Motorcycle Photography at it’s Finest
Ben Arboleda, also known as XQSME photography is a well-known photographer, especially when it comes to motorcycle photography in his home town of Portland Oregon. There he is respected and admired by many.
I have to say the first thing that struck me about Ben’s photography was the logo “XQSME”. XQSME, or please step to the side as I’m about to bust out a pic.
Ben’s pictures are published by various motorcycle publications online and on paper. The motorcycle action shots are mind-blowing as you are captivated by the shot, you can feel the tension, and almost hear the engines as they are racing by. In every track day pic he is the middle of it all as he races around the track while on foot capturing some of the most intense track day moments.
His pictures have a way of drawing your eyes to the intended subject, while bringing out the background, and making it come to life.
Ben’s play on lights, shadows and spaces are amazing, the way he utilizes filters and color effects is incredible, he takes more than just pictures, anyone can take a picture but not many can achieve art in the process as Ben does.
One of my favorite aspects of Ben’s photography is how he includes nature in his track day photography. This adds a whole new element as he colors each photograph with a ray of sunshine, a raging cloud or an unexpected hard rain.
This is true with all his pictures; nature shots, portraits, animals and motorcycles.
Ben captured something that day…
When I attended my first track day, I had no idea that the day’s events would be documented by XQSME photography. Ben captured something that day that I wasn’t expecting to see: He was able to truly capture the level of focus I maintained on my first track day. You see that same look in the eyes of all track day riders as they enter a hard corner. In some ways, that’s the only picture that helps me describe what that day was like, as I have a hard time putting it into words.
Now, I wasn’t exactly dragging knee, or hitting top speed, but rather learning one lap at a time. Amongst all the high powered motorcycles that day I really don’t remember hearing any sounds. Yet, I experienced some of the most peaceful moments I have had in quite sometime, while achieving a new level of focus. Ben captured that moment and it may just look like any other track day pic, but that pic has motivated me in several ways.
To this day that photograph gets my heart pounding. I’m dying to hit the track again and learn every curve. I soon hope to be able to hit a Motofit Group track day latter this summer, and receive another set of pics from XQSME Photography.
And that's me, six months after the purchase of my first sportsbike.
To check out Ben’s remarkable work you can go to his Facebook page under XQSME Photography or on his online gallery at XQSMEPhotograghy.com.
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