Fragile, a bicycle photography project, models needed.

[lordcob]

Dear all,

I am a documentary photographer (www.lordcob.com)/activist and I would like
your help to find some models for the following project about cyclists in
London:


We are Fragile

Being a cyclist, I always been aware of the dangers connected to cycling.
Surrounded by heavy vehicles in the roaring noise of trucks and buses
I always perceive myself as a fragile entity.
Instead trying to seek for safety, I continue to cycle because I want
to push my right of moving with this natural form of transport.
I would like to express this feeling of fragility by taking formal
portraits of naked cyclist, people who cycle every day to work. People
who were involved in bicycle accidents are welcome too.
The main goal would be to organize an exhibition in a place to be decided.

If you are older than 18 and you want to participate please contact me!

The portraits session will be held in a photography studio in London (to be decided), possibly
between 21 and 24 of May (or the week afterwards)!


Best regards

Jacob Balzani

 

[Scruffmonster]

ooooh... Models needed. Egotistical click of the mouse... lets see what this is all about.

Dear all,

I am a documentary photographer (www.lordcob.com)/activist and I would like
your help to find some models for the following project about cyclists in
London: Cool... keep going...

We are Fragile ... Hmmm... Artsy...

Being a cyclist, I always been aware of the dangers connected to cycling.
Surrounded by heavy vehicles in the roaring noise of trucks and buses
I always perceive myself as a fragile entity. ... This guys kinda deep
Instead trying to seek for safety, I continue to cycle because I want
to push my right of moving with this natural form of transport.... You damn right... Where do I sign up
I would like to express this feeling of fragility by taking formal
portraits Awesome. This could be cool.... of naked Wait. What? cyclist, people who cycle every day to work. People
who were involved in bicycle accidents are welcome too.
The main goal would be to organize an exhibition in a place to be decided.

If you are older than 18 and you want to participate please contact me!

The portraits session will be held in a photography studio in London (to be decided), possibly
between 21 and 24 of May (or the week afterwards)!


Best regards

Jacob Balzani

 

[Ian Cooper]

I think the idea that we are fragile is misguided. In practice we are less fragile on our bikes than drivers are in their cars. The lifetime risk of being killed while cycling is half that of being killed while driving. And we cyclists end up fitter, healthier and stronger than the motorists.

This notion of the vulnerable cyclist takes us down a dangerous path and plays into the hands of those who would ban us from the road. I urge you to reconsider this project. Also, I recommend you take a confident cycling course, because the words you use ('dangers', 'surrounded', 'roaring') indicate an unhealthy fear of other road users. Fear does more to kill cyclists on the road than any other emotion: it causes us to ride less visibly and less safely, leading us into situations in which intersection conflicts are more likely.

We are only as fragile as everyone else on the road. Yes, the road can be an unforgiving place, but so can any other place if we don't respect it. That's 'respect', not 'fear'.

 

[Jdratcliffe]

I think the idea that we are fragile is misguided. In practice we are less fragile on our bikes than drivers are in their cars. The lifetime risk of being killed while cycling is half that of being killed while driving. And we cyclists end up fitter, healthier and stronger than the motorists.

This notion of the vulnerable cyclist takes us down a dangerous path and plays into the hands of those who would ban us from the road. I urge you to reconsider this project. Also, I recommend you take a confident cycling course, because the words you use ('dangers', 'surrounded', 'roaring') indicate an unhealthy fear of other road users. Fear does more to kill cyclists on the road than any other emotion: it causes us to ride less visibly and less safely, leading us into situations in which intersection conflicts are more likely.

We are only as fragile as everyone else on the road. Yes, the road can be an unforgiving place, but so can any other place if we don't respect it. That's 'respect', not 'fear'.

+ 1 totally agree!

 

[clarion]

Ian, I've been feeling uneasy about the direction of this project, and couldn't quite put my finger on it. You've articulated well that discomfort. I think I might go further and suggest that fear kills and debilitates not just cyclists but, perhaps more importantly, potential cyclists. Almost every day, I speak to colleagues or patients who see cycling as an activity they would like to take part in, but won't because it is, with the perceived need for helmets and hi-viz reinforced by media of all sorts, seen as too dangerous.

I appreciate what Jacob is trying to do, but I don't think this is the right method.

 

[oldfatfool]

And here comes Fnaar with anecdotes about having his helmet photographed whilst cycling.

