As a photographer I am always searching out ways to set myself apart and create content that people will be into. It’s one of the biggest challenges and one of the hardest parts about it to be honest, especially these days when everyone has a camera of some sort with them on a regular basis whether it is a digi-cam or an iphone and life is being documented by the minute. It’s a mix of doing what makes you happy and trying to figure out what will make viewers happy as well. That’s where this new “A different perspective” idea came from. Over the years I have interviewed tons of pro riders about anything and everything except one important topic. What is it like from their perspective to go out and shoot with a photographer? What it is that makes one person better to shoot with than others? I have always wondered about what goes on inside a riders mind before they prepare to shoot a crazy banger and put all of their trust into the photographer. See what Connor Lodes, Christian Rigal and Ronnie Napolitan all had to say for the third edition of “A different perspective.”
Connor Lodes
Go ahead and give the readers some background on some of your first memories of getting photographed while riding.
When my friends and I were kids we would just go to the store and buy disposable cameras and just take pictures of each other that way, I don’t really remember anyone with a legit camera at that time ha-ha.
When was it that you first felt pressure to produce as a rider in front of the lens?
I think the first time that I felt pressure shooting a photo was a few months ago on a Markit trip to Nor-Cal. We just got done setting up the lights and everyone was ready to go and the next thing we know a random janitor is kicking us out. We were so bummed but someone said, “Hey man, let us get one more photo and we’re out” and the guy said he didn’t see anything and walked back inside. I knew that I only had one try to do it so I fired it out and went home. I think that was the first and only time I felt pressure.
Do you remember your first “real” photo shoot with a professional photographer? If so who was it? When was it? And fill us in on some details.
Yeah, I remember getting a phone call from my buddy Cheev and he said that Ben Crockett from BMX Plus! was coming into town to shoot some photos and he wanted me to come along with him to kick it and hang out. I was young at the time and all I could think about was maybe getting a photo. I thought it would have been the best thing in the world. So we end up meeting him and he shot a few photos of my buddy and it was getting towards the end of the day and we went to the spot that I wanted to shoot a photo at so I was hyped. He asked if I wanted to shoot anything at that spot and instantly I said yup and explained that I wanted to fufanu a car at our local gas station. One of my friends let me use her car so I parked it at the top and tried my move. I ended up denting the shit out of her car got the photo but it never got ran ha-ha bummer!
What is it about BMX and photography that goes hand-in-hand from the rider’s viewpoint?
I don’t know man that’s a good question! I think because photographers like to shoot different things all of the time and BMX gives them that opportunity. Instead of shooting in a football stadium for a couple hours a BMX photographer is always in different settings either outside or inside, cold or hot…whatever. I think both photographers and BMX’ers work well together because of that.
How much pressure do you put on yourself to have the trick look “perfect” or the way that you imagined it to look?
I always put a lot of pressure on myself to make something look good. It sucks when either the photographer either shoots something earlier or late or if you’re just not clicking a turndown how you want. If you know your turndown is better than the photo, don’t just settle for it because it’s ok do it the best you can and be proud of yourself.
Do you need a filmer around to shoot a photo? Will you only shoot a banger trick if it is being filmed as well?
Yeah, actually I kind of prefer a filmer to be there. It sucks to say but if it’s a banger then you don’t want to do that shit twice that sucks ha-ha. I’ve definitely gone to stuff again after I’ve filmed it to get a photo. It sounds weird but I don’t wanna’ fall on the trick for a photo without filming it and be spooked to go back the next time. Sucks to say but oh well.
Explain the difference you feel pressure wise between filming a trick and shooting a photo. What do you prefer?
Well the difference that I feel between shooting and filming is time. Filming takes a few tries to make it look the way you want but when you’re shooting a photo most of the time the photographer knows what they want so they set up, you handle the trick and you’re done. I don’t prefer either one more than another I love doing both equally. I don’t really feel too much pressure I just look at it like having a good time with my buds.
