SLUG Magazine Summer of Death: GhettOlympics

I was asked to be one of the photographers at the first SLUG Magazine Summer of Death skateboard contest a few weeks ago. This contest was called The GhettOlympics, and for good reason. The comp was held in a parking lot on ghetto home made boxes and rails--just like the good old days in the church parking lot. They also had "Olympic" events like longest powerslide, hippie jump hurdles, and a shot put/board toss. It was really HOT. Enjoy a few highlights that I captured.

Kevin Emerson - frontside 180 to switch crooks

David Law - Crook jam on cue
Dirty Sean Hadley - Skateboard Toss

Morgan - Hippie Jump Hurdles

Brodie Penrod - Frontside 5-0 to switch crook

Brodie Penrod - Kickflip back smith...he landed this 3 times for me.

David Law - Pole jam melon

Eric Hess - Powerslide

I don't know this guy's name. Bluntslide.

Check out the August issue of SLUG for the write up and more photos from the comp. http://summerofdeath.com/

On a Highway through Rural Utah

As I mentioned in a previous post, I took a drive down to my hometown last weekend. Traveling alone is ideal for me when I want to photograph. The typical 2 hour drive turned into 4 hours. It was nice having no agenda, nor assignment, and simply photographing whatever caught my eye. I could easily drive all day and do this--just ask my wife about the drive home from San Diego and my detour on Rt. 66 through sketchy-horror movie-esque desert towns (if you can call them towns).
Enough talking. Here are some images from the drive.

Highway 89 - Salina, UT

Camoflauge Trailer - Salina, UT

Winnebago - Aurora UT

Fire Hydrant - Aurora UT

Bacon Double Cheesburger - Nephi UT

Gunnison Barber Shop - Gunnison UT

Casino Star Theatre, est. 1913 - Gunnison UT

My Mother's Arabians - Central Valley UT

Old Hwy 89, directly in front of my parents' house. This is the "street" I grew up on during my teenage years - Central Valley UT

photo II

"Modern Trailer Court" Nephi, UT

Trip to Monroe...

I drove down to Monroe, UT for the 24th of July. The drive normally takes about 2 hours. This time it took me 4 hours. I shot a lot of random photos on the way. Here is one of the last I shot, after the sun had dropped. More to come shortly."Aurora, UT"

Fireworks

Pioneer Day was on Thursday. I watched the fireworks in Monroe from Erin's parents' backyard.20 seconds/f7.1

1 second/f5.0

Emily and Ray Engagements

Emily and Ray are getting married in about 3 weeks. Here are some of the photos that I like the most from the session.

Skateboarding IS a Crime

Tonight I had a mission to get a photo for the next Technique ad for Slug Magazine. Deadline was four days ago. After numerous scheduling conflicts and injured skaters, I was able to meet up with Danny Souk tonight. After weighing our options, we went to a spot that looked very promising, only to promptly get kicked out before a skateboard had even been taken out of the car. (NOTE: prepare for "no skateboarding" rant). Apparently, skateboarding is "against the law" in the entire city of Cottonwood Heights, except at the skate park (Guthrie park by Brighton HS) and on the sidewalk on the way to the skate park. Evidently, skateboarding IS a crime. When I was about 10 years old, I had a tee shirt that Thrasher Magazine made with a portrait of Mark Gonzales in the classic prison striped clothing with a caption that read "USE A SKATE, GO TO PRISON." That was 1990. Where are we at now nearly 20 years later? Yes, public acceptance of skateboarding is greater now than ever, but at what cost? The X Games, Bam, Ryan Sheckler, Rob and Big, every other store in the mall that sells "skater shoes," etc. etc. Heck, skateboarding is nearly in the Olympics.
All this "acceptance" has just made it harder to go out and skate like we used to.
I am so sick of being harassed (yes HARASSED) by police officers, and even everyday people that feel a duty and need to make it their business to kick skateboarders out of somewhere. Skate parks are great and all, but I think most cities build them just so they have an excuse to ban skating everywhere but within the fenced in confines of their skate park.
I could go on for hours about this, as I am very passionate about the subject. BUT, I will stop my diatribe and post some photos to entertain you (if anyone even read this far).
This is Danny Souk. I just met him today. He rips. We went to a different spot, and got a super good trick. AND, Jovi and Glenn also got sick tricks/photos that may be posted soon. It turned out all right. Fun was had by all. Danny's actual trick photo will be posted once the August Slug drops. And finally, here is Jovi's hand. Another skate tee comes to mind..."Give Blood - Skateboard"
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Jovi Bathemess

This an outtake from a Polaroid series I am working on. I don't want to post the shots I am going to use until I have it all finished. This is a nollie backside lipslide on a tall, tight rail. In fact, Jovi smashed his hand on the red pillar on this shot.Nollie Backside Lipslide

A portrait from last summer

Switch Heelflip at the Murray bump last summer

Holland Redd - Technique Ad for SLUG Magazine July 2008

Holland Redd - Hardflip

More of Kate's Bridals

Joe has already seen the photos, so no need to wait. Here are a few of my favorites from the bridal session.

Kate's Bridals Sneak Peek

I shot some bridals last night with Kate. Here is a sneak peak...NO PEEKING JOE! I'll post some more in a couple days. Joe and Kate are getting married on Saturday.

The Hundreds...

The Hundreds has posted the photo that I had posted a while back featuring Blindside. Go here to check it out:
http://www.thehundreds.com/wordpress/?p=5686
This image is not mine; courtesy of The Hundreds.

Dyllan Call

This will bring a session to real quick end.