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View Full Version : Skate park dude!

SammyC
19-12-2005, 10:30
Sorry for the title :p but I did feel a bit old at my 30 years! Anyway, popped down the local skate park on Saturday to see what was happening, primarily to get some shots of the grafitti artists at work, and the oppertunity to take some close action shots presented itself!

Some nice lads, who were happy to show off when asked!

http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5297-01.jpg
(a bit oversharpened this one)

http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5303-01.jpg


http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5314-01.jpg


http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5316-01.jpg


http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5307-01.jpg


Not the worlds greatest set of shots but time was limited as they had to be somewhere. Bright sunlight didn't help either as positioning myself without getting my own shadow in the shot was actually quite hard!

:)
Skintt
19-12-2005, 11:38
You've got some good candid action shots there. Perhaps would have been an idea to use shutter priority with a lower shutter speed and track the subjects while taking the shot to give the background a nice motion blur.
SammyC
19-12-2005, 11:50
Possibly, the trouble I found is that they tend to move a lot (flailing arms) and you end up with everything blurred. But worth considering next time I hope! :)
Venomator
19-12-2005, 22:24
Just seen them on your site - great set of action shots ... no grafitti artist then !

I can see why you would think they may be there though ...
Samstan
19-12-2005, 22:30
I'd have gone for the opposite actually, a faster shutter speed and a wider aperture to throw the background out. Some great action shots though :)
Steve
19-12-2005, 22:34
You've got some good candid action shots there. Perhaps would have been an idea to use shutter priority with a lower shutter speed and track the subjects while taking the shot to give the background a nice motion blur.

I'd have gone for the opposite actually, a faster shutter speed and a wider aperture to throw the background out. Some great action shots though :)

I think both ways would work and would have the same overall effect of isolating the main subject from the backgrounds and would have got the viewer more involved.
Venomator
19-12-2005, 22:37
Hi - me again ... I am interested why your photos do not open when I open this thread ?

Is it me or something extraneous perhaps ? Genuine question !
Marcel
19-12-2005, 22:45
Venomator, your firewall could be blocking the site they're hosted on?
Venomator
19-12-2005, 22:51
Thanx Marcel - I will check it out ! Not come across the problem afore though.
Venomator
19-12-2005, 22:59
Update - even turned firewall off for a shot at it and still they remained un-opened !

Further suggestions welcomed although I know this thread is not about me ... sorry !
Marcel
19-12-2005, 23:18
Browser security/privacy settings?
Can you view this link if you put it in your address bar manually (Not clicking it)

http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5297-01.jpg
Venomator
19-12-2005, 23:21
Marcel - yes it worked perfick !

And ... when I came back for some reason they all showed up ! Bizarre ?

Many thanx for your responses though - led me to exploring all sorts of stuff I didn't really touch before !

Much appreciated !
SammyC
20-12-2005, 09:17
I think both ways would work and would have the same overall effect of isolating the main subject from the backgrounds and would have got the viewer more involved.

Strangely I had the shutter set to 1/1000s to force the apperture down to about 2.8 but the backgrounds are still quite clear:

http://www.sam-cooper.co.uk/Photography/Events/Skate%20Park/slides/2_IMG_5323-01.jpg


I shall try a slower shutter speed next time to get background blur.
SammyC
20-12-2005, 09:19
Just seen them on your site - great set of action shots ... no grafitti artist then !

I can see why you would think they may be there though ...

Thanks! :)

The artists were there but they were still at the painting over existing work stage so not much worth taking. I might put some up later on if I get the time. :)
P-E
20-12-2005, 09:20
I can only see red x's :Ponders: ...........had a look yesterday and it was the same.

:banghead: Norton Internet Security again.
Arkady
20-12-2005, 09:30
I tried some of this a few years back in Brighton at the BMX circuit there. Check out the Skate magazines to see how their photographers set up photos - they have the background knowledge of the sport that as 'mere' photographers we may not neccessarily posess and know what makes for a better image even though their camera skills may not be up to par.
Low and wide seems to be the best bet and use a slow-synch on the flash to freeze the motion of the subject while blurring the background. Best of all wait until late in the day (skaters never get up early, so that's out...) when the light's more directional.
DJW
20-12-2005, 09:38
There was actually an article on the very subject in Dec 05 Practical Photography, where they sent one of the editoral team out to shoot skatebaorders. From memory Rob's on the right tact......unfortunately I chucked the mag. Might be worth seeing if others have got it, or if still in shops.
matty
20-12-2005, 10:15
nice shots well captured, but none of those lads have helmets or kneepads!
SammyC
20-12-2005, 10:29
Matty, you're showing your age there. They have no fear as they don't know how much it could hurt. :D

There were a couple of 'Oooo, nasty!' moments. But they don't seem to care and just get up and carry on!
SammyC
20-12-2005, 10:31
Check out the Skate magazines to see how their photographers set up photos

Cheers, I'll try that. :)
Marcel
20-12-2005, 11:21
Pah when I were a lad and into my skateboarding, helmets and pads etc were a big no no.

The most protection we had was a flap of material covering the side of our trainers so they didnt get scuffed and worn, on the board grip ;)