Friday, May 23, 2014

How to Photograph Skateboarding

How to Photograph Skateboarding

People often think that if they have an expensive, top-of-the-line camera, they will be able to take better photographs. The fact is, even with technology on your side, no camera in the world will help you take great action pictures if you don't know anything about the art of photography. Photographing sports, such as skateboarding, can be especially tricky, and relies on some know-how if you want to improve your chances of capturing clear, well-composed images.

Instructions

    1

    Find a good location to shoot from. Safety is the most important factor; make sure you are out of the path of skateboarders so you don't have any accidents. Look for a spot to the side of a ramp, or wherever the fancy moves are happening. Avoid facing the sun so you don't get lens flare. Try to keep the sun behind you, or to your side for more dramatic shadows.

    2

    Adjust your shutter speed to at least 1/800 of a second, or higher. This will reduce blur as the camera snaps the photo faster than if it were set for a lower shutter speed, like 1/400.

    3

    Mind your composition. Don't frame your shot so that your skateboarder is dead in the center. Slightly off-center subjects are much more visually interesting. Use your zoom lens to capture more of your subject and less of the surrounding area for a tighter shot. Take some action photos, but also take candid photos when your skateboarder is still, and portraits when you get his attention. Capture the smiles, the frustration and the excitement.

    4

    Anticipate the action. In action photography, if you are watching the action in your viewfinder while you take the photo, you've already missed it. When a skateboarder is going up a ramp, snap the photo as he is getting to the top, not after he has gotten there.

    5

    Wait for the moment of suspended action. Whenever a something goes up, it will pause a fraction of a second before it comes down again. Work on your timing to capture that fraction of a second when your skateboarder jump in the air, or reaches the top of the ramp. That still moment will render you a clear shot. This is the best technique to use if you have a very basic, point-and-shoot camera that doesn't allow you to adjust the shutter speed, since your subject will be almost motionless for that instant.

    6

    Take photos of the skateboarders as they are approaching you, or as they are skating away from you, rather than when they are breezing past you. Trying to take a photo of someone quickly passing you while holding your camera still can result your subject coming out as a big blur.

    7

    Pan your camera if you do want to get a photograph of someone skateboarding right past you. Panning is when you move your camera with the subject as they go by you and snap the picture while it is moving with the subject. It takes some practice to get this technique down, but it can make a visually stunning photograph. If you pan correctly, the subject will be clear, and the background will be blurry, which will give the photo the feeling of motion and speed.

    8

    Practice a lot. Your eye for a good shot and timing instincts will develop with the more shots you take.


How to Photograph Skateboarding

People often think that if they have an expensive, top-of-the-line camera, they will be able to take better photographs. The fact is, even with technology on your side, no camera in the world will help you take great action pictures if you don't know anything about the art of photography. Photographing sports, such as skateboarding, can be especially tricky, and relies on some know-how if you want to improve your chances of capturing clear, well-composed images.

Instructions

    1

    Find a good location to shoot from. Safety is the most important factor; make sure you are out of the path of skateboarders so you don't have any accidents. Look for a spot to the side of a ramp, or wherever the fancy moves are happening. Avoid facing the sun so you don't get lens flare.

    Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques

    . Try to keep the sun behind you, or to your side for more dramatic shadows.

    2

    Adjust your shutter speed to at least 1/800 of a second, or higher. This will reduce blur as the camera snaps the photo faster than if it were set for a lower shutter speed, like 1/400.

    3

    Mind your composition. Don't frame your shot so that your skateboarder is dead in the center. Slightly off-center subjects are much more visually interesting. Use your zoom lens to capture more of your subject and less of the surrounding area for a tighter shot. Take some action photos, but also take candid photos when your skateboarder is still, and portraits when you get his attention. Capture the smiles, the frustration and the excitement.

    4

    Anticipate the action. In action photography, if you are watching the action in your viewfinder while you take the photo, you've already missed it. When a skateboarder is going up a ramp, snap the photo as he is getting to the top, not after he has gotten there.

    5

    Wait for the moment of suspended action. Whenever a something goes up, it will pause a fraction of a second before it comes down again. Work on your timing to capture that fraction of a second when your skateboarder jump in the air, or reaches the top of the ramp. That still moment will render you a clear shot. This is the best technique to use if you have a very basic, point-and-shoot camera that doesn't allow you to adjust the shutter speed, since your subject will be almost motionless for that instant.

    6

    Take photos of the skateboarders as they are approaching you, or as they are skating away from you, rather than when they are breezing past you. Trying to take a photo of someone quickly passing you while holding your camera still can result your subject coming out as a big blur.

    7

    Pan your camera if you do want to get a photograph of someone skateboarding right past you. Panning is when you move your camera with the subject as they go by you and snap the picture while it is moving with the subject. It takes some practice to get this technique down, but it can make a visually stunning photograph. If you pan correctly, the subject will be clear, and the background will be blurry, which will give the photo the feeling of motion and speed.

    8

    Practice a lot. Your eye for a good shot and timing instincts will develop with the more shots you take.



  • How to Film skateboarding Cinematography

    cinematography-howto.wonderhowto.com/how-to/film-skateboarding-321374

    In this video, we learn how to film skateboarding. First, get a camera that fits your price range and you will be ready to start filming. Next, use a long lens so you ...


  • How-To Popular Photography

    www.popphoto.com/how-to

    Our photography and photo tips, techniques, and how to instructions will turn you into a professional photographer in no time. From the editors of PopPhoto.com


  • 8 Tips for SkateBoard Shooting - Digital Photography Tips: Digital ...

    digital-photography-school.com/8-tips-for-skateboard-shooting

    Want to get creative with some of the most unique and independent artists on the street? Hit the pavement and make some friends with the skateboard community.


  • How To: Timelapse Photography - Cinematographer Ricki

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnY51EwmILU

    Tune in every other Monday to learn firsthand how to film, edit and shoot like the pros, from your favorite videographers and photographers in ...


  • Skateboarding Photography Jobs Job Search with Simply Hired

    www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-skateboarding+photography

    40 skateboarding photography jobs available. Find your next skateboarding photography job and jump-start your career with Simply Hired's job search engine.


  • Year Round Action Sports Camp - Windells

    windells.com

    The Premier Year Round Action Sports Camp & The "Funnest" Place On Earth


  • How To: Guerrilla Lighting Techniques For Location Photography ...

    www.popphoto.com/how-to/2013/05/how-to-guerrilla-lighting...

    The ability to work fast is the mark of a great location lighter. And nowhere is this need for speed more acute than for shooters of skateboarding. Skateboard ...


  • How to choose the best strobes for Portrait photography

    forums.popphoto.com/showthread.php?524673-How-to-choose-the-best...

    Yes I am new at all of this, but I have read a lot of threads and unable to find an ... There are some other pitfalls to watch out for. In my experience, cheap ...


  • How to photograph fat people - PopPhoto Forums

    forums.popphoto.com/showthread.php?348095-How-to-photograph-fat-people

    I am hoping for some suggestions how to photograph fat people so that it's as ... One shoulder should be closer to the camera. Have him wear dark and long sleeved ...


  • How to Film Skateboarding (HD) - YouTube

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLY1FFKTqQ

    I made this for my Comm Tech class about a month ago. The project was "Teach the class something your good at in photography or film" and people did some ...

0 comments:

Post a Comment