The Official 2020 Calendar Contest

[Hppants]

I'm kind of smelling what Josh is cooking.

Don't want to give the impression that I'm over reacting to the "competitive" nature of this endeavor. Rather, I felt like my calendar entries this year were "meh". Perhaps its totally unfounded, but I feel this was because I didn't get to the really "exotic" place where the "money shots" are endless. I realize that with the right light and artistic composition, any one of us could get the perfect shot in our backyard. Still this year, I'm looking forward to finding uncharted water for inspiration.

[BkerChuck]

This year was the first of my efforts to make the cut and I think my accepted entry might be one of the best pics I've ever taken of any of my bikes. I look forward to this riding season and seeing just what kind of picture I can come up with. I look forward even more to seeing what all of you come up with as well. This calendar is a great idea and I hope even more folks participate this year.

[DesignFlaw06]

I really want to play with the drone more this summer. I think it could get some really cool photos, but I need the assistance of someone willing to put up with me figuring things out and trying different stuff. It wouldn't exactly be a glamorous day of riding.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen next year when all of the photos are submitted before voting begins.

[1911]

I really want to play with the drone more this summer. I think it could get some really cool photos, but I need the assistance of someone willing to put up with me figuring things out and trying different stuff. It wouldn't exactly be a glamorous day of riding.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen next year when all of the photos are submitted before voting begins.

I’ll be your huckleberry. A coworker is trying to talk me into taking a drone on our next big trip and that has me curious about these things

[El Toro Joe]

I really want to play with the drone more this summer. I think it could get some really cool photos, but I need the assistance of someone willing to put up with me figuring things out and trying different stuff. It wouldn't exactly be a glamorous day of riding.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen next year when all of the photos are submitted before voting begins.

Bring it to the SEO Ramble in May

[wheatonFJR]

I really want to play with the drone more this summer. I think it could get some really cool photos, but I need the assistance of someone willing to put up with me figuring things out and trying different stuff. It wouldn't exactly be a glamorous day of riding.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen next year when all of the photos are submitted before voting begins.

Bring it to the SEO Ramble in May

Flat straight boring, are you kidding me? Completely devoid of elevation changes or wrap around curves, or...

[Uncle Hud]

Rather, I felt like my calendar entries this year were "meh". Perhaps its totally unfounded, but I feel this was because I didn't get to the really "exotic" place where the "money shots" are endless.

I completely disagree. The 2019 calendar was almost exclusively views of mountains or views from mountains. They're pretty, sure, but there's also beauty in a shot of an icy roadside (January 2020), rolling hills (February), or an old rickety bridge (March), and all through the 2020 calendar.

Maybe you don't think a Louisiana bayou is exotic and beautiful, but I sure do. "Exotic" is, at its essence, unusual and strange, and many of the 2020 photos are precisely that to my eyes. And man, oh man, do they inspire thoughts of traveling.

[BkerChuck]

I'm with Uncle Hud on this. To me a lot of the areas you guys get to ride is exotic because I've never been there. One thing I have learned from my esteemed buddy HPPants through his ride reports and pictures is to look for beauty in my own backyard and to share it with all of you who may have never ridden my neck of the woods. I'm trying to take some of the crappy weather I'm dealing with right now and use it as an opportunity to start plotting rides for when the weather gets nice and figure out what might make a good photo for next year.

[1911]

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Almost forgot to mention.....







JANUARY!





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[danh600]

Rather, I felt like my calendar entries this year were "meh". Perhaps its totally unfounded, but I feel this was because I didn't get to the really "exotic" place where the "money shots" are endless.

I completely disagree. The 2019 calendar was almost exclusively views of mountains or views from mountains. They're pretty, sure, but there's also beauty in a shot of an icy roadside (January 2020), rolling hills (February), or an old rickety bridge (March), and all through the 2020 calendar.

Maybe you don't think a Louisiana bayou is exotic and beautiful, but I sure do. "Exotic" is, at its essence, unusual and strange, and many of the 2020 photos are precisely that to my eyes. And man, oh man, do they inspire thoughts of traveling.

Pants does recognize that the Louisiana Bayous are exotic and beautiful. You can tell he loves them when he gives you a tour. I think we all just get tired of our own back yard. The grass is always greener kind of thing.

Sometimes I forget how beautiful Florida is to many people. Even if it's not a motorcycle mecca.

[Hppants]

Agree, Dan.

For me anyway, I get inspired by the uncharted water. Hoping for plenty of that this year!!

[Auburn]

Rather, I felt like my calendar entries this year were "meh". Perhaps its totally unfounded, but I feel this was because I didn't get to the really "exotic" place where the "money shots" are endless.

I completely disagree. The 2019 calendar was almost exclusively views of mountains or views from mountains. They're pretty, sure, but there's also beauty in a shot of an icy roadside (January 2020), rolling hills (February), or an old rickety bridge (March), and all through the 2020 calendar.

