I Love Skate Photography

Skate photography has always been a passion of mine. I started shooting skateboarding as a hobby back in the late 80's, if memory serves me correctly. Come to think of it, snapping photos of skateboarding and skateboarders was one of the first things I shot when I got my first real SLR camera, the legendary Pentax K1000 from Kerrsidale Cameras in Vancouver.

 I remember hanging out at the Vancouver Art Gallery steps and the Granville Island waterpark, in the Fall, after they shut the water off, and in the Spring, before they turned in back on. Both locations were havens for people getting their stoke on, and there was always great action going on.  

Here's photo from that 80's era down at the Granville Island waterpark. I have no idea who the skater is. This was probably 1987 or 1988.

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The Art Gallery steps are still, to this day, one of the prime spots for street skating due primarily to the fact that the steps and ledges are made from granite, the best material for grinds and slides. I headed over to the Art Gallery recently to snap some photos and came away with some cool shots of the benches and ledges there, complete with those dastardly "skate stoppers".

These were shot on my Pentax K-30 with the Pentax 35mm F2.4 wide open at 2.4. since these were shot in the evening, I set the ISO between 800-3200.

Here are a couple of shots:

The Vancouver area has such a vibrant skate community, and during the summer, that are no shortage of skate related events going on. Here are a few photos from some of the local events. Most of these were shot with either an 18-55mm or a 70-200mm. No matter what lens I'm using, I always shoot as wide open as the lens is capable of, to try and get that separation between subject and background.

Vans Bowl Series - Seylynn Bowl - 2018

Dave Hackett - Seylynn Bowl - North Vancouver

The GapThis gap is huge. To get that much speed to clear it is a feat unto itself. Andy Anderson made it look easy. After a few attempts of course...he he.
Taken during a skateboarding contest at the New West Skate Park in New Westminster, B.C.
Good times.

Andy Anderson - New West Skatepark - New Westminster

Keegan Palmer - Vans Park Series - 2017Keegan Palmer at the Vans Park Series skateboard competition at Hastings Bowl in Vancouver Canada - 2017.

CJ Collins - Hastings Skatepark - Vancouver 

Alex Sorgente - Hastings Skatepark - Vancouver

Uknown Skater- Seylynn Skatepark - North Vancouver

So ya, I love photographing skateboard event, they're always a good time. Great people, great community, great vibes. If you are a photographer who shoots sports related stuff, and have never shot skateboarding related events and shindigs, I highly recommend it! (once this Covid 19 stuff is all over, I might add...)

Later!