This picture was recreated by Lily Von Stupp in the movie Blazing Saddles when Lily met Sheriff Bart in her dressing room..
Hello, When all else fails or the photo shoot is lacking good background for an attractive photo, a blue pool always comes to the rescue. Model not withstanding, the build usually does the attention grabbing for the contrast of the blue water and hot FED or hot rod/motorcycle. The blue always adds to the color aspect of any photo and instantly the darker shades of any photo object becomes a cool color shot. Jnaki I knew this cool custom Triumph Motorcycle was a great build and it was different from all of the other custom Harley builds. The low drag bike look was straight from the Lion’s Dragstrip racers. But, with custom touches to keep the modified styling in place. I first approached the finicky editors with a series of photos B/W and color Ektachrome slides. But, at first approach, no color contrast. When I arrived in Los Angeles, the custom motorcycle was beautiful. The smooth lines and build style was reminiscent of the low rider style of drag bikes we had seen in the late 50s-early 60s in Long Beach. The small tank, the lowered style and the custom, but minimal riding style just made the grade for a great photo story. But, I knew the editors of several magazines were very picky about the custom motorcycle builds. One wanted nothing but Harley choppers with long front springer front ends. Another wanted springer front ends with a seat larger enough for a cool looking, tough girl on the back. Finally a 3rd editor wanted nothing but fancy bright colors of custom paint, swirls, fades and lots of chrome. So, with this photo shoot and story, I was zero for three. Ha! Good luck in getting it in a color page, let alone a two page written story and photos. The custom motorcycle was photographed at a park and the green was ok, but hard sell for a real “color” shot as described by the editors. So, I called the owners and set up a reshoot. The idea of a pool popped up and luckily, in their So Cal neighborhood, a pool was nearby and the scene was very satisfying. We looked funny wheeling in a custom motorcycle in the backyard gate to line up on various spots of the colorful blue water pool. Yes, the custom brown paint with gold leaf pinstriping and inserts, instantly became a “color” photo Yea for the editors!!! YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
