Submitting Photos to SBC Skateboard

We are always on the hunt for the best Canadian skateboarding and with legit camera gear becoming more and more accessible, there is no reason why your photos can’t end up here in SBC. Here are some tips on making it happen.

Packaging

Most photographers submit their photos to the magazine in small batches called a package. Done mainly over email, these packages have the best photos the photographer has shot since they last corresponded with the mag. Ensure all your photos are labeled with the rider and trick— a little info about yourself can’t hurt either. Be sure your email is less than two megabytes total. This means resize digital images or scans to about 600 pixels on the longest side and save them as low res jpegs.  If the editor likes the photos, he will request high res images later.

Self Edit

Be critical of your work. Take a look at your favourite magazine and judge whether or not your photos are as hard hitting as the stuff you see. It doesn’t have to be a quadruple kink rail— style, creativity and photographic know-how can go a long way, but kink rails are always welcome. From there, be picky about what you send. A few awesome photos will make more impact than a dozen mediocre ones. If you really make an impact on an editor, they will look forward to seeing more from you in the future, even if you’re photos aren’t quite there yet.

Technical Specs

While we do welcome film submissions (our address can be found here.) it would be safe to assume most aspiring skate photogs will be shooting digital. Make sure you are shooting in RAW format with a camera over 6MP to ensure your work can be reproduced properly in a magazine. Remember, a higher mega pixel camera does not mean a better photo, that’s still up to the photographer.

Learning Curve

Even for pro photographers, more often than not, their images never see the light of day. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any images published on your first submission. If an editor takes a minute to give you feedback, be sure to take it into consideration for next time. But remember, just like in skating, the best way to learn photography is going out and making mistakes.

Send your photos to letters@sbcskateboard.com and happy shooting!