I’m addicted to capturing moments. Earlier this week, I got an email from MiamiSkaters.com about a free skate session at the Grove’s skate park. They were calling all skaters to take part of a petition for the Biscayne Skate Park project. I’m a skateboard photographer and a skateboarder so I headed over to show my support. Read more…

There’s a lot of talk from the well-known pros about wanting it badly. Every time I read another blog for inspiration from another photographer I come across the phrase, “You have to want it bad.” I agree with that statement. As a less known pro I would share the same advice with a you. Here’s the deal – I want it so frickin’ bad! Read more…

At my last photo shoot, I came into contact with, literally the most disrespectful person at one of my sessions! I’ve been photographing a lot of skateboarders in Miami, Florida recently. Wanna take a guess at who this disrespectful person may be? The title of this post kinda’ gave it away. (The Photographs Displayed are Images Made From The Session That Inspired This Post.)

A Skateboarder Cop…

…well a security guard who thinks the costume his boss gave him to wear made him the most powerful person in the world. The security guard spat at my skater.

If you are a skateboarder, if you film skateboarders or if you photographed skateboarders I’m sure you’ve been kicked out of a location before. I’m used to getting kicked out at the most annoying times, like right when all the lights are set up. I understand why securities has to kick us out at times. They’re only trying to keep their jobs. They don’t understand that we’re trying to do the same. Some of the nice ones might say, “okay I’ll give you one try to get the shot you need then you have to leave.” or “Bro, I have to feed my kids. You really have to leave the property.” Those approaches are understandable.

@RunKelly and I were unpacking our gear and I looked over at the skaters the security ran outside shouting at the skaters. When I say shouting at the skaters, I mean SHOUTING at the skaters. “You can’t f**king skate here! Get off the f**king property!” If anyone approaches anyone with that tone they are going to get a reply back. One of the skateboarders answered him back saying look you don’t need to curse and shout to tell us to leave.” And that’s when the security guard spat at him. So he spat back. I don’t agree with the entire situation. In my mind he’s no longer a security guard he’s just a big pussy in a costume, spitting at my model that happens to be under the age of 18. I immediately ran over to the guard to clear things up. The little 5′9 guard’s mouth wasn’t as big when he saw me come over. I told the skaters to leave and I told the guard to ease up before a problem really occurs. I didn’t want to make a scene, so I didn’t punch him in his face like I wanted to. Mainly because all of the money we have now is for more gear and not for bail lol. It frustrates me to even write this right now because it still pisses me off that he would do such a thing to a 13 year old!

My Quick Tips To You For Shooting Skateboarders and How To Avoid Getting Kicked Out Before The Shot

Capturing  skateboarders at the right moment of action is not easy. If you want to do this for a living as bad as I do, you should start puting work into it like I do. There are ways to get around getting kicked out of your location- example you can contact the property owner and make a deal with them. But if you’re broke on a tight budget like I am, only using: Nikon D300’s, SB-900, Pocket Wizards, umbrellas and reflectors – renting the property is not an option. You’re going to have to that risk of being kicked out as well. BTW If you’re that person thinking  it’s easy as putting the camera into continuous mode and getting a lucky shot – bullshit.

Keep A Ten Dollar Bill…

…they work 9-5 as a security guard. That means he / she probably is not making as much money as wanted. That ten dollar bill looks good for lunch. I honestly  believe they don’t have to kick us out at times; I’ve paid-off countless guards to get shots. Shots that didn’t make my portfolio or even make it to my hard-drive. — Sometimes you have to do what you have to do for what you love.

In The First Tries…

…if you are working with lights etc. tell your skater to go down the street away from the set to warm up while you set up your lights. If the skater practices around you while you are setting-up your lights, it only increases your chances of being spotted by the skateboarder cop. Set your lights up, shoot great skaters and get the image within one shot.

Settings To Use…

…I’m going to be brief on the basics. If we were painters and I gave you a canvas  I expect you to know what brush to use for the strokes you prefer mark. In photography you’re going to develop memory for the camera settings which works for certain situations.  1/500 of a second freezes action, F – 2.8 lets more light into the camera, the lower the ISO (old school ASA) the less grain = the better quality of the photograph, however, the higher the ISO = the more light into the camera. Look for the best angles. Shoot a lot, fail alot, filter your good ones to develop your style good luck now go get shooting. (Even I am still in the process of mastering – I’m just sharing what I know with the community.)

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YouTube Channel: 242dt

The work you show represents you. In your portfolio you should show the type of clients you would like to shoot and the type of work you would like to do. It only makes sense to do this. I have tons of photographs that I would like to put in my portfolio but it doesn’t show me as the photographer I would like my clients to call me for – commercial advertising, lifestyle, portraits and sports photography.

Prior to my photography portfolio being active I posted my photographs in blog post and shared articles about them. I am still going to do so. Posting to my blog allows me to share some photographs that won’t necessarily make it to my portfolio page but I would still love to share them with you.

To make a photography portfolio like this one – I purchase a template and spent a lot of time editing the photographs to fit it and personalized it. I’m not a flash designer and I didn’t see point of sitting down HOURS to create a portfolio like this from scratch. As a photographer I don’t see the point . Unless you are trying to start a flash design company :S

The point is that you want to have something what’s going to represent you and your work. If you aren’t in a position to purchase a flash template or pay a flash designer to make one for you Wix.com is an easy site with some cool shit in there to play around with. Check them out. When I launch DT.’s MERCH I will be using them to make my e-commerce part of the site to sell my photograph tee-shirts etc.

HOW TO USE?

The middle left of the screen of the portfolio page you are going to see a menu button. I’m deciding if to just have the menu stay out as seen in the snap shot above. Looking through the code to figure out how.  Over the summer you will see photographs and maybe even some video, constantly being added to my photograph portfolio. I think the zoom feature on this portfolio is cool but unsure it if to keep it if it’s gonna give me faster loading time. What do you think?

In the menu bar there are different collections of photographs for you to look at. Enjoy them and hopefully my hustle helps you keep your hustle on!

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One thing that keeps me going is to be inspired by other people. I love to inspire other people to keep them going as well. The video above was from a photographer Chase Jarvis. If you don’t know Chase by now and you love photography you should know him. Follow him on Twitter @ChaseJarvis

I first heard about Chase from my favorite photographer / businessman Scott Kelby.

“If you’re a pro, this vid won’t make you salivate, but if you’re an aspiring shooter, you just might pick up a thing or two that could unlock your next great picture or video.”

I handle myself professionally and I take professional photographs. I don’t have a ton of campaigns that I’ve done but as the count goes up I will always crave for more so I will never have my goal number. I say this because whatever level you are at I think you should always pass on the love for photography like Chase did here and like I’m doing for you with my blog.

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A few weeks ago my business partner and I decided to go for a skate. I left my camera for me to relax and skate for a bit. When it comes to NOT photographing, I usually don’t stick to the plan. It’s really hard for me to do so. My BlackBerry has a camera and if I see a photo opp without doubt I’m pulling it out.

If I don’t have my BlackBerry with me, which is really unusual it’s still okay because I’ve trained my eye to see though the lens without one. If I saw a frame that I would have liked to capture and I didn’t, I take a mental note and write it in my little book of big photograph ideas that I must create.

We made a late decision skate; therefore we didn’t go to MIA Skate Park because sitting in the middle of rush hour here in Miami was not an option. Instead we went to Peacock Skate Park in Coconut Grove and there I met skateboarder Kevin Jorquera.

Something I never understood was why is it so hard for people to meet people; the bottom line is that we are only people. Not to mention that some you meet has their head high up their ass but there’s even a way to get your message across to them. If you suffer from the, “I am afraid to say hello and what I am thinking symptom” it’s time to treat yourself by fighting to change it.

Writing that, I do sound a bit of a hypocrite because a few weeks ago I had taken aback losing my balls when I saw my favorite role model’s (Scott Kelby), favorite photographer, Joe McNally at Photoshop World. I said a bit of a hypocrite because I did, in a short amount of time grew more balls to go over and shake Mr. McNally’s hand and introduce myself to him. (Hello ladies )

Kevin and I made a date to photograph and made these images. What I like about shooting this skater (like most skaters) was the attitude. When I text Kevin to photograph his reply was, “Alight man just tell ask me when you ready.”

When I saw Kevin skate I could tell he live for it. The way he treated every trick, if he didn’t land a trick the way he wanted, he would get back up and practice it until he got it. The same way I treat every frame I shoot until I get that ‘POW’.

Before working with any model whether it be: a skateboarder, surfer, lifestyle model, anyone if I have the chance to (I make the chance to), I love to get to know as much about the model before we shoot. This makes them feel a bit more comfortable in front of the camera. Work becomes just another day with a camera and a friend.

I asked Kevin a few questions via text:

Q. Do you want to be come pro?

A. I want to be pro. No doubt about that.

Q. What’s your motivation?

A. My motivation is probably the joy I get from it. And learning new tricks.

One of my goals is to photograph for Magazines like Transworld Skateboarding, Thrasher and have clients such as Element, Zoo York etc. I pick us those magazines monthly to see what’s being produced and what clients are asking for. From what I observe, there’s no bullshitting with the work and that’s what I like. Knowing that, I push so hard to meet those clients needs so when I work with them it feels as natural as when I am doing it here on my own.

It was a pleasure working with a skater that pushes hard to meet his goal. I can assure you this won’t be the last time you’ll see skateboarder Kevin Jorquea here on the blog!

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Last weekend Tony and I went to MIA Skate Park, here in Miami, FL.

We went the previous week before as well and decided to stick with it for a few hours every weekend.

I’ve been skateboarding from I was about thirteen years old.

Please don’t be fooled tho thinking I am pro now because I am no Jereme Rodgers.

But, I do love pushing around on myboard with the simple tricks that I’ve mastered: the Ollie, recently I’ve been killing the mini ramp and a few 50-50 etc.

For the past year I’ve been collecting TRANSWORLD SKATEboarding (The #1 Skateboarding Magazine in the world) and admire the shots submitted by the magazines skateboard photographers. I know I can do the same, if not better, with some practice; let’s see if I will have my photograph in the Magazine, here I come!

I will be practicing my skateboarding photography at my favorite skate park in Miami, MIA Skate Park.

Before we continue, that’s my friend Tony in the photograph above.

He’s one of my real friends here in Miami and an awesome skate partner.

The sad truth behind Tony and I rekindling the flames we had for the skate-park is that we currently extremely rusty (your strongest WD-40 won’t help). But, were are dedicated to getting back into the swing of things.

I can call Tony at whatever time in the morning and say, “What’z Good Tony you wanna skate” and he would be rolling over in bed waking up out of his 8th dream and he would say, “Yo man I am down be there in less than 20″.

Two from the old school are back to skate with the new school…well we are not that old …yet.

Let’s drop in.

Skateboarding photography is just like shooting any other sports photography.

To get great at it you have to practice.

Having the best photography gear would help your photos but when you don’t have the best photography gear then you need to suck it up and hustle like I do.

At the park I used Nikon’s AF NIKKOR 35-135mm lens and Nikon’s AF-s NIKKOR 70-300mm lens shooting with the Nikon D300’s body; for a few shots I used the Nikon’s SPEEDLIGHT SB-900.

What I am saving for and been wanting to get my hands on is the 10.5 fish-eye lens and a 12-24mm lens.

Reason why I would like to have those lenses is because they will give me wider angles. Wider angles will be great when I take the photos because I can be as close to the subject as I want and fill the frame the way I want.

In my skateboarding photography the wide angles will be creating more aesthetic, eye pleasing photographs for myself to admire and share with you.

MIA Skate Park an indoor park, a little more work / trickier environment for a photographer to shoot in compared to an outdoor park; perfect lighting becomes an issue.

I shot a high ISO, a high shutter speed with my lowest f-stops.

Doing that added the necessary, needed light into my photographs, freeze the action and give the feeling of depth the the lens I used. Oh I can’t wait to see what my 10.5mm produces when I get my hands on it!

I’ve always been fascinated by tattoos so I decided to photograph and make a collection of tattoos on skateboarders at skate parks. Hence the two photographs you see of the tattoos. I got my first tattoo at Eternal Truth on Miami Beach from my kick ass tattooist Mor Mogli.

To close it here for today, that’s me holding my favorite my new board (I got it last December) from my favorite skate company Zoo York.

Have a great day and I will see you here again!