BMX - Where does Dans Comp get their covers?

Does anyone know where Dans Comp gets the cover photos for their catalogs? Is it from the different companies, of their sponsored riders, or what? Wasn't there one with 'bmxinvasion' from here on it?

Just wondered because I want to start shooting BMX and thought it'd be damn cool to have one of my photos published somewhere.. I can dream :p

There are photos of their sponsored riders ;)

Why would you want one of your "masterpieces" of art on the cover of a magazine that people like me look at when there:
A) bored as hell
B) ****ting
and or
C)like to circle there dream parts...?

Hey, at least it's something. I'd love to shoot for a magazine but you probly have to work for them, or one of the advertisers

I guess I need to make friends with a sponsored rider then... lol

No, you just need to learn to take good pictures. And have several grand in camera equipment. A nice fisheye goes for quite the pretty penny.

I'm getting there with the camera equipment. Got the capable camera and lenses now, but not anything really wide.
Going to buy a manual focus 8mm fisheye first, if I end up using it a lot I'll either get the Canon 15mm or get an ultrawide rectangular lens like the Canon 10-22 or Sigma 10-20.
Apparently lighting is a huge part of shooting sports like that, so I'll invest in a set of off-camera flashes and probably Pocket Wizards.

But I sure as hell can't take a photo of my friends doing a tabletop at the BMX track and expect any place to publish it, can I?

No. It has to be something actually impressive. And pretty much anything even remotely involving a track is unimpressive by definition.

No. It has to be something actually impressive. And pretty much anything even remotely involving a track is unimpressive by definition.
True

So.. I do have to make friends with a sponsored rider.

Or at least someone who's good and can ride street or park well. lol

But I'll just not worry about it, shoot the races at the track here, go from there. Probably won't worry too much about lighting unless I decide I really want to

or make freinds with someone that does really dumb/stupid stuff...

I'm on the latest catalog cover which will be out this month.
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2867/catalog3ua.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
this was one you mentioned with bmxinvasion.
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5785/img07038gw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That's really sweet, congrats on the cover pic. If you ever come to NM I can get pics of you for more catalogs.. lol

you can spend all the money in the world on:cameras, guitars, bikes, etc...but it won't buy you skill. spend time learning how to take good pictures and save your money for when you can spend it wisely.

a good photographer can take great pictures with any camera.

I agree.

Thing is, I'm pretty limited as to where I can shoot unless I have some lighting. Sunlight works, but the right spot might not be in direct sunlight, etc.
Panning like this works, but not if the rider is moving like in a trick, or basically anything in street
http://jonbuder.com/images/flatland.jpg (yes he's on a mountain bike.. meh)


And I think I can handle the picture-taking bit, only been doing it for the past 5 years (then watch Expatriate come in and say he's been shooting for 40 yrs or whatever.. I havent even been alive that long)

start sending some images to the magazines/companys.

actually, I think you want to contact them first. get a contact name and start trying to get your foot in the door. if you really want to take pictures and sell them, the subject matter won't be as much as an issue. also, go to local parks or try to find riders that can do some good tricks. I don't know too many riders that don't want to have their pic taken.

I agree.

Thing is, I'm pretty limited as to where I can shoot unless I have some lighting. Sunlight works, but the right spot might not be in direct sunlight, etc.

And I think I can handle the picture-taking bit, only been doing it for the past 5 years (then watch Expatriate come in and say he's been shooting for 40 yrs or whatever.. I havent even been alive that long)


Dont let negative crap from people who have no idea what they are talking about
stop you. If you keep at it and are open minded, as in also try to get shots that are
different than the 14 ft. crossup type and eventually you will get to where you want to
be. I do freelance art work for local business's, have been published in our newspaper
and have been in a lot of car magazines about 10 years ago and I can assure you that
one good job usually leads to two others. Its a snowball effect. Just keep at it and
if you really want it, it will happen. Hang out with real photogs or take a class at a local
University just to be around creative people more than anyhting else. Local newspapers
always want photos as does DIRT RAG magazine. Also...COPYWRITE EVERYTHING.
I worked for a magazine called Super Ford as a staff artist in the 80's and I can find
stuff on the web today that was stolen from me and used for advertisements
for business's. The key isnt dropping alot $$$$ on the best equipment....its being driven
and open minded. Good luck !