For the past year I have been working on a project to document local skateboarders. I was introduced to the sport while working on another project and found their passion and dedication inspiring.
In order to do the topic justice I try to visit the park once a week and get to know some of the skateboarders and ask questions about the moves and names of the tricks they perform. As with most of my projects it is about the people so the more I can connect with them the better my ability to capture something real.
Every time I go out to the park to shoot I attempt to approach the subject from a completely different viewpoint. In the past most of the images were dynamic sporting type coverage, but on this visit I decided to tell their story by simply showing their shadows and feet. By focusing solely (no pun intended) on the movement and actions of their feet it gave me a whole new appreciation for skill involved. Personally this might be my favorite series of images from the last year.
Hope you enjoy them.
Lee
The clothing skateboarders wear is very eclectic and something I find adds to the colorful nature of the sport. I thought Cory's choice of shorts and argyle socks was an interesting choice and not what most would consider the grunge look which is often associated with the sport.
Almost all of the experienced skaterboarders listen to music while skating. Wouldn't it be cool if could tune into each skater to hear what they are listening to. It's just a guess but something tells me they are not listening to books on tape.
As skaters line up on the wall ready for their turn I noticed they tend to lift up the front of their boards by stepping on the tail. I loved the symmetry and it also reminded me of surfers sitting off shore waiting for the perfect wave.
As it gets later in the afternoon the shadows grow longer and I realized they also tell the story of each skater. Showing their faces were not necessary to see their individual style or talent.
This is one of my favorite images of Steve, one of the better skateboarders at the park. His long hair is always flying behind him and his distinctive dreadlocks are evident even in his shadow.
