Skate Photographer's Etiquette and Technique or lack thereof
The fisheye lens has been the skate photographer's staple lens of choice for over 30 years since the late, great Warren Bolster(RIP) first captured images of the 70s skate legends on film. The fisheye is an essential tool when shooting skateboarders. Skateboarding is one of the few photographic subjects where the fisheye is used extensively. The lens has its uses and misuses. Many years ago, I can remember Thrasher's photographer, Mofo lecturing and regulating the younger photographers about their bad habit of not looking through their viewfinders, holding the camera out at arm's length and just shooting willy-nilly anything that moved. I admit, I was guilty of it in my early days of shooting. Making skate photos is no different than making any kind of photos. Photography is an artform and certain elements must all come together to make a nice photo, a certain amount of skill in operating the camera is also essential. In skate photography, the action, the light, the vantage point, the exposure and the composition are the main ingredients neccessary in creating an adequate skate photo. Anyone can learn the technical basics of the camera. I have checked out thousands of other photog's photos and the ones that have really stood out are the ones where the composition of the photo really put it over the top. The photo had balance to it, the horizon was straight, not tilted, arms and legs and boards not cropped out, it was composed. You can't possibly compose a shot if you are not looking through the viewfinder, that's why the manufacturer put it on the camera! Very few of those haphazardly taken shots come out. I was compelled to write about the fisheye and its proper usage after shooting at the Protec Pool Party yesterday. I was amazed and shocked that the old ways of shooting without looking through the viewfinder had again raised its ugly head. Ok, it was very crowded on the deck of the combi pool, five to ten photographers lined up at each trick spot. That's just part of shooting a big contest where anyone with a camera(phone) can obtain a wristband(or not) and sit shoulder to shoulder and elbow to elbow with skate photographers who have paid their dues to skateboarding over the years. Well, that's another story, back to not looking through the viewfinder. I hadn't really witnessed this nasty habit in a long time, I think a Munster Monster Mastership in Germany in the mid 90s was the last time, the habit had spread from the States to Europe, our gift to them. I thought it had thankfully died out until yesterday, it's back with a vengeance! Unfortunately, the practice of not looking through the viewfinder not only affects the practitioner's photos, but also affects the photographers' photos around them. In one instance, I had a photo framed(composed) and then had a hand holding a camera come into frame from Stage Right and at the same time a photographer walking by, stopping and taking a photo with camera held at waist level in front of me.
I actually shook my head rapidly from side to side like in the cartoons, I was amazed at the lack of etiquette, skill and manners. It was unbelievable. I finally had to call off one guy after he repeatedly ruined several of my shots by sticking his hand and camera into my viewfinder frame. This isn't all about ME, I saw this action committed over and over again to many of my peers and it's simply NOT COOL!
My advice to novices is to learn the rules of photography first and to realize what is an acceptable way to act when shooting around other photographers.
Jamie Thomas, Photo: Brittain
5 months ago Janchai said:
Thanks for the advise! I've been loving your skate photography since I start skating.
www.janemontr.com
5 months ago JL said:
Well put the point and shoot fad is back. Http://projectbushwick.blogspot.com
5 months ago Ray Mitchell said:
Funny you write about this, I was watching the webcast yesterday and was wondering how guys were just sticking a camera out and shooting. Maybe you should do a free clinic which just covers photo etiquette, I would be the first one in line.
5 months ago Ivo Janssen said:
Although I'm in no way a photographer of any significance, I totally see these things happen at every event I go to.
In the era of dirt-cheap equipment and digital formats, it seems like every guy with a camera and their mom think they have the right to get as close as they want and obstruct other photographers and even the skaters themselves in some cases. I see cocky guys with videocameras moving into the shots of ten others. There just seems to be little respect and consideration, even though 99% of the stuff shot isn't gonna get used anywhere. Ever.
5 months ago Mike said:
Seems to me that it might be a good idea to have the event coordinators limit access to the deck to a smaller handful of 'legit' photographers and keep the point-and-shooters in the stands or at least behind a rail. Or is that too much police activity at a skate event?
5 months ago kyle said:
Thank you Grant. Its sad, but it seems as though etiquette has gone out the window with film. The younger generation is learning more and more by trial and error and being able to quickly look at their shot, and not by learning the ropes (including etiquette) from experienced photographers such as yourself. Unfortunately, this makes you have to snap out at a disrespectful young photographer in situations as you mentioned above. I'm happy that you brought it to the table though and have opened the discussion.
5 months ago Morris said:
Funny Grant, probably your most well known photo was shot without looking through the viewfinder! : )
I know what you're getting at though, one should master the rules before breaking them.
I usually set up a shot by looking through the viewfinder and then hold the camera without having my eye in the finder - when shooting fisheye. I get a better since of the action that way and feel it helps grab the decisive moment easier.
Shooting big contests is a nightmare... at that point i feel you're doing more journalism than going for a shot that transcends the banal.
Then again guys like you have the ability to pull it all together and make photos that stand out from the pack - that's why you have a Powell signature skateboard with your name on it, and i have a crappy Flickr account! : )
5 months ago Cash said:
Don't beat around the bush Grant, name some names of the culprits!
I couldn't agree more with everything you said!
5 months ago Grant Brittain said:
I shot two rolls of Miller with the Pole Cam and only one shot was usable.
There is a plus side to not looking through the viewfinder, you don't get hit in the head as much.
I have photos of the guys at Protec, I shot an overview of them without looking through the viewfinder.
Send cash.
5 months ago Luiz said:
Thank you, Grant!
Those are definitely “words of wisdom”.
I also dig the picture above – even though all but one are looking through the viewfinder.
Out of curiosity, did you shoot this image before writing this article or the other way around?
;-)
5 months ago excess lifeform said:
reda is filming from jamies backside thats a no no these days right?
5 months ago Grant Brittain said:
That was a TW cover a few years back.
Not Reda.
I like the dog, he's watching.
5 months ago anthony said:
Thank you. I agree with you and to be honest, I dont even have a fisheye lens. I have a wide angle but i'm trying to leave the fisheye off the camera for as long as i can.
Thanks again.
5 months ago James King said:
Great stuff...its soo true all over the skate world... I am just an amature but I feel everyone should shoot skateboarding as if it was a sexy woman...its got to look and feel right.
5 months ago heverton ribeiro said:
Hi Grant, and....
Also some people still use the flash's with open arms...
THANK'S Grant,
Heverton Ribeiro.
5 months ago Jamie said:
There's no excuse for having to elbow for room on the deck. But there are those instances where the viewfinder doesn't work so well. For awhile I was shooting with a fisheye and would set the camera on the deck for super close shots. http://324-b.blogspot.com/search/label/skate
3 months ago aruizphoto said:
words that i will never forget !!!! i hate local when they do that