Photographer: Gareth Howell

Shooting photos at the trails is an art in itself, so I decided to find out a little more, and ask a few questions with snappers who have shot some excellent trails photography – first up, is our mate Gareth Howell.

BIO — Name: Gareth Howell. Hometown: Hinchley Wood / Kingston. Years shooting BMX photos: coming up 10 if you count the first time I robbed my mum’s camera for a day. Where you can see my photos: Ride and Dirt every now and again, contribute to digitalbmx.com and wideopenmag.co.uk, hopefully have a portfolio site soon when James gets his arse in gear – gareth-howell.net. Oh yeah, add me on flickr, I’ve got no contacts and it’s making me feel like a right loser – garethowell. Nikon or Canon? Nikon all the way…

Jon, oppo table.

What are you doing today? What’s the plan? Well it’s pretty much the end of the day now. Had a good après work sesh down Dyke earlier though so I’m pretty knackered now, so bed soon I reckon. Cheers Jonny and crew, I’m working on the comedy glasses…

Okay, what are some of the trails spots you’ve shot photos at? Wisley, Dyke, Barend, Chertsey, Rom, The Track, Kerswell, Elevation last year, EOD next week f-k yeahhh!

What are your stand-out favourite trails spots? Well there’s nothing quite like your own trails, so I’m going to have to say Wisley, always enjoy a good ride up Dyke as well. Barend and Chertsey were both awesome last time I rode there, hopefully get back there sometime this year.

And are there any others you really want to take photos at, that you haven’t been to yet? Nowhere in particular but I’d love to go abroad and shoot some trails, maybe over in the States or France, anywhere really, it’d just be a fun adventure and interesting to see how they do things in other countries. So anyone out there planning a trails trip and in need of a photographer get in touch!

For you, how does shooting photos at the trails differ to shooting, say, street, indoor parks, contests, etc? Equipment wise I tend to take pretty much everything with me everywhere, I’d be pissed off if I missed that perfect shot because I left the long lens at home. I’d say the main difference, much like with the riding, is in the attitude involved. Street or park you’ll be setting up and packing up all the time, moving around, getting in peoples way trying to get a shot. It’s quite stressful, whereas at the trails I can just chill all day, have the flashes on tripods ready to go when I feel like it and just generally feel more at home.

Ideally – would you use film, or digital? Both have their place I think. I shoot digital mostly, mainly due to convenience and the cost of getting films developed. However I actually enjoy using film more, it just feels more real and satisfying when you get a sweet shot. There’s also something nice about actually being able to hold a photo in your hand, not just seeing it on a computer screen. It’s permanent and can be stuffed in a drawer to be pulled out when you’re old and wrinkly to show the grandkids that you weren’t always old and feeble. I see it as a treat when I get too shoot film, in fact the pile of Ilford HP5 next to me is making me a little excited…

What tips would you give to people wanting to take better trails photos? Think about atmosphere, trails aren’t about stunts, so try and capture the feel of the trails, not just the trick. Also don’t forget to have fun, taking photos doesn’t make you cool, it’s pretty geeky really, and when combined with riding kids bikes it must make you some sort of super-nerd, so just have fun with it.

What’s your favourite trails photo of all time? My memory is only slightly superior to that of a carrot, so nothing is springing to mind right now, but any shot that makes me want to go and ride or dig, is in my mind, an ace photo.

Do you prefer shooting trails in the woods, or out in the open? In the woods for sure, I always feel slightly uncomfortable out in the open, it’s nice to be able to lurk in the shadows. The trees also help give that atmosphere I was on about. Unless you have a sweet sunset going down in a field, that can be pretty dope.

What about dirt jumping contests – how do you see those? They have their time and place. It’s nice to see some dudes get their gnarl on every now and again but it’s in no way a representation of what’s going down in the woods. I’d like to see more ‘comps’ at the legal trails spots out there, let the people who know how to really ride a bike have some limelight. Photo-wise they kind of suck, other photographers taking themselves way too seriously. If I find out which bellend at Elevation kept moving my flash I’m gonna shit in their shoes.

If you were going to, say Catty Woods or Bar End, for a photo shoot for one day with just three riders – who would you pick, and why? That’s a tough one. It’s always more fun shooting with people who are up for a laugh and doing some different stuff, so I’ll say Matt Beringer. Brian Foster, if I need to explain that then something’s seriously wrong. Building The Underground is on in the background, so I’ll go with Darin Read. It’d also be a right treat to do some photos with Scott Edgworth, in fact anyone who comes from a racing background and knows how to really handle a bike at speed. Right I’m off for some well-earned rest, laters.

Ross!

To see more of Gareth’s photos, go to digitalbmx.com and wideopenmag.co.uk, and also – gareth-howell.net. More photographers to come…

posted by Patrick Best
on 17/07/08