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Artist Series: Frank Ockenfels (FW03) Episode 003: The process as art from a guy who’s shot everyone from Jenna Jameson to George Clooney

Video: Michael Cukr & Blake Myers

He’s shot everyone. From Jenna Jameson to George Clooney to Lemmy from Motorhead. But what truly interested us about Frank Ockenfels (FWO3) was his process. Because photography seems to be in a bit of a transitional predicament. As more and more people gain access to and are inundated with imagery on phones and computers, the art of the process is fading to very black.

But Frank is very different.

From his subjects, to his process, to his theory, every aspect is filled with integrity and creativity, even though the world around him continues to shoot their food in poor light. He taught us a lot in our time with him, and gave us a lot of new ways to really screw up our photography for the better.

Read the rest of our interview with Frank Ockenfels here, and in What Youth Issue 9, available here. 

what youth artist series mark riddick

Artist Series: Mark Riddick Episode 011: We visited the home of the renowned death metal illustrator and artist

Mark Riddick’s work is often rooted in the grotesque. With a deep passion for the death metal, thrash and black metal music scenes, he’s devoted nearly all of his life’s work to the subcultures that exist around the music. His artwork has been commissioned by the likes of Kanye West and Justin Bieber, but you’ll still…

what youth artist series mike watt music minutemen san pedro

Artist Series: Mike Watt Episode 010: A punk rock knowledge drop from the iconic bass player of Minutemen

He is Mike Watt — a punk-rock legend (of the Minutemen) and he spits truth. Always has and shows no signs of slowing down. He’s transformed a former Military bathroom in San Pedro into his modern day practice space, which is where we visited the bass icon. He continues to live in a manner in…

what youth artist series Benjamin Deberdt skateboarding europe paris france

Artist Series: Benjamin Deberdt Episode 009: Parisian Photographer. Jason Dill and Kevin Rodrigues to The Gonz and more.

Benjamin Deberdt is a staple in the European skate scene. He’s been influential in bringing an authentic portrayal of underground skate scenes across France and Europe. He started Sugar Magazine and now runs Live Skateboard Media, a European hub for quality skate clips. We recently found ourselves in Paris with Benjamin and talked to him…

what youth artist series brad elterman

Artist Series: Brad Elterman Episode 008: Photographer who’s work spans generations. Bowie and Joan Jett to The Paranoyds and Sunflower Bean and more

His voice, his look, his energy and enthusiasm are infectious. God, just love this dude. Brad Elterman is a Los Angeles based photographer who’s work includes iconic and candid photographs of stars like Michael Jackson, David Bowie and Joan Jett to backstage antics from Iggy Pop, Runaways, Tom Waits and many more. After a few years hiatus…

what youth artist series amy hood

Artist Series: Amy Hood Episode 007: Artist, Photographer, Actress, Model, Inspiration

Amy Hood is a creative. In the most creative sense. She’s altered every genre she creates in and makes it her own. She is not afraid. Of anything it seems. Be it taboo, sexual, environmental or genre bending. She’s first and foremost an artist, both behind and in front of the camera as well as…

what youth artist series tommy chong

Artist Series: Tommy Chong Episode 006: Pot, acid, music, art and a whole lot of wisdom from a very wise man

Movie star. Political figure. Musician. Comedian. Pot smoker. Chong from “Cheech and Chong”. A representative for the decriminalization of drugs. And just a really, really wise man that, through a series of very fortunate events, we got a chance to sit down and talk with at his home in California one sunny day. We left with an…

Langley Fox waht youth artist serries

Artist Series: Langley Fox Episode 005: A What Youth Original Series

Langley Fox began her artistic career sometime around kindergarten — by drawing star people, an obviously more complex version of the stick people you and I probably drew. But it’s those star people that have evolved into photorealistic drawings that have been commissioned by everyone from Marc Jacobs to Maroon 5. Langley is from Idaho….

what youth artist series anthony lister what youth

Artist Series: Anthony Lister Episode 004: An Artpunk Messiah

Whether offered as free art on public walls, paintings for sale in galleries, random clandestine life drawing happenings where strangers meet at his secret Sydney studio to draw naked bodies together, or by way of books and merchandise ‘dug from the personal boxes of Lister’s stupid crap’ that can be bought online, Lister’s punkish brand…

what youth artist series frank ockenfels photography

Artist Series: Frank Ockenfels (FW03) Episode 003: The process as art from a guy who’s shot everyone from Jenna Jameson to George Clooney

He’s shot everyone. From Jenna Jameson to George Clooney to Lemmy from Motorhead. But what truly interested us about Frank Ockenfels (FWO3) was his process. Because photography seems to be in a bit of a transitional predicament. As more and more people gain access to and are inundated with imagery on phones and computers, the…

what youth artist series darren ankenman photography

What Youth Artist Series: Darren Ankenman Episode 002: A What Youth Original Series

Darren Ankenman was originally a documentary filmmaker. But then while following around the Black Crowes, he realized there was a lot of interesting things happening around him — like Jimmy Page was hanging out, and lead-singer Chris Robinson was dating Kate Hudson. And eventually, after shooting behind the scenes video, he had an epiphany that…

What Youth Artist Series Matt Maust Cold War Kids

What Youth Artist Series: Matt Maust Episode 001: A What Youth Original Series

This is the World Premiere of our new show: The What Youth Artist Series. The show is here to give you intimate glimpses into some people who’s talent well runs so deep, that it takes second and third looks to uncover the entirety of it. People, like Matt Maust here, who have talents, and then…

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