Skateboard Pictures

How many times have you seen that impossible 360° kickflip or hair-raising rail grind flawlessly executed before your wide eyes and gaping jaw, with the magic moment lost to the sands of time. It seems that evidence of the perfect crime is lost all too often. Every skater has borne witness to the miracle of defying gravity, but such ephemeral achievements are lost in the next round of tricks, unless someone was smart enough to bring a camera to the party.

In every gang of talented skaters, the potential for a mind-blowing slide show is present in each afternoon practice session. Just as groups of drunks are well-advised to assign a designated driver, it’s a good idea to dedicate the quick reflexes of one memeber of your circle to the task of archiving the experience for posterity.

The first step in chronicling your local skate phenomenon is choosing a camera. Digital models are improving on a daily basis, and have the advantage of instant development and deployment online. Nevertheless, to capture the split-second intensity of skateboarding, nothing beats the old-fashioned 35mm. Pro skate photographers recommend such dependable standby models as the Nikon F5, but the degree of technical sophistication and investment you bring into your skateboard pictures is strictly up to you.

Once you have a camera, you’ll need to learn how to capture skateboard action, something which even many professional photographers find to be challenging. Many skaters resent being photographed and find being under the zoom lens distracting, so you’re best off finding a place where you won't be noticed. Be sure to stay far enough from the action that your shutter noise and flash don’t become the cause of your next slam shot.

Think of yourself as being on an urban safari, stalking the skittish wildlife in the hopes of catching a rare specimen doing something spectacular. It's very important not to disturb the natural environment of the airborne skater. The quest for perfect skateboard pictures will test your patience more than anything. Don’t expect skaters to risk their health just to so you can get your ideal shot. Your job is to remain at constant attention, with your trigger finger poised, waiting for the rare moment when everything comes together for skater and photographer alike.

Always check with your subject and get permission before posting your skateboard pictures on the internet or sending them to a magazine for publication. While verbal consent is probably enough to ensure that you aren’t violating someone’s right to privacy, if you have any aspirations of using your photos for commercial purposes, the best practice is to have a few copies of the standard release form for photographers in your pocket. Taking a moment to get it in writing could keep you out of court, and for magazine sales proper paperwork is mandatory.

You should never use anyone’s image without their permission, for both legal and ethical reasons. In the unlikely event that permission is refused, walk it off and forget it ever happened. For the most part, skaters hound for the glory and you’re likely to find an open, friendly attitude, and possibly even a new friend.