Just around the corner from me there is a new galley that I didn't even know existed. It was established in conjunction with a vocational education center called The Lighthouse Voc-Ed-Center. The center is committed to quality education for all people with disabilities.
Their mission statement is: "We engage children and adults with hands-on integrated learning experiences incorporating personal choices and personal initiative as important elements in the learning process. We encourage independence, socially appropriate behavior without coercion, and problem solving skills through actual interaction with the community. All programs are individualized and student centered."
The announcement as it appeared in the local paper:
"You don't have to be shredding hog at a biker's pig roast to appreciate the artistic aspects of motorcycles. No less than Richard Thompson literally sings the praises of the Vincent Black Shadow, while Hunter S. Thompson wrote fondly about the motorcycles turned out by the Indian company in Springfield, Mass. Now, in a fun twist on gallery exhibitions, check out the exotic real deals in 'Local Motorcycles. Show opens Friday with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Gallery at Lighthouse Museum, 744 Long Hill Road, Groton. 'Local Motorcycles' runs through April 30. Hours are noon-5 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; (860) 445-7626."
So out I went to find this new gallery. It was so small, I hadn't even noticed it. The description of the gallery on the web site: "The Gallery at Lighthouse, Groton Connecticut is a 450 sq ft store front located in the Groton Shopping Plaza. As an Art Gallery store front experience providing opportunities for community interaction, social and life skill development for our students; and a venue for their work and yours!"
With all of this, I had no idea what I would find there. I grabbed my Nikon D3000 camera and off I went. This was going to be an adventure. Since my camera had not shot any motorcycles, especially in a gallery, I knew this was going to be a challenge. I walked in, asked permission if I could take pictures and started shooting. There were only 6 or 7 motorcycles there. The chrome of the newer motorcycles almost over-shadowed the real jewels of the exhibit: 1917 Indian Powerplus, 1951 Norton International 30, 1936 Indian Chief, and 1943 BSA M29. These motorcycles were the percursors to the motorcycles of today. I focused on these motorcycles. The history behind these machines - 291 years of road experience between the four of them.
I had a challenge of how to take photographs of them. What do I focus on? How do I do this? I can definitely see that I need more experience in taking pictures of motorcycles. Who would have thought they would have their own rules of taking a good photograph of motorcycles? Who would have figured there had to be a set of certain techniques to capture decent photographs of motorcycles? This is my first attempt with my Nikon D3000. So if you would like you can view my album of my feeble first attempt of capturing machines that bikers like me find beautiful, historical, and the royality of what we ride today.
Here is my album: Motorcycles
Keep the rubber side down, ride safe, and enjoy the wind....
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