Frankie Vass at Mumbai in Pune, India - photo by menon

Mumbai Street Sess.
http://vinaymenon.com/

Photo of the Day on Jul 29, 2011 - more PODs

Selected by Ian Hylands - I've been looking at this shot for quite a while, and while the composition isn't amazing, everything else about this shot is cool. I really like the location, and the shadow of the rider is great and really adds to the shot. Plus he's doing a barspin on a cool street thing in Mumbai India. That's awesome!

View Who Faved this

82 Comments

Score Time

+ 44

LeftCoastVisuals Plus (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:55)

not exactly feeling it first.... that said the more i look at it the more i start too. doesnt have that instant "wow" factor that we have become used to expecting with POD's but its good to shuffle the mix around a bit, and definitely an excellent photo. In my opinion if it was shot from about 3-7 feet lower it would really help the rider pop out a little more and give the shadow a more dramatic look, and my eyes keep wanting to see the rest of the road ( or at least more of it as it trails off) , so i think it would be sick to just lower that horizon line a bit. That said i'm only saying what i think might make it look a little better to my eyes, not necessarily to everyone. Good pick Ian.

+ 17

DirtboxTom (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:00)

couldn't have said it better myself! definitely a 'grower' (not a 'shower')

simonpandhisbike (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:05) (Below Threshold) show comment

this photo just doesnt do it for me

+ 12

konakid1993 (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:49)

Not very good timing for a bars shot, he hasn't even thrown the bars yet!

+ 14

TJ-downhill (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:52)

I feel that POD doesn't always have to do with the level of difficulty of the riding or the trick involved, but more of the feel of the picture. It should make me (or any rider) want to do what they love; ride their bike. Now, I don't ride street, but for some reason this picture makes me want to just get on my bike and have a great time. Although there are things that could be improved such as the angle, lighting, or whatever you may call it, nothing beats the sensation to ride after looking at a picture like this. Well done to Ian for picking this and good job to the rider for not getting hit by on of those crazy rickshaw drivers. Wink

Jimmystewart10 (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:30)

Ghetto

DylWestbury (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:41) (Below Threshold) show comment

massive hop whip 10 out of ten for stylezzzzz

- 27

gillisd3 (Jul 29, 2011 at 5:29) (Below Threshold) show comment

This is one of the worst PODs ever. ever!

all-out-bmx (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:17)

It Looks More Like A T-Bog Then A Barspin From The Timing.

BLIPDH (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:35)

simonpandhisbike your mom didnt do it for me last night

GabrielDugas (Jul 29, 2011 at 10:00)

i'm glad i suck a photography and don't know what composition means, it seems to be a major issue on most of the pods...

bonfire (Jul 29, 2011 at 10:10)

I love it, it shows people just having a good time. Mini ramp in a street. It is a calming and yet stoking photo. You know you have all had a session that was really fun, not the biggest, but the most unique/fun you could have.

LeftCoastVisuals Plus (Jul 29, 2011 at 12:17)

@gabrialdugas, first of all haha, that's funny how you said it. Its not necessarily an issue, its just there are some many elements of a photo that make it look like an incredible or not so incredible image , so its common to talk about it especially on sites like this so amateurs like myself and others can learn what makes a professional image. Even though lots of people don't know the lingo with composition, rule of thirds, lines, diagonals, and such it effects everyone and will play subconscious rolls in why or why not we "really like" an image. but sometimes it can be a really crappy photo composition wise but tell a good story, and that's all it take.

mnorris122 (Jul 29, 2011 at 12:41)

For some reason or other, I just don't like it

DirtboxTom (Jul 29, 2011 at 13:06)

@LeftCoastVisuals: Word.

mtb1stdegree (Jul 29, 2011 at 17:06)

I love this shot! especially because of its location.

patrickrupert (Jul 29, 2011 at 17:07)

I reallllllllly want those little cars behind him Razz

[Reply]

+ 16

DirtboxTom (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:04)

I was trying to work out which side of the road they drive on in India... Then I realised - they drive wherever the hell they want!

