South Bay Central

Bockman's Barrels

2012-02-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a realistic depiction of a dreamy session:

Bockman's Barrels from Marcus Bockman on Vimeo.

Pride Before the Fall

2012-02-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

Skateboarding at break-neck speed down The Strand pathway along the Hermosa beachfront, I noticed a hose strewn across path. This would be inconsequential to a cyclist, who would just casually ride over the hose. But the wheels of a skateboard are made of hard urethane, with no air-filled inner tube to cushion the wheels from terrain. Even an errant pebble in one's path can sometimes upset one's balance.
So, with few seconds to think, I decided I was going to try a "Hail Mary" and ollie over it. It's not that I the ollie is an incredibly impressive trick--it's practically not a trick in the minds of some kids today. Just keep in mind I'm not an incredibly impressive skateboarder by many standards--especially after a hiatus.
A second later, almost on top of the hose, I popped the tail of my board hard against the ground, and prepared to float over the hose gracefully.
Three seconds later, a loud "CRACK!" is heard by everyone in a 15-foot radius from a body banging against the pavement.
Luckily, that body didn't belong to me. I successfully completed my pop-and-hop ollie over the hose, but was now 10 feet away.
However, a "bro" that was being dragged along The Strand by his dog was now in the post-accident, let's-play-this-off phase.
"Ha, ha, so I guess there was as hose there!" he said to an attractive female jogger passing by him. She noted his communication by looking at him, but didn't feel the need to reciprocate his gesture.
The dog that was pulling him pants with its tongue hanging lazily out of its mouth, looking around like a happy moron, oblivious to the situation.
"They make a good pair," I think, smirking.
I wanted to crack up, but I just chuckled. Looking back at him, I casually shrugged in his direction. Inside of me, I thought he was a moron.
"Who rides a skateboard tethered to a dog? What an idiot!" I thought. "Who falls going 5 mph on a skateboard? WHAT AN I-D-I-O-T!"
Fast forward a few minutes. Another very apparent "CRACK!" reverberates down The Strand, along with the sound of a phone skidding along sand-powdered cement. As the phone slowly slides to a halt, an overturned skateboard lies alone on the sidewalk, its wheels still spinning wildly and noisily.
I look up from ground-level, and see an attractive female pedestrian coming my way.
Humbly, I peeled myself off of the payment. I grabbed my board---and phone--and hopped back on, and continued my way to the next pier over. I don't bother justifying my situation to others around me, but I do make a mental note:
"Karma, you're a bitch."

Manhattan Beach Isn't a Nudist Colony--Oops!

2012-01-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell a woman that Manhattan Beach is not a nudist colony before her casual walk across the beach became a birthday suit stroll. Walking into the North side parking lot today, I was told I missed a spectacle. The waves were okay, but I couldn't think of anything particularly amazing someone could have pulled out in the water--the breakers were pushing along at about 3', good for surfing, more or less useless for performance bodyboarding. But, as it turned out, what I "missed" was a bit more risque.

Apparently a woman had started trotting down the sand, and eventually at least partially stripped as she made her way across the beach. I didn't believe this had happened at Manhattan Beach, which caters to a more exclusive beach-goer with its expensive shops and restaurants. A surf-side strip tease? At Manhattan Beach? Imagining this to the be case at a place with bike paths packed in the mornings with moms and strollers was a bit difficult. It couldn't be--could it?

The naked truth, however, was proven by a glowing camera LCD someone flashed in my direction.

Stranger things have happened at this beach full of social aberrations, but this definitely tops the list of oddities that have transpired at Manhattan Beach.

Here are some less potentially offensive pictures from a stroll out on the Manhattan Beach Pier:

A kneeboarder, a bodyboarder, a stroller, fishermen, ladies in bikinis--just another day at the beach.

Was this your apple? (Click to enlarge the photo, and see what is hanging out in the bird's beak.)

Slash...

...carve...

...and bash on the South side of the pier.

This ocean swimmer looked like he was stuck in a rip while swimming in. It took him a very long time to traverse the area just outside the lineup to the space just inside the waves. He was swimming straight towards shore the entire time. Remember--when you're caught in a rip, swim PARALLEL to the beach! Swim straight in and risk drowning from exhaustion--or just getting sucked back out in the rip. Luckily, this guy finally made it in safely.

Blues, black, and birds.

--FIN--

Pier and Cyclist

2012-01-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Proof that "The Barrel is the Safest Place To Be"...

2012-01-24T13:17:00.000-08:00

...just ask this guy in the wrong-spot-at-the-wrong-time. Straightening out doesn't generally pay off--and it really didn't work in this case. Impact in 3, 2, 1................

--FIN--

Wild, Unruly Surf and Swell-Sheltered Curls

2012-01-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

El Porto's erratic, huge waves' height clocked in at "if you have to ask how big these waves are, you shouldn't go out"...

...while a well-known South Bay proving ground for surfers was also large, but not as potentially life-threatening...

...and this zone proved to be "just right" for this surfer shooting the curl.

More photos from today may be posted on the blog soon; I am submitting the best of the beastly barrel shots to media outlets. Links will be provided to off-site published shots!

--FIN--

Nathan Gocke--Quadriplegic Surfer and Inspiration to Wave Riders

2012-01-05T02:50:00.000-08:00

Being a quadriplegic doesn't slow inspirational Nathan Gocke down--he still surfs as often as possible. Check out his story/photos here on Patch.com online news Hermosa Beach. If inspired, you can CONTACT & DONATE TO GOCKE--CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP DUE TO EXORBITANT MEDICAL COSTS--BY EMAILING HIM (see note below email to properly enter email, it is purposefully written incorrectly to deter spammers from flooding Gocke's inbox!) AT:

Gocke Rider [@] Hotmail.com

(NOTE: REMOVE THE SPACES IN THE ABOVE EMAIL, ALONG WITH THE "[" and "]" in order to make the above email address valid).

--FIN--

Frozen Stoke

2011-12-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

A moment of pure wave riding elation, forever frozen.

--FIN--

Tubular Travel Time & Rainbow Snap

2011-12-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

Check out Christopher Taloa, Matt Mohagen, and Kim Magin and their approaches to a "secret" South Bay spot.

A hollow space, for a few fleeting moments

Whenever Hippy Tree rider Matt Mohegan does a turn...

a rainbow appears.

(Check lower half of the second and third frame for proof! Sorry, but it wasn't the coveted double rainbow of YouTube clip fame--maybe next time.)

Hawaiian professional bodyboarder Chris Taloa's riding fit this oddly-shaped, warping wave perfectly. Here, he parks it in the shorepound at the end of a long ride.

Kim Magin earns the closing shot, however, as he was able to pull inside a wave while riding within very close proximity to the photographer.

--FIN--

Passed-Over South Bay

2011-12-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

A friendly longboard local--Patrick--gave me subject matter to shoot at a normally ignored sandbar in the South Bay.

--FIN--

Orange Juice Shorepound

2011-12-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

12.7.2011
South Bay of Los Angeles secret spot shorepound, California

This is the way I like to start my day--with a cup of oceanic OJ!

--FIN--

"Tsunami Warning" for Sandpipers

2011-12-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

After going to local beachbreak and jetty spots--and turning up unremarkable subject matter everywhere I went--I headed up to the PV Peninsula to do the PV secret-spot shuffle. Unfortunately, I ended up chasing phantom waves. The wind was either making waves that broke erratically at the premiere breaks, or the angle of the swell missed the protected coves.

At best, the Peninsula's fickle waves are an irksome, taunting riddle. However, it sure is a beautiful place [click photo to enlarge]--

These surfers dodged multiple sets that could have produced great rides, so I eventually left for greener pastures--or so I thought...

...upon arriving at San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach, I witnessed a Sandpiper outrunning what, from his perspective, likely looked like a tsunami...

...but despite the "massive" set that almost slammed the bird, this feral cat kept his cool.

--FIN--

Sorry if you missed it...

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

...you should have woken up earlier. Kim Magin, about to indulge in tube time, Hermosa Beach, early in the morning of November 29th, 2011.

--FIN--

SHOT FEATURED IN SURFLINE.COM EDITORIAL

2011-10-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Enjoy--click to see what getting up at 5AM, arriving at the beach at 5:45AM and shooting the whole morning yields.

A Tale of Two Windswell Turns

2011-10-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Two different wave riders, two different beach breaks in the South Bay, two different stances, two different wind directions, and one result: a lot of displaced water.

Bobby Kithcart, bodyboarder, dropknee smash, Manhattan Beach Pier earlier this month

Sunset at Manhattan Beach Pier later that evening earlier this month

Unidentified, surfer, standup slash, Redondo Beach this evening

Sunset at Redondo Beach this evening (note the buoy the wind is attempting to tip over)

--FIN--

Update: Individual Jumped off the Pier Last Sunday PM

2011-09-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

See update here:
[Patch | Manhattan Beach] Pier Jumper Transported to Hospital

An Individual Fell off the Manhattan Beach Pier Sunday PM; Condition Unknown

2011-09-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

An unidentified individual fell off of the Manhattan Beach Pier walkway earlier today, Sunday, September 18th, and onto the sand 10-20 feet below. The fall happened during the afternoon sometime between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. The accident scene was packed with lifeguard trucks, fire trucks, an ambulance and emergency responders. The exit for the parking lot just shy of the strand on the North side of the pier was momentarily blocked by emergency vehicles. The status of the individual's health is unknown at this point.

