Night time skateboard pics...

[SurfKahakai]

Well these pictures are obviously of horrible quality; I'm still new to photography so I come to you for tips.

First, what settings should I be shooting at in limited light situations? It's obviously too grainy/blurry. The pictures look clear on the LCD but when I pull them up on my computer they look like junk.

Second, what can I do about the horrible lighting? Should I get some sort of upgraded flash?

Oh, this was all shot with a Digital rebel and the 22-58mm lens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/surfkahakai/Nosebonecrop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/surfkahakai/Frontsidehip1crop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/surfkahakai/Backsideaircrop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/surfkahakai/Backsidesmithcrop.jpg

[Illegally_Alive]

Nice pics!
You're capturing the right moments, which is very good, but I have just a few suggestions.
An external flash is always a good thing to have! There's plenty of options- Canon 420ex or 550ex, and also the Sigma 500 super dg. Do a little research in the equipment section and see what's best for you. I personally use the Sigma and love it.

Alright next off you also might want to look into getting a wider lens- BUT it's not everything, it's more of an aesthetic of the sport kind of thing- you don't have to buy in to it (as the wind angles can get pretty pricey). I've seen plenty-o shots done with long lenses as well. It's all about how close you can stand while feeling comfortable/not in the way.

I think some of your shots could do with a 90deg. turning of the camera. This is not a rule but more of a suggestion. It really depends on what's going on, but just keep it in mind.

For example (pardon my poor PS drawing ability) here's a suggestion for the future- by turning the camera and adding an external flash like so- it gives you a whole different look.

http://www.illegallyalive.com/skphoto.jpg

Similar to- (which I borrowed from TWS's site)
http://illegallyalive.com/pro.jpg

I really want to stress that I'm not saying this is how you have to do it... becasue skateboarding (and hopefully skateboarding photography) is really about doing your own thing. Wow that's cheesy! What I'm trying to say is get out there and try different things, if the rider is doing the same thing a few times try different perspectives, get closer or farther away. Start to find your style.

Hope this helps

-Ben

[kawter2]

Some secrets to skateboarding pics...



@-- WIDEST ANGLE LENS

@-- Ususlly as close as you can get while keeping the subject in frame (l/r) with arms extended, but keeping the distance under the rider predominant

@-- Min of 20degree angle under horizion (relative to the subject)

@-- Frame the subject in the uper 3rd to exagerate the gap between him and the ground

[blinking8s]

Some secrets to skateboarding pics...



@-- WIDEST ANGLE LENS

@-- Ususlly as close as you can get while keeping the subject in frame (l/r) with arms extended, but keeping the distance under the rider predominant

@-- Min of 20degree angle under horizion (relative to the subject)

@-- Frame the subject in the uper 3rd to exagerate the gap between him and the ground

yup...

[SurfKahakai]

Thanks for the tips guys. That drawing is exactly what I'm looking for. It shows me where the lighting needs to be placed and the tip about holding the camera sideways is great too.

I've been skating since 1985 but taking pictures since 2005 :p .

Oh and Ive been looking into wider lenses...just don't have the cash right now since I just bought a 100-300 USM (cheap but I'm broke and it works so far).

[blackviolet]

yeah, external flash from the side triggered remotely - especially where it creates a wicked shadow (again, accentuating height or complexity of the trick), can be the difference between a snapshot and a magazine photo.

in addition to getting as wide as possible, get low and close. these are all suggestions, mind you. skating photos are ones where traditional rules are often broken with stunning results.

[SurfKahakai]

yeah, external flash from the side triggered remotely

What would I need for this and how much would it run me? Do they mount on a standard tripod?

[blackviolet]

you can mount them on a tripod, with the appropriate bracket. most of the decent flashes (sigma 500 dg super, canon 550/580 ex, etc.) come with a little stand that can be mounted on a tripod. otherwise, you can get cheap coldshoes which fit tripod screws as well. if you do use a tripod, try using a smaller tripod as having the flash relatively low creates a more dramatic effect.

you can trigger the flash wirelessly (via IR), either using a master flash or a wireless transmitter. you can also trigger the remote flash optically - set the flash as an optical slave and it will fire using the on-camera flash, or a dedicated flash.

a bare flash also tends to provide better looking shadows, but sometimes at the expense of being harsh on the subject. you can get a clamp which has a coldshoe on top, a brolly clamp in the middle, and a tripod mount on the bottom. shooting into a brolly will soften the light on the subject, but your shadow wont be as nice.