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Not too long ago I had the pleasure of dropping by Ed Templeton’s house in Huntington Beach, CA to do an interview and shoot some photos for a feature I was writing for Relapse Magazine’s Art Issue. We sat and talked for over an hour straight about everything from the influence of skateboarding on his creativity, and how he manages to shoot photos of people on the streets without being noticed, and his whole skateboarding girl thing. Afterwards he gave me a tour of his house, studio, and darkroom while I shot off some photos for the piece. It was definitely rad to rap out with someone so prolific and influential in not only skateboarding, but photography as well. Ed is an incredibly humble guy.

See some more photos after the jump then head over to Relapse Magazine’s website where you can read the feature and look at the rest of the issue right there…. or if you are in NYC go pick it up from select newsstands.

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Full house at Lomography’s space right on Santa Monica Blvd.

Friday, November 2nd I had the privilege of hosting a group photo show titled “Everyone’s A Photographer” at the Lomography Gallery Store in Los Angeles as the winner of their “Win Your Dream Space” competition. Long story short, Lomography offered up their different gallery stores all over the world to whoever came up with the best idea how to utilize each space for an entire month. And I was lucky enough to win their LA location with this photo show I dreamed up involving a group of California-based friends that I have personally been influenced by creatively.

Click more to see the rest of the recap & photos.

The calm before the storm.

I put a Lomography camera of each person’s choice in the hands of Chad Muska, Corey Smith, Jared Eberhardt, Jeremy & Claire Weiss, Natas Kaupas, Ian Ruhter, Danny Zapalac, & Jason Lee Parry and gave them a month to shoot a roll of film and come up with 5 photos to be displayed in the show. After that month of planning, taking photos, scrambling, and promoting, the whole project came to life Friday night with a packed opening party which around 400 people attended.

Muska has a posse.

I think the coolest part of this project is the diverse cross-section of talented people who were willing to be involved. I thought it would be interesting to have a photo show featuring not only photographers, but creatives in general from skate legends, to directors, to painters, etc. The result was an eclectic group of photos that had the ability to appeal to a wider audience, and this was evident by the people from all walks of life in attendance at Friday’s event. Nothing is more rewarding than to dump all your time and energy into making a project happen then be able to sit back and watch other people take it in and enjoy it.

Photo: Amanda Shank

But the project isn’t over yet. The show will be up in the Lomography store throughout the month of November, but the catch is that everyone has a chance to contribute. If you come in, buy a Lomography camera, or use one you already own you can submit your photos to be hung in a contributor space I have set up for the public in the gallery. Your photos will also be in consideration for the book I will be putting together over the course of the month. Don’t live in the LA area? Submit your photos on my Facebook page to be featured in recaps throughout the event. Just remember… all photos need to be shot on a Lomography camera.

Contributors Ian Ruhter & Danny Zapalac and his son Merric.

Huge thanks to Pabst Blue Ribbon, Peligroso Tequila, and O.N.E. Coconut Water for supplying drinks for the event… DJ’s Aaron Castle and Nina Tarr for spinning throughout the night… Morgan Pharoh, Vivianne Lapointe, and Gus Cawley for helping with production… all the photographers involved for getting photos ready despite the crazy deadline… and of course Lomography for giving me the opportunity to use their space to host the event. And if you missed this party, keep your eyes peeled for the closing party on November 29th.

A lot of people were intrigued by Ian Ruhter’s photos he created by converting a Holga to shoot wet plates. Photo: Amanda Shank

Contributor Jason Lee Parry (center) & crew. Photo: Amanda Shank

The lovely Ms. Nina Tarr spun for the second half of the night.

They kept the store on the bottom level of the store open so that people could still check out & purchase the Lomography cameras.

Hanging 45 photos on a limited wall space was not an easy task. Photo: Amanda Shank

Morgan Pharoh (far right) & some fancy friends.

Pictures of pictures of pictures. Photo: Chris Bywater

Douglas Olsen from Transworld Snowboarding, Eddie Wall, & Gio Cianci

Mmmm… Coconut Water. Photo: Amanda Shank

Muska made little stickers of some of his prints to give out at the show. This guy was a lucky recipient of one. Photo: Amanda Shank

Lauren Hastings & Jenny Parry finishing off the show and their beers with this shotgun.

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A friend of mine, Justin Parkhurst, recently released the second issue of his photo zine “Punch The Camera“. When you hear the word “zine” you tend to think of a couple black and white xeroxed pages crudely bound by a string of thread. “Punch The Camera” however is more of a soft cover book filled with 104 pages of full color images on nicely bound premium stock paper. And printed on those pages is the work of 8 different photographers including the likes of Peter Sutherland, Jim Mangan, Gary McLeod, and Justin himself. You can buy a copy for yourself here and support a project that many of us think of doing ourselves and rarely follow through on.

More preview images after the jump.

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The other night I had the chance to get a sneak peek at Chad Muska’s new Los Angeles art space, Flat425, which is currently functioning as Muska’s studio and a showcase for his latest body of work titled “Deconstructionism”. As the name suggests, all the pieces are based around breaking down materials and reconstructing them to create something new. Which seems to reflect what Muska is going through in his own life. For example one of the pieces is six months worth of shredded information dumped on a canvas and soaked in resin. It is a work in progress in which new pieces are constantly being added, and well… probably destroyed. If you happen to be in the LA area and would like to take a look for yourself you can make an appointment at info@flat425.com. To keep track of what is currently happening inside the studio you can check out the Flat425 Facebook page or Chad Muska’s page.

More photos after the jump…

Caleb Barton, Andrew Kuykendall, Chad Muska and Jason Lee Parry

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Upcoming on February 24th I have a few friends featured in a massive art show entitled “These Friends Three” at the THIS Los Angles gallery. If you happen to be in the area I highly recommend coming out for the opening from 7-10PM at the gallery on 5906 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA. With over 100 artist featured including Any Mueller, KC Ortiz, Pose, Chris Pastras, Steven Harrington, Travis Millard, Natas Kaupas, Mike Perry, Jared Eberhardt, Geoff McFetridge, Cleon Peterson, Chris Bettig, and many many more there is bound to be something you find interesting. Check out the Facebook event page for more info.

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I have always admired Thomas Campbell’s work. But the last line of this video from The Standard Hotel really struck a cord with me. “Are you having fun?!” Something I think anyone trying to pursue a career should think about.

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