Orem Skatepark Photo

Photographer’s Note

Location The skatepark in Orem, Utah.

About the Photo: I drive by this skatepark everyday, and today I decided to stop and take some pictures. I converted this photo to B&W, and then I added a sepia filter.

Special Thanks: I have to thank Dave, a local skater, for this photo. I was about to leave after half an hour of not getting any good shots. That's when Dave approached me and said if I wanted to get some good shots, he would be happy to do some tricks for me. He then worked with me for about another half hour doing all kinds of tricks. He even explained the two main goals of skate photography to me. #1 make sure you get the athletes face in the photo, and #2 make sure you get their sponsors label in the photo (this can usually be found on their T-shirt, or on the bottom of their skateboard). Well, sorry Dave, I failed you in both respects here. But I have posted a workshop showing Dave's face, and his sponsor BOP, here. Thanks Dave.

SamB, etiennejr, batalay, Floydian, macondo, imrek, plimrn, luisafonso, rdiaz80, cpolus, tcht, darrasin, a_i_ren, bakes888, Salma has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CaptainJack (0) 2006-10-14 23:40

Hi Ryan, you've reminded me of a skatepark that I pass each day as well, but have never actually gone to see if I can get action shots such as this. Thanks for the insights into the mentality of skaters - hopefully the ones at my park are as welcoming. :) As for your post, I like the off-centre position of the skater, as it does suggest his movement forward. Part of me wishes there was less distraction in the background - biker, fencing, power wires, or perhaps out of focus at least, as the skater is what makes this shot for me.

etiennejr (1014) 2006-10-14 23:41

Hi Ryan,
Good silouete image. The sky turns out nice with the sephia. Well done!
TFS
Etienne

vapours (7913) 2006-10-14 23:53

Fantatsic shot here Ryan, the toning you've done on this is perfect and sets a great mood for the shot. A great pose that youve caught the skater in as well.

batalay (20806) 2006-10-15 0:13

Ryan,

This is a truly effective photo, replete with an interesting explanation. By converting it to black and white, you simplify the shape and form. Then by transforming to sepia, you give it an old and timeless feeling -- even though skateboarding is a relatively young sport.

Best regards,
Bulent

Floydian (30970) 2006-10-15 0:50

Goodmorning Ryan ;-)
Something complete different from you, i like that.
The toning is perfect, just as the action itself. These kind of pictures don't need faces or logos.
The only thing is the over-exposed cloud, imho a little bit to much.
Regards, Henk

ndb1958 (9248) 2006-10-15 1:37

Hi Ryan,
a very nice capture of these silhouettes against the sunset. I like the dynamic scenery and you clicked the right moment. The b+w / sepia works well for this one.
Great mood,
Nino

s10001in (1485) 2006-10-15 1:48 [Comment]

Show Comment

tjanze (5674) 2006-10-15 3:07

Hi Ryan!
Beautiful skater position.I like only silhouete.I think works better,then "normal" photo.Is it so important to see sponsor for TE? Hmmm....Good job. Regards!

macondo (13067) 2006-10-15 5:08

Impressive action silhouette, Ryan. I like the sepia finish, and also the cyclist in the background, on another plane and angle as a counterpoint to the skateboarder (I'm sure you planned for him to cycle along there!). Pity about the patch of overexposed sky, but not important. Fine shot and excellent note. I've had a look at your gallery and can see this is not your usual sort of shot!
Regards,
Andrew

LeToun (1064) 2006-10-15 5:34

hi ryan !

very good picture !

nice shadows and colors.

great shot !

Francois

imrek (4) 2006-10-15 8:28

Hi Ryan,
superb graphism the silhouett of jumper very sharp and sephia tones is just right here, i like it!!!
regards,
imre

hubert (1546) 2006-10-15 9:45

Ciao ryan,
I have tried to make a picture like this getting very bad results...
Touched I bow me at your perfection.
Marco

plimrn (19596) 2006-10-15 11:27

Hi Ryan,
Wel you may have failed to get a saleable shot but your certainly captured some excellent action. I think of action shots as the peak of photography because they are so fleeting. I had to laugh when I went to your WS to see Dave;s face and his sponsor - you really aren't into commercial :-)
Regards, Pat

natwald (0) 2006-10-15 12:49

ohhh, love it. Great depth with the cyclist

luisafonso (858) 2006-10-15 17:46

Great compo my friend in a picture full of action. The exposure is not perfect by everyday standards, but it works well presenting the results you wanted to achieve. I love how you painted them with a solid black. That burnt highlight in the middle might be just bit beyond what I would find correct but to be honest doesn't bother me at all. It's good to see you moving in different waters! :) The biker in the background is crucial for the success of this one. Very good!

Cormac (26449) 2006-10-15 22:31

This is a great action shot! I like the way you caught the action at the ideal time, and the way you were able to get the guy silhoetted against the sky. Great idea and well executed.

rdiaz80 (319) 2006-10-16 2:34

This is a great skateboard shot. Nice backlit subject in mid-air. I like the light highlighting the shirt giving the subject more 3D effect not just a plain silhoutte. The guy in the background works well in the photo as well.

cpolus (187) 2006-10-16 4:50

Great moment you captured and a nice note. It can be very depressing not getting a good shot. Sometimes you get one straight ahead, sometimes you have to sit there and wait. I'm not the person that waits, I like spontaneous successes ;). Which is why I admire your patience. Great dynamic shot, excellent PP for this capture.

tcht (7298) 2006-10-16 5:29

Hi Ryan
Amazing composition and beautiful lighting! The juxtaposition of the two is really good. I like this a lot, very good work. TFS.
Cheers
CheukHin

darrasin (2860) 2006-10-16 13:38

Hello Ryan! I like this shot and especially your note describing the interaction with the skater. Obviously that's something we can only appreciate when you craft such informative notes.

For the image, I like how you froze the action and especially how Dave's arm is extended pointing up. His shape made a great silhouette.

Nice work!
Doug

a_i_ren (1315) 2006-10-16 14:17

Great catch, Ryan! Very successfully done PP helps to emphasize the beauty of Dave`s motion. Bravo!!!
Inna

veronika (6022) 2006-10-17 10:06

Hi Ryan,
great one, though you've failed in both respects, i think the main is that you got such a great pose :)
WS is perfect also. This is something different from you, not beautiful nature, but i like it a lot!
Nice day for you :)
Vero

bakes888 (18055) 2006-10-18 2:49

Hi Ryan. Great action shot. Shame about the two main goals mentioned. I love the POV and composition, I think the composition is very dynamic. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2006-10-18 6:58

Hi Ryan,

so different from your nature photographs, but beautiful...the silhouette against that superbly coloured sky, it has a very special atmosphere...well done again!

take care, Ivana

kensimage (8539) 2006-10-29 10:03

I think you do a great job with photos that don't show "something pretty", Ryan. It's good you didn't follow Dave's advice! That extended arm in silhouette really makes the shot, giving a powerful diagonal. You should show it to Dave and expand his horizons. I guess it might be even better without the bicyclist, but no big deal. Regards, Ken.

dolin (15647) 2006-10-30 5:24

Hi Ryan.
Waouhhhh excellent capture.
The skater in the air with this position and the biker behind...just genius !
the timing is really good and I like this back-light with all these silhouettes.
Very well done...perfect
Fred

(I come back)

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-11-13 7:48

Hello Ryan
Its a nice image you have accoplished here. WHile you usually take landscapes, here you show that you have talent for a wider variety of subjects,
The lighting is right on, as it allows the sky to form a great backdrop for these skaters.
Im glad that your patience paid off.
Regards
Daniel

Salma (1276) 2006-12-10 4:21

Perfect silloutte .... and beautiful sepia color
TFS
Salma

sebinho342 (18734) 2006-12-10 8:57

Hi Ryan, awesome picture here, difficult for me to choose between this one and the following one in same style ... I have one in my gallery also about skating but yours is far more eyes catching, tremendous shape of this man with a beautiful attitude, us spirit here, reversed cap, yes i love it
All my congratulations Ryan

designe (25) 2009-09-24 4:17