The Curse of the Florescent Green Jersey: MSA Classic Brings Freshwater Surfers from Michigan

2011-09-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Brad Tunis, Great Lakes surfer

FRIDAY, SEPT 9, MALIBU CA--

While stroking in from his first--and last--heat in the division he just competed in, the bearded surfer in the green jersey clenched clenched his head. The realization that the sojourn from The Great Lakes of the midwestern United States wasn't going to have a glorious finish must have stung a little. His wave-starved heat was stacked with surfers that all looked to know "Malizoo" like the back of their hands.

Earlier, another downtrodden Great Lakes surfer made his way out of the water. Head slightly bowed, while looking at the saltwater ocean in front of him, he picked his way through the cobblestones and got to shore.

The proprietor of Third Coast Surf Shop stores in Michigan, Ryan Gerard, looked a little bummed that his heat--which featured Joel Tudor--hadn't gone as well as expected. (The superstitious amongst us might think it had something to do with that green jersey.)

When Tudor (pictured above), who was also in Gerard's heat, earns third, one knows that the heat must have been rough for most everyone!

For both surfers, despite the unfortunate losses due to bad conditions, lack of consistent sets, and smart competition from fellow surfers (who attempted to push them too deep and out of position in the lineup), the journey to the promised land of longboarding emoted nothing but pure stoke.

Once back on land, Brad Tunis--the "bearded surfer" cursed with the green singlet--was beaming, once he took off the jersey (see photo above). Who wouldn't be? He had just surfed Malibu with only 6 other guys out.

Usually, there's six other guys on one's wave, with 100 others out the back! Ryan Gerard maintained much the same attitude post-heat.

The Great Lakes surfers are some of the most upbeat surfers I've met in my life. My friend, Jonas Nakas (see him longboarding in THIS post), had invited me to the contest to meet his friends from the Great Lakes. Whether the Great Lakes surfers are surfing freshwater lakes, or grabbing some waves during a contest in California, they have a fantastic attitude. The effervescent joy they derive from riding waves actually caught me a bit off-guard.

It's not "cool" in California to be a visibly happy surfer at some spots. For some odd reason, people seem to prefer quiet discontent and grumpiness. Go figure.

The Great Lakes riders, however, were branded with a positive throwback attitude--like something out of a 60's longboard surfing short.

Case in point: I told them all I was mostly a bodyboarder, sometimes a kneeboarder, and rarely a standup surfer, and all of the Great Lakes crew that had made the hull for the contest were actually happy for me. In Southern California, people draw ridiculous lines based on equipment. It can be so bad sometimes, that "boardriding bigots" in Southern California who prefer their chosen equipment over most all others can sometimes border on hateful (go surf PV on a bodyboard and try to say, "Hi!" to the locals--you'll instantly see what I mean.).

Solitude for an unknown, noseriding surfer (above), unidentified girls play tug-of-war (below)

Nevertheless, despite my "lowly" riding preference, these guys and gals were all saying nice things, along the lines of, "Rad, man, that's cool--awesome." From surfers who stand up in California, the nicest remarks I usually get is a token, tongue biting, falsely polite response--something along the lines of, "Oh, as long as you're having fun, that's all that counts." (It's as if people who stand up believe it takes no skill--nor guts--to perform off-the-lip and aerial manuevers on a sponge.)

two unidentified competitors stroll back down the point

At the end of the day in Malibu, after meeting all of the visiting Great Lakes guys and gals, I walked away with a new appreciation for the sport of waveriding.

A pair cuddles (above), and a man plays "superman" with a little girl, while chatting with a woman (below)

Whatever you choose to ride, readers, just make sure of one thing: that you're having fun. That's how they carry themselves at the Great Lakes, and that's how we should do it here in California. And why not? It's not like we Californians have to wait months for chest-high windswell in bitingly-cold water temps, (commonplace at the Lakes' surf spots.)

To see the Third Coast Surf Shop, either visit Michigan and check them out in person, or visit them on the web @ http://www.thirdcoastsurfshop.com/

--FIN--

She's Here

2011-08-31T21:27:00.000-07:00

The South swell of the summer (thus far) is starting to slam into the North end of the South Bay. She's a bit ornery, throwing ten-wave sets and lurching, 8'+*** outside forerunners at surfers when they least expect it. But if you can harness her power for a ride, or even a trip inside the ocean's womb--racing through the barrel--you will forgive her for being so slap-happy when you get caught inside.

If you can surf without shirking all responsibility--GET ON IT! The swell peaks mid-late tomorrow!

***The lifeguard I talked to at semi-secret, Northern South Bay spot ****** after getting out of the water was calling it 6-8' faces with infrequent 10' sets. (And yes, I realize the irony of a "secret" spot having a lifeguard. The stretch of beach is normally dead most of the year--thus the sensitive nature of the location. But to give you a head start, the number of asterisks above is the same as the number of letters of the spot's name. Good luck!)

The Gnar: Thoroughly Shredded (courtesy of Jovanni Cardoso)

2011-08-24T02:45:00.000-07:00

The San Pedro Show, brought to you by Channel Street Skatepark:

Jovanni Cardoso, going where apparently only Daewon Song has gone before--skateboarding over the potentially deadly "keyhole" doorway, backside. His back, right wheel is perilously hanging over the edge of the wall and in thin air. Upon review, I believe his truck just missed catching on this incredible make that brought the house down!

Cool-toned backside smith

skater: Jovanni Cardoso

Jovanni Cardoso feels the warmth of the sun while grinding through a backside smith.

Until next time,

--FIN--

Gnarly Skateboard pics soon + Wedge Today

2011-08-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

I'll have some great skateboard shots up soon--one, in particular, of a South Bay local pulling an unbelievable backside wallride over the doorway of death. Until then, nibble on this visual Wedge appetizer:

3...

...2...

...1: Thar she blows! (Note the misting spit coming out of the barrel in this last frame. It would have been nice, say, 5 feet bigger than pictured.)

A grinding below-sea-level foam-ball barrel-ette. This would also have been nicer about, say 5 feet larger.

But at least the skimmers were having fun!

Yes, it was flat and overcast at the infamous 'W--no visual deception here.

Until next time...

--FIN--

"Hippy" on the Beach & Spinning Yarns on the Pier

2011-08-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

This young, hippy-looking woman was swinging a hula-hoop around. Why? I have no clue. It's not everyday you see a hoola-hoop at the beach--but whatever floats your boat, m'am!

And here we observe John Kithcart shuddering at the thought that what Pete was telling him--that I call Pete every time a good photo of Pete riding his bodyboard pops up on the internet--was true. I have to admit, the notion made me throw up a little bit myself.

And into the waves we go: this grom was ripping, throwing double rail-grab el-rollos on an oversized board...

...and...

...we have liftoff!

Back on the pier we see a skateboard with too many wheels. I pity the individual who buys one of these: imagine the number of new bearings you have to buy after accidentally skating through some water. Yikes.

Speaking of water: pigeons, already the laziest foul in Southern California, prove themselves to be a bit lazier than even I thought by lounging in spray from a hose. Come on guys: don't you have something to be doing? Like stealing sandwiches and Doritos from an unsuspecting family?

We see shades of Chad Barba in the stall of the yellow-board rider, and hints of Jamie Obrien in the hang-up-on-the-lip-and-don't-hit-the-rider-already-riding...

...whoops! BAM!

Knowing all too well that Bobby Kithcart was going to catch a good right just as I started walking back towards the mouth of Manhattan Beach Boulevard on MB Pier, when I glanced back what I had predicted had come true. I had to throw my camera up to my face quickly to capture the beginning of this reverse. I was a little early on the timing, as I was caught off guard--sorry man! It was a clean reverse. Until next time...

--FIN--

show me some FIREWORKS -- 4th of July from The Hill

2011-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Redondo's display of fireworks, as seen from PV, was brilliant.

A lonely sailboat meanders down the coast as the light retreats around sundown.

People--and photographers (left third, at the edge of the cliff) were sprinkled all along the cliff.

And everyone decided to check out this vantage point--leading to constant flow of cars, which did not ebb for the entire duration of the display.

A time lapse photo shows the ghost image of a cell phone used to take a fireworks picture and heads of attendees at the church by Haggerty's on the Hill--a great viewing area for the fireworks.

A young lady, left, goes from sitting upright to flopping down out of boredom, waiting for the barge fireworks show to begin off of Torrance beach (shot from the patio at the church near Haggerty's).

Silhouettes of attendees mark the foreground of this fantastic pyrotechnic display.

Panoramic fisheye crop, 1

Panoramic fisheye crop, 2

A burst of fireworks, shot as a long-exposure, poses as a psychedelic, technicolor mushroom cloud. The beam of light in the foreground is a car zooming by.

from drowsiness, to excitement, to disappointment--to fear

2011-07-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

The trip down South from the South Bay to somewhere that would actually pick up a South swell consistently began with droopy eyes and a surf check that yielded a lackluster visual report.

Seal Beach, for one, wasn't exactly the happening place for a bodyboarder this past Sunday. However, as we passed the Huntington Stand Up Paddleboarding shuffle, this view:

got the hopes of Kim Magin and I up a bit. An overhead, glassy a-frame peeling down the line at Huntington could only mean one thing: bigger surf at the Wedge. However, once we got to the Newport Beach area:

let's just say our trip to the Balboa Peninsula wasn't looking too promising. The Newport River Jetties area, pictured above, yielded only a dribbling, mushy a-frame.

