The Race of Gentlemen

I would like to begin by apologizing to my fans who have been waiting on pins and needles for this story of my travelographic journey to Wildwood, NJ to photograph what is promptly called, "The Race of Gentlemen." Now rumor has it those in charge named it that so the authorities wouldn't hassle them but I have to say they really were gentlemen.
Now one of the reasons I chose to photograph this event is because I am a motorcycle and hot rod enthusiast and I appreciate the fact that this group of men and women are keeping alive a tradition and a spirit of days gone by when cars and bikes were cool and it was all about the fun and racing and of course the style of it all. The love for the entire "art" of it all. The clothes, music. It all just gelled then. I also have to add that it's not just some old guys running around with their old toys! No! The younger guys and gals are getting into the scene also. Keeping it alive! I think it's great! With all this somehow I think a part of me wishes I grew up in that era. Sigh.
I arrived late afternoon Friday and there was a bit of chill in the air. I was hoping the race wouldn't be cancelled due to rumors of the dreaded word, "rain". But by the next morning the rain blew through and all was clear...sort of. There was no rain on the beach but it was overcast and a bit windy and chilly.
One of the things I really dislike when it comes to photography and equipment is bringing my equipment to a sandy, windy beach. I don't want to digress but I must mention this. Sand will ruin your equipment if you are not careful. If it's windy it will find a way to get inside your lenses and camera bodies. One thing I learned from another photographer, Mike Lichter, was that he never changes his lenses. He carries 3 bodies housing the 3 lenses he intends on shooting with for any event. I assisted him during the Laconia Motorcycle Rally this past June and let me tell you those bodies with lenses and monopods are heavy and I know for myself I can't lug around all that equipment unless I had an assistant. Something to think about for you budding photographers. So my advice is for any reason, do not change your lenses on the beach!! Either bring extra bodies or just resort to one lens or if you must change lenses do it back at your hotel room. I cringed watching the other photographers using their lenses to lean on in the sand so they can check the led display on the back of the camera.
Sorry to digress but I had to put that out there just incase. I'm sure someone reading this will remember and thank this article in the future. Remember sand is not your camera's friend. 

Alright, so I thought I might have an issue considering the sun wasn't shining and I already had planned in my head prior to my arrival what it was I was looking for in a photograph for this event but what I discovered is that the clouds and chill actually added to the drama in the photos. I also want to post a short video because I feel the music that was playing really added drama and created a feeling that I stepped back in time. I want my readers to feel and see what I was experiencing not only through the photos but through video as well. Also just to let you know there was a person spinning 45's of music from the 50's and 60's during the races and the after party back at the hotel at night. All that was transpiring lent itself to the charm of the weekend.

I know it's only a few seconds but the point is in my opinion sometimes when you are trying to make a point or create a feeling in a photograph or an event music helps. A quote I found on Pinterest said it all. "Music is what feeling sounds like." 

Here are a few photographs taken Saturday afternoon. 

Ready to race! 

I'm winning! 

GO!!

Ominous sky

Closer....closer....

Sara flagging the start of a race!

Hit it! 

Great fun! Great people! Needless to say just as everyone was digging the scene mother nature decided to get involved and unfortunately ended the races in the early afternoon by bringing in the tide.

Incase anyone is wondering about story behind the Oilers podium out in the ocean getting ready to collapse and wash away, from what I was told by one of the racers was that it was put there earlier in the week and at the time it was all beach but a storm or hurricane came up from the south and brought the tide in so the podium was unsafe to use. Another was set up behind myself and the fans for the announcer and the DJ. In my opinion it really lent itself to the drama and intrigue in the photographs. Also, just to give you a little background, the Oilers are one of the many hot rod groups that were at the event. 

Like I was saying earlier one of the reasons I am nostalgic about these auto's is besides the fact they are cool and a lot of fun, the art that went into creating these vehicles is sometimes intriguing and interesting as in this hot rod that was parked under the awning of the hotel. It was after the race ended and I was walking around in town looking for subjects to photograph and there she was in all her beauty with her own reflective pool beneath her that just added to the scene. 

Whimsical detail in a different hot rod

This is Mel who was the organizer for the event. I love taking candid portraits of people. They just are more themselves that way, without knowing. Not posed. I think it lends more to the story and intrigue to the viewer as to what they imagine the person is thinking or feeling at the moment. Photography is about emotion. 

Personally I think this photo has a big story and evokes many questions for the viewer like why is his foot wrapped up? Who is he staring at? What kind of bike is that and is he getting ready to race or kick the shit out of someone? Who knows? But that's what makes it interesting. 

Here are some more candid portraits and a sunrise photograph on Sunday morning. Plus, some of the guys racing around on the sand before the masses showed up and the other photographers. I had them all to myself. 

Hollywood kicking up some sand

Getting ready to race!

Guys surfing during the races

Having a great time! 

I have to say many times I will turn my photographs black and white or add some antiqueness to them by under saturating the tones which I tried with these photographs figuring it would add to the feeling that they were taken way back in the day but I have to say their beauty really speaks for themselves just the way they are. The candidness, the weather, the lighting, the outfits and of course the cars and bikes all added something to the emotion of the art portrayed at this event. I really enjoyed photographing these very interesting and fun group of people that I can't wait to return next year.