All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer

I shot this photo in Daytona Beach during Bike Week in 1993. The girl on the left’s husband was deployed to Iraq. That was the first Iraq war under George Bush the First. The trio was about to have their photo taken for a pseudo biker magazine cover (hence the costumes) to send to the girl’s husband. Grandma in the kinky outfit has always been a favorite of mine- she was such a good sport a great sense of humor.

That trip was a magical time. I camped out in front of an illuminated sign (next to Beach Photo who processed my film daily) which was like having my own softbox and an outdoor studio. I’d talk to people and shoot only one or two frames with my M6 and 35mm Summicron. I also had an M4 and 50mm, 90mm Summicrons with me but rarely used them. I was working as a commercial photographer and was a serious motorcycle enthusiast. This series of Daytona photos I took earned me a show at the Sprit Square Center for the Arts in Charlotte North Carolina and were later exhibited in numerous galleries. I even got an appointment at WW Norton Publishers to talk about a coffee table book but after an enthusiastic response from all in the art department the national sales manager came in, thumbed through the portfolio and said, “Very nice work, but I don’t think these people buy books.” Then he walked out. Little did I know that six months later I’d be giving up commercial shooting and be publisher of my own motorcycle magazine.

You can see more of the Hardley-Dangerous at MarkKalan.com under the “Portfolios” link. Be sure to also check out Mark’s Flickr photostream.

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