Some Skateboarding Shots

[tmurphy0828]

A few shots from a skate sesh yesterday

 

[gw2424]

Good start. If I were you, I would start experimenting with some artificial light. Look for a couple cheap flashes (Amazon.com: Yongnuo Flash Speedlite Yn-460ii for Nikon Canon Pentax: Camera & Photo) and a set of cheap (really cheap) radio flash triggers (Amazon.com: Cheaplights NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger and 2 Receivers Set for Canon Nikon Pentax,OTT-04GY: Electronics).

 

[Brycycle53]

The thing about skateboarding photos is that you are telling a story in a single photo, where the skater came from what he's doing and where he is going, The first two show that, the second two i would scoot back and show more of his environment. Also look at every shot you posted, the skater is centered perfectly in every one, while that may work for some situations, it doesnt for all. Also i noticed the photos all seem very dull, the OCF didnt help with that in the second two, but i think you could make the colors pop a bit more. Lighting the athlete in these photos is key, some people take it to far and light them like a neon sign, but you want the skater to pop out of the environment. If you dont have a lot of off camera flashes then try to compose your photo in such a away that compliments the skater and draws attention to him. Use leading lines, or Positive/negative space relationships. hope this helps some.

 

[tmurphy0828]

Good start. If I were you, I would start experimenting with some artificial light. Look for a couple cheap flashes (Amazon.com: Yongnuo Flash Speedlite Yn-460ii for Nikon Canon Pentax: Camera & Photo) and a set of cheap (really cheap) radio flash triggers (Amazon.com: Cheaplights NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger and 2 Receivers Set for Canon Nikon Pentax,OTT-04GY: Electronics).

Thanks! Yeah I just got my camera so I only have the built in flash. Eventually ill get a decent one.

The thing about skateboarding photos is that you are telling a story in a single photo, where the skater came from what he's doing and where he is going, The first two show that, the second two i would scoot back and show more of his environment. Also look at every shot you posted, the skater is centered perfectly in every one, while that may work for some situations, it doesnt for all. Also i noticed the photos all seem very dull, the OCF didnt help with that in the second two, but i think you could make the colors pop a bit more. Lighting the athlete in these photos is key, some people take it to far and light them like a neon sign, but you want the skater to pop out of the environment. If you dont have a lot of off camera flashes then try to compose your photo in such a away that compliments the skater and draws attention to him. Use leading lines, or Positive/negative space relationships. hope this helps some.

I actually noticed that I didnt really get the ramp in the second two photos like you pointed out and thats something Im not happy about with these. Next time Ill take that into better consideration and whole skater being centered thing. Forgive me but im really new to photography and I have a lot to learn. could you explain using leading lines and positive/negative space relationships?

 

[ChrisedwardsHT]

.look up in focus ridechannel on YouTube.

Watch all of them!!!

 

[tmurphy0828]

.look up in focus ridechannel on YouTube.

Watch all of them!!!

will do!

 

[Brycycle53]

Good start. If I were you, I would start experimenting with some artificial light. Look for a couple cheap flashes (Amazon.com: Yongnuo Flash Speedlite Yn-460ii for Nikon Canon Pentax: Camera & Photo) and a set of cheap (really cheap) radio flash triggers (Amazon.com: Cheaplights NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger and 2 Receivers Set for Canon Nikon Pentax,OTT-04GY: Electronics).

Thanks! Yeah I just got my camera so I only have the built in flash. Eventually ill get a decent one.

The thing about skateboarding photos is that you are telling a story in a single photo, where the skater came from what he's doing and where he is going, The first two show that, the second two i would scoot back and show more of his environment. Also look at every shot you posted, the skater is centered perfectly in every one, while that may work for some situations, it doesnt for all. Also i noticed the photos all seem very dull, the OCF didnt help with that in the second two, but i think you could make the colors pop a bit more. Lighting the athlete in these photos is key, some people take it to far and light them like a neon sign, but you want the skater to pop out of the environment. If you dont have a lot of off camera flashes then try to compose your photo in such a away that compliments the skater and draws attention to him. Use leading lines, or Positive/negative space relationships. hope this helps some.

I actually noticed that I didnt really get the ramp in the second two photos like you pointed out and thats something Im not happy about with these. Next time Ill take that into better consideration and whole skater being centered thing. Forgive me but im really new to photography and I have a lot to learn. could you explain using leading lines and positive/negative space relationships?