[Reply]

srikanth240 (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:55)

POD because its such a contrast to India and Indian neighborhood.When you click pictures of Indian streets its usually filled with mad traffic and couple of cows and dogs adding to the traffic. Let alone bikers jumping on ramps.
That's a rare sight,a unique story.It deserves a POD.

[Reply]

menon (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:16)

Thanx for the 'POD' Ian! Some very interesting opinions here! Thanx yall..
This image was captured while on a bridge (under construction!). One side has the road... the other side is a Police HQ! (Not in the frame). While lookin around for some interesting ridin spots v came across this subway entrance! shot sometime in the afternoon sun! 40Degree C! Yeah! after this image was clicked.. Frankie was walkin around with no shirt on but a dirtlid.. ppl around thought he was some crazy drunk man ridin a bike!

jizsplatt (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:45)

u go brother, good to see india representing man!! pod zinda bad

freeride-kashmir (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:00)

Check out Gulmarg, Kashmir. 2012 is a full season.

jizsplatt (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:12)

will do man!

louiscritchie (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:09) (Below Threshold) show comment

I gave you negative props because of your name, you disgusting whore

jizsplatt (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:32)

grow a sense of humour u twat!
u must have taken a shot in the face to be that anal!!
lol

louiscritchie (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:57)

Haha a *shot* in the face to be that *anal*
Ba-dum kshhh

dkidd (Jul 29, 2011 at 19:54)

f*ck yeah vinay! Props on getting the POD, you deserve it!

[Reply]

props-guy (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:52)

He should of done a tuck cause theres tuk-tuks in the background!

[Reply]

nelly46 (Jul 11, 2011 at 2:31)

MUMBAI !!

MikeStreet (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:57)

holy shit! i wouldnt even try a 180 there, thats tooooo scary!

[Reply]

frankiev (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:00)

India was such an awesome trip. This shot was taken on our last day of the trip in 44 degree weather.. It took about 40 minutes of skitching on the side of a scooter, on a highway to get to this spot. The things you can't see in the picture is the crowd of about 40 people watching, the intense smog from cars, and the stink coming from my armpits.

YourCat (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:13)

that would be sick if all that stuff was in the pic

[Reply]

nateb (Jul 29, 2011 at 7:40)

It would be cool if the street was an absolute zoo, totally packed with people and animals and vehicles etc. But, I do really like this shot.

[Reply]

smileyboy (Jul 29, 2011 at 4:08)

i suddenly remembered my favorite indian movie " 3 idiots" all iz well all iz well!

[Reply]

psynide (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:14)

WOW ! finally a POD from india !!

[Reply]

vineet (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:42)

Im so happy! Im gonna have beer now.

[Reply]

GunsANDCigarettes (Jul 29, 2011 at 12:48)

its inspiring, not all pods have to be amazing first look. i like this pod more than most because its more real

[Reply]

freeride-kashmir (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:06)

The riding in India is defiantly interesting. Dirt & Culture

[Reply]

Nobble (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:14)

Decent pic, not the best POD ever, but not the worst by a long shot

mtb1stdegree (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:40)

I think it's a great pod!

[Reply]

rifu (Jul 31, 2011 at 20:04)

bajaj!

[Reply]

stevenmorrow (Jul 13, 2011 at 12:42)

Cool and unusual street spot.

fitz-randolphdavid Plus (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:02)

i completely agree. wish i had something like this around my area

[Reply]

shishka (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:39)

This shot is great and really shows how bad it smells in india. He's not even riding with a gas mask.

[Reply]

wza360 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:04)

Looks quite high, haha ;] Nice

[Reply]

Henriquedepaula (Jul 29, 2011 at 11:14)

look at that shadow, looks so clean to me. Deserves POD in it's own way.

