
I’ve been awe-struck by Bill Phelps’ photography for years – he evokes something mysterious from motorcycles, and his technique is flawless. He seems to be always telling a story, but there are never enough clues to explain the tale, so the images exist as a fleeting moment in a larger, unknown narrative. He’s said of his work, ‘If I am truly taken with an idea I’ll do whatever it takes to make it come to life.’

Some of the more unusual ideas must have taken some doing! Not all of his work is based around motorcycles; he does incredible portraiture as well, and other genres.

Mark Mederski, curator of the National Motorcycle Museum in Amarosa, Iowa, forwarded the link to Phelps’ gallery in New York, in case you’d like an original. I would! Check out his work at the Robin Rice Gallery.


Hello,
I have been a firm supporter of your blog for years now but have a
mild request… The posts I love most are the ones on specific old
rare bikes and their at-the-time breakthrough technologies, especially
the old boardtrack ones. Any chance of some more?
Thanks a lot!
Milo
45chop.blogspot.com
Hi Milo,
See the next post on the Hildebrand and Wolfmuller! And yes, more Boardtrack please!
best, Paul
oh man, how cool is that first photo!
and,
“hi paul..it’s sara (& toby!)”
can you get any larger format jpegs? love the one of the girl and the Velo KSS
@sara; you will shortly be linked to a blog post
@knossos; no! I keep the quality low on pix which aren’t mine, especially someone else’s artwork. I don’t want to be accused of theft; I’m just a reviewer and supporter of their work.
Bill Phelps pictures are amazing. He’s a genius at what he does. Thanks for sharing .
Wow, amazing work! The relationships between owners and their bikes is quite powerful!
Off the scale!! I had never seen his work before – thanks much -;0)
Cheers,
John
Great stuff you have here! Congrats on your time and efforts!!
By the way, it’s Anamosa, Iowa. I grew up 10 miles from there and my Dad owned a clothing store there in the 40s-60s.
Thanks again for all your work!
Hauntingly sensuous….
I followed the link to Phelps’ folios, and many things come to mind, all of them deeply provocative. A much needed break from the omnipresent din of production. Thanks Paul!