How did you learn to shoot film?

I learned how to shoot film from a class I took in High School. I was already shooting photos but had no idea what film was until my teacher put me on. Shoutout Mr. Vendsel.

Why do you shoot film?

I shoot film because of its tangibility. I know after I process and store the negatives that they will always be there anytime I need them (god forbid they get stolen or physically damaged). Ideally my negatives will last longer than my lifetime and lifetimes after. Whereas, when you shoot digital you are only able to physically hold the photo after you print it. So there is no negative and you only have physical copies of what you print out. Most people don’t print every photo they shoot. The rest of the photos that don’t get printed just get stored on a harddrive or somewhere in cyberspace and you have a high risk of losing those files due to harddrive failure or computer crash. 

Do you shoot digital much?

I shoot digital all the time. Anytime, I’m skating with my digital bag I always have a 35mm camera around my chest, for all the moments in between the trick. But once the session is getting rev’d up the digital setup will be out n ready to go. 

Have you ever done developing? Made your own prints?

I develop all my own photographs in the comfort of my own bathroom. I’ve printed my photos before when I was attending class at SFSU but I am now working on finding a place to set up a couple enlargers. 

Do you sit on film or develop as you go?

I definitely sit on a lot of film. Throughout the year I’ll have the rolls organized by the month to stay on track. But if I go on a trip or a team comes into town I’ll put those rolls up in priority and process them asap.  

Who are some other film photographers that inspire you?

In the skate world, I’m a big fan of Tobin Yelland’s work he did in SF and the Bay Area back in the day. I like a lot of Mike Blabac’s older work he did in SF as well. I think Zander Taketomo is my favorite skate photog out right now. He’s out here shooting skate photos on medium format with strobes and the whole nine, just like the OGs did. Big respect. 

What’s your main camera set up?

My main setup is Pentax K1000 with a 50 2.8 around the chest and an Olympus Infinity 2 on the hip. With the digital bag on the back. 

What’s up with that mini ramp? 

Mini ramp is in Half Moon Bay right off the 1 freeway. Go get some.