Hello My Name Is Steve

Had a chance to meet Steve O'Neill recently and learned that A. he rips and B. he moved the bay area about 5 months ago. I took him to a spot where he said something that I thought was really classic. He said "its crazy I have seen more spots to skate in this square block than in the whole town I came from." Sometimes I take for granted the scene here and I have to say thanks to Steve for keeping me appreciating the bay area. If you have a chance to meet Steve say whats up and show him there are other reasons to like living in the bay area.

Christian

Weather Breaks

Little session out at the Richmond Marina. The weather has been less than hospitable and after getting some chores done had a chance to get out to the Marina with Jonathan and Oc. That Marina has all kinds of sweet stuff, gaps, banks, and ledges. That marina will be shot again from some fresh angles and with some bomber tricks. Oh and sorry Oc about the broken board, I'll make it up to ya some how.

Christian

"Tooooot"

I just tooted my own horn. I have always tried to be a person who has a high regard for what the people around me are getting done, and not be self absorbed. I desperately hope this post does not come off as all "look at me." That said, I am pretty juiced on the fact that I have been shooting skating a relatively short time and have managed to land some print. THRASHER mags photograffiti is a range of work and submissions must be a ton so two consecutive mags (Dec 09 and Jan 10) feels pretty good. Also a "go get it" mentality got me in LOWCARD issue 31. Big thanks to Jay Marsh. My whole philosophy toward shooting skating is stick with it, continue to look and learn, and do it cuz I love it.

Christian


LOWCARD issue 31


Dec 09, upper right corner.


Jan 10, upper right corner.

Folks along the way

As weather pounds the shell of the cozy crib, and getting out to generate new material is rough, time to dive into the archives. Snorkel, check, mask, check, fins, check, trunks, check. Lets get to it!

This post is dedicated to folks I shoot on the regs, and people I have met along the road. These are a hand full of portraits which are essentials in the capture and depiction of what are normally bodies in motion. Skating is primarily about motion and alot of it, so its worth taking a bit of time to slow down and look around oneself and see who helps to make up a whirl wind which is a skating life. Thanks, and enjoy.

Christian

Allen, Turnbull, and Jones

Had to get out and get it done today. Kinda workin' off "bad brain juice" this am, a little too much PBR lately and some stressful stuff made me feel like a good skate and shooting would help the soul and the body. Went to Berkeley to hook up with Ron Allen and try to smash out some shots. Skated for a bit and Trent, and Major showed up. Had room in the car and said they could come if they wanted. They were down to get over to the port and check it out. Got some day time shots of the rail in the previous post then packed up and got over to a bank spot in Oakland. Had a nice little session there shot some long lens, the fisheye is addicting! Had plans to stay out but needed to get home to pull some weight as a dad. Man, to get to do what I do is a blessing, and I hope I never take it for granted. Photos and skating for life!!

Christian

The Port

I prepped a spot recently and some folks were kind enough to set it off with me. The shots are not the best...flashes were to hot and I was racing night, but some shots came out. Marius, Vamosone and an old friend Sean came out with me to get a few shots. These are the goods. I obviously have more to learn on the strobe tip. I have to slow down and work the best shot for the spot. Humbling.

Christian

6Twentyone session

Mini ramp session? Yes please!
My homie Jason out at 6Twentyone in Livermore just got done this a.m. finishing up a pretty sweet mini ramp at the shop. Ron and I battled a bit of traffic, snagged some IN-N-OUT and got to the shop at about 6:00 this eve. A little session ensued. A local very worth mentioning was Brad McClain. This cat was putting a whoopin' on the ramp, super fun to watch and a stoke. This type of shot is a first for me...but kinda into the results. More experience...hell yea!

Christian

Ryan Lusteg Interview

I stumbled across Ryan on Flickr. As my skating photography spills into the obsession category I am always on the look out for folks to look to for inspiration. Ryan's Flickr is a bounty of that, inspiration I mean, and I have to say because Ryan is a well published photographer I'm stoked to have him with us on the blog. I hope one day to go south and make a meeting with Mr. Lusteg. I feel it would be very worth while. The following is a quick question and answer session and gallery of photos from Ryan. Please take a moment and read and look, then follow a person who in my opinion deserves attention.

Christian



C: Name, Location, age, and profession.
R: Ryan Paul Lusteg. San Diego, CA. 28. Currently working as the studio photographer at Black Box Distribution.


C: How long have you lived in San Diego?
R: I have been in & around San Diego all my life. For the most part it has been in northern San Diego county. Although a move is on the horizon to move closer to the city sooner than later.


C: I visited SD recently, man what a great place to be to shoot skaters. Have you ever wanted to be based anywhere else?
R: I've toyed around with the idea of moving to LA but I feel it just might be a better place to visit as opposed to living there. When it comes down to it SD is home. All of my immediate family & friends are here so what's not to like about that?!


C: Your photography is super tight. All self taught, school, internships, whats the story?
R: Thank you! It's definitely a combination of the three. I feel the more your out there doing it, the better & more on point your photos are going to be. Bottom line.



C: Your Flickr is chalked full of printed work from all kinds of publications. How do you manage your schedule. I also assume you are freelance.
R: Haha, I must look super busy huh? Really though all that editorial & advertising work has been accumulated over a decent amount of time & I thought it'd be cool to be able to display it for once since I don't have a website at the moment. For the most part all that stuff has been on my own time or Black Box's time as I used to help out quite a bit shooting their riders.


C: Lots of travel?
R: I have been on a few trips with Black Box dudes here & there which were pretty rad. The most recent of which is supposedly going to be an article in The Skateboard Mag within the next few issues so hopefully that works out. (I'm just going off what i have been told at this point)



C: Could you share a fave and least fave thing about doing a shoot?
R: Least favorite thing is probably people who lag, shitty weather, security, police, knobs, kinks, & skate stoppers. Basically anything that keeps me from getting the shot I want. Fuck off. Favorite things would have to consist of shooting with friends, ideal light, & awesome photos & subjects.


C: Any favorite riders to work with?
R: Chris Troy, Alex Schmidt, & Jordan Taylor. I personally feel it's always better and more fun when your out with your friends.


C: Do you shoot film or digital or both?
R: I shoot primarily digital when it comes to skating. I still shoot film as well, I'm just more particular now when I shoot it.


C: Any advice to aspiring photographers out there?
R: Keep shooting, be persistent, ask questions, & have fun doing it. At least that has been my method of working.


C: Do you have a most favorite piece of photography equipment you work with...something you could not do with out?
R: My D300 solely because it's my workhorse, otherwise I still love to use my FM2N. There is just something so uncompromising to shooting film.


C: Thanks a ton for such a positive response to the idea of being on the blog and answering my questions. Any shout outs or things to expect from Ryan Lusteg as we wrap this up?
R: Not a problem, it's been a pleasure doing so & I'm flattered you choose to do a little interview on me. As far as shout outs go all I wanna do is thank my friends & family because without them I am nothing.