In a world where everyone is taking photos all the time, it's refreshing to find a real photographer among the thousands of amateurs clogging the internet with poorly executed photos. Jim Dohms creates digital works of art by combining his mastery of traditional photography skills with new digital techniques to create images which can be best described as a new art form. The colors seem to leap right off the page and minute details are enhanced in ways which add depth to the photos and seem to draw the viewer right inside the frame. One of Jim's specialties is motorcycle photography and so he traveled to one of the best motorcycle museums in the world, Wheels Through Time, to capture their unique collection of machines.
Wheels Through Time is not your standard museum filled with static displays packed into glass cases. Instead, Dale and Matt Walksler have taken their collection of over 300 vintage American motorcycles and made them completely accessible. This is important not only for the unrestricted viewing of the machines, but also because most every bike in the museum is kept in running condition and may be started up at anytime. They've also surrounded the motorcycles with memorabilia and unique displays ranging from a dirt hillclimber course to two full size motorcycle shops.
Visually, there is a lot going on it the museum which makes capturing photos that highlight an individual motorcycle challenging to say the least. Jim spent many hours, photographing the motorcycles from multiple angles in order to achieve images that allow the machines to stand out from their backgrounds while still giving the viewer a sense of the museum. Dale and Matt were also very accommodating throughout the project and moved many of the motorcycles outdoors for additional photo shoots around the grounds of the museum.
Jim made multiple visits to the museum, returning back to his studio each time to carefully enhance the images of select bikes and the shops. After compiling close to 100 images he decided to create a book which was professionally laid out with captions explaining the significance of each machine. The photos were organized into seven distinct groups which represent some of the main themes of the Wheels Through Time collection.
With Jim's permission, I've selected one photo/caption from each section which I felt represented the machines displayed in that portion of the book and have made them available for you to enjoy.
Early American Iron
"Early Indian"
By 1908, Indian added power to their line-up by offering a 7 horsepower twin instead of their 4 horsepower single cylinder machine. This 1909 Indian Twin features new "loop-frame" and is preserved with original green paint.
Board Track Racers
"White Lightning"
Less than a handful of authentic Thor racing machines are known to exist today. This 1913 Thor Model SR is the only existing twin cylinder racer from the Aurora, Illinois based company. The machine was raced on wooden oval tracks during the mid-1910's and is still kept in running and operating condition.
Hillclimbers
"Peashooter Hillclimber"
Parked atop the Hillclimb display is this 1929 Harley-Davidson Hillclimber. It is powered by a 500cc overhead-valve single cylinder engine which was affectionately called the "Peashooter" due to the popping sound that the exhaust made. These engines were produced by Harley-Davidson in limited numbers in the 1920's and were purpose built for racing.
Motorcycles of the 30's and 40's
"Herm's Speed King"
This 1935 Hot-Rod Indian Chief was owned and raced by Herm Levine of Easton, PA. Herm owned the Indian dealership in Easton and later opened "Herm's Leathertogs" in Daytona, FL.
Competition Bikes
"Two Cam TT"
The Harley-Davidson Model JDH is among the most sought after machines produced during the company's 110+ year history. Less than 1000 were produced in 1928 and '29. These machines were held in high esteem by racers everywhere, as they were capable of speeds in excess of 110 mph. This example was used for TT-style racing during the 1930's and 40's.
Post War and Custom Motorcycles
"First and Last"
The 1948 Panhead is among the most iconic machines ever produced by Harley-Davidson. 1948 was the first year for the Panhead and the last year for the springer fork on big-twin models. This machine was purchased from an ex-Harley dealer George Swim in the late 1970's and restored to its previous condition. Is is fired regularly for visitors at Wheels Through Time.
The Shops
"Sales and Service"
The only two things that Harley and Davidson professed were: "Give good service and the sales will come!". From the days of the Knucklehead and Panhead, Harley-Davidson relied on its dealers to provide for their customers. The old George Swim shop at Wheels Through Time represents that bygone era. All the parts, tools and most of the bikes in the old shop were salvaged from the Swim Shop in 1988. George and Wanda swim operated the Harley-Davidson agency in Energy, Illinois from 1947 until 1971.
Classic American Motorcycles at Wheels Through Time Volume 1 is a great book for those who love vintage motorcycles. It contains 95 full color images, all captioned to provide an insight into why these machines are truly unique. It can be purchased as a hardcopy coffee table style book from Blurb or as an eBook via Payhip for those that are more digitally inclined.
Hardcopy: www.Blurb.com/user/jimdohms.
Discount promo codes can save you up to 30%: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/blurb.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment