I just launched the Virgin River Classic of Flatland Magazine last week and have been slaving away on the next two issue of Flatland Magazine featuring the DB Pro/AM and the Polish Skimboarding Open. Not to mention all of the other photos and video I took from the DB European Skim Tour that wrapped up at the end of July. My girlfriend even said “you haven’t stopped editing photos since you got back from Europe,” which was true since I also was the photographer for Summer Meltdown a music festival last weekend and I am a full-time photographer for The Bellingham Herald. I love photography and really can’t complain, but a break is always good and there is no better way to take a break then to go for a skimboarding session, so my girlfriend and I ventured to the beach for a skim session and she got behind the camera.
I posted the photo on Instagram and a few people have been asking how I got that angle, so I figured I would throw it out here.
I have been messing around with new angles for my photos. Shooting low from the ground is always a good angle, but a good way to mix it up is to shoot from above.
For these photos, I put a Nikon D300s, on a monopod and I used a 10.5mm, f2.8 Nikon lens and a Nikon trigger cable (a MC-30 to be exact) to make it easier to get the photo. If you don’t have a trigger you can use an intervalometer on your camera (takes a photo every couple seconds or any timeframe you choose) or use the time-lapse option on a GoPro camera. The only setback with the “timer” approach is you don’t have as much control over when your camera fires. That’s why I choose to go with a trigger.
Overall, this is a great way to mix up your skimboarding photos (or any photos) and I have to say a monopod is a great photo tool to have for photos and video and something every photographer should own.
Tomorrow I am going to meet up with the DB Skimboards team who is in Bellingham for the day to try and get some more photos for your viewing pleasure.
Words by Matt McDonald | Photo by Dana Miner and Matt McDonald
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For more of Matt McDonald’s photography and tips go to EqualMotion.com