However, 6-8' Wedge and substantial Cylinders greeted us upon pulling up and suiting up at the Peninsula. Disappointment turned to pure stoke. Nevertheless, there was yet to be another reason for disappointment to rise up: a poor equipment choice on my part. Being a large bodyboarder, I have to walk the line with equipment. I can only ride a normal-sized board when it's truly pumping. At all other times, I have to ride a wider-and-thicker-than-normal board, or I don't get much takeoff speed. However, today it was in a sense, pumping. They were solid 6-8' waves. My wide, thick board (and my choice of my less-stiff, less-propelling fins) led to later takeoffs and poor tracking on the wave face, and a lot of wipeouts that could have otherwise been barrel rides. It was, in a sense, maddening, and made me a bit fearful every time I took off. Visting Magin, local guys from The Wedge crew, and random standouts were having a blast. While I was getting blasted, they were blasting off the lip, pulling into the tube, and generally getting good rides.

Alas.

Not every session can yield high performance rides. I walked out of the water ache-y from wiping out and a bit shell-shocked from all of the time I spent underwater in the turbulent ocean. But as one sidewave ripper (Carey), who I met on the beach while catching my breath said, "At least you're out there."

Amen! Here's to effort: even when it looks like you are the worst surfer out there.

And you know what? I did walk out of there with a bit of a smirk on my face. While I may have surfed it larger, and I may have had far better sessions at the bodyboard homeland of the California coast, I did it. I paddled out, I didn't snake anyone, and I caught some waves in what I'd consider "real" surf. Even if the boys down there call it "just fun stuff," as one waterhousing-toting photographer said, I rode some hefty Wedge. Due to the tide, shallowness, and size, I would also rank it as some of the heavier Wedge I've had a chance to ride--possibly the heaviest.

Hence, I felt mildly impressed with myself--even though the sole female rider out there that day was ripping, and I struggled at best.

ONE 'FITTY!

2011-05-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 150th post on the South Bay Central blog! As a result of this quasi-momentous occasion, I'd like to thank all of the loyal viewers that check out my work whenever I update this blog. After a long beginning to the week, I made some time today to go to the ocean with fellow photog Huy Truong and take some shots @ Redondo Beach Pier.

Cheers!

--FIN--

LIFE...

2011-04-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

...has been B-U-S-Y. Expect some new watershots in the upcoming weeks. Apologies for lack of updates, however, what can you do when you've got to work, work, and do some more work?
For an example of the intense schedule I've been experiencing, check out my story on and photos from RUHS' lacrosse teams--one day, 4 games. And yes, the stadium lights went out mid-game for a good 10-20 minutes during the final match.

Oh, the life of a photojournalist.

Tim Tindall & Donovan Frankenreiter: Moments @ The South Bay Big Wave Challenge award ceremony

2011-04-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

Tim told me his plan at the beginning of this past winter:
shoot as much as possible, from the land, and some from the water, and eventually get published.
I was dubious. The surf fad wave had crested a few years ago, and surf photographers were currently receiving pennies for their work--if they received anything. "That's sick" from a photo editor in an email and a pat on the back seemed to be standard wages right now. Not only that, surf-specific photographers were not exactly in high demand--every Joe Barney could buy a 70-300mm zoom and DSLR, and shoot surfing. The average kook could shoot semi-competently from the water too with a GoPro HD camera or Olympus digital point & shoot, if a good swimmer.
To say the least, I thought the idea was poorly thought-out.
However, what do I know. Apparently, I'm not the great thinker I supposed I must be. Fast forward to the end of the waiting period of the South Bay Big Wave Challenge, and guess who's in the running?
Local legend Tyler Hatzikian was one of the finalists.
And guess who took the shot now published across the South Bay-covering segment of the web of his big ride?
That's right--Mr. Tindall himself took the shot!
Tim's plan had worked--scout out empty beaches every morning, and look for a payoff that no one else had dibs on.
To my longtime friend Tim Tindall: my hat's off to you. Congratulations for your accomplishment--and here are some pictures of you when you were presenting your thoughts on the awards ceremony to the audience:

Left, Mike Balzer, right Tim Tindall

Left, Mike Balzer, right, Tim Tindall

Closeup of an elated Tim Tindall on stage, on Cloud 9

Tyler Hatzikian (with his hand out) in the middle, Mike Balzer holding the mic, and Derek Levy on the far right taking in the ceremony

Yes, and Donovan Frankenreiter let his guitar and vocals ring loud and clear at the ceremony:

sound check

...part of the crowd that loved Mr. Donovan...

and

Mr. Frankenreiter instructing the backup singers...

...and the makeshift backup choir's time to shine.

--FIN--

Wedge Fanatics II

2011-04-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here's some more of a Wedge grom pulling in from that day sometime in the past two-and-a-half months...or so.

And The Best Grom Air award goes to....

...while The Best Grom Barrel award goes to...

...and finally, The Worst Wave to Snake Your Friend For award goes to....

In all seriousness, it was great watching these young riders rush it...on bodyboards! Sometimes it seems as if bodyboarding is a dying art. Bodyboarders don't even have a legitimate print magazine produced in the USA. Drawing kids keeps any discipline alive--and the Wedge's siren call for waveriders should keep the sport of bodyboarding alive for a long time coming in youthful Orange County, as bodyboarding is the most functional discipline at the Wedge. Keep riding, groms.

PS--More Wedge Fanatics day photos soon...

At a dangerous North Orange County secret spot so incredibly hidden...

2011-03-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

...that news vans, photographers, pro surfers, bodyboarders and bodysurfers (along with the decidedly un-professional thrill seekers that drown) and a beach-bound crowd (consisting of everyone currently in town in Newport) show up when forecasts show even the slightest hint of a swell, Kim Magin surfed with the locals while I did hard time in the sun behind the camera while standing on the sand. I can't disclose the name of this coastal jewel as easily as I can describe it. I can only tell you it's near the Balboa Peninsula, breaks extremely close to shore, and it's name starts with a "W...E...D...G............"

Enjoy the photos, which feature every type of wave rider that shows up there--a shortboarder, a softboarder, bodyboarders, and skimboarders.

Woman & Boats

Beachfront Parking

Air Reverse Attempt, via a shortboard launch

Softboarder on a "blackball beater" hitting eject

A woman about to get mauled by whitewater, while holding a tiara...

...still holding onto her tiara...

...and taking the post-soak walk of shame (fear not, this is a fairly commmon occurence

at the W...E...D...G..........)

Skimboard air drop

Kim Magin: on the foamball (where he parked for awhile)

Skimboard shuv-it manuever

styling into the peak section: skimboard style...

...dramatic clouds...

skimboarders in similar stances....

backside shorepound hack

Newport local, about to attempt to project above the wave...

Lineup with Boats

A two shot sequence of a slippery, dizzying and lip-smacking floater

Floaters aren't always successful, however...

...and the peanut gallery enjoys a maneuver out in the water.

Wedge Fanatics

2011-03-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Wedge--taken sometime in the past two months. I have a series of posts coming up due to the fact that this day--whenever it happened--created quite a few memorable, sand-blasting barrels.

Local on the sidewave, #1...

...#2...

...#3...

...#4...

...#5...

...#6, traversing the vortex...

...into the inevitable end bowl black hole...#7.

Mr. Magin, following suit...

...into the pocket...

...and probably feeling the crunchy sand bottom somewhere in the maelstrom of water, sand and pure oceanic force.

More coming soon...

non-seasonal WEDGE

2011-02-26T04:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a few pictures taken "recently" by Kim Magin and I @ the infamous Newport Wedge. "When?!" you may ask? If I told you, then you wouldn't have to learn how to check swell charts (consider my withholding of information a life lesson).

Rider: Kim Magin -- Photographer: Marcus Bockman

Rider: Marcus Bockman -- Photographer: Kim Magin

Rider: Newport Local -- Photographer: Kim Magin

--FIN--

South Bay, welcome Jonas Nakas: Lake Michigan Longboarder

2011-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

Lake Michigan longboarder and friend Jonas Nakas came up to the South Bay today. It looked about as inviting as the dreaded Huntington shuffle (the nearest beach to where he is based now, he is no longer doing the twice-as-monotonous Lake Michigan shuffle!). As I told him I wanted to shoot some photos--he has very few shots of himself--he made the trek. We switched off with the longboard and the housing (he is a photographer himself). Unfortunately for the egoist in me, his training throughout high school in the waves of Lake Michigan--more or less like the local-wind-driven, short period waves of today, he said--made him a much better subject than myself. Enjoy the fruits of our labor. Surfer: Jonas Nakas / Photographer: Marcus Bockman

frontside fade

backside bottom turn

cross step #1

cross step #2

single-fin-first takeoff

getting close to the nose

trim spot

gulls

--FIN--

SOUTH BAY BOARDRIDERS CLUB VIDEO

2011-02-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Something I'm very proud of is a new video I produced about the South Bay Boardriders Club for Patch.com online news! Patch.com is a series of local news sites that I freelance for. Pick your site to view the video on below:

http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/boardriders-club-looks-for-winters-biggest-wave
http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/boardriders-club-looks-for-winters-biggest-wave-2

Have a good one everyone! Photos coming soon (possibly later today) from a recent off-season Wedge swell, shot from out in the water. Photos were taken by Mr. Kim Magin and I!

