SHOOTER: BRANDON MEANS
Name: Brandon Means
Age: 15
Location: Temecula, California
How long have you been shooting?
I’ve been shooting for about a year and a half now. My grandpa was always into photography and gave me one of his old cameras to use. I’ve been hooked on it shooting all the time ever since.
Film or digital?
Right now I’m almost all digital. I try to sometimes mess around with my friend’s film cameras but don’t get the chance to very often. I really want a couple film cameras just to mess around with but digital will always be what I use when I need to get a shot. You can’t beat the immediate review time on a digital camera even if film cameras definitely have better quality.
What kind of cameras, lenses, flashes, and other bits and pieces do you use?
My setup consists of a Nikon D70 (yes, I need to upgrade), Sigma 10-20 mm wide angle lens, Nikor 18-55 lens, Sunpak 444d and 422d flashes, SB-600 flash (hardly ever use this when I go take BMX shots because of how windy it is in Temecula and how expensive the flash is), and a Vivitar 285 flash. I also have Alien Bee’s triggers but since I only have 3 triggers I can only use 3 flashes at a time. Lastly, some light stands and tripods, umbrellas, and a DIY Beauty Dish my friend Anthony made for me.
Do you have a dream camera that you would like to shoot with?
Anything better than my D70! If I were to have anything like a D300 or Cannon 5D Mark I’d be very satisfied. I’d also like to get a Leica film camera to mess around with.
How do you go about setting up a shot?
Normally someone calls me up asking to go ride and get a shot. I then either pack up all my stuff and ride with two backpacks, tripods, and light stands all insecurely attached to myself or bike to a spot (or someone picks me up in a car which is 10x easier). Once we arrive at the spot I normally ask the rider what trick he wants to shoot which a lot of the time depends on the angle I should use. After we figure out this I pick an angle, unpack all of my gear and set up however many lights is necessary to light up the spot and rider in a proper manner. I then set up the lights, do a couple test shots, and then it’s go time!
Best thing you’ve ever shot?
Well, like many photographers that are still learning a lot of new things everyday, every time I go out and shoot I feel like my shots get better and better so I can’t really pin point the best thing I’ve ever shot. But, whenever I go riding with Mikey Babbel or Bryan Babbel I’m always bound to get something good.
Who is your favorite rider to shoot with?
Pretty much anyone I decide to shoot with is because I enjoy riding and shooting with them. Some of these people include: Mikey Babbel, Bryan Babbel, Darrin G, Taylor Fuller, Parker Lindow, and Kevin Wieshbruch.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m subscribed to a lot of BMX mags, surf mags, and skate mags. Even though I shoot BMX mostly I can look at shots from any of these magazines and get ideas and inspiration from them. Even when I’m in a car or just walking around I can look at possible spots and think about how I would shoot a trick there. Photography has definitely made me appreciate simpler things in life like how the sunsets and clouds which all can make or break a photograph depending on the concept you are trying to put out.
Who is one dream rider you want to shoot with?
I’ve yet to have the opportunity to shoot and ride with any big names or pros so pretty much anyone that is sponsored by a well known company would be pretty cool. Off the top of my head some riders I’d like to shoot are Eric Lichtenberger, Nigel Sylvester, Chase Hawk, Brian Foster, and Garret Reynolds.
What do you tell security when they try to throw you out of spots for taking photos?
I always try to be as calm as possible with security because in reality, we’re usually not supposed to be riding the spot that we’re at. If you act chill and don’t make a scene the person that confronts you will usually be cool and let you have another go or just tell you to leave. On occasion you get the idiot that thinks he owns the world and has the right to treat you badly, this is the only time I ever lose my cool with security because it really bugs me. Unless someone your riding with acts stupid and tags a spot then gets everyone caught, but that’s a story to long to tell everyone about…
Who is your favorite BMX photographer?
All of the big names: Jeff Z, Ryan Fudger, and Keith Romanowski. But I also just came across this guy from the Czech Republic named Dan Vojtech who’s now definitely my favorite BMX photographer.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’d love to work in the BMX industry or music industry just because those are the things I love doing and are most passionate about. But, I know there’s a lot of other people that’d love to be working in these industries as well so going to college and getting a degree in some sort of engineering (or photography) is something I’d be fine with doing as well.
What else do you like to shoot?
I also love to shoot portraits and lifestyle shots. Anything that deals with having to set up strobes is normally what I’ll be into. I’ll shoot an occasional landscape shot as well. Surf photography is always something I’ve been interested in doing but underwater housing and huge telephoto lenses isn’t something I have money for right now. Maybe someday though.
Where can we see more of your work?
Hopefully I’ll have some sort of website up and running in the near future but for now I post all my best work on my Flickr at: www.flickr.com/brandonmeans