stoopsmagazine

[stoopsmagazine]

Stoops Issue 12 (DIY Issue) is now available!

So I've been doing this magazine for 9 years now and you would think I would have streamlined the process for releases, but being that it is still mostly a one person operation over here with no real industry support or ad dollars, I'm still just doing my best. Each issue hinges on whatever time and money I have to throw into it with hopes of breaking even but mostly coming to terms with the reality that I am spending what others may spend on mortgages, or cars, or alcoholism to put out a skateboarding publication for my own sanity, grasping for a sense of purpose, and for the few of you actually appreciate it. One day I will come to my senses and give it up, but for now, it is somehow still moving along with no drop in quality. And while I know this seems like a pity party of one over here, it is really my segue into the theme of the new issue. Issue 12 has a Do-It-Yourself theme where we explore the concept of creating spots out of nothing. Just as I am creating a magazine with my own resources, accepting the loss of funds to produce something that brings me joy, skateboarders have been doing this for years. Every spot built by skaters using their own hard earned money has no monetary pay off but brings them joy, as well as netting some happiness for others who get to enjoy using the product of that labor. This issue explores the DIY mentality in skateboarding and its importance.

You can order it here!

Articles: First Words, Brett Sube Interview, In Brief: Dead Dave, In Brief: AC Pearson, Life & Death of Eastland DIY, Max Murphy Interview, Pop-up spots, One-Offs, Barrier Kult

Photographers: Seu Trinh, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Masa Yoshimoto, Eby Ghafarian, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Judah Oakes, Dave Smith, Sam Fidlin, Liam Annis, AC Pearson

Skaters: Deerman of Darkwoods & Ba. Ku., Max Murphy, Dead Dave, Cody Chapman, Brett Sube, Charlie Munro, Josh Wilson, Chris Russell, Elijah Akerley, Mathias Torres, Michal Juras, Justin Andenrian, Zach Riley, AC Pearson, Jace Cooney, Jermaine Whittaker, Haruto Yoshimura, Jiri Bulin, Leo Spartacus, Tom O'Driscoll, Joe Gavin, Faro Phiri, Alder Wilson, Resse Barton, Taylor Lark, Julian Furones, Alex Hallford, Justin Reno, Simon Berton, Yusuke Shirakashi, Ana Vela, Muskellunge of Dark Island, Statue of the Black Crow, Depth Leviathan Dweller, Permafrost Corpse Eating Hraesvelgr, Jon Akers, Jamel Marshall, Presley Sweat, Marcel Pawlowski, Rae Holmes, Steve Barrett, Ethan Kaplan, Dyshon Whidbee, Justin Ganey, Curt Reefe, Jaeson Manzanares, Kent Summers.

[stoopsmagazine]

Stoops Issue 12 (DIY Issue) is now available!

So I've been doing this magazine for 9 years now and you would think I would have streamlined the process for releases, but being that it is still mostly a one person operation over here with no real industry support or ad dollars, I'm still just doing my best. Each issue hinges on whatever time and money I have to throw into it with hopes of breaking even but mostly coming to terms with the reality that I am spending what others may spend on mortgages, or cars, or alcoholism to put out a skateboarding publication for my own sanity, grasping for a sense of purpose, and for the few of you actually appreciate it. One day I will come to my senses and give it up, but for now, it is somehow still moving along with no drop in quality. And while I know this seems like a pity party of one over here, it is really my segue into the theme of the new issue. Issue 12 has a Do-It-Yourself theme where we explore the concept of creating spots out of nothing. Just as I am creating a magazine with my own resources, accepting the loss of funds to produce something that brings me joy, skateboarders have been doing this for years. Every spot built by skaters using their own hard earned money has no monetary pay off but brings them joy, as well as netting some happiness for others who get to enjoy using the product of that labor. This issue explores the DIY mentality in skateboarding and its importance.

You can order it here!

Articles: First Words, Brett Sube Interview, In Brief: Dead Dave, In Brief: AC Pearson, Life & Death of Eastland DIY, Max Murphy Interview, Pop-up spots, One-Offs, Barrier Kult

Photographers: Seu Trinh, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Masa Yoshimoto, Eby Ghafarian, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Judah Oakes, Dave Smith, Sam Fidlin, Liam Annis, AC Pearson

Skaters: Deerman of Darkwoods & Ba. Ku., Max Murphy, Dead Dave, Cody Chapman, Brett Sube, Charlie Munro, Josh Wilson, Chris Russell, Elijah Akerley, Mathias Torres, Michal Juras, Justin Andenrian, Zach Riley, AC Pearson, Jace Cooney, Jermaine Whittaker, Haruto Yoshimura, Jiri Bulin, Leo Spartacus, Tom O'Driscoll, Joe Gavin, Faro Phiri, Alder Wilson, Resse Barton, Taylor Lark, Julian Furones, Alex Hallford, Justin Reno, Simon Berton, Yusuke Shirakashi, Ana Vela, Muskellunge of Dark Island, Statue of the Black Crow, Depth Leviathan Dweller, Permafrost Corpse Eating Hraesvelgr, Jon Akers, Jamel Marshall, Presley Sweat, Marcel Pawlowski, Rae Holmes, Steve Barrett, Ethan Kaplan, Dyshon Whidbee, Justin Ganey, Curt Reefe, Jaeson Manzanares, Kent Summers.

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Hey friends.

You are probably wondering why it has been so long between issues, but let's not get into the why and focus more on making it to the other side of the gap. Just huck and stick the landing, nobody cares why you did it. Okay, I guess technically we'd still be in the air since I, unfortunately, do not have a new issue to present to you yet...but it's coming!

But let's just say that the previous issue on mental health has been holding up. I actually began going to therapy, as I mentioned I should, and it has been great. It helps that there isn't the same stigma to go as there used to be and you don't have to be mentally ill to benefit from it. Our mental health could just use some periodic maintenance. It can help you reassess your actions and perspective. I realized how much I was overcommitting to things, to an unhealthy level. There is just so many great things to do in this life that it can be hard to limit yourself at time. Taking a step back from the magazine for a bit was part of my growth. But now I'm back and ready to explore the best of this little world on wheels we have.

I have never used this blog to its potential, mostly because I see all the other magazines reposting all the same content anyway and didn't feel like we needed another repetitive voice...but I'm supposed to be a content creator, even if it is more tangible. So I am going to start commenting on some of my favorite parts of the skate world, since we all have different tastes anyway and if you are reading this, you might actually like mine. The problem is that I am also so behind with skate videos, so don't call me out for being into something you saw a month ago, please.

For now, I will leave you with this photo I shot of Jackson Davis noseblunting this whole ledge at the new local DIY (Kilbourne) in Charlotte a couple weeks ago.

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Hello? Anyone tuned into this transmission? I know websites are pretty antiquated these days, with the exception of ecommerce. And that’s exactly what we are here for right now, kinda. Issue 11 of Stoops is here, and definitely is for sale, but let’s ignore the dollars and cents of it and focus on the subject: mental health.

 This issue was a difficult one, not just emotionally, but in treading lightly among a very sensitive subject to get some hard truths from those struggling with mental illness, and even just general mental health tribulations. I believe we succeeded in walking that line and this issue is very heavy, both in it’s editorial and photo bounty.

 You can order it here!

 -       Articles: First Words, The Ones Left Behind, In Brief: John Gardner, Bi-polar Disorder, Depression, One-Offs (Photo Gallery), Breaking The Cycle, Skating With Schizophrenia, The Lucy Raemers Interview

-       Cover: Daichi Ishibashi – Ollie. Fukuoka, Japan. (P) Masa Yoshimoto.

-       Photographers: Jon Coulthard, Reece Leung, Masahiro Yoshimoto, Mike Heikkila, Eby Ghafarian, Cole Giordano, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Darnell Scott, Simon Algeo, CORNPHOTO, Sam McKenna, Mark Dillon, Erick Sandoval, Dyshon Whidbee, Jeremy Cohan, Zach Malfa-Kowalski.

-       Skaters: Ben Raemers, John Gardner, Ducky Kovacs, Nick Matthews, Max Murphy, Harry Lintell, Vivient Feil, Dead Dave, Chris Athens, Vincent Milou, Charlie Munro, Brendan Leddy, Sho Ma, Yesenia Ramirez, Jason Waters, Dyshon Whidbee, Charlie Birch, Daichi Ishibashi, Foz, Blinky, Dustin Eggeling, John Worthington, Miyauchi Yakuya, Mecca Mshaka-Morris, Masaki Ui, Alex Fogt, Eddie Belvedere, Matisse Banc, Tom Zealand, Zach Chamberlain, Alex Hallford, Amelien Foures, Haruto Yoshimura, Jiri Bulin, John Lindsay, Reggie Colvin, Ryan Siemens, Shane Wallington, Ryuji Gushiken, Vincent Boyom, Treveon Wade.

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It’s a bit late but well worth the wait...Issue 10 is here! Our analog issue features film photography and layout was painstakingly done by hand, with results I’m pretty stoked on. Order it now!

- Cover: Fritz Mead - FS Feeble, (P) Eby Ghafarian - Articles: First Words, Mike Blabac Interview, In Brief: Fred Gall, In Brief: Andrew Bumgarner, Cuban Engineering, One Offs (Photo Gallery), Xpan Photography, Instax Photos, Over It, Death. - Photographers: Mike Blabac, Mike Heikkila, Farbien Ponsero, Liam Annis, Clément Harpillard, Eby Ghafarian, Masahiro Yoshimoto, Graham Tait, Rafael Gonzalez, Isaac McKay-Randozzi, George Booth-Cole, Kevin Delgrosso. - Skaters: Fritz Mead, Danny Way, Stevie Williams, Keith Hufnagel, Rudy Johnson, Robbie McKinnley, AVE, Fred Gall, John Shanahan, Sam Partaix, Josh Wilson, Jesse Narvaez, Brian Reid, Jake Baldini, Caleb Bagley, Rob Maatman, Kevin Tierney, Leo Gutman, Jacopo Carozzi, Lurker Lou, Billy Lynch, Lori Fukumg, Andrew Bumgarner, Che Pando, Yojany Perez, Rory Muirhead, Tom Delion, Toby Ryan, Greg Pachell, Rai Nakamichi, Devin Bagnoli, Kiernan McGinnis, Zeb Weisman, Riley Vaughn, Andrew Cauthen, Kojiro Hara, Josue Watts, Allan Khorsheed, Keita Zaitsu, Eniz Fazliov, Jerome Chevalier, Mika Germond, Alex Tsagkalidis, Thanos Panou.

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It’s a little late, but it’s here! Issue 9 of Stoops is now available to order online and in shops very soon!

Who are the cool kids in skateboarding? Let’s not confuse them with the “cool guys.” While that is very subjective, this issue highlights some of our favorite unique individuals in the skate diaspora. Issue 9 includes: - Cover: Sam Partaix - BS Smith, (P) Clément Le Gall - Articles: First Words, Old: Pushing Past 40, In Brief: Elise Hedge, In Brief: Mike Powley, One Offs (Photo Gallery), Documenting The Documenters, Not A Ryan Thompson Interview, The Will Sheerin Interview, Over It. - Photographers: Clément Le Gall, Dharam Khalsa, Clément Harpillard, Reece Leung, Eby Ghafarian, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Changsu, Liam Annis, Cole Giordano, Sean Carabarin, Guru Khalsa, Bradford Bishop, Andrew Peters, Joel Powley. - Skaters: Sam Partaix, Will Sheerin, Ted Barrow, Alex Willms, Elise Hedge, Mike Powley, Louie Lopez, Ethan Loy, Vincent Milou, Kevin Bilyeu, Shinpei Ueno, Gage Boyle, Max Taylor, Phil Zwijsen, Max Murphy, Sean Paul, Josh Wilson, Leo Valls, Ryan Thompson, Lurker Lou, Dharam Khalsa, Leo Takayama, Treveon Wade, Jason Waters, Thomas Dritsas, Sergio Cadaré, Jimi Nicol, Shaun Currie, Joy Awosika, Olivier Durou, Aymeric Nocus, Alexis Jamet, Dyshon Whidbee, Radeem Walls. - Writers: Eby Ghafarian, Ted Barrow, Lurker Lou.

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Returning to Charlotte, NC, the night before, I decided to head to the Eastland DIY for the Go Skate Day festivities this past Monday. Organized by Black Sheep Skateshop with the support of Native Skateboards, Red Bull, and Converse, Radeem Wells was going off on the mic, with stacked trick requests that mostly got obliged. The turn out was substantial and the turn up was even greater. There were probably better tricks going down that day than the year to date. So shoutout everyone that threw down. Here are some frames from a couple rolls I dropped off this week.

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We finally got around to making some new gear. We have two options available now: the Stoops International tee available in beige, and the Stoops Multi-Logo tee in black with logo on chest and multi-logos on back. They are available in our webstore, along with Issue 8 and some back issues. Get some before they are gone!

Order Now.

[stoopsmagazine]

Stoops Issue 8

The new issue of Stoops is now available. Rowan Davis took the cover with this burly bs 180 shot by Sam Coady (who has a full interview). This issue focuses on skating from around the world.

Order Now!

Issue 8 includes the following:

Articles: First Words, A Brave Letter From A Survivor (a note to toxic masculinity), More (Or Less) Than London: United Kingdom, In Brief: Charles Deschamps, In His Words: Alber Leandro, Sam Coady: An Eye In Oz, One-Offs, Prodding The Hornets’ Nest: Charlotte, NC, Getting Blunt W/ Vivien Feil & Leo Valls, The Japanese Super Rat: Kento Yoshioka.

Photographers: Sam Coady, Clement Harpillard, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Kenji Haruta, Fabien Ponsero, Darnell Scott, Liam Annis, Bradford Bishop, Eby Ghafarian, Rafael Gonzalez, Cole Giordano, Kyle Seidler, Ryan Lebel, Josh Stewart, Sam McKenna, Changsu, Paulo Macedo, Justin Crawford.

Skaters: Rowan Davis, Jack O’Grady, Jerry Hsu, Jahmal Williams, Leo Valls, Vivien Feil, Soy Panday, Leo Gutman, Shin Sanbongi, Kento Yoshioka, Chandler Burton, Charles Deschamps, Alber Leandro, Georgia Martin, Dave Caddo, Justin Adeniran, Josue Watts, Taylor Nawrocki, Charlie Cassidy, Akawasi Owusu, Roberto Aleman, Leo Spartacus, Charlie Munroe, Dale Starkie, Faro Phiri, Jiri Bulin, James “Foz” Foster, Sean Ryan, Jett Stanton, Jeff Figueroa, Jamel Marshall, Vince Stranc, Taylor Lalk, Mika Germond, Antoine Jouguet, Aaron Jago, Aymeric Nocus, Pierre Serres, Blake Spencer, Brandon McLaurin, Christian Wood.

Writers: Eby Ghafarian, Laurence Keefe, "S."

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Stoops Issue 7 - Out Now!

Today I get to present to you, the double cover of Stoops Issue 7! I am really excited about this one. Mason Silva - Double Bar Ollie. Montebello, CA. 2020. (P) Anthony Acosta. When Acosta sent me both versions of this photo, I couldn’t tell which one I liked better. The fisheye is gnarly, but the long lens really shows scale. So I ended up using both! The long lens wraps around to the back cover, with the fisheye sitting pretty up front. We went back to our old printer and the quality is perfect.

If you are in the L.A. area, don’t forget to come by JKwon this Sunday 3/7/21 from 12-4 for our release. We have some gear from our sponsors to give out for best tricks, so come get tech or creative. You can scroll back a couple posts for the flyer.

I’ve updated our Retailers link with all the new shops that ordered Issue 7, but if there isn’t shop near you carrying Stoops, you can...

Order Now!

As a reminder, Issue 7 includes the following:

Articles: Koreatown (LA) Guide, In Brief: Brian Reid, In Brief: Haley Isaak, Not An Elijah Berle Interview, The Dominick Walker Interview, One-Offs.

Photographers: Anthony Acosta, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Kenji Haruta, Fabien Ponsero, Darnell Scott, Matt Fookes, Liam Annis, Mike Heikkila, Eby Ghafarian, Rafael Gonzalez, Jeff Comber, Cole Giordano, Clement Harpillard, Mac Shafer, Tadashi Yamaoda, Nick Hatt, Bradford Bishop.

Skaters: Mason Silva, Louie Lopez, Elijah Berle, Dominick Walker, Brian Reid, Haley Isaak, Tiago Lemos, Jahmir Brown, Flo Mirtain, Chris Pfanner, Lizzie Armanto, Dead Dave, Taylor Kirby, Max Murphy, Brett Weinstein, Brett Sube, Jiri Bulin, Taihou Tokura, Rafael Moreno Jr., Jeff Srnec, Leo Takayama, Elijah Akerley, Jerry Mraz, Zane Crowther, Johnny Matarazzo, Yannes Van Den Brande, Nisse Ingemarsson, Yuma Takei, Matt Birt, Grady Smith, Cole Dixon, Keyaki Ike, Justin Basset, Lurker Lou, Jonnosuke Okada, Josue Watts.

Writer: Bianca Sia

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For being the 3rd largest city (by population) in the U.S., the Chicago skate scene is a bit slept on. But those who are paying attention know how strong it is. And while there have been many skate videos from the Windy City, when it comes down to picking the best, more than likely you are stuck deciding which Deep Dish video was your favorite...or weighing G’s Neighborhood Watch in the selection. Mark Dunning, Jon Schmoldt (of FA Skates), and crew have been consistently putting out these videos over the years with no signs of slowing down. I may be making this up, but I feel like they have outlived any other skate crew. While there are some new faces in this most recent offering, the core crew is very consistent with every other video. While other crews have dispersed, moved on from skating, or got burnt out, the Deep Dish crew has grown stronger.

Terminal uses the high contrasted visuals Deep Dish is known for, with some glitchy cityscapes and fonts to give a design school student wet dreams. I won’t get into specific tricks, as you should just watch end-to-end, but Steffen Watts starts things off and he is the most unsuspecting skater ever. Does he even have a board sponsor? I personally been blessed with watching this magician pull some ridiculous moves out of thin air. He thinks of tricks others never would and somehow rolls away from all of his concoctions. Speaking of board sponsors, this video is full of so many underground favorites from the brands that should be on more skateshop shelves: Hopps, Snack, Studio. There is a full Dustin Eggeling part in this video! Sean Cullen, CJ Kelly, Mason Barnard...the video is stacked. There are new dudes that are ridiculous and would be dope to see them continue in the Deep Dish legacy, but even though he didn’t get last part in this video, the star (as usual) was Brett Weinstein. Brett came on the scene like an explosive ball of energy, charging things full speed with waaaaay higher pop than makes sense for his size. It has been quite a while since his initial introduction to the scene, and even though he has paid his dues, that flame has not dimmed. This part might even be his best, which is quite a feat, because he’s had some monster parts already. I’m saying too much. Watch the video and thank me later.

