Thornes Park Skaters

Hello everyone! The other day, I packed my camera bag and headed over to the brilliant Thornhill Park right here in Wakefield. My goal for the day wasn't just to get some fresh air, but to specifically practice a challenging skill: sports photography. The tricky thing about action photography is... you need action. You can only photograph a fast-moving bird or a running dog for so long. To really hone your skills, you need a subject that is dynamic, predictable (to a degree), and willing. As I walked past the skate park, I found my subjects. There were two local skaters there, completely in the zone. They were training hard, repeating tricks, and working on mastering their skills. I could tell they were practicing just as hard as I wanted to be. The "Ask" As a photographer, it can be a bit nerve-wracking to approach people you don't know. But I figured, the worst they can say is no. I went over, introduced myself, and kept it honest. I said something like, "Hey guys, I'm a local photographer, and I'm trying to get better at action shots. You're obviously practicing your skating. Would you mind if I took some photos while you train? I'd be happy to send them to you afterward." To my delight, they were totally up for it! The Session: Learning Together What followed was a perfect, low-pressure photo session. It was a win-win. They got to continue their training, and I got a fantastic opportunity to practice everything—tracking, high-speed shutter, and capturing the peak of the action. It was amazing to watch their dedication. Skating isn't just about landing the big tricks; it's about the falls, the get-ups, and the relentless repetition. That's the story I wanted to capture. [Insert a wide-angle photo of the skaters in the park here] For me, it was a practical masterclass. I was experimenting with my shutter speed—trying to freeze them in mid-air against the Wakefield sky, and then slowing it down to try and get that sense of motion with a blurred background. [Insert a close-up action shot here, maybe of a board sliding or an aerial move] We were all learning, all practicing, and all helping each other out. They weren't high-flying pros (yet!), and I'm not a seasoned sports expert. We were just a few people at a local park, getting better at what we love. The Takeaway After a while, we wrapped up. I got their details to send them the photos, and we all left having gained something. They got some professional shots of their training session, and I got invaluable experience (and hopefully some great additions to my portfolio!). [Insert your favorite "hero" shot of one of the skaters here] A massive thank you to the two skaters who were so welcoming and trusting. It was a perfect reminder that our community is full of talented people, and you should never be afraid to connect. I'm new to the [Wakefield/Thornhill] area, and I'm so excited to do more of this. If you're part of a local team, a dance crew, or just have a cool hobby you're passionate about, let me know. I'd love to capture your story. Cheers, Qusay Alkarkhi

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY