“when i was a kid growing up in hawaii in the early 80’s my back yard pool addiction started. there is so much that goes into this that people have no idea about. first, the hunt. you need to find the pool. then the stake out to see if the owners are home and when they split. then draining the pool, dropping pool pumps into peoples pools and draining them when they are gone. when its all dry the skating starts, taking turns and always keeping an eye on when the angry owners are coming home. most every time the session is ended by them coming home and everyone running a different way for the great escape. talk about an adrenaline rush. kahala, oahu, circa ’80s. shot on canon ae1.” —Mark Oblow
Pool skating in the ’80s Back Den 067
Tony Trujillo, Tampa, Circa 2000 Back Den 043
“tony trujillo shot at the skatepark of tampa. shot with a mamiya 645 50mm lens. 120 scalla. circa 2000.” —Mark Oblow
Stefan Janoski, Costa Mesa, CA 2013 Back Den 042
“stefan janoski shot at studio 35, 2013. stefan has had his hair as many colors as he has had shoes. canon eos-1 ds mark III. carl zeiss 50mm” —Mark Oblow
Mark Gonzales, Oahu, Circa 1980 Back Den 041
Birthday Polaroid of The Gonz
Rob Roskopp, Hawaii, Circa 1980’s Back Den 040
“rob roskopp blasting one footed over my car, in hawaii kai one afternoon in the 80’s. we would surf during the days when it was hot then skate in the afternoons when it got cooler. gibo in the back ground. shot on my canon AE-1” —Mark Oblow
David Carson Back Den 039
“not only did i have the opportunity to work with david carson at quiksilver, but he published my photos in his books. here is a photo of the proof of the book “trek” it features my photo of nathan fletcher. shot with a yeshiva t- 4″ —Mark Oblow
Arto Saari, China, circa 2000 Back Den 038
“it was crazy when we first started to go to china, people had never seen skateboarding before. we would get to a spot and within an hour there would be 200 people standing around watching. we didn’t get kicked out of spots, we had to leave because of the crowds we would make. this wasn’t…
Tony and Riley Hawk, San Diego, Circa 2000 Back Den 037
“tony and riley hawk, shot at their home in san diego. i was sent to shoot denim, but as soon as i saw his pool i knew we had to shoot in it. riley was there so i had him jump in. father and son love! circa 2000” —Mark Oblow
Brandon Holstein, San Pedro, CA Back Den 036
Brawnybuilt, San Pedro, CA
Johnee Kop, Hawaii circa 1980’s Back Den 035
“johnee kop, blasting a method air over the air bowl at wallows with da boys, circa ’80s. johnee was one of the first pros out of hawaii, and was the one that got christian hosoi hooked up with us, he also was the one that got me on vision. peter pan, kop, yes! shot with…
George Clinton, Circa 2000 Back Den 034
“i spent an evening with george clinton, and watched him paint, drink wine, and talk about music. stories about his many children, elvis, and being color blind. what a night! parliament, p funk! living legend. shot with a contax t-3, kodak nc 400 35mm circa 2000″ —Mark Oblow
Little Dragon, Los Angeles, 2014 Back Den 033
“its so cool to be able to shoot photos of a band that you love. I’ve been listening to little dragon for a while and am such a fan, on a monday my agent called me and said i know its late notice but do you want to shoot little dragon tonight? dreams do come…
Omar Salazar, Europe, 2009 Back Den 032
“when omar salazar is on he’s on. that’s how he is in life that’s how he is on a skateboard. he just sees things differently. in an airport in europe he saw these birds and was so excited about this shot. after i saw what he was trying to explain, I was too. god bless…