Crazy Legs, Levi, & Tanner.

Back in February of ‘08, I was on a work trip for a BMX photo shoot that was taking place in Yonkers, New York.  I had the opportunity of working closely with Dave Tindale (art director for the shoot) and getting plenty of valuable insight- especially, when it comes to a highly respected art director.  “You know what I like most about shooting with you, and namely why I decided to bring you on this trip rather than _______?” He asked me; “You don’t overshoot or undershoot… you just shoot what’s necessary, and that makes my job about 9000x easier when this is all said and done- i.e. I know I won’t have 3000+ files to browse through later when making final cuts.“  I was so relieved to hear this- considering I was working with seasoned professionals (a few that I myself idolized when I was growing up riding) and was just a bit nervous.
Personally- I prefer undershooting opposed to overshooting.  I think this is the main reason for me having so many random camera bodies lying around; I can put some 400bw in one, some slide film in another, a roll of 3200 in one, and a roll of color negative film to top it off…that way, I have all my bases covered and I never have to rush or burn through a roll- I can take as much time as I’d like.  For instance, If I went away for a weekend (lets say a trip to baja) with four cameras, I’d most likely come home with maybe one entire roll of 36 being exposed.  I’ve been reading about these people that go away for a weekend and come home with 10-15 exposed rolls of film (what on earth did you shoot!? everything that did/didn’t move?!)…  I woulda just shot digital man and spent five extra minutes in Photoshop making it look like film, if that’s what my little heart desired- plain and simple.  Think about it- not only would I be saving $80+ in processing fees- BUT I’d also be saving myself three plus days of scanning.  15 rolls at 36exp each?  Oh you know…that’s only 540 images- no big deal.  And considering I can only really scan 6 frames at a time- thats only a whopping 90 times that I’d have to swap out strips of film…

(Chris Orwig was an instructor I was fortunate enough to study under while perusing a career in photography, and he has always had a solid opinion/outlook when it comes to the ever-so-controversial subject of film vs. digital… read here.)

…

Function over fashion- ALWAYS.

(This guy knows what I’m talkin’ about; I bet each set is used for specific terrain…like turf, grass, the moon- you know..)

SO JANED!!!

I really do.  So so much.  I actually kicked two yesterday- live ones; two pigeons while I was on the phone with David- he laughed.  I hate pigeons and seagulls more than flies.  Yesterday at Blackies (YO was there)- some guy was driving his truck super slow in the parking lot, and somehow managed to run this little jerk-off over.  It popped, real loud.  I laughed, then took these photo.  Then, Turk thought it’d be epic to burnout on that little bastard (check video below)- and I totally agreed.  Sorry if you love birds- I hate them (Listen to Black Sabbath).
Oh- and happy birthday Nana.

(click to enlarge)

Oh yeah- we surfed too.  Turk getting barreled and Scotty testing the Riddler; while I got some work done.  Killing two birds with one stone- or in this case, killing one bird with two stones..

Reading, Hulu/YouTubing, and Accessorizing.  Go Griffin Go!

A signed 5X7 of Psycho Mike & Myself, taken by Mr. Devin Briggs.  This will be a gem within the next 15 years.

I know everyone is getting tired of seeing the Stopniks on here (too F-ing bad, just wait till after this coming weekend…you’ll hate me & them at least 50x more than you already do now!), so I figured I’d do one better and post a photo of myself that PK took at Serna’s Ridiculous Pool B-Day Jam.  Man, I just can’t get enough of myself.  I’m the best, ever.  I can only do like, three- maybe four different things in a pool, and this here is one of them (that should be good enough to go pro right? … … … … riiiiight).  Thanks PK for mobile studio lighting for this epic shot of myself.  Maybe I can go pro, I mean, I am pretty damn incredible.  Especially when it comes to near death experiences in backyards.  I’m going to go pro in that department; killing myself and breaking myself off on every run.  If you can’t already tell- PK takes pretty incredible shots that will blow your socks (or sockettes) off… see?  (ps- thats my pocket wizard firing that bitch of a flash off in the background- BOOYA!)  Damn I rule- I love me.

(sorry for the sarcasm- I’m trying to find new/old content that hasn’t been posted in one of my previous 480 posts, and am obviously having a hard time with doing that at the moment…hence me posting a picture of myself on my own blog.)

Seems that everyone hates the Stopniks (and for no valid reason..)- good, they hate you too.  Hey!  All three of us have something in common!!!- We’re all hated for doing super fun things all day long, by crusty bums that sit behind a desk and have regular day jobs!!!  Here are some super gay homosexualized shots of the guys who make skinny jeans look sexy, and the boys that make you get less sleep at night (for some awkward reason..)-  Yesssssssssssss.  MATTY WANT FOOTY :’(

I skated ridiculous pool yesterday, and all i can say? – holy. fuck.  Most epic backyard-er I have ever had the privilege of skating.  I had a few fronside grinds, and a couple ‘over the stairs’ before this shit went down- Annihilated (see video below…).  This was my second attempt (almost pulled the first one) and was at the very end of the session…Smash Skates- fully living up to their name.  Check out Ozzies blog, shits off the hook.

I guess it’s good to get some energy out this way when you need to, FML…

(L-R : Russ, Ozzie, Jake, Brandon, Tige, Sam, & Scott.)

Ok, so to start- yeah, ixnay on the wedge dude.  i dont really feel like dying this week, again; my trip to the ER was close enough.

During my time in Santa Barbara, i had the privilege and honor of meeting a life-long friend by the name of Jessie Brian.  It all began with a Dibblee abode ad on craigslist for a room for rent- and then turned into two-year epicgnar of a time.  If you E V E R need any web assistance, do not ever hesitate to contact this mastermind- dude has saved my site, my ass, and my life like 300+ times, plus- he shot this for me in the middle of nowhere and emailed it to me…i KNEW there was a sign somewhere.

and of course, feeling the need to share some more truth via Scott Vogel & friends…

No one hears what – what you say
No one is there – there for you
But I’ve got music and I’ve got friends
Both always by my side
Convictions instilled in me
This is what keeps me alive
You don’t know me
Don’t know any of us
Don’t know what this means
Keep your mouth shut

Try and try – to tear me down
Run and run – run your mouth
But it’s you who’s lost
In social ills, lust and greeds
This is for the outcasts that never fit
This is all that we need

I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OF ME
I don’t hear what you say
You never had it, you never will
Keep your mouth shut and worry about yourself.