Portraits of a Brother

2011-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

Thomas Bockman, as photographed by Marcus Bockman, #1.

Shot with: natural and strobe lighting, Canon 30D & Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MK II, aka the "Plastic Fantastic"

Thomas Bockman, as photographed by Marcus Bockman, #2.

Shot with: natural and strobe lighting, Canon 30D & Canon EF 70-210 f/4, aka "70-210 Classic"

I love portrait photography--if I can express different sides of someone's personality through my interpretation of their still image, I feel accomplished.

--FIN--

Bodyboarder vs. Bodyboarder: Shootoff!

2011-02-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, the best way to share a session is to trade off with a camera and bodyboard in empty barrels.
Photos of Kim Magin © 2011 Marcus Bockman. Photos of Marcus Bockman © 2011 Kim Magin.

Kim goes left...

into the barrel...

...and then he snags another clean slide.

So, I return fire with a right hand, late drop pit.

Kim decides to go for another left...

So I follow suit.

Then I break away from the norm with a right hand bottom turn into the pit, and we call it a day.

--FIN--

Nikon HDSLR skate video test reel

2011-02-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Check it out:

or YouTube @ SKATEBOARDING

Enjoy my goof-off flatground sesh, shot with a 20mm f/2.8 AIS Nikkor!

--FIN--

To Summarize Today's Surf Conditions...

2011-02-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

...

or check the full res @ YouTube.com...

SURF TODAY

...

---CLICK TO LINK TO SEE GEAR STILL AVAILABLE FOR SALE---

Nikon BLOG FRIENDS SALE!

2011-02-03T00:04:00.000-08:00

I'm selling some Nikon gear. All listed gear is in excellent or better condition, and all lenses include a protective filter. Email me @:
marc_bockman [at] emulsionphoto.com
for more info. Replace the " [at] " with "@" and you'll be able to contact me with any requests for pictures or details. My email is also listed near the top on the right.

Nikon BLOG FRIENDS SALE! Mention SouthBayCentral.blogspot.com to get these special prices!

Nikon D80 body w/ battery + charger, body cap, LCD protector, no lens. $300 FIRM

Nikon 70-300 VR (the full frame fast focusing model, not the newer, slower-focusing crappy DX lens). $300 FIRM if bought with the D80. Otherwise, $325 alone.

Nikon 180mm f/2.8 NON-AI P F-mount lens. $175. $150 if bought with the D80 (note: cannot safely mount on any of the modern Nikon cameras besides the D40, D60, D3100 and D5000 without approximately $35 "AI'd" modification).

Nikon-mount Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 AI full frame manual focus-only lens. $50. $40 if bought with the D80.

Nikon-mount Lensbaby 2.0. (Super compact 37mm filter size! Smaller than many rangefinder lenses!) $60. $45 if bought with the D80. Will include a set of blank aperture disks along with all original aperture disks and tool to change disks.

Nikon TC 200 AI teleconverter. $75. $50 if bought with the D80.

Nikon F-lens to Canon EOS body adapters--allows you to use Nikon lenses with aperture rings (IE, non-G lenses) with any Canon DSLR! Have a 7D you want to use with Nikon primes for glorious HD footage? Now you can! I have a few adapters at the moment, all $10/ea. $8.00/ea if purchased with the Nikon 180mm f/2.8 NON-AI P F-mount lens.

Local pickup only. Thanks all! Remember to mention SouthBayCentral.blogspot.com to get these prices!

Cheers!

Lonely South Bay Lines

2011-02-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Seek, and yee shall find.

--FIN--

CLICK--CLICK--CLICK--CLICK....

2011-01-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the fruits of my labor. Click any image to enlarge!

A barrel ride, captured via rapid fire shutter actuations.

Kim Magin gliding down the face, into a little BOX.

A local, calling it a day.

***

When the swell picks up at this spot--it's game on!

--FIN--

Barrel Rolls and Tube Rides

2011-01-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

The El Rollo is my favorite party trick to huck off-the-lip while taking off on a hollow wave. Here is a Seal Beach barrel roll, and some closeout views at Seal courtesy of Kim Magin's time behind the lens.

Rider: Marcus Bockman // Photographer: Kim Magin

--FIN--

Seal Beach Session: Pull in or Go Home

2011-01-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

When Seal Beach's infamous South Side is crunching nearly on the sand, and you there's a former pro bodyboarder in the lineup, I'm sure most people feel the same way I did: pull in or go home. If everyone's looking at the wave you're paddling for--including a former pro--you have to pull into the hollows. Or try to contort a takeoff El Rollo (my preferred "party trick").

in-water pictures by Marcus Bockman (Kim Magin's shots coming next post):

Pictured: surf-stoked, 16-year-old grom Cam--this kid really had a level head on his shoulders, and a lot of enthusiasm for bodyboarding. Here he is sliding in the gurgling shorepound as the evening session wound down.

Former professional bodyboarder, Hawai'i resident and a member of winning DK Wars II team, Stan Muniz, pulling in on his inconsistent--but ultimately beautiful--left peak.

Kim Magin riding low and tight prone, waiting for the lip to completely chuck over.

The "hollows" were up for grabs on this one--but nobody partook.

A frothy, crunching barrel contemplates taking me over the falls. I don't remember, but it probably didn't.

Until part two, featuring Magin's photos...

--FIN--

Manhattan Beach Locals on Patch.com (Manhattan Beach)

2011-01-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Hi, thanks to the shredding bodyboarding and surfing locals out at Manhattan Beach Pier's north side who shared some of their surfing with the camera a few days back. If you lucked out and made my editor's cut, your surfing can now be found on Patch.com, an online news network site that I frequently freelance for. LINK:

http://manhattanbeach.patch.com/articles/scenic-body-boarding-in-manhattan-beach#photo-4629654

Additional photos from that session up soon! 8x10" prints are available on demand from the Patch.com article session for $20.00 a piece, plus shipping. Want a larger size? Let me know and we'll work something out!

Sometimes the Jetty Just Isn't Ready

2011-01-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

Eyeing the 'stacks jetty at El Porto from the highway, I was enticed. It looked like perfect conditions for my fellow sponger to slide into some warbly, barreling lefts, and for me to score "the shot" from the sand. Sleeping poorly the night before, I didn't feel like surfing. But it looked like there was surf.
However, appearances can be deceiving. Once we made our way to the parking lot, I saw my buddy eying the break right out front. Overhead sets were pouring in. The shape left nothing to the mind-surfing imagination: one would simply take off, get a shack and tumble underwater out there. For the most part, block-long walls of water crashing down at once, with a hollow pocket of air to ride in, were the norm.
Legitimate barrels.
I, however, thought shots would be better, and rides far more dramatic, at the jetty.
Unfortunately for me, making the call when the jetty isn't ready doesn't benefit the lens--or the rider.
After a one to two hour session of waving my friend from one side of the jetty to the other, the unfortunate truth sunk in: 'stacks just wasn't happening. Not in the classic fashion which would entice Tyler Hatzikian to charge down liquid high rises--and not even remotely close, in fact.
Nevertheless, I hold out hope for the jetty. I expect some day to be trading smoking lefts with the South Bay's best. Or, conversely, to be waiting out in the water, going, "Where are the friggin' waves?"
Good days at the 'stacks are few and far between. And uncrowded ones--forget about it. But optimally, I'll luck into one, and hopefully it's the inconceivable latter.
As follows are photos from today's session:

A surfer with an interesting haircut, left, makes the call to paddle out on the southside of El Porto's Jetty. A fellow surfer contemplates the surf conditions.

This warbly, left-breaking wave--which afforded a section for this surfer's nice snap--was probably the highlight of the session.

Kim Magin, alone with his thoughts.

Kim Magin drops down the face of a closeout barrel.

The surfer with the stylish mop races a section on the South side of the jetty.

Kim Magin, about to be alone with his thoughts again--this time, submerged as a wave's turbulence passed over and through him.

Porto, as seen in panoramic format.

Kim--slightly disappointed to have made the trek to 'stacks as the beach down the way was visibly breaking--was grateful to get in the ocean.

--FIN--

Decent Surf!

2011-01-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

Hermosa Beach Pier was 4-6', hollow and fair shape today! However, I opted to take photos from the land as I have commitments later that require a lot of energy. So, enjoy the fruits of landlocked labor. FYI, an 8x10" print is available of any wave riding action photo (and most other types of photos) from this session--and any past session, for that matter--for $20. Email me using the emulsionphoto.com address near the top of the page (on the side) to make arrangements. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT!

A pre-surf sprint at Eleventh Street, Hermosa Beach isn't an uncommon sight when it is hollow and the wind is calm.

Classic early entry into the wave via SUP, courtesy of Tammy.

This young man was shredding. Take notes, kids! Here he displays rock-solid confidence, as he drops into the barrel, shooting towards the pier.

Unidentified's great cutback, sequence frame 1...

...great cutback, sequence frame 2.

SUP slide, courtesy of Tammy

This young lady was squinting while checking the surfing action with her dog--but she never paddled out. Why? The waves looked fun to me!

Shredder guy, air attempt sequence 1

Shredder guy, air attempt sequence 2

If you look closely, you can see the surfer in the lower right corner covering his head as the birds move

en masse over his head from the Breakwall to Hermosa Pier. I don't blame him.

Shredder guy, with a body-contorting cutback, sequence frame 1...

....sequence frame 2.

