Skateboarding Photography - Tips?

[lomolilly]

Hi guys,

I have a bunch of friends who skates and I am interested in snapping up some photos. I'm using a Sony A200 and I'm wondering what lens would be ideal for these shots. Usually they skate at night and its outdoors so it's a low-light condition. Please advice price as well.


Thanks in advance!

 

[night86mare]

you should really try a fisheye.. i don't shoot skateboarders, but i've seen many good photos done with a fisheye, since it .. exaggerates distance, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilinki/1321060190/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilinki/1351126092/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdaf/2344100056/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/350photo/1391434846/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briangarson/311244916/

you might also need a flash

 

[rotisiao]

ultrawide/fisheye and a flash

 

[Galdor]

The A200 kit lens should be good enough, just need to add a flash or two and you're ready to go.

 

[lomolilly]

you should really try a fisheye.. i don't shoot skateboarders, but i've seen many good photos done with a fisheye, since it .. exaggerates distance, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilinki/1321060190/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilinki/1351126092/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdaf/2344100056/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/350photo/1391434846/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briangarson/311244916/

you might also need a flash

a fisheye lens will cost me a bomb! heh i'm looking into starting out smaller..

 

[lomolilly]

The A200 kit lens should be good enough, just need to add a flash or two and you're ready to go.

Flashes, hmm, i'm not sure what's the proper way to use em. Help?

 

[Galdor]

Flashes, hmm, i'm not sure what's the proper way to use em. Help?

Do not flash direct at your subject. You can use a bounce card or a diffuser. Just google a bit and you should be able to find some examples of bounce cards & diffusers.

 

[screamedinfidelities]

i shoot skateboarders too. A flash is definitely a must, and for me the best type of shots are those when they are ollie-ing or down-ing steps. Use the 18mm end (which to me is sufficient for wide angle) and it will really turn out nice. Just keep on trying and the timing must be spot on.

Good luck bro.

 

[misterthomas]

actually if you mention skateboarding photography the first thing that comes to mind is a photo with harsh frontal lighting and underexposed background. weird...

I think the moves they are doing plays a big part, but the expressions of the skateboarders are the ones that separate the good ones from the great ones =) If you ask me to differentiate between the moves, I probably wouldn't be able to... I'd look for the frozen moment, and the expression. :bsmilie:

 

[screamedinfidelities]

actually if you mention skateboarding photography the first thing that comes to mind is a photo with harsh frontal lighting and underexposed background. weird...

I think the moves they are doing plays a big part, but the expressions of the skateboarders are the ones that separate the good ones from the great ones =) If you ask me to differentiate between the moves, I probably wouldn't be able to... I'd look for the frozen moment, and the expression. :bsmilie:

No need know moves la. You just see that fella so high up in the air and snap. Hahaha. Those pictures contributed or highlighted by night86mare are wonderful examples.Especially number 1. Go get inspiration and shoot. Try your best to emulate the pictures you last saw. Hahaa.

 

[lomolilly]

i shoot skateboarders too. A flash is definitely a must, and for me the best type of shots are those when they are ollie-ing or down-ing steps. Use the 18mm end (which to me is sufficient for wide angle) and it will really turn out nice. Just keep on trying and the timing must be spot on.

Good luck bro.

would you be surprised if you knew i'm actually a girl?
HAHA.

 

[lomolilly]

Do not flash direct at your subject. You can use a bounce card or a diffuser. Just google a bit and you should be able to find some examples of bounce cards & diffusers.

Alright thanks, will look into it

 

[screamedinfidelities]

Alright thanks, will look into it

woah. Girl rugged ah. Hahaha. Anyways good luck GIRL.

 

[lomolilly]

woah. Girl rugged ah. Hahaha. Anyways good luck GIRL.

HAHAHAHA. thanks dude.

 

[Headshotzx]

Timing Timing Timing!

I don't know about you, but a fisheye on a camera on the floor + your friend skateboarding over will be awesome

 

[NeTHaCk]

i shot extreme biking once.. not skateboard.

fast lens, and FLASH. very important is flash. another important is good angle.

i once lied down on the floor and had the guy jump over me and took the shot. for me, i was using nikon sb-800 CLS with sb-600 and an evening sky with the lights on. harsh lighting but created a nice effect.you can also shoot burst.. from the guy ready to ollie, to him ollieing in mid air and landing and moving off. if you can , stitch it so that it looks like 1 picture

 

[binnn]

;I'm also using A200,i shoot bmx photograph.Usually my setting is 17-35 F2.8 sigma or 50mm F1.4.F42 flash and sunblitz slave flash on left and right of the rider,triggered by inbuilt flash.You can use slower shutter as there is flash to capture the speed.Pre manual focus on the spot he is going to do trick on.Fun!;p

 

[lomolilly]

Timing Timing Timing!

I don't know about you, but a fisheye on a camera on the floor + your friend skateboarding over will be awesome

i know! i think that's awesome. just that .. i'm still a lil tight on the budget, student not earning much... hahaha.

 

[lomolilly]

i shot extreme biking once.. not skateboard.

fast lens, and FLASH. very important is flash. another important is good angle.

i once lied down on the floor and had the guy jump over me and took the shot. for me, i was using nikon sb-800 CLS with sb-600 and an evening sky with the lights on. harsh lighting but created a nice effect.you can also shoot burst.. from the guy ready to ollie, to him ollieing in mid air and landing and moving off. if you can , stitch it so that it looks like 1 picture

WHAT IF I LIE DOWN AND HE BAILS?! haha oh the horror. well thanks for the tip, i'll see what i can do with my next paycheck..

 

[lomolilly]

;I'm also using A200,i shoot bmx photograph.Usually my setting is 17-35 F2.8 sigma or 50mm F1.4.F42 flash and sunblitz slave flash on left and right of the rider,triggered by inbuilt flash.You can use slower shutter as there is flash to capture the speed.Pre manual focus on the spot he is going to do trick on.Fun!;p

well my friend suggested getting a 50mm f1.4 or 1.8 and my build in flash, do you think that would suffice?

Well i bet it is really fun !