Skateboarder-Mid-Air

[Shortstop8]

I went to a skatepark and decided when I got tired to take a few pics of the skaters here is my best one:



This is my first post so thanks for viewing!

[Cabe]

Unfortunately the link you provided isn't a direct image link.

You need to right click the image and "view image" and then use the link from that page.

I like it BTW the movement is nicely frozen.

[ericw]

Am always glad to see skate photos but please... read the critique rules...

[ericw]

Since you left it wide open I'll go for it though... this looks like a snapshot. Taking good pictures requires thought, work, and interaction with the subject, among many other things.

The biggest problem with the image you posted is the background, the rider gets lost in all the action of the tree coming out of his head and the other branches, the fence, the edge of the bowl running into his/her butt... etc. Find an angle where you can frame the skater against something less distracting and then communicate to the skater where you need the trick to take place to make a sweet photo of it.

It is good that you show where the skater came from and also the landing in your photograph. Try and maintain that in your other framing efforts.

Other things to improve the photo - get lower (like on the ground) to make this trick look bigger and more dynamic, get closer to fill the frame better, get (a little) more in front of the skater.

[JerInTheBox]

ericw summed up a lot of my thoughts so I'll just add a quick tip. If you plan on doing more skate shoots you should pick up a couple magazines like Thrasher and Transwrold. Look at the photos in there and just dissect them. Look at the angles, the lenses, the lighting, and keep them in mind the next time you go to the skate park. That's what I've started to do with my snowboard shots, and they've noticeably improved for it.

[Aidan]

yeah, the guys above me kno their stuff.

you did well getting the action frozen, but the angle and composition lets it down a bit.

are you using a DSLR or compact? if you have a wide angle option try getting lower and try to isolate the rider from the background. bright tshirts, like red ones are good for this.

plus points for wearing a helmet though!

luck man!