Inspiration: His name is Skater Bob and he is a master of the board. The skateboard, I mean. The last time I photographed him, the best I could do was to catch him in repose. I caught this action late in the day yesterday - around 6:30 to 7:00 pm. I was returning from a photography class at ICP. For the class, I chose to bring my 85mm 1.2. As I've been favoring my other prime lenses lately, I thought that it was 85's turn to get out of the house. After class, I couldn't resist hanging out in Union Square before going home. So, it was with the enormous, slow, but beautiful 85mm that I took these shots. I could not have picked a worse lens for action photographs. How was I supposed to know that this dude would be performing wicked stunts at that moment? The only benefit of having this lens in this situation was its wide aperture, which allowed me to obtain light and some modest speed without having to resort to high ISO. By the way, here's someone else's video of some brilliant tricks by Skater Bob.
Going to check out the ICP during my summer in New York. Looks like they have great classes. Is this what gave you the inspiration for your blog?
http://shopping.icp.org/school/continuing/course.html?category_id=190&product_id=32784
Posted by: Kiran | April 25, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Really nice!
Posted by: Marit | April 25, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Hi Kiran. I didn't even know they had that class! No ... I was inspired to do the blog when I realized that I had thousands of photos in my hardrive with no where to go or to be seen . . . But thanks for that link.
Posted by: The Photodiarist | April 25, 2010 at 12:36 PM
You take incredible pictures.. you should GIVE online classes! I'm not even joking. I would sign up for sure! :)
Keep up the good work with the gorgeous pics!
Posted by: Kiran | April 25, 2010 at 05:00 PM
Agree wholeheartedly with Kirans second post. Which lens would you have prefered for these shots? I didn't even know that there are fast and slow lenses, whoops.
And these pictures are amazing, as always.
What I think is funny, is how skater fashion has changed over the years. First skinny in the 80s then baggy and now back to skinny.
Did you take the class or did you give it?
Posted by: San | April 25, 2010 at 05:28 PM
San and Kiran - You guys are so awesome, but I must say, you are WAY too kind! I am taking a class at ICP - definitely not giving it. There's soooo much technical and compositional stuff about which I have no idea. In any case, I appreciate your comments immensely.
Posted by: The Photodiarist | April 25, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Great series! You have caught the movement very well on the third picture. I also particularly like the fact we have to wait for the fourth pic to see him turn & realise he is far older than we may have assumed.
Keep up the good work & don't worry about the teaching... I am sure you would have a lot to transmit to others! As I have learnt when teaching, what matters most is the ability to provide advice on a given topic when needed by students.
http://davidikus.blogspot.com/
PS. What is ICP?
PPS. The technique matters far less than composition (composition is THE goal, technique just ONE means to that end)...
Posted by: davidikus | April 25, 2010 at 07:33 PM
AHHHHHHH amazing!!!!! Man....you just keep it coming! WOW You caught so many awesome shots! I can't wait to show Sal!
PS speeking of SK8ing Sal told me last week that it is called a "mini" ramp. He loved that I called it a short ramp.....It is like saying he rides the "short bus". HAHAHA He asked that I don't correct it 'cause he thought it was so rad :)
Posted by: Cristi | April 25, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Dear Photodiarist,
You would find it absolutely SHAMEFULL that the said 'camera' purchased still lies in all of it's glory in my office shedding tears every time i leave the loft.... snifff. i've tried and tried. i can't get the hang of it. i suck. - no serious, i do. not only do i suck. i don't have the time to figure out WHY i suck. my dreams of camera obsession/love/infatuation are officially on hold as i find myself swept into the panic of WORK and um... WORK and oh yeah - MORE WORK. Man... i really need a vacay. How goes your life in the big pomme? (that's apple in french), give me some news about YOU.
hugs
muse xox
Posted by: muse | April 25, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Hi, it's been a long time since I posted a comment here!
Good to know you're taking classes at ICP; I also took a class there last term.
Posted by: dktran | April 26, 2010 at 12:07 AM
So lucky to be taking classes at ICP. love the shots of skater Bob. Awesome as usual!
XX
Posted by: Valerie | April 26, 2010 at 12:13 AM
I love the last,
it look like he is going to fly away ...
These photos are striking .
Posted by: C. | April 26, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Great action shots....
www.torontoverve.org
Posted by: TorontoVerve | April 26, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Awesome shots! Like it b&w
Posted by: Jens | April 28, 2010 at 06:36 AM
hey...i know this guy!! well i dont know him personally...but ive seen him at un ion square almost everytime i go there... he's forever playing pranks on the cleaning guy out there....lol..not in a malicious way though...
ohh and fyi, my photographer Shraddha also went to ICP... [i just get excited about little things like this for some reason..lol]
Posted by: prutha | April 28, 2010 at 01:57 PM