How to Be a Skateboard Photographer

Capture a skateboarder capturing air with a fast shutter speed.

Skateboard photography: the subjects move quickly and unpredictably throughout gritty urban backdrops, often weaving in and out of objects on the street or skate park. Aspiring skateboard photographers have a challenge at hand when capturing compelling shots of pavement shredders at their best. With panning and other camera techniques, quick shutter speeds and specialized lenses, a photographer can make a foray into the gnarly world of skateboard photography.

Things You'll Need

• Fish-eye lens (optional)

Instructions

1. Enable multiple exposures on your camera. Shooting in this mode will take a series of exposures for as long as you hold down the shutter button. Since skateboarders in action move quickly, enabling multiple exposure mode will increase the chances of getting a good action shot.

2. Switch to shutter-priority, or “S” mode. Shutter-priority mode allows you to select a shutter speed while the camera determines the optimal aperture f-stop for the exposure.

3. Increase the ISO, especially when shooting at dusk or during the night. Increased ISO allows for well-exposed shots in limited light.

4. 

   Use an extreme point of view for a compelling shot.

   Try an extreme point of view. Shoot from the ground, or find a high spot above the action to shoot from. Extreme angles, coupled with extreme action, may make for extreme photography.

5. Pan while shooting with a slower shutter speed. By keeping the camera on the subject during the exposure, the background will have a motion-blur effect, which gives the illusion of speed.

6. 

   Fish-eye lens distort the shot.

   Use a fish-eye lens, which distorts the shot with an extreme center-heavy perspective. This type of shot is used often in skateboard magazines and videos.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are photographing minors for commercial purposes, you’ll need to have their parents or guardians sign a model release before you can use the images.

References

• “Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera”; Bryan Peterson; 2010
• Beyond Photo Tips; 19 Radical Skateboard Photography Tips; Susheel Chanrdadhas; November 2008
• Digital Photography School; 8 Tips for Skateboard Shooting; Christina N. Dickson

Resources

• Abduzeedo.com; 50 High Quality Skateboarding Photos; Paulo Canabarro; March 2009
• Digital PhotoCorner: Model Releases