Apart from that he is also a proud father of twins, an enthusiastic karaoke singer, and a fan of the '80s.
Jonathan Godin Photography
Motorcycle Diaries
Jonathan Godin is a professional photographer from Belgium. His career already spans almost eight years of full-time freelance photography in the world of motorcycles.
Jonathan has been visiting racetracks for as long as he can remember. He grew up joining his father at races where the latter was taking part. When he turned nineteen, back in 2002, he started competing himself as a sidecar passenger. His last year of competition was 2007. At that point, every time he wasn’t competing on track, he was borrowing his father’s camera to photograph the races and all the atmosphere around the track.
Cut to a race in Assen: The Belgium magazine 'Motorrijder' was in need of some pictures from the event and coincidentally also looking for an official photographer for the magazine. Jonathan had the opportunity to help them with both. This was his first job as a photographer, and he was still only just finishing school.
At the end of 2008, Jonathan finished his degree but finding photography jobs was a slow business. He got by working in a 'Brico' shop for several months until he had enough work to start shooting pictures full time.
How would you describe your style?
I don’t think I have a particular style. I think what describes me the best as a photographer is my endless will for learning. That makes me one hundred percent involved in what I do. I am always attempting to be better and more creative. One of the photography styles I like most, and one not so easy to do well, is 'slow speed'. Pictures captured like this allow you to see the action and movement – so important for motorcycle work. I also cover the Endurance World Championship, a paradise for a photographer with all the different lighting you get from sunset, sunrise and of course at night.
Whose work inspires you?
I admire the work of Mark J. Rebilas from Phoenix. He works in NASCAR, drag racing, baseball and US football. I’ve always loved these sports so I could see myself very happily doing what he does. But I have to say that I don’t get my inspiration from others very often. Probably because I don’t take the time that I should to look at others' work. I've had trouble in the past with remarks that my work was a copy of someone else's when it was in my opinion one hundred percent my idea... :-)
What equipment do you use?
I’m not sponsored by any brand but I have used Nikon bodies from the beginning. I have the Nikon D4, D810 and a bucket load of lenses, from 14mm to 400mm.
Which editing programs do you usually use for retouch?
Easy! Photoshop and Lightroom. They're great for retouching, but since I am a photographer, I try to create the perfect result when I open the shutter, to avoid a lot of retouch afterwards.
What do you like to photograph the most?
I like to be on a racetrack but it's more beautiful to photograph motorcycles on the road. You can play with all the elements, and a nice landscape can really make a picture. On a racetrack, shots are always quite similar! And I really like to play with the special lighting you get at sunset and sunrise.
What things do you find more difficult to capture?
Night pictures! It’s a challenge to capture great action images at night as for the available light is much lower. Therefore it’s very important to know your camera settings very well, and to experiment and make mistakes.
What is your favourite picture?
One picture of the Yamaha victory at the 8 hour race of Suzuka in 2015. Here it is:
It's weird, but I actually imagined this picture before I took it. I stood near the Yamaha staff instead of going to the pit wall and I didn’t use the flash because I knew I was under the light of the other photographers. I was lucky that what I hoped for also became reality. And so I made my favorite shot!
Who or what would you like to photograph one day?
I would like to travel to an unknown place in the world to photograph something new, but in a way every picture is something new.
Could you give us a tip on how to photograph motorbikes on the road?
Take some time to think about the picture you want to make, instead of taking one hundred pictures straight away. Make the frame so it adds to in the composition of the photo. Also remember the light is often better at the beginning or at the end of the day. Or use the available conditions to your advantage. And as a friend of mine would say, the light and the sky are much more interesting when it’s cloudy!
