Community Gallery: Creative Ways to Capture Skateboarding on Film

The 2024 Summer Games is finally here! The inaugural Games dates all the way back to 1896 in sunny Athens and more than a century later here we are in beautiful Paris. We take a look at one of the most recent sport additions to celebrate how this momentous event has continued to evolve through the years.

As we scan through the long, intriguing list of sports included in the competitions, our eyes are caught by youthful and free-spirited players all clad in streetwear unifying form and function. They are seen challenging limitations and defying gravitational rules.

Skateboarding was introduced in 2021 in Tokyo, and now remains part of the highly anticipated multi-sport event. The extremities and high risks of skateboarding don’t always lead to positive connotations from society, and although winning this worldwide competition was never the main goal of skating’s pioneers, its spot at the Games is a significant step in solidifying it as a professional sport. Regardless of this mainstream debut, skateboarding remains a means of expression above all.

There are many similarities between skateboarding and film photography – the tricks for either take years to master and only seconds to execute. When you have the honor to witness a skater perform, don’t let it pass without freezing it in frame. Some moves and landings come once in a lifetime after all. So get on board as we offer a few creative ways to capture skateboarding on film!

Panoramas

The two spectacular skateboarding disciplines showcased this summer are Park and Street. The former takes place on a course of various bowls and bends, while the latter happens on a street-like simulation with stairs, handrails, ledges, and more. Keep an eye on how skateboarders use entire surfaces and dominate obstacles in different environments. Panoramas have an expanded view that makes it a great way to capture the whole setting and see the big picture.

Kaleidoscope

Skateboarding features tricks that you can’t help but want to put a spotlight on, and the kaleidoscope lens attachment is a great tool to do so. Like a kaleidoscope, this sport carries endless possibilities, unique movements, and ever-changing thrill – all of which can be emphasized and relived through these repeated reflections.

Fisheye

For more close-up action, a fisheye lens is an eminent option. Its wide angle and depth of field provides enough space for the skater to stand out and for the viewer to zero in on the trick. It’s no wonder that the warped fisheye aesthetic has become a skateboard photography classic.

Sequential images

The skateboarders participating present the degree of difficulty, speed, and moves within their capabilities through three 45-second runs only. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wishing for a replay afterwards, as everything goes by faster than you can imagine. With gear like the ActionSampler, you can take sequential images that you can later turn into videos to record these hair-raising stunts in analogue style.

Multiple and long exposures

Multiple exposures can give a unique flare and perspective to your photographs. By superimposing an image on top of another, you can preserve your experience uniquely and embody the surreal feelings from skateboarding. There is also the option of creating long exposures, which is a great way to capture motion. Seeing the duration of a trick from its beginning to its end in one frame is a way to appreciate the intricacies behind every move – to follow their trail and get a glimpse of how it feels in the skater’s shoes. An abundance of thoughtful details goes into skateboarding, and multiple and long exposures are a great way to spot them. These can be achieved with the LomoApparat which, by the way, comes in a new LomoApparat Paris Edition!

Diptychs

Though the sensation of being on the skateboard is hard to match, there is also a certain excitement in being a bystander. No experience is ever the same. Each time feels as crazy as the first, and one way to immortalize this feeling is by crafting narratives through half-frames. With twice the number of exposures, you can shoot away without worrying so much about missing a moment. It also makes room for imagination as you can experiment with various compositions. Diptychs are wonderful for capturing stories that you want to recollect and pass on.

Instant photographs

Whether it’s to conquer a new skate spot, invent a trick, or power through a routine, expect nothing less than determination from skaters. This attitude of always being up for challenges is something that you can adopt in your photography practice as well. Master the art of timing with instant photography. It only takes seconds for a skater to perform, yet what they show you within that short amount of time becomes engraved in your mind. Similarly, it also only takes seconds for an instant photo to develop and have your memory imprinted on film that you can keep forever.

Since its genesis skateboarding has served a purpose bigger than itself. It was never just a sport but also a culture of creativity and individuality. These photographs serve as a reminder that to have a community like such may be a greater win than any competition can grant.

What skateboard photography trick are you looking forward to try? Let us know!

written by kylavillena on 2024-08-04 #gear #culture #sports #gallery #skateboarding #community