Depth of Field | Hyperlink!

I remember trying to figure out how only part of a picture could be in focus. I'd bring a skate photo to my friend and ask, "how did they do it?" He patiently taught me about depth of field.
Later I was so inspired by Brian Gaberman's photography with his 4x5 view cam that when you look through the lens the image is upside.... and backwards... and tilt-shift lens...and fill flash...shooting skateboarding! I need to find that issue of Skateboarder...

I like depth of field. I like how photos looks when not everything is in focus. The phrase depth of field sounds like poetry too.

These are a few photos with some dramatic focus or 'focus drama' I recently did. Sometimes the effect is overdone, sometimes it's just right. Other times it makes things look like miniatures. Sometimes done with a special tilt-shift lens, or in Photoshop. But hey?

Depth Of Field is also a great song by Snapcase.

More Wild in the Parks Footy

The Ledge of Ledges

A nice relaxing afternoon at one of my all time favorite spots, in the shade with a couple of good allies. Taylor was pushing bluntslides (and almost popping out - his shoes and socks were worn thru and bloody) and I was enjoying the pure joy of using 3 flashes with Weston. Wireless freedom indeed, Pocket Wizard!
I remember the first time we discovered this spot, probably 9 years ago, and it's still good. For a while there was a scare during some construction that it'd get bull dozed, but thankfully it's still around.

Taylor, when you get some new shoes that aren't canvas vans let me know.

Video! | Volcom Wild in the Parks

Video by Tom Kittell

The Results Are In...

During the ProAm division, zone 1 - the 8 stair got sessioned quite heavily by many. Matt Fisher, Brodie Penrod, Oliver Buchanan, Cordale, Sam Hubble, Kevin Hutson were a few who pulled off some amazing tricks.

And the winners are....
1st Brodie Penrod. Kickflip crooks / kickflip backtail
2nd Oliver Buchanan. Frontside halfcab flip / Nollie flip backlip
3rd Kevin Hutson. back heel / back noseblunt
4th Sam Hubble. BS 360 / BS 180 nosegrind
5th Kevin Fedderson
I would've hated to be a judge...tough call on some wonderful skating!
(No worries, plenty of sequencial verification will follow.)

Shout Outs:
Volcom for loving the AF Park. Jeff, Jared, Josh and everyone else whose name starts with a J and the others who wondered around the park for 5 hours getting sunburned shooting photos and filming.
All the guys I don't get to see very often who I won't name cuz I'm shy, but you know who you are!
The judges.
Everyone who brought their camera and took photos. Keep shooting and send what you got if you want it posted...
Every kid who skated.
Every one who came to support a skater they know.

Wild in the Parks 2009 - Under 15

So many tricks I saw just inspired me to be a better person. Especially those who got gnarly in the under 15 years old division.


Here are a couple tricks that were nothin' but bolts. Well done guys!


P.S. If anyone knows the names of any of these skaters please leave a comment!

Volcom | Wild in the Parks | AF Park

Fine Print: as always mouse over images to see skater and trick name. All images Blake Johnson copyright 2009....
Yesterday was fun. I was supposed to go camping, but didn't because I going to teach a photography class in Orem, but no one showed up... Weston called me back to say he was out of town and that I should go check out the Volcom contest happening at the AF park. "I had no idea that was today." I said. So I went to rubber neck at a house being burned down for fireman training near my house.

Then I applied large amounts of sunscreen to my head, grabbed my camera gear and some water and headed for AF park.

Last year (the first year Volcom put on this comp) I had a great time talking to people I hadn't seen forever and shooting photos. I even met some of the Volcom guys and got some photos on the Volcom website. Jeff and Jared (hope I got their names right) are among those who made the event rad.
So this year was no different (except I got way more photos and was happy to see way more people I don't get to see often and got way more sunburned) it was a great day at AF park. There were many notable tricks. I got stoked.
Check back later for more photos of some of the more memorable tricks from Wild in the Parks 2009!

Oh, and there was a Devin sighting. At least for me it was a sighting. I'll post sequencial verification later. And if you don't mind me saying, I think he looks like Dan Drehobl in this photo.
P.S. If you have any photos or video send em my way and I'll post them on Ledge Loaf and/or we can put a link to your website/twitter/blog/facebook/myspace...

Semester is Over!

Finally finished all my school projects! (That's why the blog was temporarily dead. Or you could say Temporarily Blind, which is a great song.) No more homework for a while....now I plan to focus on my own projects....here's one of them: Kinetic Medium. Tell me what you think. Tell everyone I'm looking for a job.
Also, check out the new links added over there to the right >>
This is were nice local stuff on the web goes. So if you have something to add or know of something that needs to be added let me know by leaving a comment or sending an email.
Summertime is coming...