[Reply]

dylaine (Jul 29, 2011 at 10:54)

Too bad it's early as f*ck.

barrie-og (Aug 3, 2011 at 16:41)

hahahahahahahahahaha

[Reply]

NS4STREET (Jul 29, 2011 at 13:04)

sick but what bikes he is riding?

menon (Jul 29, 2011 at 13:09)

Bike: Banshee AMP

[Reply]

CamHowell (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:04)

He should grab that power/ phone line and go for a rip.

[Reply]

pokalface (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:48)

watta POD!

[Reply]

kickasssloth (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:07)

the stir is in the background Big Grin

crunchss (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:46)

I think you mean Stig, matey! If it is, he's clearly been eating too much bombay potato out there!! Chunky Stig.

CamHowell (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:58)

Some say he has a full size tatoo of his face... on his face...
All we know is we call him the Stig!
Wink

Lehel-NS (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:09)

That's the Stigs' Indian cousin! Big Grin

crunchss (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:00)

Some say he knows two facts about ducks, and they're both wrong.

kickasssloth (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:46)

"some say he can't eat mashed potato for religious reasons...."
"some say he doesn't know what dogs are for....."

[Reply]

by-kr36 (Aug 1, 2011 at 16:47)

car behind the front tire. Razz

[Reply]

Banan725135650 (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:15)

Nice!

[Reply]

OliScale (Jul 29, 2011 at 11:56)

it's just really homosexual in black and white

[Reply]

BLIPDH (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:05)

when i saw those little cart things i was like "this HAS to be from India"

DirtboxTom (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:02)

I thought Thailand, but whatev's.... Smile

BLIPDH (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:09)

haha yeah one of those countries over there

[Reply]

konabike4321 (Jul 30, 2011 at 20:57)

hahahah "pune", india does anyone else not relize that sick name?

[Reply]

vnjunior (Jul 30, 2011 at 1:46)

You boys do us proud :-D

[Reply]

varteco (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:35)

nice job!!!

[Reply]

maxmax1 (Jul 29, 2011 at 7:03)

Changes it up for once.

[Reply]

Winnipeg2010 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:16)

not bad.

[Reply]

gerigtuning (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:29)

yup, thats a pretty lame pic!

[Reply]

Below threshold threads are hidden

- 37

DaninBC (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:01)

Not POD worthy IMO, cmon Pinkbike.

[Reply]

- 21

carpy95 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:06)

Sorry, this is not a POD at all. Sure, its sort of a cool trick, but there are thousands of pictures of cool tricks just like that on Pinkbike, but with much more photo talent. The rider is centered, its not from a particularly interesting angle, and the background is boring.

+ 11

ride-your-bike (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:13)

tactical insertion

+ 18

virtumedia (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:14)

I disagree, while compostion isnt perfect, its in a unique location and tells a story. I'm feelin' it. Pretty interesting photo.

+ 10

CamHowell (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:25)

If doing a barspin on this odly shaped random street thing while indian box car things are driving around in the background isnt interesting, I dont know what is.

Mike123beck123 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:34)

He doesn't need to be centered, and look at his shadow, I'd rather see that shadow rather than having him centered. Plus it tells a story, and even in a place like that, some guy is riding a mountain bike in a skatepark. Definitely POD.

Raffaella (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:25)

The compositions is great. subtle clean, simple, minimalist. Can even make it more so by shooting wider.

theriotact (Jul 29, 2011 at 7:46)

I think you guys don't remember that pods used to be of anything bike related of interest... haha

26street-swaagg (Jul 29, 2011 at 14:57)

The only thing I have to say is how the timing couldn't be any worse without both his hands being on. I would say it could just be a one hander but we all know frankie threw it.

[Reply]

willsoffe (Jul 29, 2011 at 9:41)

He's riding a mountain bike on a street obstacle. Therefore it's lame.

mattjamesb (Jul 29, 2011 at 14:21)

riding isnt about conforming, its about having your own style and doing your own thing. Although it may not wow at first, its a great shot, IMO.

willsoffe (Aug 5, 2011 at 9:46)

Nothing against the shot. Just feeling that an MTB is not in the right place on the street. It's got suspension.

[Reply]