AIL Season Openner Follow-Up Gallery

They are a few weeks late, but should be seen none the less. I'm only posting some on the blog so click the images to view the entire gallery on my Flickr photostream.
Words by Matt Mickey - Intuition Skate Shop

Dozens of car loads of rollerbladers headed up to Woodward West for the first contest of the 2010Amateur Inline League season. The stage was set, and kids antsy and anxious after a long winter were poised to get their blade on. And blade they did. Rollerbladers came from as far away as Utah, Brazil, and Venezuala, and of course all over California, for the chance to compete in the AIL and skate the highly-regarded Hangar 18 park at Woodward West. Snow fell outside as the action inside began to heat up.

With the impromptu addition of the ‘PeeWee’ division to accommodate several of the youngest bladers, and the strongest ever showing in the 10 and Under Beginner’s division, the contest was underway. Organized by Pam and Richie Velasquez, announced by yours truly, and hosted byWoodward West, the day saw Vert, 10-15 Advancaed, 16 and Up Beginner/Intermediate, and 16 and Up Advanced disciplines. The ‘Everyday is Get Someone to Blade Day’ movement is in full swing, with blading classes at Woodward West put on by Richie Velasquez producing a surge of new young faces crossing over from hockey to compete in their first ever rollerblading contest at this AIL.

 

Over 100 rollerbladers turned out, and 75 of them took part in competitive skating. The main event is traditionally the 16 and Up Advanced division, and the March 13th event was no different. With a large field of over 20 bladers, after two 55 second runs on the main street course, which was modified slightly for this AIL, a winner was declared. Third place went to the talented Tyler Hest, second place went to the ramp local and rising star Damon Franklin, and first place to the hard hustling Rick Rodriguez.

 

 

 

In a totally unexpected turn of events, Pam Velasquez offered up $100 cash to the 16 and Up Advanced winner, and pro skater Rachard Johnson then upped the ante by throwing in $100 out of his own pocket, immediately boosting the significance of Rick Rodriguez’s victory by $200. So the 2010 AIL contest season got off to an exciting start. