I made this photo one summer as I was learning how to set up flash outside and use it to light subjects after the sun had set.

It took a lot of practice with real subjects and I wanted the challenge of catching action. There were a few skaters in Boston who didn't mind doing their tricks over and over in front of the camera.

I did this elaborate metering off the sky, off the subject, and settled upon an ideal camera setting. This was during the time photographers shot a lot of slide film, and you had very little room for mistakes.