Do you have anything you do to prepare on the day you know you are going to go out and try to shoot a banger trick?
Nope, I just wake up and do the normal stuff like shower, eat, and drink coffee. Then I play a few games of Call of Duty while I’m waiting to meet up with the photographer and then we go out, ride bikes and shoot some photos.
Does a photographer have to have the photo guaranteed to go somewhere (in print, or for an ad) before you shoot with them? Will you give an up and coming photographer a chance to shoot with you?
Hell yeah, I’m down for sure. I’m not gonna’ go search out amateur photographers to go shoot with but if they’re around and want to shoot something I’m down. I actually met Brandon Means that way. He was shooting photos with my friend and he asked if I wanted to shoot anything and we ended up meeting a few days later to shoot. I’m down for the up and comers.
What advice do you as a pro rider have for all of the photographers out there looking to step up their game and take it to the next level?
If you have a passion for BMX photography then I’d say just go for it and don’t let anything get in your way. I know someone that didn’t know anything about filming and went out, bought a camera, read a shit ton and picked peoples brains every now and then. Now he’s one of the top filmers out there. Read about it, learn some stuff and don’t be afraid.
Of course everyone wants to hear a horror story from your end of things. What is one that stands out in your mind? Names can be withheld or let the names fly…either way.
Yeah, one time I went to whip this gap and moved this heavy planter box into the dirt to get a good run up at it. When I was done everyone was ready to roll so I pedaled at the gap, whipped it first go and I was pumped. The photographer asked if I could do it again. I was so bummed in my mind but I just said sure hoping for the best ha-ha. Sure enough I ate shit trying it again and scraped the shit out of my elbow. I can’t remember if I got up and did it again or not I just remember that I was pissed because I did it first try and then ate shit…oh well.
On a more positive note, let’s end it with one of the most memorable photos from your years as a pro rider.
As a pro rider my most memorable photo hasn’t been pulled yet. I fell three times trying this trick and looked at the photo for motivation but I never got it. It’s the raddest photo that I’ve almost gotten. I can’t wait to pull the trick and get that photo to the public.
Any last words?
I would like to thank my parents and brother for their support. Jeremy Pavia and The Union for this article, Colin Mackay at Premium, Brian Castillo and Joey Cobbs at Demolition parts for keeping my bikes rolling, Allan Cooke at Bell helmets for keeping my head safe, Jerry Badders at Vans for keeping my feet fresh, Markit denim for being the sickest crew and best denim company out there, Henry at East County BMX for being the best dude, and any other friend or good person that’s given me some props thanks!”
Christian Rigal
Go ahead and give the readers some background on some of your first memories of getting photographed while riding.
Well in ‘08 I shot an ad photo with Alex Auerbach that ended up in Ride. It was a barspin air out of a bank to wedge wall at Home Ave.
Do you remember your first “real” photo shoot with a professional photographer? If so who was it? When was it? And fill us in on some details.
In ‘09 I go my first 2 actual photos in Ride from an article that Ryan Fudger shot during the filming of a “Built to Shred” episode. We got to ride some Army tanks and trailers out in Camp Pendleton and it was crazy. Somehow I ended up on the show with Daniel Dhers, ha-ha. It was fun though…I foot jammed the tip of a cannon and double pegged the top of a military truck.
What is it about BMX and photography that goes hand-in-hand from the rider’s viewpoint?
For me I think it’s the fact that were both trying our hardest to get the trick as best as we can. The only difference is that I’m riding and they are shooting. At the end of the day, we both have the same goal really.
How much pressure do you put on yourself to have the trick look “perfect” or the way that you imagined it to look?
A lot actually, I’m super picky about all of my clips and photos. I know how I want them to look and feel so if things aren’t matching up I’ll just keep trying.
Do you need a filmer around to shoot a photo? Will you only shoot a banger trick if it is being filmed as well?
Yeah, I definitely need someone to film whatever I’m shooting a photo of. I’m not really the type of person to shoot a photo of a trick at a scenic spot or just do something that’s chillin’. If I’m going to shoot a photo I like going in and doing something crazy or creative.
Explain the difference you feel pressure wise between filming a trick and shooting a photo. What do you prefer?
Well, obviously shooting a photo is less pressure because a lot of the things that can make or break a clip don’t matter for the photo. Things like your speed, how long you hold the trick, and how good you land it. No one is going to see that stuff in the photo, but you still want it to feel good you know? But if I had to pick, I’d say that a clip is a lot more valuable to me. A clip shows everything that went into it, as appose to just one frame.
Do you have anything you do to prepare on the day you know you are going to go out and try to shoot a banger trick?
Yeah, I always try and go look at the spot before I decide to shoot it. It’s always nice to make sure the spot is how I remembered it. There’s nothing worse then calling something out before you get to the spot only to find out that a pole is in the way, or the run up sucks.
Does a photographer have to have the photo guaranteed to go somewhere (in print, or for an ad) before you shoot with them? Will you give an up and coming photographer a chance to shoot with you?
I mean if we’re out riding and a photographer is with us they can shoot whatever, but if it’s up to me I try and be really selective about what I shoot. So usually if I’m shooting something it’s for an ad or an article. But I like to shoot random fun stuff for web updates or Instagram too. I’m always down to shoot with an up and coming photographer but it probably wouldn’t be anything too crazy, I like to shoot with guys that I’m comfortable with for that.
What advice do you as a pro rider have for all of the photographers out there looking to step up their game and take it to the next level?
Just be cool! No one wants to shoot with that weird guy or that random dude. The best photographers to me are the ones that are my homies. A true friendship goes a long way.
Of course everyone wants to hear a horror story from your end of things. What is one that stands out in your mind? Of course, names can be withheld or let the names fly…either way.
Shoot I’ve actually never really had anything too terrible happen. One time I was trying to oppo-ice a kinked rail and when I dropped down early my peg caught and flipped me over the bars. Somehow my bike smashed into Joey Cobbs and I broke his fisheye. Luckily he wasn’t hurt, but the lens was done for I think. Sorry again about that Korn!
On a more positive note, let’s end it with one of the most memorable photos from your years as a pro rider.
Damn, well I’m going to have to pick three ha-ha, picking just one is too hard. My first one would be a down rail double peg to gap that Fudger shot for Ride which was a really dope overhead shot. The second would have to be a feeble to wall ride for my MARKIT part that Joey Cobbs shot which is actually an upcoming Demolition ad, and the third is a double peg up a huge rail which is also for my MARKIT part, so you’ll have to wait to see that one!
Any last words?
Yeah, I’d like to thank all of the photographers that have shot photos with me over the years, you guys are the best! I also want to thank my sponsors United Bike Co., Demolition Parts, MARKIT, Etnies, and Gatorade. Also thanks to Jeremy and The Union for this interview, my friends, family, and anyone who watches my videos and follows me online!
Ronnie Napolitan
Do you remember your first “real” photo shoot with a professional photographer? If so who was it? When was it? And fill us in on some details.
The first real photographer that I think I ever shoot with was Jeff Brockmeyer. It was at Woodward and I was shooting for an ad for this old bike company that I rode for. We shot like five different photos and I don’t think any of them even got used but Jeff is a crazy dude so I didn’t feel pressured at all.
What is it about BMX and photography that goes hand-in-hand from the rider’s viewpoint?
I think that BMX and photography go hand in hand because the photographer can really help to show how crazy or tech something really is.
When was it that you first felt pressure to produce as a rider in front of the lens?
Ha-ha I’m not gonna’ lie; it was the very first MARKIT trip. Going on that first trip with Dennis, Rob, Chad, and everyone else was so crazy to me. I was kinda’ nervous and just wanted to getting best stuff that I could. Joey Cobbs was on the trip to shoot photos so I wanted to try and get a good one for Haro. It was just a big change for me and I wanted to try and get some good shit.
How much pressure do you put on yourself to have the trick look “perfect” or the way that you imagined it to look?
Ha-ha when I’m shooting a photo I want it to look just like how I picture it to feel. If it’s not at all how I think it looks I’m not scared to tell the photographer it’s just not what I was looking for. I’m for sure a quality over quantity kind of guy. For instance, my first ever Haro ad was shot by Joey Cobbs. It was a hanger down this stair set close to Chad Kerley’s house and I did it like five times. The first time my back wheel wasn’t that steep and I wanted it to look the way I wanted. So being able to see the angle of how he shot it and the way I wanted it to look I could see and try to steepen my back wheel up and make the ad the way I wanted it to look.
Do you need a filmer around to shoot a photo? Will you only shoot a banger trick if it is being filmed as well?
No not exactly. I am down to shoot a banger with a photographer as long as I’m not filming for a DVD or something that I want the video clip to be in. If I’m that pumped on doing something and I can’t get someone to film it, it might be a little harder but I’d probably still do it. I’m sure I would sort it out to make it work out both ways.
Explain the difference you feel pressure wise between filming a trick and shooting a photo. What do you prefer?
Filming and shooting are two different things for me. There is never pressure for either for the most part but if I’m working on a photo, I want it to look perfect and if I’m filming something, I want everything from the run up to the landing to look perfect.
Do you have anything you do to prepare on the day you know you are going to go out and try to shoot a banger trick?
Ha-ha no, not at all actually. I just think about it a lot I guess. I also make sure to have my coffee before!
Does a photographer have to have the photo guaranteed to go somewhere (in print, or for an ad) before you shoot with them? Will you give an up and coming photographer a chance to shoot with you?
No, not at all. When I first moved to San Diego I did this Built to Shred episode and was kinda’ stressing this gap to wallride. Ryan Fudger was there shooting photos and I just wanted to have a photo of it without knowing where it was going or anything but I was still just so down to shoot it with him.
What advice do you as a pro rider have for all of the photographers out there looking to step up their game and take it to the next level?
I would just say keep practicing and if someone is going big don’t be scared to shoot long. I have been so much more into long lens stuff rather than fisheye lately.
Of course everyone wants to hear a horror story from your end of things. What is one that stands out in your mind? Names can be withheld or let the names fly…either way.
One time I was shooting with Will Stroud and Joey Cobbs. I wanted to switch hanger this rail and it was the first real big one that I had done. I ended up warming up with a regular one and completely missed and ate shit. I ended up breaking my elbow and just seeing the photo after is just so crazy. I’m in hanger but like a foot under the rail. I just body-bagged and got murdered.
On a more positive note, let’s end it with one of the most memorable photos from your years as a pro rider.
Actually some of my most favorite photos have been from Brandon Means. We went on a trip to AZ and Nor-Cal and he took some sick sequences that I’m really stoked on. Not too many frames of me doing a trick but just the perfect amount that you can tell what’s going on.
Any last words?
I hope this interview turns out ok. It’s midnight and I have been hanging out in Costa Mesa with my brother and his roommates. Shout-out to Brandon Dosch for being insane, MARKIT, Haro, Demoition and everyone else that has my back. Take care everyone. I’m getting back to the fun!
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Follow the dudes!
Twitter:
@ChristianRigal
@connorlodes
@Markit BMX
Instagram:
@ChristianRigal
@Connor_Lodes
@RonnieNapolitan
Thanks for the support as always and hopefully you guy’s enjoyed the third edition of “A different perspective.” Remember that if you have any suggestions or riders you would be stoked to see featured in the next round then leave some recommendations in the comments below. Also, be sure to check back next Wednesday for the fiftieth edition of Through the Lens and as always feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or email me at [email protected] and I will hit you back as soon as I can. Feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @jeremypavia.