Shredder guy bids adieu to the lineup

Barrel riding, sequence frame 1

sequence frame 2

Ian caught a screamer on his bodyboard!

Pumping down the line

A bellowing barrel crunches down

Overturned backside snap, sequence frame #1...

...2...

...3. Yes, he rode away clean. I'm sure that Globe and XCEL are happy about that!

A miniature peeler on the South side of the Hermosa Pier mimics it's beefier brethren on the North side.

Smooth cutback #1...

...frame #2.

Just one of Kim's BOXES!

On edge, dropknee

Peeling Wave

Kim, bounding back to the showers to clean off the closeout barrel-riding sand.

--FIN--

SUPs and Pool Toys, Pt. 2: Saffa Style

2011-01-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

...and here are Kim Magin's shots from the same session as the previous post. Enjoy the choice angles.

Cocco, with a nice drop down the face...

...and the other paddleboarder of the SUP female dynamic duo goes backside.

I'm going to GET SO BARRELED!!!!...

...well, my ear did, at least.

Another sweeping fanatic cruises down the line...

...and a barrel is backlit by the sunshine...

...and Cocco gets pelted by sunrays from everyone's favorite beaming star in the Earth's daytime sky.

--FIN--

To Stand Up Paddleboard, Or to Bodyboard?...

2011-01-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

...in today's lineup, it didn't matter. Two friendly, well-riding female SUPs that happened to be pursuing waves on the same sandbar as a friend and I exchanged waves and compliments. No, the mythical swell that was predicted didn't truly materialize. This seems to be the trend all-too-often lately, but what can you do?

However, it was a good, uncrowded session with one rule between my friend and I: get the best barrel you can for yourself, and the best shot you can of your surf buddy in the slot.

One of the SUPs apparently hadn't seen too many bodyboarders in Hermosa, because she was impressed with an El Rollo I flung flying down the line towards her!

"That was rad!" she said.
"Thanks!" I replied, laughing a bit at the fact that someone on a surfboard was actually complimenting a bodyboarder. "It's my only trick, so I have to make it [look] good!"

It's always great when fellow wave riders can get along, and share in the magic of the ocean and wave-riding, like today.

The rivalry propagated by much of the surf media: longboarders vs. shortboarders, shortboarders vs. bodyboarders, SUPs vs. the world, it's all so silly to me. Most of the true hatred in the lineup is pointless anger from locals who compensate for their lack of status in the real world (and sometimes lack of skill in the water) by running their mouths. Besides some old-school stand-ups that believe "pool toys" such as bodyboards have no place in a lineup, most of the cross-board-culture anger seems to stem mostly from ignorance and compensation for incompetence in riding.

Simply stated: If you suck, why not put the spotlight on someone else? It takes the glare off.

The fact that many have commented that wave riders of different genres generally get along a lot better in the spectacularly dangerous waves of Oahu than say, Orange County's Huntington Beach (which is one of the stand-up surfing industry epicenters--go figure), is particularly telling.

Put a dangerous reef underneath someone's feet as opposed to a powdery sandbar, and suddenly the game changes. (Though, admittedly, I'm sure there's still some animosity towards bodyboarders on Oahu).

I hoot whenever I see someone taking off on a great peak, or a beginner flying down the line on what is probably their first good ride on whatever craft they choose.

Being considered, upon entering the lineup, likely the lowest common denominator (as a bodyboarder), sharing the stoke by hooting at people on great waves probably helps my position in snagging a few hoot-worthy rides myself.

(Editor's note: these photos are taken by myself. The set in the next post will be © 2011 Kim Magin):

A talented SUP rides her board down the line.

Kim Magin looks for some headroom in the "barrel." Alas, he found a headdip instead.

A textured lip gives reason for pause.

Cocco charging, seq 1...

...Cocco charging, seq 2...

...Cocco charging, ready for the SUP eject button to engage...

...Cocco, sequence frame 4, fully ejected and separating herself from her board for spin-cycle safety. She caught quite a few good waves, I just happened to be pointed in her direction when this spectacular wipeout happened!

A peeling lip covers up the glaring sun.

Another textured lip had me hitting the shutter button as late as I could manage.

Kim Magin, earning one of the shots of the session--BOX!

Until part 2 (Mr. Magin's photos and my commentary)...

--FIN--

Would you like a "box" with that surf session?

2011-01-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

...is a question that every South African sponger would likely answer "YES!" to. What is this "box," you ask? A box, in South African surf lingo, is a name for a tube. While we talk about "square barrels" on the mainland, the South Africans, in their wisdom, seemed to have condensed the two words into a simple moniker for nearly every wave rider's favorite part of the wave: the fleeting, hollow shell of lip that forms the air pocket known, to American surfers, the barrel, tube or pit.

Today I sponged with South African friend Kim Magin, and we had a productive photo session between our efforts behind the lens. We tried to find the elusive "box" the best we could.

Where did we surf? Let me know--if you can guess--in the comments!

Searching for barrels in Jack's stance, Kim found a nice section over he visible sand bottom.

A vanity tube-preparation shot of your's truly: dropping in on a hefty (for the day) set was fun!

This older surfer was great to watch! As I lifted up my housing, he hopped from his regular stance to a switchstance, and then continued to dance on the front section of his longboard down-the-line. He probably had the best vehicle for--and some of the best rides of--the day.

Kim Magin, looking for a barrel 1...

...2...after this frame, I swam through the back of the wave as he got a nice--you guessed it!--BOX.

--FIN--

Manhattan Point: Saffa style shots

2011-01-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

My buddy Kim Magin also took some shots at "Manhattan Point" last Friday, here is his visual take on the lined-up sandbar (and more commentary courtesy of me):

The star of the show, Daniel, wraps a cutback around a shoulder.

Pete "Skeet", glides along in the Jack-stance.

See the smoke coming out of my ears? It was a frustrating session once I got back to surfing! A strange knack for being out of position for one-wave sets, and a few choice drop-ins made my day a little bit less enjoyable.

Speaking of drop-ins, here's a bad burn...

...and the look back. Come on, if you're going to drop in in someone, don't look back directly at them! Shameless! However, it does make for an entertaining sequence.

Drop-in, anyone?

This gentleman caught quite a few nice sets.

Yes, while I did get snaked a few times, get skunked on the sets by way of constant, impatient repositioning, it's all stoke when you get some waves! Shakas for shacks!

Sponger Sal, screaming through the pier at breakneck speed.

And Natalie Anzivino said hello to the pier...

...by spraying the Roundhouse properly.

Here I am, perparing to get a nice "box," as the Saffas say.

Look, Ma--I can also do an El Rollo!

Lisa Tuttle, bottom...

...to top.

Sal, right before disaster.

And Sal, despite being the dominant sponger in the lineup, and despite racking up quite a few long rides down the line with no snakes, learns that what goes up must come down.

Me on a dribbler.

This guy took a nice drop...

...unfortunately, a minor sideslip resulted in a spectacular plop.

Barrel Man--Chris--looking for a hollow section. Unfortunately, he was not rewarded with what he was searching for...

Nonetheless, his line was quite picturesque.

--FIN--

"Manhattan Point"

2011-01-09T18:02:00.000-08:00

Manhattan Point part 1

The South side of Manhattan Beach Pier had long shoulders running the length of the beach on Friday. They were the type that most surfers can't help but love: they stand up and appear to be about to throw, then hesitantly crumble right at the top and careen hastily along the length of the sandbank. The current was minimal. The tide was high, however, and there weren't too many real barrels available. Mostly the oblong, pinching air pockets on the waves teased us prone bodyboarders, but never produced lengthy tube rides. However, the stand-up surfers and dropknee riders were having a field day. The exclusively prone riders will have to wait for a better day.

The waves were so consistently forming at a peak I was actually able to shoot a fair amount on my bodyboard with a longer lens!

1st batch, photos shot by myself:

Mr. Magin, stalling on his bodyboard--he popped up dropknee down the line.

Danny boy, off the bottom...

...and smacking it off the top!

Skeet prepares for a dramatic dropknee slide in the bright, morning light.

Danny boy slips nicely into the frame, again hogging the camera time!

Who's this? Isn't that--oh, yes, that's Daniel. Again! He deserved all of the waves he got, and performed quite a few memorable hits.

A Pelican is frozen mid-cruise.

Nick Borgens with a nice two frame dropknee hack...

...bringing it around, setting up for the rest of the ride.

Until part two of Manhattan Point (shot by Kim Magin)...

--FIN--

MB PIER WATER SHOTS--coming soon!

2011-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hi all--my good friend Kim Magin and I traded off with a white waterproof housing yesterday at the Manhattan Beach Pier on the South side of the pier. I haven't had the time to put them up the resulting shots but I will soon! Thanks for your patience, all of you that asked about the blog in the water.

Always, ALWAYS, A-L-W-A-Y-S...

2011-01-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

...bring your tool kit with you when you bring a waterproof housing to the beach. Otherwise, you might end up with a housing that you cannot open to turn the camera back on during one of the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen (followed by a mockingly-long, brilliant afterglow dusk)

Just maybe.

Not that I would know anything about this. Oh no--it's not like that happened to me today.

Mission Digi Fisheye accomplished!

2010-12-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

I shot my 15mm fisheye on a digital SLR crop body today for the first time. It took walking in the pouring rain to get to the bus stop, a transfer for a total of 2 buses for a 15 minute ride (go figure), suiting up in the rain, outsmarting the evil bacteria flushing out of outfall pipes to stay healthy, and shooting for a couple hours.