Shoutout to Free Skate Mag for posting this.

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We are releasing Stoops Issue 7 this Sunday in Los Angeles. Due to Covid, we are doing it outdoors, once again. This time we are doing the release at JKwon Sundays (aka Church). We will have a photo show with some of our favorite photos from the issue and have a mini best trick contest for some prizes from our sponsors. Still working out the details of that, but will have boards, wheels, and jewelry to give out!

The photo show will include photos from Anthony Acosta, Mike Heikkila, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Kenji Haruta, Eby Ghafarian, Liam Annis, and Darnell Scot. It will include photos of Mason Silva, Jahmir Brown, Elijah Berle, Louie Lopez, Tiago Lemos, Flo Mirtain, Brett Sube, Jerry Mraz, Keyaki Ike, Jiri Bulin, & Bianca Sia. 

We will have Issue 7 available for purchase.

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this happen: El Señor, Underground Wheels, Maxallure, & DGK.

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Eight years after the Roof skating section of Colin Read’s Tengu: God of Mischief had us creeping around rooftops in NYC, Shane Auckland and the Sk8rats crew took a stab at the rooftops of Los Angeles, and came proper! There are some pretty amazing roof spots in LA actually, and they founds them. Sure, the concept is gimmicky (not a bad thing), but the skating holds up to any clip of pure skateboarding with tricks that don’t seem to be toned down to work on rooftops. These guys are incredible. Shoutout to Transworld’s consistent love for rooftop skating.

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Remember when you were a kid, maybe you still are a kid (maybe we all are), and you’d go into your local skateshop? Maybe you saved your lunch money to buy a new deck because you snapped yours hucking off that loading dock behind the grocery store. Maybe you convinced your mom to buy you new shoes because you were rubbing the side of your pinky toe bloody through your ollie holes. Perhaps you NEEDED to get that new Osiris video (The Storm, obviously), or pick up the new issue of Big Brother and see who Dave Carnie was trolling (probably Tony Hawk). Or maybe you didn’t have any money and you just wanted to smell that familiar shop smell (probably Nag Champa) and create your weekly wish list, keeping better inventory of the shop’s stock than the owner him/herself.

Most shops don’t really stock many videos or magazine (RIP most magazines) anymore, and many have a more boutique vibe with limited inventory that doesn’t quite have that dust hue yet. But they still have that toy store feel when you walk in. Skateshops are unlike most retail experiences. The employees (and usually owners) skate too. They can give you great or terrible recommendations, but the recommendations come from the experience of someone kind of like you. Somehow, they deal with people just like you too. It’s not easy. I wouldn’t want to deal with me.

Much respect goes out to all the skateshops that are keeping the culture alive for the rest of us. You are the reason why many people still skate and the reason why this little magazine is still in existence. We appreciate you every day, including on this Skateshop Day. 

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We are almost ready to present our first offering of 2021 in the form of Stoops Issue 7! Not a bad start to finally becoming the quarterly publication we always wanted to be. This issue has a very special guest editor: Bianca Sia. The editorial theme of Issue 7 is: from a non-skater’s perspective. I wanted to get a different take on skateboarding and knew Bianca would be just the person for the task. She is the co-host of the podcast How Neal Feel, check it out to get an idea of this character. This issue also features more skate photographers from around the world than any issue previously and was extremely difficult to make selections from so many amazing skate photos. It’s definitely a keeper. The official release is in about two weeks. We are going to have a little something in Los Angles, which I’ll post about later and will begin shipping then. In the meanwhile, you can pre-order to make sure you get a copy. We have reduced the price a little too!

Pre-Order Now!

The seventh issue of Stoops includes the following:

Articles: Koreatown (LA) Guide, In Brief: Brian Reid, In Brief: Haley Isaak, Not An Elijah Berle Interview, The Dominick Walker Interview, One-Offs.

