Where I found it: NetGalley, a looong time ago

Why I picked it up: While I don't have a particular interest in skateboarding, I adore photography. I think this book came out around the time I got my first DSLR and I was interested to look at examples and also to see what has and hasn't changed in photography over the years. What’s It All About? The subtitle of this book really tells you what you need to know about the book. "California Skateboarding 1975-1978." After an interview in the first pages (repeated in Spanish and French on the following pages) where the author talks about his history with film and cameras, the book is filled with full color photos of skateboarders in California. There is no other text on the pages, except for the last page which includes dates, locations, and/or titles of the images in the book. 

My thoughts: I have gone through this book at least three times now and find something different each time that went unnoticed in previous viewings. Shot mostly with wide angle and near fish-eye lenses, the photos follow the progression of skateboarding from simpler risk taking activity that had just learned to go vertical to a full industry that became very commercialized. I love how the viewer can see the difference between the first shots where kids are just wearing jeans or shorts, maybe a shirt, and skateboarding anywhere they can find the space and the later photos, with kids wearing full protective gear skating in parks designed just for them. The photos don't just show the act of skating, but include many that show the lifestyle of skaters as well (jumping a fence to access an empty pool, crammed into the back of a van, or simply sharing a cigarette/joint). Overall, I appreciate the book, but will probably pass my purchased copy on to someone who will appreciate the subject as well as the technique. 

Genre: Sports history, photography
Themes: Community, youth, risk taking
Recommended For:  This book is quite niche, but I would recommend it to photographer friends, skateboarding fans, and in particular those who are at the intersection of the two interests. 

Review will post on January 2, 2023