CIB Photographer of the Month Dec: Cinedar
Dave Rollans has had an eye for photography since the young age of five.
Combining their passion for capturing with experience rolling and riding has lead to their unique style of documentation imagery. They collaborate with skaters and of all backgrounds and live by the think more, shoot less moto to produce inspiring images. Get to know them, their gear and some of our favorite shots as we celebrate Dave aka Cinedar as our Photographer of the Month!
Name: Dave Rollans
Alias: Cinedar
Pronouns: they/them (varies, gender fluid)
Instagram: @cinedar
Website: www.daverollans.com
Location: Sonoma County, CA, USA
Alias: Cinedar
Pronouns: they/them (varies, gender fluid)
Instagram: @cinedar
Website: www.daverollans.com
Location: Sonoma County, CA, USA
Q: When did you first pick up a camera?
A: The very first image I took was when I was 5, it was a portrait of my parents. I was totally hooked at that point but it wasn’t until darkroom class in high school that I took things more seriously. It became science & magic all at the same time. Watching a print come up in the developer is still a magical thing for me.
Kid Ace Portrait, Sebastopol CA
Q: What inspired you to take up skatepark photography?A: Mostly my desire to document the tricks going down. For me, skatepark photography is usually more documentation than art.... just due to the surroundings. A great skatepark photo needs to be way more gnarly than a street photo just due to its environment. This also stems from growing up without access to many skateparks, so street sessions were a daily occurrence. I also grew up skateboarding, rollerblading, and BMX biking so I never had that bias. I love all action sports.
Q: What do you use to shoot?
A: My main camera is a 1947 4x5 speed graphic and I use a few lenses with it including an aerial reconnaissance lens from WWII called the Kodak 7” Aero Ektar f/2.5. For my skate stuff, I’m using a Fujinon 125mm f/5.6, and Fujinon 300mm f/8 cause they have fast flash sync. If shooting sports, I’m shooting either that or my 1970s Mamiya RB67 cause both have fast flash sync due to their leaf shutter construction. This allows me to use two Godox AD200 strobes to add drama to the scene and stop action with their fast flash durations regardless of ambient lighting on the scene. Also just got a Sigma 16mm f/2.8 Filtermatic from the 70s for my 35mm Olympus OM1n and shot a few photos specifically for this interview while testing out my first roll with the lens.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
A: Jeff Zielinski is my hands down favorite sports photographer along with Grant Brittain and Atiba Jefferson. Musically, really into Andrew Bird, Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, and Florist these days. For sports, I draw inspiration from the people I’m skating/riding with way more than the pros. The skill level doesn’t inspire me as much as drive, determination, and a positive attitude.
Tam - Toestop Stall, Santa Rosa CA
Q: When shooting action sports, what are you hoping to capture?
A: Typically I’m out to make the trick look as epic as possible. This can mean so many things.... often people run to grab a fisheye and that’s a great way to make the most gnarly spot look REALLY tiny. I guess what I’m typically looking for is a good composition, good lighting, and whether the scene calls for wide-angle distortion or telephoto compression. I’ll gladly hold off on shooting a photo and come back another day if it means the lighting is more ideal on that day/time. My medium format camera gets 10 images per roll and my 4x5 gets 2 shots per holder, so the mentality of “Think more, shoot less” truly comes out. It’s why I tend to shoot from a tripod and pre-focus / compose. This allows me to use a cable release and fully “be there” in the moment with my subjects.
Miguel Ramos - Invert, Tehachap CA
Q: What do you enjoy the most about capturing this scene?
A: The positivity and all-inclusive nature of roller skating is amazing. Personally, I rollerblade cause I watched too much “Brink” growing up (yes, we can all laugh at that one), but have no bias. It’s why I love the term “action sports”.... cause we’re all out here doing the same thing, having fun!
Max Mead - 5050, Santa Rosa CA
Q: Have you had any stand out sessions?
A: Totally! Every single one of them!!! My reason being.... most other communities of action sports aren’t as inclusive and supportive as the roller skate community. I’ve gotten to meet so many amazing skaters and feel truly blessed. With that said, two that stand out right off the bat were unknowingly shooting the DogDays cover with Trample & Havoc (below) randomly while I was in LA, what a blast that was and they’re both such lovely people. Another is, a photo shot a few weeks back with Max where I asked him to wallride this little statue.... he, of course, takes it next level and grinds the almost 4 foot high top of it (above)... then he decides “oh I think I can air off that little curve”.... He, of course, landed it and blew my mind (cover image). But that’s just a few of many stand-out sessions, cause again... it’s a lovely community. Since I shoot all of this strictly for art and not for profit, it’s important to have supportive people around me who are there for a common love of this sport.
Lady Trample / Havoc - Doubles, Los Angeles, CA
Q: Favorite trick to capture?
A: Anything street. Grinds, gaps, wallrides, you name it. If it’s on a street obstacle, especially something out of the ordinary... I’m down to shoot it :)
Q: Dream skater to shoot with!
A: Omg! She’s not a roller skater but... Cher Autum. Her style is great both fashion-wise and her skating. Within the roller-skating community, I’d really love to shoot with Barbie Patin someday cause she skates so much street and I really relate to those clips more. But that said, I wanna shoot with anyone who wants to throw down some tricks! :)
Estrojen - Michelle Steilen Jumping off a roof in Long Beach CA
Q: One piece of advice for anyone looking to get involved in action sports photography?
A: Totally, buy a flash and shoot a ton of photos. Flash is the game-changer, especially off-camera flash. Godox Speedlite + a radio trigger is a great start. You look at 90s transworld skate magazines and the quality of skate photos was top notch. That’s what I’m after.... that level of quality. Hard to achieve that look without using flashes. My other biggest advice would be to “think more, shoot less”. Think about your composition, what if you moved, got lower, etc... how does that change the background and aid your composition. Are you able to put them in clear skies, if not... maybe there’s a better background than your initial angle. Move around, pre-visualize what you want to shoot before you put the camera to your eye. And have fun, there are no rules. Ignore every rule and go make photos. Also, ask questions. My parents raised me on the idea that everyone has to learn somehow, so there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Talk to other photographers, learn from each other. I’m always down to answer questions and help others achieve their visualizations. Photography is not a competition, it’s a community of artists growing together.
Nick The Medic - 180 grab, Long Beach CA