Photographers: Anthony Acosta, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Kenji Haruta, Fabien Ponsero, Darnell Scott, Matt Fookes, Liam Annis, Mike Heikkila, Eby Ghafarian, Rafael Gonzalez, Jeff Comber, Cole Giordano, Clement Harpillard, Mac Shafer, Tadashi Yamaoda, Nick Hatt, Bradford Bishop.

Skaters: Mason Silva, Louie Lopez, Elijah Berle, Dominick Walker, Brian Reid, Haley Isaak, Tiago Lemos, Jahmir Brown, Flo Mirtain, Chris Pfanner, Lizzie Armanto, Dead Dave, Taylor Kirby, Max Murphy, Brett Weinstein, Brett Sube, Jiri Bulin, Taihou Tokura, Rafael Moreno Jr., Jeff Srnec, Leo Takayama, Elijah Akerley, Jerry Mraz, Zane Crowther, Johnny Matarazzo, Yannes Van Den Brande, Nisse Ingemarsson, Yuma Takei, Matt Birt, Grady Smith, Cole Dixon, Keyaki Ike, Justin Basset, Lurker Lou, Jonnosuke Okada, Josue Watts.

Writer: Bianca Sia

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And finally in my batch of Euro mags was Issue 28 of North Mag. If you are unfamiliar with North Mag, it is run by Graham Tait and consists of strictly film photography, which I find super impressive. I don’t understand how he is able to keep getting film photos of that caliber to put out issue after issue of such a great mag. He does shoot a lot of it, which I am sure helps, but must take a lot of time and money (for processing) on his part. The results look worth it!

For this issue he shot Tom Shimmin with a perfectly caught kickflip shifty, complimenting his solid interview later in the issue. The first feature focuses Dave Chami and his Linhof Super Technika IV View camera and photos hes shot with it. It’s a large format camera that takes time to set up and is pretty expensive, so to see him hauling it out to shoot skate photos is very commendable. The depth of field is incredible in the skate photos. Next is an interview with Dave Swift discussing his start in the industry and showcasing photos of some of the smaller name (not smaller trick) skaters he’s shot...minus Steve Caballero and Jaime Foy, of course. Little Sky Brown’s blasted fs air is so good. The Film Gallery is packed with good stuff too. I love the inclusion of the camera and film the photos were shot with.

The format is square to better accommodate medium format shots and it works out great for the layout. It is available in the U.S. via Theories of Atlantis.

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SOLO No. 40 doesn’t disappoint. From the photos, to the layout and art direction, to the print quality and paper, it is very solid. Benjamin Jorgensen secured the cover with a bs nosepick on some rooftop transition that looks amazing but realistically was probably a nightmare to skate, shot by Felix Adler.

The first feature is an interview with Jost Arens, a German Red Bull contest skater, skating spots atypical to what you’d imagine someone of that description skating. The fakie flip over the splashing water seen here is an example. Next is the Carhartt WIP Paris trip with a ton of sick photos by Clement Le Gall. The team manager himself, Joseph Biais, has a couple photos in it, including a crazy drop down to bs nosebluntslide, seen here. Pepe Tirelli’s gap 5-0 and Felipe Bartolome’s bridge ride were also noteworthy. The interview with Farid Ulrich gave the perspective of a DIY guy that skates for Primitive that is not the perspective of a DIY guy or what you think of someone that skate for primitive. Fast forward to Victor Casca-Rigny’s limited word interview and the photos speak enough. I’m especially partial to the kickflip boardslide on the bumpy fence shot by Roger Ferrero, footage that I’ve seen somewhere recently. The issue ended strongly with the Skatedeluxe trip to Athens, Greece, shot by Dennis Scholz. Martin Sandberg’s double rail hippy jump was tight, but what really got my attention was his back lip polejam 270 revert up the hydrant!

Solid issue guys, looking forward to the next! You can pick up a copy in the US from Theories of Atlantis.