(Words: Kieran McMullan)
Of all the skate photographs created since the birthing of skateboarding, it comes as no shock that it is extremely difficult to select only ten.
Nevertheless, here are some personal favourites that for me, ignite an era, display raw talent and style, and capture the soul of skateboarding. Oh, and to forewarn you, the images below contain copious amounts of inspiration – perfect for pre or post-skate viewing, or your Monday morning blues.
To kick start things off, it’s John Cardiel. One of the gnarliest rippers to step foot on a skateboard. This 5050 on the ‘Union Square Rail’, San Francisco, goes down as one of the most iconic grinds ever, and perhaps the holy grail of all Cardiel’s pursuits on the skateboard. Dubbed ‘Cardiel’s Rail’, Tony Trujillo quotes that it took only four or five tries and they were out by 8:30am. Talk about getting shit done.
Next, the infamous FS Pivot from The Gonz. Forever pioneering new style and creativity on and off the board. This photograph by Bryce Kanights was captured at Alcatraz Federal Prison in April of 1988 with Kodachrome 64 transparency film and appeared as a full page image as part of an editorial feature published in Thrasher Magazine. The allure of this photograph for me is the Alcatraz mystique, the prison suit, and the trick. The man’s a legend.
The sheer magnitude of pop from Stevie Williams in this photograph is monumental. Photographed in Love Park, Philly – is this the best Switch Noseslide ever? It’s certainly iconic, along with the spot and ad, which was featured in Transworld with the video ‘The Reason’ from 1999.
Is Danny Way one of the greatest skateboarders ever? This image of him jumping the Great Wall of China back in 2005 strongly supports this notion. Another from the master lensman, Mike Blabac, the ramp cost 5 million dollars; and with millions watching and an injury from severe speed wobbles, Danny smashed it regardless. For once, I think this photograph does, in fact, do the trick justice – something that becomes increasingly difficult in skate photography.
When I think of Heath Kirchart, the first word that springs to mind is style. This cover was shot by Dave Swift in February 1999 at the infamous spot, El Toro. Of all the legendary tricks that went down on this rail, Heath’s Lipslide is definitely up there as one of the most gnarly for me – 100% commitment, 100% style. This Transworld cover won’t be forgotten anytime soon – look at the dip on that Lipslide!
Andrew Reynolds isn’t universally known as ‘The Boss’ faintly… this incredible photograph is most sought after out of Atiba’s collection. Here the boss Frontside Flips a double set during Emerica’s Wild in the Streets Tour at Downtown Plaza, Vancouver.
Original Z-Boys ripper, Jay Adams pioneered the aggressive, surf style. His high energy and spontaneity brought the punk edge into skateboarding. The infamous quote “You don’t quit skating because you get old… you get old because you quit skating” will live on for years to come. A true legend and this image, for me, best encapsulates that status – a 100% skater. This photograph breathes Dogtown authenticity – something Craig Steyk did so compellingly.
Eric Koston handles it at the legendary Hubba Hideout with a Back Noseblunt whilst on tour with Chocolate – it also made the Transworld Photo Annual cover of 1998.
Back when shoes were chunky and pants were baggy… Blabac’s photograph is an important piece of tangible evidence that shows a golden era of skateboarding.
Known for his rivalry with the more technical skater, Tony Hawk, Christian Hasoi is another legend in the evergrowing list. His style and flair was an unstoppable force during the 80s and indefinitely made his skating stand out – a torchbearer of style for many.
This truly incredible photograph of Matt Hensley by Daniel Harold Sturt will unquestionably stand the test of time. Here, Hensley illustrates a stylish FS Ollie before Sturt’s lens in Seattle, 1992. Reputed to capture the essence of a skater’s style, his images leak an eerie sense of foreboding danger, whilst retaining aesthetic beauty. Evocative of the New Topographic style in photography, perhaps this is why this image is one of my favourites. Powerful, striking and enduringly iconic.
