping it as simple as possible as if people are not into photography, it would be too much all at once. Yes the biggest issue I have on the road is timing and light. I miss so many good shots because I am traveling through and the light is not right. But every now and then it lines up. I will try and do another one of these videos with a bit more detail in the future

[@seandutoit9537]

Thanks Joe, appreciated

[@freewayproject]

You’re welcome mate

[@martythompson6509]

I see that you often stick to the rule of thirds too Joe. It's a good starting place.

[@pippacarron1861]

Using the golden mean is a great tool too, though Joe tends to use the midline most of the time.

[@freewayproject]

Yes it all depends on the image I guess, I miss so many good shots basically because of timing, me missing the best light for the scene as I am only passing through , but occasionally it does line up

[@davidrowe8486]

Thanks Joe. I was always impressed by your shots taken on your trips. I love my camera and hopefully one day I will get to your standard. You have made me think!!

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate hope you got something from it

[@greglipschitz]

Phones have got really advanced these days. iPhone can shoot in RAW now which makes a big difference when you want to post produce the images. As I've always said though, the best camera is the one you have with you. Thanks for sharing Joe. The tips on composition are great.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Greg, I tried to keep it short and simple as I remember when I was starting taking photos. Too much information or ideas. Just got confusing. Hopefully a few of these ideas might help a couple of people . Yes, the phones have got very good so it’s just about getting a little bit of knowledge to get better pictures

[@ianseddon9347]

Thank for your great little presentation. With a quiz at the end to reinforce the take-homes …. Just like a college lecture, and of course superb photos in that quiz!

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, there is a lot more information I could give but I remember when I was starting to take photos I took too much I just got confused. So hopefully starting with some simple basics might help a few people.

[@WishdomStory]

wow!! excellent advise.

[@freewayproject]

I hope it helps.

[@JasonFollett]

How many people are checking for new Joe content even though it's Christmas?

[@freewayproject]

Currently filming, I'll start editing as soon as I can get back. At the latest I should have something up first Friday of the new year. Hopefully you're out there exploring as well 😁

[@Bugonabike314]

Hey Joe. Nailed it!! A beautifully focused presentation, hope you are thinking about a calendar. Thanks. I will endeavour to remember all your tips for my next trip. Cheers. Annie

[@freewayproject]

Thanks Annie, I hope you got something from it. I’ll try and do something with the images when I can work it out.

[@scintilladesign4187]

Great turorial

[@freewayproject]

Thanks, I could go into more detail and give more information but it might go over a lot of peoples heads if they are not into photography and too much information at once can get confusing. So hopefully a couple of the points might help a couple of people.

[@3goldfinger]

Timing is also important, waiting a few minutes or hours for THAT shot, time many don't have.

[@freewayproject]

Yes, I miss out on a lot of good shots because I don’t pass through at the right time, but occasionally it lines up

[@user-hq7rb5hv7s]

Cut.....sorry that's for a video.....Crop...that's better...... Great work Joe, it's true now...phones do a wonderful job for both. Not sure about this new AI stuff...a bit scary and interesting at the same time. Great info as always.

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate I hope you found some of it useful. Yes you are right about the AI stuff.

[@jerlou3]

Wonderful story told with gorgeous photos Joe. Just curious as you've used music to also help tell the story towards the end. Who is the artist? It set the scene beautifully. Thx mate

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it, yes music can really help. With youtube you need rights clearance on the music so most music on there will be from stock music websites that have already got the clearance at a cost otherwise they will delete the video. It does make it hard to find the right music, I am not sure who the artist was on that song, but it felt like it fit to me.

[@johnb7422]

Good tips Joe, will you be upgrading to the new Himalayan for the next adventure? Happy Christmas :)

[@freewayproject]

Thanks mate hope it help. I bought my Himalayan second hand as that is all I could afford, so I wouldn't be able to get a new bike anytime soon. The new version does look good and seams as they have upgraded all the right areas, hopefully I'll get to ride one, one day to riding out.

[@eochaid]

technical view: my Sony Alpha 7 III is quite able to make the best of everything, quite unlike me. The developing of the RAW in the Software needs a lot of Knowledge and Work. my Fairphone5 is most of the Times, unlike Nightphotograpy or other special Circumstances, way better in balancing out the Colours and the Lights than i am. nowadays its more about composition than technic, but yes, i still carry the camera and a second large glass up the mountain, it's just really good training 🙂

[@freewayproject]

The more you do it the better you get, even trying to learn one technique a month in 12 months you’ll have a way better understanding. That’s how I did it. One idea at a time. I’m glad you’re having fun out there exploring and taking photos.

[@danghita4386]

I think we might have had the same mentor, Ken Rockwell 🙂 ?

[@freewayproject]

I am not sure who Ken Rockwell is, but by the sounds of it, they must be a great photographer if they are mentor. I lent the old-fashioned way thousands and thousands of bad photos, eventually, I started working some of it out, but there is still so much more.. I kept this stuff very basic as I gather most people watching this are not into photography and I remember when I started too much new information confused me

[@danghita4386]

@@freewayproject He's a good photographer and teacher, like our hero. Used to talk about FARTing - feel, ask, refine, take. Not a magnum however his articles did magic for my photography. I learnt that a Stradivarius will never make me play better if I don't know anything about music. And an artist can play divine at the cheapest broken instrument.

[@adamclarke1105]

So, when are you doing a Royal Enfield calendar?

[@freewayproject]

I’ll eventually do something with the photos I just need to find time, but I keep getting on the bike 😂

[@adamclarke1105]

@@freewayproject 🤣

[@AndrewDixon2902]

Joe, do you use battery pack or 12v lead to power your helmet mounted camera?

[@freewayproject]

Hi Andrew, I just use the normal batteries that come in the Osmo action, I have 8 with me, I have a itech 300w battery as well with me. I don’t continuously film (just shoot the bits I need) so saves battery power

[@georgejenkinson9287]

Any thoughts about releasing a photo book?

[@freewayproject]

I have been looking into it, it is just working out if it is viable as books, have minimum print runs and I’m not sure they would be the demand. I have also looked at selling prints, but still working on it. I just need more time, but I keep going for long motorbike rides which doesn’t help.

[@suetoy8814]

I would like to ask for your advice please. I have just purchased a DJI osmo action 3. I have been using the Rocksteady function but seem to be getting a lot of blurring on my videos. Do you use Rocksteady on your videos or not? I am a complete novice so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers😊

[@freewayproject]

Hi mate, just to clarify blur normally refers to the image being out of focus (the image being blurry). You mention Rocksteady, so do you mean the image is shaky? If blurry then it would be an issue with the lens itself as there is only auto focus so it wouldn't be stuck in manual focus. If shaky, what are you mounting the camera to and where exactly. I have Rocksteady on all the time and it is always a smooth shot with no shake.

[@suetoy8814]

Thanks for your reply. I have the camera on Rocksteady and mounted to my helmet. While I am looking straight ahead the image is excellent even when bouncing about off-road. The problem is if I look left, then right quickly there seems to be a few seconds of the image appearing slightly blurry. This shows up on my videos.@@freewayproject

[@freewayproject]

@@suetoy8814 The way the sensor reads the images is down left to right, so if you move your head quickly you are going to have issue as it is still reading but what it is looking at has moved so you get issues with the image, only $200,000 camera's have what is called a global shutter were the whole sensor reads at once, (well the first smaller cameras (about $8000) have just got this now. Easy fix it not to pan quickly with your head, it is disorientating to watch, not pleasant for the viewer.

[@suetoy8814]

Many thanks for the info. Don't stop making your videos. We love watching them. Cheers ☺ @@freewayproject