Boys (and 1 girl) on wheels
I recently discovered the photography of Hugh Holland in a book called Locals Only – California Skateboarding 1975-1978. In 1975, with no formal training, Holland picked up a camera and took it upon himself to document the LA skate scene. As well as action shots, there are plenty of candid portraits shot in the late afternoon sun, using old colour neg movie film which gives a gentle, hazy cast to the pictures.
My favourite element in these pictures as always, is the styling; the sunlightened long hair, the tube socks, the Vans skate shoes and the cute way of knotting a sweatshirt, superheroically like a cape over the shoulders…
11 February, 2011 @ 10:22 am
It's hard not to love their youthful defiance and unconscious sensuality. God himself couldn't get me on a skateboard though.
11 February, 2011 @ 8:19 pm
You should watch 'Dogtown and Z-Boys', directed by Stacy Peralta one of the original skaters who I'm assuming is in that book (I'm pretty sure the first photo is him?). It's a documentary about the surfers and skaters in Venice, LA in the 1970s narrated by Sean Penn. There is a film about the same group starring Heath Ledger, not so great but the costume is inspirational nonetheless. Also if you're interested in reading more about the surfers/skaters movement Amy De la Heye has a book called 'Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads and Skaters' which charts streetstyle through the decades, which can be related to some interesting subcultural theories.
11 February, 2011 @ 10:57 pm
love this book…makes you feel youth's sense of freedom again…and the sun.
12 February, 2011 @ 1:25 am
this reminds me of a book about Bunker Spreckles, 1970s cali surfer boy turned wannabe society darling in the 70s. there's something intriguing about these uber-blond fresh-faced guys.
12 February, 2011 @ 12:38 pm
@Sister Wolf, @VSP: Yes, that's exactly what appeals
@Anonymous: I saw Dogtown a few years ago, I think I need to see it again…
@Safra: Haven't heard of that one. Wll investigate!