Standerd Slides

Subject: Daniel Watkins
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 1.4, Chronicle section, page 28

Clearly, there is a safe and not-so-safe zone when shooting a wakeboarder or wakeskater hit a rail.

In chest-deep water (and on the “inside” of the line), there is no time to move fast enough IF something were to go terribly wrong. The best option would be going under water, but even then the time to do so is extremely limited.

It may feel comfortable for a while, but before long you get a strong “feeling” you are not in the right place.

When you watch them hit the rail over and over again you can see their level of confidence and consistency get better and better. That’s when it’s the slightest bit safer to move in closer.

This is the worst spot to sit in when taking photos.
So here I am, shooting a photo of Watkins, in that “wrong place.” I was going for the ollie-splash look as he was ollieing onto the rail.

Knowing he was getting more and more comfortable I felt I could really get in there. I think I hold my breath every time I do this.

In the back of my head I always think my teeth might end up back there with my thoughts. To this day, I’ve never had a close call, thank God.

I guess you just have to know your subjects and know your own personal limits otherwise…you’ll get speared.

- Meddock