Essential Equipment for Product Photography and Filming Fingerboard Tricks & Demonstrations

Fingerboarding combines the creativity of skateboarding with the accessibility of a desktop or tabletop setup. Whether you're capturing stunning product shots for your online store or dynamic videos of tricks and demos, the right gear makes all the difference. High-quality visuals help showcase the precision craftsmanship of fingerboards, from intricate deck graphics to smooth wheel spins and gravity-defying flips.

At our company, we rely on a professional setup for product photography: Sony Alpha A7R series cameras (A7R II and A7R V for their massive pixel counts that deliver incredible detail and cropping flexibility), Sigma Art Macro lenses for razor-sharp close-ups, Godox AD300II strobes paired with Godox softboxes for soft, even lighting that minimizes harsh shadows and highlights textures beautifully.

For filming fingerboarding action, we use a GoPro in 4K—a reliable, compact choice that handles the fast-paced, close-quarters nature of tricks exceptionally well.

But what about the broader community? Fingerboarders use a wide range of setups, from budget-friendly smartphones to more advanced rigs. Here's a comprehensive guide.

Product Photography Setup: Capturing Every Detail

Fingerboards are small, so macro capabilities and controlled lighting are crucial for highlighting wood grain, grip tape texture, truck quality, and wheel details.

Core Recommendations (Building on Our Setup):

• Cameras: Full-frame mirrorless like Sony A7R series excel due to high resolution (great for large prints or heavy cropping) and excellent dynamic range. Alternatives include other Sony A7/A6000 series or similar mirrorless from Canon/Fujifilm.
• Lenses: Macro lenses (e.g., Sigma Art) for 1:1 magnification. Prime lenses around 50mm or 100mm for product shots with pleasing bokeh.
• Lighting: Continuous LED panels or strobes like Godox with softboxes/diffusers. Soft, diffused light from multiple angles prevents glare on metallic parts and creates depth. Reflectors or light tents help for even illumination on small subjects.
• Accessories: Tripod or copy stand for stability, remote shutter release, white balance tools, and a clean background (seamless paper or light box). Post-processing in Lightroom/Photoshop for color correction and sharpening.

Pro Tip: Shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility. Multiple angles (top-down, side profiles, 45-degree) and detail shots (bearings, graphics) tell the full story of the product.

Filming Tricks and Demonstrations: Action-Ready Gear

Fingerboard tricks happen quickly in a tiny space, so you need wide fields of view, good stabilization, high frame rates for slow-motion, and portability. Low-angle "follow cam" shots and fisheye perspectives dominate community videos for that skate-inspired vibe.

Our GoPro Approach: 4K resolution captures crisp footage. Its wide-angle lens, durability, and mounting options make it ideal for dynamic self-filming.

Other Popular Cameras Used by Fingerboarders:

• Smartphones (Most Common Entry Point): iPhones (often at 4K/60fps or higher, 0.5x ultra-wide), Huawei P40 Pro, Samsung Galaxy models. Many film upside-down for better low angles, then rotate in editing. Apps like FiLMiC Pro unlock manual controls and high frame rates (e.g., 1080p/240fps for slo-mo).
  • Accessories: Clip-on fisheye lenses (e.g., Deathlens) or wide-angle attachments dramatically improve framing for follow cams. Small tripods, gimbals (DJI Osmo Mobile), or phone lights for stability and illumination.
• Action Cameras: Beyond GoPro (Hero series remain favorites for their ecosystem), DJI Osmo Action 4/6 or similar are popular for excellent stabilization, low-light performance, and compact size. Great for POV or mounted shots.
• Mirrorless/DSLR Cameras:
  • Sony A6000 with TTArtisan fisheye or similar for lightweight, high-quality video.
  • Canon 6D or other DSLRs with fisheye (for low angles) and 50mm primes (for longer, cinematic establishing shots).
  • Higher-end: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K for cinematic looks, though it's overkill for most.
• Creative/Niche Options: Mini "VX-style" 3D-printed setups mimicking old skate filming aesthetics, sliders (e.g., Edelkrone) for smooth movement, or even basic webcams/tripods for beginners.

Essential Filming Accessories & Techniques:

• Stabilization: Tripods for static shots; practice one-handed follow cams or use gimbals/AI tracking.
• Lenses/Effects: Fisheye or ultra-wide for immersive views; longer lenses for variety.
• Lighting: Natural sunlight outdoors; portable LEDs or on-camera lights (e.g., Phottix, Aputure) indoors. Good lighting is non-negotiable—avoid harsh overheads.
• Editing: CapCut, Adobe Rush/Premiere for slo-mo, keyframing, color grading, and music sync. High fps footage (60+) enables buttery slow-motion.
• Other Tips: Film in well-lit, clutter-free spaces. Practice framing. Outdoors, use real-world spots for authenticity (no big setups needed).

The Human Touch: Why Real Equipment and Skill Still Matter

In an era where AI tools can generate convincing images and videos with a simple prompt, it's becoming increasingly frustrating to invest in professional equipment, years of hands-on experience (30+ years in photography, lighting, and filmmaking across our team), and countless hours refining techniques—only for viewers to casually assume the results are AI-generated.

The subtle details that come from real-world physics, imperfect human timing, authentic lighting interactions, and genuine fingerboard physics simply can't be faked convincingly yet. The satisfaction of nailing a perfect macro shot after adjusting lights for an hour, or capturing a fluid trick follow-cam after dozens of practice runs, is what drives us. We encourage the community to celebrate and recognize real craftsmanship. When you see detailed product photos or dynamic trick videos, know that behind them is real gear, real skill, and real passion—not just algorithms.

Getting Started on Any Budget

• Budget: Smartphone + fisheye lens + cheap tripod/lights.
• Mid-Range: GoPro/DJI Action + accessories, or entry mirrorless.
• Pro: Mirrorless like Sony A7R with macro/video lenses, studio lighting, and advanced editing.

Creativity and practice matter more than gear. Many pros started with phones and built epic edits through repetition and experimentation.

Whether you're photographing products to sell or filming jaw-dropping tricks to inspire the community, invest in gear that matches your style. Our Sony + GoPro combo delivers versatility, but the fingerboarding world proves you can create magic with whatever you have on hand.

What's your go-to setup? Email us your setup — we'd love to see your setups and footage!

Happy fingerboarding and shooting!  

Photos : Jeremy Canuto