centritis

Matthew Bivens, 16 

1. The most immediate and topical essence of your photographs are your use of angles. Your perspective is able to transform an otherwise good photograph into a moment that is worth staring at. How do you find yourself in the position to make your photos? how often does a camera come with you on your journeys? Most uncomfortable pose you’ve ever assumed taking a photograph?

My camera is always with me. I’ve missed a lot of photo opportunities the one day I decide to leave my camera at home but I’ve learned from my mistakes. The most uncomfortable pose I’ve been in while taking a photograph is probably when I was bent down in a dumpster shooting my pals feeble grind behind a Hastings . It was pretty hot out and the garbage smelt as if it had been basking in the sun all day.

2. Another quite obvious element of your photography is the skating. how did you get your start and how do you feel your talent differentiates your photos from the 100s of other skateboarding-6x6-photographers out there? Are there things you want to do to further the distance between them and you?

I started skating when I was twelve and two years later I picked up a camera so naturally I photograph it. I don’t think there’s much difference in my 6x6 skate photos compared to others. The only thing that makes a 6x6 skate photo different is the variables used to compose, and light your subject / surrounding while still being aware of where shadows will lay and compensating for it.

4. What is your favorite color and why?

My favorite color is green, I suppose. It’s a color that’s always around me.

5. You’ve gotten quite proficient with using your flashes creatively rather than just blasting the subject to freeze the moment. what made you realize you can control & sculpt more with light, rather than just hope for the best?

I only have two flashes so I’ve worked around using the sandwich technique to give off a dramatic look while still lighting the subject properly and avoiding harsh shadows . I have to make due

6. I’ve watched your black & white and color photographer evolve rapidly over the last 4 months. Do you feel yourself growing into a style and place you’re comfortable with? Or do you think you’re still in limbo?

At this point, I find myself wanting to do nothing other than take photographs, whether they be black and white or color. So yes, I feel comfortable about the style I’m growing into.

7. Your work, for the most part, is spread out among your flickr. Have you thought about putting your connected & strongest work together into a website eventually? Because I can see your latest skate work, suburban landscapes, and 35mm portraits fitting into 3 different series’ very smoothly.

I’ve thought about a website, though I still have so much ahead of me. I don’t think my series would be strong enough, yet. Eventually, yes I will put together a website and I’ll keep in mind about those three series, Andrew . : )

8. How do you feel about living and growing up in Arkansas? Is it a place you love or hate? If you hate it do you ever think you’ll look back on it in appreciation? And how has growing up there affected you yourself and your photography?

Though the skate scene down here is small and the weather is always doing something different, I surprisingly love living in Arkansas. Growing up here has rubbed off alot of its southern-ness on me, though I’m not the stereotypical red neck like most would imagine when they think of Arkansas. I like the fact that I grew up here in a podunk state cause I haven’t seen/ experienced half of what the world has to offer, so when I see things that interests me photo wise it can be overwhelming. So I’m looking forward to the years ahead.

Glad to be a part of this.

Matthew’s flickr.