Behind the Scenes For Content Creation: Tattoo Videography at the UK’s Largest Harley-Davidson Dealership

The Harley-Davidson dealership provided a stunning and unconventional backdrop for the shoot. As far as most motorcycle dealerships go, this place is huge, filled with that classic Harley feel of gleaming chrome, powerful machines packed with horsepower, a raw industrial vibe, and that distinct Harley-Davidson attitude.

Mikey and Jamie had set up their tattooing stations near a circa 20ft window, which poured in natural light throughout the day. While this created a beautiful, dynamic atmosphere, it also posed significant challenges when it came to controlling the lighting for the video. But more on that later.

For this shoot, I used a blend of lenses with distinct strengths: the Sigma 105mm f1.4 Art lens, the Nikon 35mm f1.8, and the Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art lens. The Sigma 105mm f1.4 Art lens remains one of my key tools for capturing stunning, detailed close-ups.

I’ve written an article on why this lens is an essential part of my kit, read about it here to see if it could be a game changer for your photography and videography projects. I decided to use the Sigma 105mm to film Jamie tattooing me….a challenging yet rewarding experience.

As I lay on my side for her to tattoo my right calf, I quickly realised the limitations of this lens in such a situation…a niche situation, I’ll give you that, but just in case you plan on videoing yourself getting tattooed, then it’s worth noting that its weight & size made it harder to manoeuvre, and I really had to contort myself to get the right angle while ensuring the footage remained steady.

Staying still for the sake of clean footage was vital…and let’s face it, staying still while getting tattooed is kind of a given, right?

In hindsight, the 35mm probably would have been a better choice for that specific moment, given its lighter build and wider perspective. But the experience taught me a lot about balancing gear selection with practicality, especially in such unique filming conditions….but if I’m being completely candid I guess I’m bias because I absolutely adore how clean and sharp Sigma’s Art lens range is!

It’s worth noting that the Nikon 35mm f1.8 is a crop sensor lens, which sometimes limited my field of view but still performed well for wider scenes.

All three lenses I used for this project are F Mount, used with Nikon’s Mount Adapter FTZ II. I’ve never had any issues using F Mount lenses with the Z8. Keep an eye out for my article comparing these lenses on the Nikon D850 versus with the adapter on the Z8.

I recently invested in the Sigma Z-mount 56mm f1.4 lens which is part of their “contemporary” product line of lenses…and oh do I wish I’d of had it for this shoot. It’s an incredible all-rounder for videography & photography, and I’ll soon share why it’s become a go-to piece of kit.

As any videographer knows, lighting can make or break a shoot. The natural light streaming through the massive window was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it added a beautiful, soft glow to certain shots. On the other, it created harsh highlights and shadows that were tricky to balance.

To combat this, I used a combination of ND filters and adjusted my camera settings frequently. Even with these adjustments, there were moments when the light felt almost unmanageable. It was a lesson in adaptability and reinforced the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges in future projects.

Once filming wrapped up, the real task began: post-processing. I edited the entire piece in Adobe Premiere Pro, which offers the flexibility and precision I depend on. Although the tattoos were all black work, careful grading was still essential to preserve the gritty dealership ambience. Balancing window light with the indoor lighting required methodical tweaks to maintain a uniform look across every shot.

I also made use of slow-motion sequences filmed at a higher frame rate to highlight key moments – fleeting moments of smiles, laughter, sharp concentration, and the precision of the tattoo of the tattoo work. These details brought the story to life, adding depth and cohesion to the final video.

To finalise the edit I incorporated the track “Devil Eyes” by Hippie Sabotage, I chose this song for its ambient tone and the subtle blend of hip-hop and chillwave elements, which suited the overall style of the footage. From a technical standpoint, I aligned the edit points of various clips with key beats in the track to underline transitions and maintain a cohesive flow. This synchronisation between audio and visuals enhances viewer engagement by creating a rhythm that feels both natural and immersive, ensuring the music doesn’t overshadow the on-screen story but instead reinforces it.