Of course, all of this effort ended with me coming back to see all of my gear (shoes, clothes, phone) wet from the rain and caked in sand, despite efforts to cover the non-waterproof day trip surf necessities up. While sloshing back towards home in my shoes, I dreamed of what it would have been like if there had actually been decent light. This led to the application of heavy filtration in Lightroom.

I feel Mission Digi Fisheye was a success! Time for another operation. Where to shoot, where to shoot?

Palos Verdes Treasure Hunt: Do YOU know?

2010-12-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time on The Hill...

I decided to go in search of sheltered surf during a dreary windstorm. This brought me to spot #1...

(the adjacent waters are pictured above). Unfortunately, whitecapped swell lines don't produce ridable surf...

despite the lack of good waves, this hardened PV local was friendly enough to pose for the camera. The search continued...

and I arrived at a spot populated with these. Again, the raw energy of the ocean was untamed...

so I stopped by another cove, but all I saw were these two birds hovering in the wind: no, they are

not flapping their wings or even gliding. The wind was so strong that the birds are literally suspended midair...

...much like the spray coming off the rail of this surfer, who found the magic spot...

...which was nearby the reef pictured above and below...

...

...and after I finished shooting surfers sheltered from the blustery wind, I decided to cap off my day

by taking photos of a different spot, commonly recognized as the home of the most localized pointbreak in California.

I couldn't care less about the waves there today, but I did like the colors in the sky.

THE END

Think you can name any of the spots by their landmarks? Feel free to chime in.

Sponging Movie

2010-12-24T00:25:00.000-08:00

.
Here's some HD footage of some friends and MB Pier locals from today, which I deem The Sal, Skeet & Dale Show! (Editor's note: This video is not officially endorsed by Sal, Pete, Dale, or Marc. I thought the title sounded interesting, but if you are featured in the title of this video and would like not to be, please drop me a line.) It was shot while the swell was ever-so-slightly declining and the wind was starting to switch. Personally, I chose to surf when the conditions were better, and to shoot after.

The paddle out was pretty brutal around 7-8 AM this morning!

Fisheye madness

2010-12-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

This was my first go with a fisheye lens in a waterhousing, ever. I think it was well worth the investment in the lens and Kodak Ektachrome film!

split level...

Barreling action @ home sweet home

--FIN--

Off-Season Fireworks

2010-12-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

No it's not summer...but it sure looks a lot like the 4th!

click photo to enlarge

--FIN--

Surf Photo Set: Dedicated to Susan Fowler McNally

2010-12-10T22:05:00.000-08:00

This set of photos taken at Sapphire Street is dedicated to the memory of fellow Manhattan Beach-loving sponger Susan Fowler McNally. A friend of her's, kneeboard local Bruce Rorty, notified me of her untimely passing. She left us December 1st, 2010. Rest In Peace, Susan.

This shot was taken at extremely close proximity.

I love watching dropknee riders--they always have unique approaches to the discipline. It's self-taught for the most part (when is the last time you saw an ad in the summer that said, "Learn to Dropknee!" instead of "Learn to Surf!"?), or influenced by your surf buddies and videos. Here "dropknee guy" swoops in backside.

Fishermen, etheral clouds, surfers lounging while sets approach out the back--just another day in California.

Sapphire Street looking a bit too emerald for it's namesake.

In order to get these birds in the frame properly, I had to let this wave crash down on top of me.

Here's "dropknee guy," in stylish trim: just cruising.

When you come this hard off the bottom at a beachbreak...

...you can smack the top equally forcefully!

Sapphire Street peeler and a sky with the case of the blotchy blues.

Lip lines always fascinate me.

This pulled-back panorama cutback caught my attention in the editing bay.

Afros and surfing are not commonly seen in tandem. However, I think it's a groovy--and photogenic--look. Just think of all of those shots of 70's performance shortboarder Larry Bertleman--would his aquatic Bertslides be the same without the 'fro?

--FIN--

FISHEYE MADNESS COMING SOON!

2010-12-09T23:22:00.001-08:00

Fisheye images--both night shots and daytime watershots--coming soon!

Cliche? Or Just the Right Day? P A R T #2

2010-12-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Here's the rest of the imagery from this fun-but-frozen day (CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE):

--FIN--

Cliche? Or Just the Right Day? P A R T #1

2010-11-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

Imagery of Manhattan Beach Pier is a dime a dozen--just look at the local Manhattan Beach city newspaper for a week straight and you'll understand how iconic (and cliched) shots of the pier are. Thus, sometimes when I end up shooting in Manhattan Beach on the sand or on the pier, I ask myself--why? What is the energy I'm expending going to produce that will be artistically superior? Am I somehow going to break the creative barrier that sets a photographer apart from a snap-shooter in Manhattan Beach? Does what I'm shooting really matter?

Today, it felt different from my usual treks down to shoot on free time--it felt like what I shot mattered.

With everything going on--many families blanketing the sand, lifeguard truck tracks that appeared to stretch all the way to Santa Monica due to the incredible visibility and horizon line, and punchy light, the results were good. Then again, maybe the photos are just further corroborating evidence that Manhattan Beach is all-around visual cliche--you be the judge.

4"x5" Fujifilm beginnings

2010-11-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

---CLICK IT >> TO >> ENLARGE IT--

I feel this may be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my transfer art work: using 4x5" packfilm as opposed to 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (often referred to simply as 3x4" packfilm) Fuji packs. The area is greater and thus there is much more resolution in the resulting transfer. Not that maximum resolution is always needed with Fuji transfers (sometimes the petite size and limited enlargement capability fits the mystique of an image), but I really like how the image turned out.

Fisheye images coming soon.

Stay stoked!

--FIN--

FISHEYE MADNESS COMING SOON!

2010-11-19T22:42:00.000-08:00

Hi all. I finally got a roll back of slide film from a session where I swam with the fisheye housing--and I found out what an amazing perspective that lens can provide!

I'll post some up soon. I have two that might go somewhere special, so I don't know if I can share those at the moment. Expect some new surf-stoked content in a few though! Have a good weeeknd, all!

This called...growing up

2010-11-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

"It was epic yesterday--did you paddle out?" asked my friend on the phone.
"No."
"Are you serious?!? It was firing yesterday! Where were you?!"
The last question felt rhetorical, as I hadn't been paddling out much lately, and my friend knew it.
As it turns out, being a "normal" adult--and being a beach bum--are practically mutually exclusive.

Oh, what a painful epiphany to have.

"Living" at the beach is an admirable goal: being one with nature, always getting in the water when the swell is good, having enough time as to actually time one's sessions around tidal fluctuations, etc. I don't look down on those that "live" at the beach.

In fact, part of me is downright jealous of them.

However, despite how much fun it is to live at the beach, there is a certain limit to its usefulness in life. There isn't a "beachfront beat" at newspapers--not even the Easy Reader has a large portion of its paper generally dedicated to surfing. Being an up-and-coming journalist/photojournalist (which requires constantly being on the move, one's location being at the whim of the editor) doesn't really accommodate lazy days in the Manhattan Beach parking lot chewing the fat.

However, there was an uplifting moment in my recent realization that my schedule cannot exclusively revolve around tidal fluctuations, finicky winds and brief bursts of potent swell in the immediate future.

A friend of mine from the South Bay sponging contingent asked if I could meet up to surf on Thursday.

I told my friend that I couldn't make it, because I had a school presentation that day.

And you know what? Instead of the standard response--"Geez man, why don't you surf anymore?"--my friend was very virtuous in his reply. "Do what you have to do," he said. "It's [school is] important. You don't want to be living like some of us [locals]--get that college degree."

I was almost stunned by this, but I thought for a moment and smiled broadly.

"Thanks, man--I appreciate it."

People may change, friends may come and go, career paths may be altered, life may throw one a curve ball, but the ocean will never disappear--hell, with global warming, it's only getting bigger. So fear not, fellow surfing brothers and sisters facing the career upstart process--there's always another set behind the one that just passed.

--------------------------------------------------------------
I shall leave some eye candy © 2010 Marcus Bockman (more transfer art, made with a much improved enlarger--these are direct scans, only slightly color-balanced and completely unsharpened) to go along with my food for thought.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

PS--Don't worry, I have no plans of discontinuing surfing, shooting, or this blog!

Pop and Hop

2010-10-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

skateboarding remote-trigger self portrait

Pop it and hop it!

click on image to enlarge

WALLPAPER DOWNLOAD #DOS

2010-10-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the new Manhattan Beach wallpaper download! Right click and save-as to save. Feel free to throw it up as your desktop background! This "mashup" layout was created from scans of Fujiroid transfers. The transfers' source art were Fuji Velvia and Provia slides; all images were taken at Manhattan Beach Pier. Copyright © 2010 Marcus Bockman.

Friendship's Ringtone

2010-09-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the photos I shot at and around the Korean "Friendship Bell" in San Pedro on a picturesque day about a week ago. Frenetic Joy photographer Huy shot 4x5" B&W negative shots of the bell.

Enjoy! Click on any picture to enlarge.

This photo: shot with a Nikon N2020, 50mm f/1.8 AF D and Provia 400X film (standard E-6 processing)...

