Hi Guys,

I have joined this forum, to get into skateboard photography.

I have been taking photographs for over 10 years from all types of sports. Now, I am looking to get into sport photography in a big way. I want to build a new portfolio of sport photos or maybe do a website, if things start to pick up.

I live in Atherton, Greater Manchester...near Wigan and Bolton.

So, if you would like some photos and to happy to be my guinea pig for the day and shoot loads of action photos I will be happy to give them away for free on a CD for you too keep.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers guys.

Nikonman.

Do you skate?

Sorry No, have a disability in my left leg after playing football years ago.

Nikonman

Well.. From what I've seen to take a good skate photograph you have to have a very good understanding of skateboarding.. So normally skate photographers + filmers are actually skaters.

The media often take skate pics and they're awful.. Someone flailing their arms and kicking the board wildly.. May look, 'radical' to the non-skater but it makes us all cringe..

So you need to talk to skaters, find out what's good.. Show them your stuff and get their opinion etc..

its all about the angles

EDIT:it may be wise to aquire a good quality fish eye lens

Buy a magazine nikonman, sidewalk/document/kingpin for example, should be available at your local skateshop, failing that try whs smiths.

Look at the photos in the magazines, angles ect.. these obviously work as they have made it into a magazine.Quite a lot of photos need the 'catch' the moment the skater catches a flip trick ect, too early/late and they just look terrible.

My dads an accomplished photographer, has many of his photos featured in amateur photographer over the years, however he cant take skate photos for shit!

You may also find the following sites useful for reference ect.

http://www.quietcorners.com/

http://www.lifeofsundays.com/ - mainly arty shots but there are some belting skate shots in there too

http://www.tweakerzine.com/ - online skate 'zine, has plenty of great photos

Good luck

Thanks guys for your help.

It's not the photography side I am worried about, it's getting people ( skateboarders ) so I can take photographs. I am finding it hard getting people so I can get loads of practice and take photos.

I have emailed indoor skate parks and I have no answer, maybe they have photographers all ready. So I am looking at outside and street stuff.

Thanks again,

Paul

for more help, check the forums at http://www.skateperception.com/forums/