Maybe you don't think a Louisiana bayou is exotic and beautiful, but I sure do. "Exotic" is, at its essence, unusual and strange, and many of the 2020 photos are precisely that to my eyes. And man, oh man, do they inspire thoughts of traveling.

Pants does recognize that the Louisiana Bayous are exotic and beautiful. You can tell he loves them when he gives you a tour. I think we all just get tired of our own back yard. The grass is always greener kind of thing.

Sometimes I forget how beautiful Florida is to many people. Even if it's not a motorcycle mecca.

I think the biggest factor in whether the picture made it this year or not had to do with the lighting. There were many good picture submitted, but the lighting was poor. Had it been better, they would have rated a lot better and maybe made the calendar. Several might have benefited from using a photo editing software to correct the lighting.

[ionbeam]

I think the biggest factor in whether the picture made it this year or not had to do with the lighting...Several might have benefited from using a photo editing software to correct the lighting.

Some would have benefited from being submitted earlier than just a few days from closing the voting.

It is a common mistake to take a picture with the sun BEHIND the vehicle. It's unfortunate that many fine locations are arrived at with the sun lower on the horizon (rising or setting sun) and positioned so that the sun was setting over the beautiful scene and BEHIND the vehicle. If possible, and if I'm familiar with the location I try to time my photo shoot/shot so that the sun is shining on my motorcycle or at least partly on the motorcycle by turning it. If you must shoot with the sun behind the motorcycle shoot at least one shot using the flash to illuminate the shadow side. Unfortunately, the FJR has many little reflective bits that can blow out a flashed picture so try to shoot slightly up or down (not 90°) so the reflection isn't maximized back to the camera. A bit of strategically placed electrical tape would cure that...

[LKLD]

I think the biggest factor in whether the picture made it this year or not had to do with the lighting...Several might have benefited from using a photo editing software to correct the lighting.

Some would have benefited from being submitted earlier than just a few days from closing the voting.

It is a common mistake to take a picture with the sun BEHIND the vehicle. It's unfortunate that many fine locations are arrived at with the sun lower on the horizon (rising or setting sun) and positioned so that the sun was setting over the beautiful scene and BEHIND the vehicle. If possible, and if I'm familiar with the location I try to time my photo shoot/shot so that the sun is shining on my motorcycle or at least partly on the motorcycle by turning it. If you must shoot with the sun behind the motorcycle shoot at least one shot using the flash to illuminate the shadow side. Unfortunately, the FJR has many little reflective bits that can blow out a flashed picture so try to shoot slightly up or down (not 90°) so the reflection isn't maximized back to the camera. A bit of strategically placed electrical tape would cure that...

Good point(s).

A remote flash can solve the problem of a backlit subject. Just set it out of frame, at a 45 degree angle from the camera. Also, you could bounce the flash from the camera, if you have an adjustable one. A flash diffuser can also do the trick, but you'll need to be closer to the bike, as it'll be less bright.

Post editing is really where you can make a difference. With a decent program, and practice, you'd be surprised what you can accomplish.

[Full House]

I enjoy these calendars tremendously. Would it be possible to include the locations of these shots? Example: XXX Rd. east of XXX City.

[wheatonFJR]

I enjoy these calendars tremendously. Would it be possible to include the locations of these shots? Example: XXX Rd. east of XXX City.

Amen.

[DesignFlaw06]

I enjoy these calendars tremendously. Would it be possible to include the locations of these shots? Example: XXX Rd. east of XXX City.

It would require more effort from the participants. Many don't include information and some don't provide useful information with their submissions, even though it is requested. The artwork would have to accommodate a description and if I'm going to do that, it is all or none.

I notice Wheatie agrees with you, yet his submissions did not come with any information this year.

[wheatonFJR]

I enjoy these calendars tremendously. Would it be possible to include the locations of these shots? Example: XXX Rd. east of XXX City.

It would require more effort from the participants. Many don't include information and some don't provide useful information with their submissions, even though it is requested. The artwork would have to accommodate a description and if I'm going to do that, it is all or none.

I notice Wheatie agrees with you, yet his submissions did not come with any information this year.

I actually did.

[raYzerman]

Well, of course the bestest picture was mine of the view of the Specific Ocean, and you woulda/coulda read the more exact description (and a coupla others) when you voted. I dunno how much more work it is to add location text, TimDog's call.

[DesignFlaw06]

I enjoy these calendars tremendously. Would it be possible to include the locations of these shots? Example: XXX Rd. east of XXX City.

It would require more effort from the participants. Many don't include information and some don't provide useful information with their submissions, even though it is requested. The artwork would have to accommodate a description and if I'm going to do that, it is all or none.

I notice Wheatie agrees with you, yet his submissions did not come with any information this year.

I actually did.

I stand corrected. You did, in a way that I missed.

My apologies.