...another, again with the Nikon N2020, 50mm f/1.8 AF D and Provia 400X film (standard E-6 processing) &...

a 15mm f/2.8 Sigma fisheye lens mounted on the N2020 (camera loaded with E-6 processed Provia 400X film) captured this image.

Stokin' wallpaper download!

2010-09-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here's to snappy slash-happy surfing from an identical twin: (first: click image to enlarge, next: right click and then "save as" to download)

Enjoy! If you repost this photo, please leave the watermarks and text on the photo. Other than that? I hope you're stoked on the sequence!

*****

I apologize to all of the loyal blog followers for lack of posts! I've had too many projects going on simultaneously to create surfing work lately, much less create and share surf work on the internet. Today I was able to get in the water for a brief time. The end result is the above sequence--I had to share it!

CSN Stores review

2010-09-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

CSN Stores was kind enough to provide me with a $40 gift card to buy anything in their store to review. Seeing as my last semester of school was about to start at CSULB, I decided that a new bookbag was in order. As follows is a review of the Jansport Superbreak backpack, an instant classic rucksack, as tested over the first few weeks of school. Note I provide a connection to surfing at the end of the review!

Featuring a rather uninspired silhouette--but available in many eye-popping colors and patterns--the magic of the Jansport Superbreak backpack lies in it's lightweight, durable nylon fabric that houses a huge amount of internal space for the low price of around $30 retail (cheaper if you buy a phased-out colorway, of which there are many).
Looking at the backpack in the store on a rack, you would likely be unimpressed. It has the traditional, rectangular silhouette of the average rucksack that is wider at the bottom and tapers slightly to a semi-rounded top. Yes, it can be bought in some interesting colors, but there are no design intricacies to make it look much more than a standard bookbag.
However, it carries a lot of stuff--and I have high standards for load capacity! I am able to throw 2 thick textbooks books, a WPC 120 medium format pinhole Holga camera (a very large, plastic camera--note I would NOT recommend carrying normal cameras in this non-padded backpack without cushioning the camera gear) with an SLR-Zoom Gorillapod attached at the base, and a sweater/sweatshirt/jacket in the main compartment, with room to spare. Then, I can toss pencils, pens, and up to around 4-5 rolls of 120 medium format film in the exterior compartment.
While I complain of the lack of an aggressive aesthetic, that's another key to the magic of the Superbreak by Jansport--it's not the type of bag that's going to be the first on thieves' lists to rip off. It looks nice enough to pass as a good buy but not fancy enough (there is no complicated back strap system, wild embellishments or embroidery) that it would catch the eye of a predator. Additionally, the back strap system looks to underwhelm with its basic layout and lack of special gel padding. Despite this, carrying it around for my 5 hour stay on campus every day, I have not once found it uncomfortable.
If it isn't broken, don't fix it!
The Jansport Superbreak can be summed up in two key words: "utility value." It is very basic stylistically, but in terms of space, comfort and subtle style, it is more than enough to satisfy the Average Joe, and I would wager even some fashionistas would be compelled to consider it in some of the more chic shades it's available in.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SURFING? As an added bonus, if you are going to use this backpack to carry gear to localized surf spots, buy this backpack in a basic, bland color, and rip the stitches over the label adorning the front of the pack out one by one with an Xacto knife. Pull off the label and loose threads, and now you have a very boring looking bag that locals aren't likely to screw with! Locals who want to ruin your day--and minimize your drive to revisit "their" spots--will look for surf-branded merchandise first. Don't fall into their trap. Remember if you are throwing gear into the backpack without a dry-bag (which you would have to purchase separately), you will want to thoroughly rinse out the pack's zippers with freshwater after every session. Otherwise, zippers will likely rust shut. A dry sack is highly recommended if you are going to carry wet gear (wetsuits/rashguards/swimfins) with this pack. I recommend Seal Line wet bags.

Hidden South Bay--CSN stores review coming soon!

2010-08-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today I visited the "hidden" South Bay. A skip, hop and jump around the bend led to some interesting imagery, as follows. All shots taken with the Lensbaby 2.0 lens, Nikon F-mount, mounted on a Nikon D80 body.

Note: The product CSN Stores donated to me will be reviewed soon--it's a basic day bag backpack, with the review hitting the web in a short amount of time. I'll give you the low down, hopefully before your before school starts, so you know about an economical, stylish and roomy option for hauling your books around.

Infrared Photography

2010-07-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

When it's flat and you're taking photos at the beach, you have to mix up equipment and angles to keep things from becoming too stale. As follows is an infrared glance at Manhattan Beach's shoreline, taken from Manhattan Beach pier with a DSLR, and a shift/tilt enabled lens.

until next time...

--FIN--

Peeling Crumble Bombs

2010-07-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Featured today are a few shots from after the wind came up and the majority of the A-Team left the water.

--FIN--

Longboard lines

2010-07-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Crowded waters, small waves and cloudy skies greeted the afternoon beachgoers.

Style check.

Off the bottom...

...and into the shoulder nose-ride section.

Shorebreak bodysurfers looked to be having fun.

I want to see this guy dropknee some larger waves in a few months--he looked like he was getting the hang of the jackstance quite well.

And this guy was getting the hang of the art of bumming rides from baby trailers.

--FIN--

Upcoming Review courtesy of CSN Stores: 101st post celebration

2010-07-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

What do you celebrate your 101st blog post with? With a review of a great, basic backpack that has served me well in the past as a surf pack. Thanks to CSN Stores (featuring the le creuset product line in one of their online storefronts), I will be reviewing a product that one of CSN Stores' sites sells: The SuperBreak backpack by Jansport. I'll run it through the paces of my daily life as a surfer, skater and photographer for a little while, and get back to you all with the nitty-gritty details. Full review of this durable, inexpensive rucksack (featured in many different stylish colors and patterns) coming soon! Stay tuned!

What a freak...

2010-07-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

...ing amazing dropknee rider!

Kim Feast ripping the jackstance

For those that don't know, dropknee is my favorite surfing discipline to shoot, hands down. Check out this video--it's pretty inspiring to see someone dropknee-riding hefty North Point in Australia.

Another post of fresh photography coming soon!

Need a hug?

2010-07-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

Redondo Beach Pier, 07.07.2010

So you want to be on the news?

2010-07-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is a surefire way to land there--just make sure you don't break you back in the process.

THE WEDGE [click on any photo to enlarge]

--FIN--

Funny, Sunny Days

2010-07-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

I had a blast with fellow photographers Stefan Agregado and Freneticjoy.com's Huy Truong tonight shooting and joking around at Hermosa Beach Pier. Not all fun and games, here are the fruits of my labor (and I will link to Truong's and Agregado's captures later when they are available for viewing):

[CLICK ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

--fin--

Photo Backlog Unleashed

2010-06-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Today's my day off from all of the hard work I've been doing lately in photojournalism land. And what better way is there to celebrate that then to share some--guess what?--unreleased photos with all of those who have been patiently awaiting an update?

Dockwiler Beach in El Segundo, sundown trying to fry my retinas. Mamiya medium format M645 Super with 210mm f/4.0 C manual fous lens on Fuji Velvia 100 film...

...near-sunset stroll @ Redondo Beach Pier. Nikon D80 w/ 135mm f/2.8 manual focus lens...

...dusk @ Redondo Beach Pier's harbour. Nikon D80 w/ 135mm f/2.8 manual focus lens...

...& birds flying past the beginnings of bonfire parties, Dockwiler Beach in El Segundo. Mamiya medium format M645 Super w/ 80mm f/2.8 N manual focus on expired Fuji 400H.

much as this post is about...

--FIN--

It's just a journey...

2010-06-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

...that I like to take as often as I can: South Bay to the Wedge.

[CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE]

[CHECK OUT MY LATEST --SURFING-- ARTICLES ON:
PATCH.COM
HERE

HERE , too!)

A footage-tape contest accompanies the second article!]

Snaking through Palos Verdes led to absolutely no life-changing surfing experiences (not that I'd share too much about it if it did!). It was flat. However, the vibrant colors of the wild Hill were as punchy as ever.

Crossing over to Long Beach, I saw this interesting juxtaposition of lines and angles.

The Wedge offered nasty-looking, but relatively mellow, suck-up dumpers on the sand.

This Wedge wedge peaked at the main takeoff spot and spun a little bit before the trace of swell walled up and washed in on the sand.

Bye bye, birds!

--FIN--

Two New Snappers

2010-06-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

Here are two new pics from tonight. I've been busy so I've forsaken this blog--but I'm hoping to pick up the pace! I love sharing my South Bay views with you all. As follows are two nighttime visions, --click to enlarge--:

--FIN--

Been workin' overtime...

2010-06-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

...well, not technically. When you're a freelance photojouranlist/journalist, the work isn't usually billed hourly. But I have been working like crazy. Check out Patch.com (Hermosa Beach mostly, with a few articles on Manhattan Beach and soon-to-come work on Redondo Beach) for a few different articles I have photographed/written. Finally telling people I'm being paid consistently to take photos is strange after all these years of work--but emancipating. Also, my portfolio blog--The Bockman Portofolio Experience--has been up for a little while now. I have many personal images that have just been stacked up in the archives waiting to be released on this blog, or even better, galleries. Hopefully I'll have time soon. Until then, check out a skateboarding self-portrait I just did with the fisheye...

A) Yes, I landed this front side pop shuv it, despite the odd, mid-air foot positioning, B) thanks for checking the blog, C) Look for some digital fisheye surf work soon (along with some slide scans of some watershots at the Wedge I took with a 20mm in dying light), and D) I'll share some well-deserved goodies with all you loyal viewers soon.

