Trucks and Fins is a huge present to the whole skate community - not just for the skating people, but also for shops, builders and schools. Super easy to use and can't believe how complete it is.
Pascal Lieleg aka Official Bowlshit
Gabriel Tavares: 27 Years Behind the Lens, Capturing the Soul of Skateboarding
From Law School to Skate Photography, Gabriel Tavares Reflects on Passion, Persistence, and the Changing Landscape of the Industry
This is my advice: always have a Plan B
He studied Law, but his passion for skateboarding and photography has taken him on a journey of over 25 years, filled with bruised legs that symbolize the joy of capturing the art in every trick. He does it for the love of it. “I spend more than I earn, but I don’t mind,” he says. However, for this reason, he advises all his colleagues to have "a Plan B" because the market is hugely different today. Gabriel Tavares, 49 years old, from Pontinha, on the outskirts of Lisbon, will be at PUSH, an event he hopes will bring people together: “Skateboarding in Portugal is very divided. We need to unite.”
Skater Jiri Bulin
Skater Gil Dias
What are the biggest differences between when you started photography and today?
I’ve been a photographer for 27 years. I’ve always made a living from photography, but not just from skateboarding. I’ve been deeply connected to the music world for a long time, especially hip-hop. Back then, there was no internet to watch tutorials on how to use a flash, it was all trial and error. But it was expensive because we used film. Nowadays, you learn from every photo, which is a huge difference. You can instantly go on YouTube to figure out how to work with a flash. And today, even if you can’t afford the latest gear and can only buy a 10-year-old model, you can still have professional-level equipment. You can get a kit for much less money than before. I’m self-taught, I studied Law, but I never studied photography.
Skater Ricardo Fonseca
Skater Nando
Skater Keanu Schwedt
How should a photographer position themselves in such a competitive market today?
Photographing skateboarding is much more than shooting any other sport, it has an inherent artistic component. You need to understand the skater’s body language; that’s what will make your work stand out. My daughter jokes that I’m always on the ground and always dressed in black, but it’s because I’m trying to capture the best angle and anticipate what the skater is going to do. Nowadays, skaters are at a much higher level, and you have to work much harder to stand out. Also, the skateboard publication market has changed a lot in recent years. There used to be around ten major magazines worldwide; today, there’s only one - Thrasher. And now, there are about 300 world-class photographers. This drive prices down. That’s why I always tell younger people: have a Plan B, C, or D. But be as persistent as possible because only with high quality will your work be noticed. I’ve never made a living from skate photography. I spend more than I earn, but I do it because I love it. I photograph both 46-year-old skaters and incredibly talented 10- or 11-year-old kids. And that has been my role in skateboarding: giving advice to newcomers, not just in skateboarding but also in photography.
Skater Diogo Filipe
Skater Diogo Filipe
What is your opinion on the Push Skate Festival?
It’s essential, it’s fundamental, and it’s long overdue. We need an event that gets people talking to each other, that unites this huge community. It’s incredible how an Olympic sport has so many divisions in Portugal. Let’s hope something positive comes out of this because we can’t stay stuck with a small-minded, territorial mentality. Skateboarding belongs to everyone and is for everyone.
Skater Luis
Skater Blake Johnson
Visit Gabi on Instagram
