From the Field: Meet Photo Pace - Zack Pianko
From the Field: Meet Photo Pace - Zack Pianko
Describe yourself as a photographer What is your aesthetic? What are you looking for in a good photograph?
In photography, I notice subtleties that I would never have picked up on otherwise; the composition of shapes and lines within the frame, the movement of the human form, and the presence of light. These subtleties trace back to the medium that I first learned on; film. Shooting film has forced me to be slow and think about my image before capturing it. Over the years, I’ve learned to apply these aspects to my digital photography and love for bikes; the rest is history ;)
How did you come into being involved with Photo Pace?
There’s not really an elaborate story behind how PP formed. It sort of happened organically from an ongoing IG DM chain and the next thing you know, we started sharing even more of our photos and stories, and connecting with cyclists and artists from all around the world.
What is your favorite part of storytelling?
To be honest, I’m not much of a storyteller with my work; in the sense that I don’t go out with the intention of shooting a batch of photos to tell a cohesive story that has a beginning, middle, and end. I’m a bit more simple and I try to tell my stories in standalone images. I think by following this approach, it challenges me even more to capture everything I need/want in one frame (light, emotion, wonder, etc.). I like leaving room for interpretation and questions. To me, I feel like it keeps the viewer coming back for more.
How have you felt photography has fit into your life on the bike? Have you benefited from photography in anyway?
Photography has been a big part of my life since I can remember. My grandfather and aunt were big time photographers, so I grew up with them photographing all of our family gatherings, sporting events, you name it. So when I started carrying a camera on my rides and documenting them, it just sorta felt natural and like I was carrying on a sort of family tradition.
Some of my best friends have been made through bikes; and it just so happens that we (PP crew) all have a heavy interest in photo/video. Photography has allowed me to travel the world, experience new things, make new friends.
What does Photo Pace represent for you?
PP is a group of folks that share two passions: bikes and photography. It’s about connecting with other cyclists and beyond to capture and tell their stories on the bike with the world. When you put a camera in the hand of someone who rides, it opens up an entirely different world than if you were just on foot. The angles you shoot at, the places you can only reach by bike, and more. It truly is a beautiful thing.
In a perfect world, where do you hope to see Photo Pace at its pinnacle?
I’d love to see PP get to a point where we have contributors from all over the world sharing their stories and photographs. There’s nothing more human that connecting people, and I feel like PP is a fantastic platform to do so on.
Describe yourself as a photographer What is your aesthetic? What are you looking for in a good photograph?
In photography, I notice subtleties that I would never have picked up on otherwise; the composition of shapes and lines within the frame, the movement of the human form, and the presence of light. These subtleties trace back to the medium that I first learned on; film. Shooting film has forced me to be slow and think about my image before capturing it. Over the years, I’ve learned to apply these aspects to my digital photography and love for bikes; the rest is history ;)
How did you come into being involved with Photo Pace?
There’s not really an elaborate story behind how PP formed. It sort of happened organically from an ongoing IG DM chain and the next thing you know, we started sharing even more of our photos and stories, and connecting with cyclists and artists from all around the world.
What is your favorite part of storytelling?
To be honest, I’m not much of a storyteller with my work; in the sense that I don’t go out with the intention of shooting a batch of photos to tell a cohesive story that has a beginning, middle, and end. I’m a bit more simple and I try to tell my stories in standalone images. I think by following this approach, it challenges me even more to capture everything I need/want in one frame (light, emotion, wonder, etc.). I like leaving room for interpretation and questions. To me, I feel like it keeps the viewer coming back for more.
How have you felt photography has fit into your life on the bike? Have you benefited from photography in anyway?
Photography has been a big part of my life since I can remember. My grandfather and aunt were big time photographers, so I grew up with them photographing all of our family gatherings, sporting events, you name it. So when I started carrying a camera on my rides and documenting them, it just sorta felt natural and like I was carrying on a sort of family tradition.
Some of my best friends have been made through bikes; and it just so happens that we (PP crew) all have a heavy interest in photo/video. Photography has allowed me to travel the world, experience new things, make new friends.
What does Photo Pace represent for you?
PP is a group of folks that share two passions: bikes and photography. It’s about connecting with other cyclists and beyond to capture and tell their stories on the bike with the world. When you put a camera in the hand of someone who rides, it opens up an entirely different world than if you were just on foot. The angles you shoot at, the places you can only reach by bike, and more. It truly is a beautiful thing.
In a perfect world, where do you hope to see Photo Pace at its pinnacle?
I’d love to see PP get to a point where we have contributors from all over the world sharing their stories and photographs. There’s nothing more human that connecting people, and I feel like PP is a fantastic platform to do so on.