Planning for Photoshop

The mission

The British Motorcyclist Federation was keen to promote its June event, Merlins And Motorbikes in the Summer edition of its member magazine, Motorcycle Rider. The event, which took place at the Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent, combines classic motorcycles with WWII aeroplanes.

Engage the enemy

We decided to test ride a new retro British motorcycle (the Royal Enfield Classic 500) at a local airfield, with a view to adding in a Spitfire later. We asked our ‘model’ to bring some contemporaneous kit – leathers, jeans and military sunglasses.

Fall out and collateral damageI took my aging convertible, because it's perfect for shooting moving vehicles, allowing the photographer to move around freely, unobstructed the car.

After an initial scare with the roof jamming closed, our Art Director (holding the flash on a long pole) and photographer hung out of the back of the car, snapping away at our subject as he rode the length of the runway.

Friendly fire

The airfield’s owner would watch the skies and give us plenty of warning when a plane was coming in and we’d leave the strip, to return when the plane was parked.

Debrief

After the shoot, photographer Paul Bayfield worked with the dialogue designers to find the right old British warplane at the right angle and resolution to place in the sky behind our rider.

Victory march

The client loved the finished cover which perfectly communicates the Merlin And Motorbikes event’s USP – classic motorcycles and vintage aircraft, a celebration of man and the machines he’s made.