Thanks, all!

--FIN--

WOW...

2010-05-31T10:14:00.000-07:00

...just...wow. Check out controversial Wedge afficiando Dale Kobetich's slow motion Wedge water-shot videos. It's like Clark Little's work--in full-motion HD, and filmed right here in California!

http://www.surfline.com/orange-county/user-video/saturday-wedge--sunrise--------low-res--vid-kobetich_43979

THE HILL: PV Landscapes/Seascapes

2010-05-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Whenever Palos Verdes crosses my mind, I think of the aggressive surfing locals (found in abundance at certain wave-rich spots) and the equally raw landscape--I can see why someone might be so protective of these spots. I don't condone it (I consider it absurd for the most part) but I can see what--and where--the attitude would stem from.

None of the below photos show any wave potential (don't worry, PV guys), but they do show the relatively untouched beauty of the Palos Verdes coast.

Venturing up to Palos Verdes can only make me wonder what the South Bay looked like before the invasion of cookie-cutter homes, pavement, and cement. I've seen very few photos of the South Bay pre-industrialization--maybe it's better that way.

Location, location, location: ever wonder why it's so expensive to live in Palos Verdes?

--FIN--

Viva Transfer Art

2010-05-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Transferring instant film emulsion (emblazoned with slide film imagery) onto a variety of papers has piqued my interest as of late. [CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

Fuji 100C 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Polaroid 690 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Fuji 100C 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Polaroid 690 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

--FIN--

More transfer art coming soon!

2010-05-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

The technique has been refined--and I'm ready to show some more wares! Check back in the next couple of days because I will be posting some Fuji instant film/Polaroid instant film transfer art. Next on my list of films to try out for transfers/lifts is the Impossible Project Silvershade.

Scans coming SOON! Viva instant film & the mighty Daylab!

LIGHTS: carnival by El Co

2010-05-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

A night with the carnies:

Driving near El Camino a ferris wheel popped into view from out of nowhere...

so Huy Truong of Frenetic+Joy photography and I figured a visit to the carnies was in order.

I didn't quite understand why anyone would pay to go fishing or rubber ducks, but go figure...

...though witnessing the simple joy of riding a merry-go-round took me on a trip down memory lane.

This duo seemed to be enjoying a game of toss-and-hope...

...while this carnie extraordinaire was scaring plenty of up business with his balls, visible in hands...

...even though none of the customers I saw play were successful at winning a prize.

[CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE]

I hope you all have a great workweek, and enjoyed this past weekend. Trust me--I'm dying to get my housing out into the ocean! Or in very the least, to see the ocean.

FREELANCE: Patch.com Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach online news

2010-05-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

Check them out!

http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/hermosa-fireman-receives-medal-of-valor http://manhattanbeach.patch.com/articles/brown-receives-medal-of-valor-for-daring-rescue#c

Thanks all!

'tweener day

2010-05-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some more shots taken with Fujifilm and my N90s housed in an SPL rig:

Once again, Eric Ordorica's nonchalance and remarkably casual style--on the twin fin keel fish stick--shine bright.

These are from awhile back, I just recently found time to share them. Again, sorry for the lack of consistent updates--I'm working towards becoming a full-time photojournalist, and my love for surf photography has to take a back seat from time to time.

Enjoy.

--FIN--

joint PATCH.COM photojournalism essay up!

2010-05-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Check out:
http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/photos-our-lady-of-guadalupe-fiesta

Let me know what you think! Photos are taken by Marcus Bockman and Bradley Zint (check photo credit to see who took each shot).

freelance: PATCH.com HERMOSA BEACH

2010-05-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

I recently garnered a freelance photojournalsim assignment with the great folks over at Patch.com's Hermosa Beach division. Look for photos of mine to be published on the Hermosa Beach Patch, which is more or less a giant network of hyper-local news websites, or "Patch"es. You can navigate there by going to:
www.Patch.com
and clicking on California on the right, and then on Hermosa Beach.

I will put up another post to notify you loyal visitors as to when the content is officially up (nominally, sometime on Monday--but stay tuned for actual posting time.).

This opportunity has me quite stoked. Hopefully I will be doing more work with them in the future--you all will be the first to know here at: South Bay Central!

Pudding

2010-04-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here are the shots of me riding Balboa Peninsula's infamous "The Wedge," courtesy of Tim Tindall (thanks Tim!). All shots in this post Copyright 2010 Tim Tindall. The Wedge is a wild ride, and I don't have too many phrases beyond "pure adrenalin" to capture what it feels like to make--or break yourself off--on one of these wondrous oceanic monsters. You decide what happened to me on each of these chunky tossers, respectively (it's pretty obvious by the lines I'm drawing what's about to happen on each):

All I can say is "more Wedge, please."

--FIN--

"You were charging..."

2010-04-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

...said a fellow bodyboarder on a sidestreet, as I walked back from my session at the Wedge. He commented on how shallow it was--especially today--and the precarious nature of my riding. I thanked him, and we launched into a conversation about past sessions at Wedge and reef-floored breaks...

Photos from that day of mysef riding, courtesy of good friend Tim Tindall of TWebPhoto should follow later today. Stay tuned. Various other photographic duties have been unfortunately more pressing than my obsession with surf photography, but I plan on getting back out in the water with the housing and snapping some goodies soon. And of course, the telephoto lens should be seeing some action in the near future as well.

"Drive by Shooting" in the LBC, bumpin' Snoop Dogg...

2010-04-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

...on the stereo. A friend and I ventured to the promised land--land that promised to develop film professionally in one hour, a rarity these days--known as 2nd Street in Long Beach, CA. As we wandered through the city (we took a wrong turn off the freeway, delaying our arrival at the photo lab) I shot some photojournalist's frames of us passing life by, through the window. As follows are my "drive by shootings"--with a digital SLR. Nobody was harmed in the making of this entry--in case you were wondering.

An individual waiting for public transportation, probably wondering why he looks like he was shot with a Lomo.

A low riding pickup truck. I'm sure Snoop would be proud.

Florescent chic: it's all the rage with the kids these days.

Walking back from the photo lab to get back to the car, I snagged this dog's classic vigilant sneer: and the people didn't even notice.

Moving back up PCH, I saw this pair working their way across a bridge: perfect targets for a drive by shooting (by way of camera).

And homeward bound on the freeway (back to Torrance), I caught this panned-and-speed-blurred hog speedily hauling a pair across the freeway.

--FIN--

Expanded visions of small things

2010-04-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

Macros from today are featured below. What are they of? Your guess is as good as mine (go ahead and try and guess):

Tangled

Forms and colors

Touching forms

Color

Suspended in Black&White

Concave

--FIN--

One Saturday Morning...

2010-04-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

...I took my housing out for a session at Manhattan Beach to document the locals. They were doing what we all love to do: surf. A seabird even joined in the fun, showing off his windsurfing chops.

[CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE. ALL SHOTS WERE MADE WITH 35mm PROFESSIONAL SLIDE FILM. ]

Joel

Eric Ordorica

seaworthy fowl

the pilings, clouds, sun and beauty of our blessed playground: the ocean

FIN

It's a TWO'S-Day in Peeeedro

2010-04-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Pairs (and grouping in general) seemed to be my focus today out shooting, though I didn't realize it until I returned to look at my work. Today I worked with Mr. Matt Sun (thanks for the skateboarding shots of myself, bud).

My photos in chronological order, CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE...

This lovely pair of people sitting on the rock wall fronting the boneyard started the subconcious movement to document "the pair" as a conceptual subject matter. All photos taken near Steven M White Drive.

This moment of discovery in the tide pools (it was a monthly low-tide tide-pool walk for the Cabrillo Marine museum today) between the father son duo made me smile.

These two views of my muse for the day--a likely eons-old, saltwater-created erosion in the rocks that comprise the boneyard at White's Point, the erosion that was filled with a puddle (and a crab)--struck me as vibrant.

This dynamic duo confused me--they paddled out halfway between the point and the beachbreak, and sat there. Waves were breaking to the left and the right of them--but not where they were. Likely they just wanted to go for a paddle, in all fairness. I don't blame them--it was a beautiful day, and the waves were flat at the beach and with reef-head surprises at the point. I hope you guys enjoyed your sesh.

Pairs of people line the beach as a quintet of birds air-surfs the midday swell lines.

A peculiar pair closed out my shoot for the day. All ready to put my camera away for the day, I see the strangest thing--a car with a pair of rear tires somehow turning normally, but at a harshly slanted angle. Being a photojournalist, I get the shot. I don't know what the mechanical implications of the interesting alignment of those tires happen to be, but I doubt it's any good!

Peace, San Pedro. See you next time.

--FIN--

IT'S GOT POP!

2010-04-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Experimental, multiple burst (in a single exposure) flash skateboarding photos are as follows. Note--none of these are multiple frames photoshopped together: all are single, in-camera pieces. Note some are self portraits with a remote (Copyright 2010 Marcus Bockman). Others were taken by Thomas Bockman, and are thus Copyright 2010 Thomas Bockman.

Top-to-bottom: slow ollie (shot taken by Marcus), pop-shuvit landed (shot taken by Marcus), moving ollie (shot taken by Thomas), fakie bigspin out of the frame (shot taken by Thomas). All riding by Marcus Bockman.

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE

--FIN--