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Thread started 10 Jul 2008 (Thursday) 16:26
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Advice on Skate photography!

 
towersinthesky
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Jul 10, 2008 16:26 |  #1

Hi, figured I would register to this forum as I saw some pretty interested threads and decided to get some advice and share any knowledge I may have to people who are just starting.

I got into photography when I started a college national diploma in it and despite the fact I am no longer doing that I still really enjoy it as a hobby. My biggest problem was the fact I only owned a 400D and although the camera was fine for basic shots I didn't find it that great when it came to shooting skateboarding. My main reason was simply down to the speed and the fact I had to time alot of the shots incase I missed the frame I wanted etc. At 3 frames per second I always seemed to just be slightly late or early of the point I wanted to have the photo.

I just recently purchased a second hand original 1D. I rarely ever blow images up to a substantial size (biggest I go is maybe A4) and I wanted a camera that could perform at a higher fps. Obviously with the 1D being 8FPS it makes it so much easier to get the images I want and as I am not going to blow images up and most will be used online I felt it was the camera to go. I also wanted it as I eventually plan to get a Mark II or Mark III if I can ever afford one.

Anyway, I wanted to know what kind of lense you would recommend and what other gear would give me the best results. Ideally I don't want to pay out loads, I work in Jessops aswell in England so alot of stuff I can get for alot less. I am planning on purchasing a 430EX flash gun, and am trying to find a good fisheye lense. Maybe a 10mm Sigma.

Anyway, advice?


  
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jbergdoll
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Jul 10, 2008 16:47 |  #2
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Shooting spray-and-pray style is NOT ideal. You need to compose the shot beforehand, and just work on your timing using only one shot. You will have much better results if you stick to it and decide you want to be more than mediocre. For a good fisheye, go with the 10-17mm Tokina. Don't get a 430EX, and don't waste your time with on-camera flashes. Grab yourself a pair of Sunpak 544/555's or Vivitar 285HV's, get some light stands, and some Gadget Infinity Radio Slave sets off eBay, and you've got a poppin' light setup for under $300.


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HauntFreaks
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Jul 10, 2008 16:49 |  #3

you use a few different lenses in skate photography... it all has to do with what type of skating you are going to shoot... I shoot mostly bowls and vert so 995 of the time i'm right there on the deck in the skaters face , so I use a 8mm fisheye.... where the trend in street skating is long lenses... why?... I dont have a clue, I think it have to do with the kids shoot from far away to capture the whole area... but what the hell do I know i'm a 43yr old skate geezer... oh and off camera flashes are key, even on a sunny day, that I do know....lol


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towersinthesky
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Jul 10, 2008 16:51 |  #4

Cheers lads!
If possible can you link me to where I can get sunpaks, I am unable to find them online. Also, are they easy to use and will a 1D perform well enough for what I want to achieve?


  
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jbergdoll
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Jul 10, 2008 16:52 as a reply to  @ towersinthesky's post |  #5
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1D is fine, just shoot in one-shot mode and no more pray-and-spray. You can only get the 544/555 on eBay nowadays, or secondhand. Also another good flash is the Sunpak 383. I prefer the 544/555 though, they're great.


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HauntFreaks
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Jul 10, 2008 16:54 |  #6

I also agree with Joe about spray-n-pray but then again I dont use the view finder so I guess I'm praying as well... only time I use my high FPS is if i'm shooting sequence shot...


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towersinthesky
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Jul 10, 2008 16:58 |  #7

Ebay is empty for them sadly!
Would all I need is sunpaks or would I need additional lighting etc?


  
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jbergdoll
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Jul 10, 2008 17:12 |  #8
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HauntFreaks wrote in post #5888043 (external link)
I also agree with Joe about spray-n-pray but then again I dont use the view finder so I guess I'm praying as well... only time I use my high FPS is if i'm shooting sequence shot...

I rarely use viewfinder for fish too... in long lens it's necessary!

Towers, two high power flashes will be all you'll need for awhile.


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HauntFreaks
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Jul 10, 2008 17:18 |  #9

the Vivitar 285HV is another cheap choice I've seen guys use... and another one you can get on ebay


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towersinthesky
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Jul 10, 2008 17:34 |  #10

Does anyone have any direct links to gear on ebay?


  
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towersinthesky
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Jul 10, 2008 17:34 |  #11

By the way, in answer to what type of photography I will be aiming to do. It will be more street style skating. Big sets and rails etc


  
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HauntFreaks
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Jul 10, 2008 20:32 |  #12

towersinthesky wrote in post #5888305 (external link)
By the way, in answer to what type of photography I will be aiming to do. It will be more street style skating. Big sets and rails etc

heres a link for ya.... http://forums.skateper​ception.com/ (external link) good luck over there.... hehehe


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jbergdoll
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Jul 10, 2008 21:55 as a reply to  @ HauntFreaks's post |  #13
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SP has a lot of great reading. There are a lot of idiots, but if you can look past them, you'll learn a lot.


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towersinthesky
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Jul 11, 2008 16:29 |  #14

What is it I need to look for on ebay. If I buy a sunpak will it come with all i need?


  
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HauntFreaks
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Jul 12, 2008 21:05 as a reply to  @ towersinthesky's post |  #15

you will need the wireless flash triggers... put this in the ebay search 190235171825


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