 

[lordcob]

That is the way I feel and that is the way I would like to express it. I have been cycling all across Europe and Eastern Europe on long journeys, I regularly trained as a sport cyclist on the italian roads, I have been cycling everyday to work and now I am cycling in London.
Yes I feel fragile, as a glass, when I am surrounded by 3 tons car. Under heavy rain I have been overtaken very very close by cars at full speed paying absolutely no respect for me. I want to celebrate cyclists because I believe they are hero, in their simple daily commuting. You can argue that cycling is safer than driving a car but still is not safe enough: while is it not easy to endanger other people life with a bicycle it is absolutely easy to do it with a car. Try to think how many drivers have been killed by a bicycle? I think we are fragile and the beauty of it is that we continue cycle despite it.

 

[Ian Cooper]

I think I might go further and suggest that fear kills and debilitates not just cyclists but, perhaps more importantly, potential cyclists. Almost every day, I speak to colleagues or patients who see cycling as an activity they would like to take part in, but won't because it is, with the perceived need for helmets and hi-viz reinforced by media of all sorts, seen as too dangerous...

Excellent point. I can well imagine that images including cycling scars and wounds would make a compelling photography project. But like you, I worry that it would compel people to avoid cycling - or compel cyclists to give it up as too risky. We are (sadly) surrounded by the image of the vulnerable cyclist - every time a cyclist gets killed the media plays up this meme of cycling as a dangerous activity. It's all part of what I call a 'moral panic' surrounding cycling.

 

[TheJDog]

It does sound like a great way of getting some nudie pics if that is your bag.

 

[Scruffmonster]

The irony here is that if you cycled naked you'd be the most visible of all cyclists. No Hi-Vis needed... Cars would cruise past so slowly, you'd get the advance stop box all to yourself, people damn sure people wouldnt follow too close.

Seriously though, I'm sure that the photos would be tasteful and well shot (most of the website work is) but taking pictures of naked cyclists then wrapping some words around it to deem it 'Art' just bores me.

"Being a cycling commuter, I'm always aware of the purity of cycling,
surrounded by the constant noise and distractions of city life,
I perceive myself to operate outside of the chaotic city, even when it's busiest.
Instead of forcing myself into a metal box on road or rails,
I cycle to feel free and connected to the world and myself.
I celebrate this feeling with this collection of portraits of naked cyclists
Kindred spirits who convey the purity of what it is to cycle"

If you're going to wrap some words around it, make them positive ones.

Not knocking it though, good luck with the exhibition, hope the project is a success, be ready for lots of helmet jokes.

 

[Ian Cooper]

That is the way I feel and that is the way I would like to express it... I think we are fragile and the beauty of it is that we continue cycle despite it.

Well, if that's what you really want to do, but I see it as a wrongheaded endeavour and I can't wish you success. Given the very small number of cycling accidents, you may find it difficult to find anyone willing to participate who has the requisite scars. I've been cycling for 40 years and I haven't had a single traffic accident to show for it. I assure you, my experience is by far the norm.

Personally, I think it would be more useful - and much easier - to find and photograph cyclists who haven't been scarred, and give the project a name that reflects the reality of most cyclists' experience - one of safety, purity, bodily intactness, respect for the road, skill, fitness and competence. But that would be my vision and my project.

The last thing I see myself as is fragile. Those who see themselves as fragile are just a short mental step from seeing themselves as crushed under a lorry. Such people avoid cycling when they shouldn't (making it more likely that they'll die in a car crash), or they cycle hugging the kerb through fear (making it more likely that they will end up crushed under a lorry).

 

[Fab Foodie]

Ian/Clarion

It's a point well made. However, I guess who you're targetting. If the point is to demonstrate to other road users (who outnumber us vastly) that cyclists are human and fragile, I don't have much of an issue with that.
Anyhow, it sounds an interesting project and if I were based closer to London I'd be happy whip my kit off!
No cycling scars yet ....

 

[Theseus]

Not sure that the OP is asking only for people with cycling scars, just saying they are welcome too.

Mind you I agree that I don't feel the same fear as the OP, but then maybe we have less congestion here than in London.

 

[musa]

Well, as they say

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

 

[Beebo]

Hasnt this been done before?

I'm sure I've already seen a picture of Victoria Pendleton naked on a bike somewhere on this forum, and Queen's video of Bicycle Race is a teen boy's wet dream!