Thats cool, you gotta start some where and you post here to get feedback.
the best way I can explain leading lines is to have you picture that cliche railroad track photo, everyone takes them, but picture how the the lines the track makes lead you eye all the way to the back of the photo. thats a very basic example. But the lines could potentially run in direction across the picture plane, and you can use them to your advantage by composing your photo so the direct your eye to the subject.

P/N space for example look at yur third shot. The tree line in the back i would consider to be positive space while the sky is Negative space. It looks like you were probably kneeling down? Maybe try to lay on your belly next time, I bet that would have isolated the skater in the negative space helping him to pop out more.

If action sports is something you're going to be shooting alot of check out this site
Skateboarding Videos, Photos, News | TransWorld SKATEboarding
and even the skate perception forum has some good tips if you loo for awhile. keep it up!

 

[tmurphy0828]

Good start. If I were you, I would start experimenting with some artificial light. Look for a couple cheap flashes (Amazon.com: Yongnuo Flash Speedlite Yn-460ii for Nikon Canon Pentax: Camera & Photo) and a set of cheap (really cheap) radio flash triggers (Amazon.com: Cheaplights NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger and 2 Receivers Set for Canon Nikon Pentax,OTT-04GY: Electronics).

Thanks! Yeah I just got my camera so I only have the built in flash. Eventually ill get a decent one.

The thing about skateboarding photos is that you are telling a story in a single photo, where the skater came from what he's doing and where he is going, The first two show that, the second two i would scoot back and show more of his environment. Also look at every shot you posted, the skater is centered perfectly in every one, while that may work for some situations, it doesnt for all. Also i noticed the photos all seem very dull, the OCF didnt help with that in the second two, but i think you could make the colors pop a bit more. Lighting the athlete in these photos is key, some people take it to far and light them like a neon sign, but you want the skater to pop out of the environment. If you dont have a lot of off camera flashes then try to compose your photo in such a away that compliments the skater and draws attention to him. Use leading lines, or Positive/negative space relationships. hope this helps some.

I actually noticed that I didnt really get the ramp in the second two photos like you pointed out and thats something Im not happy about with these. Next time Ill take that into better consideration and whole skater being centered thing. Forgive me but im really new to photography and I have a lot to learn. could you explain using leading lines and positive/negative space relationships?

Thats cool, you gotta start some where and you post here to get feedback.
the best way I can explain leading lines is to have you picture that cliche railroad track photo, everyone takes them, but picture how the the lines the track makes lead you eye all the way to the back of the photo. thats a very basic example. But the lines could potentially run in direction across the picture plane, and you can use them to your advantage by composing your photo so the direct your eye to the subject.

P/N space for example look at yur third shot. The tree line in the back i would consider to be positive space while the sky is Negative space. It looks like you were probably kneeling down? Maybe try to lay on your belly next time, I bet that would have isolated the skater in the negative space helping him to pop out more.

If action sports is something you're going to be shooting alot of check out this site
Skateboarding Videos, Photos, News | TransWorld SKATEboarding
and even the skate perception forum has some good tips if you loo for awhile. keep it up!

Ohhh okay I understand. Thanks thats a big help. Ill definatly take all of that into consideration next time im shooting photos

 

[jodygrigg]

Try and be careful of the elements in the background, use a a lower f-stop f4 or f2.8 if your lens goes down that far it will help through the busy backgrounds out of focus.

Have your model/athlete wear bright colored clothing and make sure he buckles his helmet strap, unlike the images above.

 

[Brycycle53]

Try and be careful of the elements in the background, use a a lower f-stop f4 or f2.8 if your lens goes down that far it will help through the busy backgrounds out of focus.

Have your model/athlete wear bright colored clothing and make sure he buckles his helmet strap, unlike the images above.

It's so very hard to predict where these people will be in the frame when you are shooting it. f2.8 would be great if they were stationary, but as it is shooting that wide open, your going to get alot of out of focus shots.

 

[cgipson1]

Like Jody said... watch your backgrounds, they can make a LOT of difference.

Quickie edit to remove crap in background.... with a crop to show the subject better...


Your Original sized the same to show the difference


Which do you prefer? I am not suggesting doing this in post... do it when you are shooting!