Top 10 BikeNYC Portraits of 2010

I started the #BikeNYC series in early 2010, when I was hit with the not-quite-defined idea of “wouldn’t it be cool to do a series on cyclists in the city.” I didn’t quite know what it would look like, but I did know that I wanted every photo to have 3 characters: The cyclist, the bike, and New York. I also knew that I didn’t want to limit it to any one segment of the “bike culture”.

So I grabbed my friend Melanie and her new bike, did a test shoot in Greenpoint, threw it up on Twitter, and got the ball rolling. Along the way I’ve met some interesting people, had some great conversations, and discovered parts of New York I never would have seen otherwise. By my count, I’ve photographed 39 cyclists in 2010, and I can promise you I have many more coming in 2011. But for now, I’m looking back on my 10 favorite bike portraits of this year. Click “Continue Reading” to see the top 10.

Melanie - my first BikeNYC subject, and gracious guinea pig for the project. I didn't really know what I was going for yet, aside from (person + bike + square crop), so it doesn't look like my later portraits. Still, this was the first BikeNYC portrait, and I still like it. Though I've promised Mel a re-shoot in 2011.

Emily and Noel. Noel was one the first volunteers for the project, and something of a test subject as well. But I love the shots we got on that chilly spring afternoon in McGolrick Park. They are lovely subjects and people, and brought a good dose of cycle chic to the series.

Missy and Adam were also early volunteer subjects, and it was another cold March shoot. I love this photo of Missy - the light on her bike, her clothes, pose, and the background of Red Hook's Valentino Pier. In many ways this was another experimental shoot, but I was starting to develop a look that I knew I liked for the series.

Many of my BikeNYC shoots are pre-arranged, but I've started doing more "man/woman on the street" photos too. This one of Jahmal was one of the first. An important photo to me in several ways. I had to work up the boldness to ask a stranger for a portrait, and then work under pressure to create a quality photo quickly. I'm so glad I did, and it means that I will be that much more likely to do it again and again.

I was more assured of the series' style and technique when I shot Ben and his 3 bikes. Technically, this is one of my favorite BikeNYC shots that I've done. I love the look of the cyclist, the bike, and the city. This shoot also helped me discover the great beauty of parts of Bed-Stuy.

Johnny and I might have absolutely nothing in common - apart from both being cyclists in NYC. That's what I love about this project. We ended up talking for 45 minutes about all sorts of things, and I'm very happy with this portrait.

Doug has quickly become a must-read bike blogger (brooklynspoke.wordpress.com), and is a fervent proponent of the Prospect Park West bike lane. The sense of place I try to evoke with this series is on display here.

Jordan and Vaidila created Ride the City, an indispensable resource to city cyclists. So it's pretty damn cool that I got to meet and photograph these guys.

Sheryl (and her bike) has great style, and a great story. The photos I took with her in Greenpoint are among my favorites.

This portrait of Julie and her Schwinn has become one of my most popular photos on Flickr. And who am I to argue.

And finally, Willie. This was a chance meeting in the Bronx. This portrait doesn't have the best light or the best composition in the series. But it kind of epitomizes why I started it in the first place. Willie has a prosthesis and walking is not easy for him - so rides his bike everywhere because he "didn't want no damn wheelchair." At the end of the day, isn't riding a bike simply about freedom?

So there you have it, my top 10 (or, if you’ve been counting, my top 11, ssshhhh!) BikeNYC portraits of 2010. Many more exciting things are happening for the project in 2011, so stay tuned. Happy New Year!

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