Pronounced "Bee
Gee Peez," BGPs is the abbreviation of the term "Background Props" in
skateboarding, specifically as it relates to skateboard documentation via video or photography.
The term typically refers to people in, but not limited to, background environment of a photo or video clip of a skateboard
trick being executed. BGPs can enhance or be a visual distraction to an aesthetically pleasing
shot depending on context.
Good BGP Example:
During a contest run video clip or still photo of a particularly difficult
trick, fellow competitors cheering or intently watching the other skateboarder in the background can
add to the intensity and often hectic environment.
Bad BGP Example:
Due to the danger/complexity of skate tricks as well as the dynamic environment of places to skate outside of controlled environments like skateparks, a successful photo looks for the same sense of balance and composition as any other good photograph, but the photographer must know the moment to capture the
trick, one should be easily decipherable to a relatively experienced skateboarder.
The bad BGP occurs when a photo/videographer has perfect framing, the
skater performing the
trick, the camera operator capturing the moment... to be ruined by someone in florescent colors walking by, visually distracting from what could have been a perfect skate capture.