Christian
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Jason Arnold Show
Those who keep an eye on the blog and have been with us for a while will remember a post showcasing Jason Arnold's super sick paintings. Well just this past Friday he had an opening at 66 Sixth st. gallery. I was juiced to get out there and show my support for a friend and also see these pieces of art up close and personal. The show was killer and it was good to see Jason chopping it up with all his homies. Great job on the work Jason...keep it up and look forward to the next session at Berkeley!
Christian
Christian
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Ryan Young Interview
I have never actually met Ryan. Like most folks I head hunt for the interviews, he does great work and gets here cuz someone I know suggested I give him a peek. I look forward to meeting him and the process of the interview sheds some light on his character. Everybody out there take a few moments to get to know a bit about Ryan the same way I did by reading the interview and peeping out his photos. Maybe you know him or maybe you will meet him, what ever the case he is or will be a solid person either way.
Christian
C: Name, age, location, occupation
R: My name Ryan Young, I'm 22 years old, and I shoot photos.
C: How long have you been shooting?
R: I've been shooting photos for about 6 years.
C: Formal training, or a more hands on get it done approach?
R: This question is an interesting one. I find it unique because I struggle with the difference a lot. I go to a school where I am influenced to make pictures as opposed to take pictures. The element of design and intent is sometimes awesome to understand, but at times it can be an unhealthy obsession. Sometimes you gotta just let go and free yourself from what you think is universally right or wrong. There's a beauty in both.
I consider my formal training to be what I am told and shown technically and conceptually. On the other side, my hands on training is simply the knowledge I attain put into action.
It's somewhat like skating. Skaters learn new stuff at a skatepark, but most would want to film what they've learned on a unique street spot so they can call it their own.
C: Most folks who shoot skating also put in some ride time is this the case with you?
R: Yes. Skating will always be my number one. I still feel the same about skateboarding as I did when I was in middle school rushing through my homework so I could get down to the skatepark and do my thang.
C: Your American Dreams series is killer how did you come up with that concept?
R: Thanks. It started out as a self-assigned school project. I got ideas from things I've seen in person, movies, and NPR.
American Dreams is actually a work in progress. Its a social narrative covering contemporary issues ranging from home foreclosures to discontent suburban families. The series is supposed to convey the feeling of being caught in between reality and fantasy. There's always an underlying element of tragedy in every photo. I guess I'm drawn to the way people react to things before, during, and/or after moments of struggle.
C: What is your current fave thing to shoot?
R: Portraiture. I know that's speaking in a rather broad scope, but it's what I'm into. I feel that every artist has their own idea of what a portrait is. There is no specific definition. A still life can be a portrait. A portrait can be a still life. One of my favorite portrait photographers said it best, "The subject must be thought of in terms of the 20th century, of houses he lives in and places he works, in terms of the kind of light the windows in these places let through and by which we see him every day." -Arnold Newman
C: Who is inspiring you to keep at it?
R: I get inspiration from a lot of different sources. Everyday it seems to come from something different. Sometimes it's a movie, sometimes it comes during a critique in school, and other times it comes from simply looking around at my environment.
My favorite artists who inspire me are; Pablo Picasso, Albert Watson, Brian Gaberman, John Cardiel, and Quentin Tarantino.
C: Other than your camera what is a bit of equipment you could not live with out?
R: Film and a reflector.
C: What is your best advice to folks out there getting into photography?
R: Hmmm... Spend a lot of time obtaining the technical knowledge so you aren't limited. Look at all kinds of artists for inspiration, not just other photographers. Have fun.
C: Dream gig?
R: Some sort of editorial project in an awesome environment, with amazing light, that pays extremely well... I wish I could be more specific, but I guess I like to take things as they come.
C: If you were in a band what would you play?
R: The drums always peeked my interest.
C: Ok bro that ought to do it...thanks a bunch for your time. Any shout outs as the curtain falls on our little interview?
R: Shout out to my SPC homies, Jenna, Sam Muller, BK, D-Money, K-Duff, Mom, Dad, and Bro.
Christian
C: Name, age, location, occupation
R: My name Ryan Young, I'm 22 years old, and I shoot photos.
C: How long have you been shooting?
R: I've been shooting photos for about 6 years.
C: Formal training, or a more hands on get it done approach?
R: This question is an interesting one. I find it unique because I struggle with the difference a lot. I go to a school where I am influenced to make pictures as opposed to take pictures. The element of design and intent is sometimes awesome to understand, but at times it can be an unhealthy obsession. Sometimes you gotta just let go and free yourself from what you think is universally right or wrong. There's a beauty in both.
I consider my formal training to be what I am told and shown technically and conceptually. On the other side, my hands on training is simply the knowledge I attain put into action.
It's somewhat like skating. Skaters learn new stuff at a skatepark, but most would want to film what they've learned on a unique street spot so they can call it their own.
C: Most folks who shoot skating also put in some ride time is this the case with you?
R: Yes. Skating will always be my number one. I still feel the same about skateboarding as I did when I was in middle school rushing through my homework so I could get down to the skatepark and do my thang.
C: Your American Dreams series is killer how did you come up with that concept?
R: Thanks. It started out as a self-assigned school project. I got ideas from things I've seen in person, movies, and NPR.
American Dreams is actually a work in progress. Its a social narrative covering contemporary issues ranging from home foreclosures to discontent suburban families. The series is supposed to convey the feeling of being caught in between reality and fantasy. There's always an underlying element of tragedy in every photo. I guess I'm drawn to the way people react to things before, during, and/or after moments of struggle.
C: What is your current fave thing to shoot?
R: Portraiture. I know that's speaking in a rather broad scope, but it's what I'm into. I feel that every artist has their own idea of what a portrait is. There is no specific definition. A still life can be a portrait. A portrait can be a still life. One of my favorite portrait photographers said it best, "The subject must be thought of in terms of the 20th century, of houses he lives in and places he works, in terms of the kind of light the windows in these places let through and by which we see him every day." -Arnold Newman
C: Who is inspiring you to keep at it?
R: I get inspiration from a lot of different sources. Everyday it seems to come from something different. Sometimes it's a movie, sometimes it comes during a critique in school, and other times it comes from simply looking around at my environment.
My favorite artists who inspire me are; Pablo Picasso, Albert Watson, Brian Gaberman, John Cardiel, and Quentin Tarantino.
C: Other than your camera what is a bit of equipment you could not live with out?
R: Film and a reflector.
C: What is your best advice to folks out there getting into photography?
R: Hmmm... Spend a lot of time obtaining the technical knowledge so you aren't limited. Look at all kinds of artists for inspiration, not just other photographers. Have fun.
C: Dream gig?
R: Some sort of editorial project in an awesome environment, with amazing light, that pays extremely well... I wish I could be more specific, but I guess I like to take things as they come.
C: If you were in a band what would you play?
R: The drums always peeked my interest.
C: Ok bro that ought to do it...thanks a bunch for your time. Any shout outs as the curtain falls on our little interview?
R: Shout out to my SPC homies, Jenna, Sam Muller, BK, D-Money, K-Duff, Mom, Dad, and Bro.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Two Things
So talk about a kick in the pants. Tadashi's Fresh Crops on The Skateboard Mag web site got me inspired in a couple of ways. Way #1 try to compose and shoot more long lens. Fisheye is cool but damn, it's like crack on a camera. Way #2 try and keep a lid on some shots and work on getting stuff published. Wish me luck!
Christian
Christian
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday Vert
"The Book" can be a life sucker, a total drag, and or a great place to meet people and get your net work on. This post is case in point. Last weekend you all remember Man am? Well at this event was a guy who is basically a super player from back in the day. Jeff Hedges is the man in question. The event was hectic to say the least and I was unable to actually meet Jeff but post event I took some initiative and friended Jeff on Facebook. One thing lead to another and BOOYA!! Last night I was able to watch and shoot a full blown Vert session. I cannot remember the last time I had a chance to get up close and personal with an 11 1/2 foot ramp. Steve Caballero was there even!! Super fun and got a hand full of photos. Thanks to Jeff for getting me lined up, Brad for driving, and everybody else who was there putting it down.
Christian
Christian
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
On Assignment
This is a first. In my brief tenure as a skateboarding photographer I have been fortunate enough to have a ton of opportunity's to work in a variety of ways with either organizations or events to provide coverage. The aspiration has always been to cover anything but a high hope was to get into covering an individual and shoot images to couple with an interview or spotlight in a publication. My main man Mike gave me this opportunity at the tail end of the Memorial Day weekend. His mag Skidmark will be using some shots of mine to go along with an up coming interview of a pro rider. The whole session that day was super fun and it took us all over the southern part of the Bay Area. As a bonus I had a chance to meet some new folks from the Small Beating team and grab some pics of these people as well. Bottom line I'm juiced to have had this chance and I hope it means more of this type of work will get next to me. Thanks Mike and all who participated that day. Keep you eyes peeled for the next Skidmark skate zine to peep the whole 9.
Christian
Christian
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