Photographer: Homer
Old Chicken, berm rider at Burlish, RIP.
Next up in our Photographer series, we speak to Homer: this fella has shot some amazing trails photos over the years, so we caught up with him and spoke about Loughborough, Nikons, and Burlish.
BIO…
Name: Richard Homer Hometown: Stourbridge nr Birmingham Years shooting BMX photos: I’d say eight or so nibbling around, but two or three trying to get serious! Where you can see my photos: richardhomer.com, bcbmx.co.uk or passionbmx.co.uk Nikon or Canon? Nikon D200 for me thanks!
What are you doing today? What’s the plan? Well it’s late now so hopefully bed soon but I’ve been at work, worked on my new mk1 Caddy and went to ride the trails. Add in a few good shots and lovely weather and it’s been a pretty good day!
Okay, what are some of the trails spots you’ve shot photos at? Halesowen, a few at L’boro and Epsom, and Burlish (RIP).
What are your stand-out favourite trails spots? Stand out ones would be Harefield, although I didn’t ride them, but they looked as groomed as trails could ever be. The L’boro boys’ trails are inspirational and good to ride, and Burlish gave me too many good days and memories!
Alex Bathurst, Hip Turndown Click, Halesowen
And are there any others you really want to take photos at, that you haven’t been to yet? I guess any of the stand-out East Coast trails really. Any groomed, neat and tidy trails that provoke that feeling you get when you see hard work and attention to detail.
For you, how does shooting photos at the trails differ to shooting, say, street, indoor parks, contests, etc? I try to take everything everywhere so I’m never left needing something. That would entail a Nikon D200, Nikon 10.5mm fish, Nikon 50mm and Nikon 70-300mm telephoto. Throw in a few light-stands, three flashes – Nikon SB28’s and Vivitar 285 – and Pocket Wizards to trigger them. Shooting street I’d probably shoot more fisheye as opposed to long shots. Fisheyes on trails I feel never give the same results or at least don’t do them justice so I’d prefer to shoot with my 50mm or get out the telephoto. I think they both have their advantages and disadvantages but trails shots always look good I think. Especially with nice greens and browns. Bit more interesting and natural than concrete, bricks and wood!
Jimmy Goodwin, Halesowen Hip, Oppo Table
Ideally, film, or digital? For me I use digital but ideally I’d like a Medium format. I think that would improve my photography no end! But I do find digital so easy and convenient so again I think they both have their pros and cons. But you can’t beat the colour saturation achieved on slide.
What tips would you give to people wanting to take better trails photos? Decent off-camera lighting improved my shots no end, but without spending a small fortune, I guess I’d say experiment with different angles and lighting techniques.
What’s your favourite trails photo of all time? That’s a hard one as I’ve seen so many, but Chicken has the Brian Foster berm scrape picture on his wall and I love that. Dolecki is too good.
Do you prefer shooting trails in the woods, or out in the open? I think trails should be in woods really. At least that’s how it’s always been for me.
What about dirt jumping contests – how do you see those? Contests, that’s it, they are nothing at all similar to trails riding. I think there are a few gems with Empire of Dirt and Elevation, but I think mostly they are pretty bad and for the huckers.
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 as there are too many favourites to list, but I reckon a Burlish reunion with Milk, Ted and Sponge would be amazing. But any visit from Chase, Aitken, Stauffer or the L’boro boys would be treats.
Click here for more of Homer’s work: richardhomer.com, bcbmx.co.uk or passionbmx.co.uk
