Skateboarding

[tcberry33]

I shot this photo the day after I bought my Rebel XS. I have several more photos of my attempt on my flickr photostream. I would like to thank everyone ahead of time for any input you might share with me.



EXIF
Body: Canon Digital Rebel XS
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 39mm
ISO: 200

[tcberry33]

I thought I would post another photo. I know I was really far away from the subject. Someone else suggested that I change my angle because of the shadows.



EXIF
Body: Canon Digital Rebel XS
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55mm
ISO: 200
Lens: 18-55mm

[a.manal]

Hey,
I checked your photos at flickr, they are pretty good. I've been trying my hand at skateboarding photography too. It's pretty hard, though I've found out that if you fill the frame it comes out with some pretty good shots. On some shots you needed a faster shutter speed so you can freeze the movement instead of blurring it, that works well in skateboarding photography. A zoom lens would also help you fill up the frame or a wide angle lens or fisheye are great for skate photography. You should also check out some skate magazines like Transworld, they have great skate shots!

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by a.manal

Hey,
I checked your photos at flickr, they are pretty good. I've been trying my hand at skateboarding photography too. It's pretty hard, though I've found out that if you fill the frame it comes out with some pretty good shots. On some shots you needed a faster shutter speed so you can freeze the movement instead of blurring it, that works well in skateboarding photography. A zoom lens would also help you fill up the frame or a wide angle lens or fisheye are great for skate photography. You should also check out some skate magazines like Transworld, they have great skate shots!

Skateboarding and BMX are great fun to shoot. As said above you really need to be working with a fast shutter speed to stop action, but know your camera so you can get those snap shot that blurr or show motion. I work around 1/1000 to 1/1200, and aperture is wide open. I also use a high powered zoom flash if conditions allow (have to be carefull because sometimes I am right underneath).

And if you want to get good shots you have to work for them. I am right underneath a BMX rider when they backflip, and love to get right in the face of skateboarders, and after freaking out a pro skater I let them know what I am doing and say worry about yourselves not me. It's up to me to keep out of their way.

And the good thing about the parks is there is plenty of 18% grey to expose to

[tcberry33]

Thanks for the comments you two. I plan on going out this week and shooting some more skateboarding.

[nicotine]

I actually like a medium shutter speed when shooting skate tricks, to give a little motion blur to the skater and the board, nothing too crazy though. For example:



I think it's a little more interesting than completely frozen skaters. But you definitely need to get closer to your subjects and fill your frames. Low angles work well for street skaters because it tends to exaggerate the air they get, just learn to roll out of the way quickly. :P

[tcberry33]

So what is a good lens to use for skateboarding? I know fisheye are great but which one? Right now I am using the 18-55mm that came with my Rebel XS.

[Jim Bryant]

The only experience I had outside of shooting skateboarding was of my younger son sand their friends at the local skate parks and those experiences were pretty scary. So many kids, both experienced, inexperienced, good and bad. Shooting with a wide angle can be dangerous, especially if up close, as you gotta be careful as not to get beaned with someone's free flying board. So, to get the hang of thing I stood back using my 70-200mm. Much safer that way, for both you and your equipment. Some great shooting tips can be found at this website: http://www.beyondphototips.com/2008/...tography-tips/

Then I got an assignment to shoot the LG Action games when they were in Seattle in late October. There's a difference in shooting pros vs. kids on the streets, but still you have to watch out for flying boards.

All of the indoor stuff was shot at ISO 1000, and shutter speed of 500th at f2.8, using my 70-200mm.