Travis, Vancouver Indy-track Feb 2003

Despite the fact that I think this activity (no idea what it's called) and skateboarding and a lot of other things are a disgraceful waste of time, this is an exceptional picture. Action captured, good shadow, strong lines, a great fence and the the suggested symbolism, a cityscape, a sunset, a blue sky/asphalt thing, sun balanced by manmade round thing on the left, suggestion of space moving off to right with action coming in from left, nature/humanity/beauty juxtoposition. Really excellent pic.

Hey Josh. As far as a disgracful waste of time....this shot has more grace in it than that other photographer could ever hope for. My brother does this stuff and it's amazing to watch. Oh, and it's called "Flatland riding" for those of you who need to get in touch with your younger side. As far as his comments on the photo, I totally agree. It's an awsome shot. I live in Vancouver as well, well Langley for that matter,but I have some riding stuff that I just haven't submitted yet. Will soon though. Later. Good set up on your flash. Well placed.

Except for the wasting time part, the first man that replied summed it up. Excellent shot. What is this trick called anyhow? I'm flatland retarded.

Congradulations on getting this one published! I have seen your name around every now and then, and I happen to stumble on your little part on photo.net.

Awesome stuff

 

josh, awsome pic. i really like this shot. keep on rock'n.

Very, very nice. Wanted to do shots like this for ages but we rarely get sunsets where I am...

it looks like Travis Colliers classic big jumps with barflips into a halfpacker

 

Salty remarks from Ron about "...this activity (no idea what it's called) and skateboarding and a lot of other things are a disgraceful waste of time" does not shadow the beautiful exposure. (no pun intended)

 

Ron - while you'd feel that activities like this (btw its called flatland bmx), skateboard and everything in between are a disgraceful waste of time, i have a sneaking suspicion of you having this stereotypical image of teenage rascals grooving on and grinding ledges on the streets. please note that that is one of the image that really tarnishes what this activity is all about. Those who are truly passionate about it take it no less dearly than any of us do with our photography, and i can bet you a 4 course dinner in a five star hotel that flatlanders spend much, MUCH more time honing their skills and dealing with frustration than any photographers... I'd like you see how you feel if the general public thinks that photography is only for those not talented enough to paint? maybe you wouldn't care, but at least you see their ignorance and rise above it... likewise from the flatlander.

 

*please don't take it as a personal attack, i do not mean to be rude. I only wished that people could be more tolerant and try to understand more about what other people are passionate about, just the way we wish they'd understand the difficulties we face in photography. I might have used slightly heavy words as I'm also a flatlander and that the dedication that you need to progress way surpasses anything else - and we don't just consider it as a 'sport' or 'activity' either. It's way, way more personal than that.

 

as the picture itself, everyone's said the amazing things about the picture (including from Ron, who's made very good critique) so i guess i'd just pick some bones out of it...

 

since it's taken with a fisheye maybe the camera could be closer to the front wheel and pointed slight upwards to grasp travis's face, or have travis do the jump in front of where the photog is currently standing so there's more distance from rider to the wall behind, for a more dynamic picture. and is the left arm (one on the bar) a little hot?