Comments on: Tom Zimberoff Talks About His Fascination For Choppers.

By: Jason Drew

Jason Drew — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:17:00 +0000

I know pretty well a couple of builders in the 2 books. They are hard working, talented, and don’t make the money people think. They are all motivated by one thing only, love custom motorcycles. Each publication, each video, each book, etc is contributing to give them more respect from the public at large. Tom Zimberoff work (1 & 2) is a big step in this direction. Artists need to be protected and encouraged. We want more coverage on these talented people.

By: MILES BROWN

MILES BROWN — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:58:19 +0000

Thanks Cyril for establishing ,maintianing and introducein this new form of interaction amongst all of us like minded individuals in this buisness.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to Tom Zimberoff for his unparalleled devotiotion to exposing the chopper culture to the masses as an art form .
For the past 35 years , like Tom , I’ve been consumed with a passion for all things motorcycle related , especially choppers, the culture and lifestyle .
As a builder who’s insperations are drawn from the old movies and magazines from the late 60’s and 70’s , the art work of Dave Mann , and also from the old photographs i have seen from time to time that were taken by Irving Penn, I can completely relate to Tom’s comments. Every now and again i see an old picture , a new bike that a true artisan has crafted , a vintage movie poster , or an old centerfold of Dave’s and it’ll make the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Mr. Zimberoff’s books grace the coffee table in my home and i enjoy watching the reactions of my guests every time they open the cover of one of them. They’re truely works of art in their own rite. Thanks Tom for publishing them , and continued success …….
Miles http://www.evilletwin.com

By: CJ "Warden" Hanlon

CJ "Warden" Hanlon — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:50:36 +0000

I, like Rick have had the honor of meeting Mr. Z. His work and approach to this industry is without question one of the reasons we see motorcycles being “mainstreamed” into society. Granted, there will always be people who like to ride, but there are those that will never ride, but enjoy the art form, which Mr. Z so aptly captures through the lens of his camera.
His ability for composition as well as catching the spirit of the individuals involved is what speaks through his pictures, and his ability to catch the right “angle, light and depth” for a shoot, is very inspiring for those of us that have always wanted to be able to take a photo with such meaning.
Thank you Tom, for all you do and continue to do for this industry.
CJ. http://www.GuiltyCustoms.com

By: Tom Zimberoff

Tom Zimberoff — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:24:10 +0000

Thanks, Rick. Where shall I send the check?

I want to respond to Mr. Enrich’s comment, “…these builders deserve more pictures of bike details. It’s what makes the difference between good builders and master builders.”

Indeed, these builders deserve much praise. And the point of my books is to celebrate the builders as artists as much as their bikes are already appreciated as art. I might have illustrated more details, had I been allotted a bigger page count. My publisher only allows so much real estate. As it is I am doing three volumes (this will be the last) because the builders whose works I have curated, so to speak, wouldn’t fit between the covers of a single volume. There are too few true artists (expert mechanics and fabricators notwithstanding) in my opinion to fill a fourth volume. Nevertheless, showing details is like showing the brush strokes in a painting. I would rather illustrate the work as a whole when forced to make a choice.

I hope more people will read the biographies and ponder the portraits in my books. They are what my books are all about. They are what makes my books unique.

Thanks to all of you for your remarks.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:39:37 +0000

Had the honor of a photo shoot with Tom. This guy is a class act and true gentleman. A consummate professional who is humble about his work and his accomplishments. His books will continue to be a success for the composition and prose. Classy guy. Go visit his site at : http://www.zimberoff.com/home.htm -Rick Krost http://www.uschopper.com

By: Henry Botman

Henry Botman — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:15:00 +0000

Own the 2 books, too. I would like to see more bikes from each builder.

By: John Enrich

John Enrich — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:58:20 +0000

Both are great books but these builders deserve more pictures of bike details. It’s what makes the difference between good builder and master builders.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:08:16 +0000

Excellent Books. We want more!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 02:56:35 +0000

Please publish a third and fourth and so on, we can’t get enough good art these days. Thank You Tom and Cyril.

By: Josh Ashbury

Josh Ashbury — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 22:55:57 +0000

I agree that these 2 books hat I own (Cyril signed 1 while in Las Vegas) are the best about the art of the chopper. I will buy the 3rd one.

By: Tom Zimberoff

Tom Zimberoff — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:30:21 +0000

I just want to say that the photograph illustration this blog entry is copyrighted by Irving Penn, the master photographer who had a great influence on my own work.

By: John Shear

John Shear — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:37:47 +0000

Nice read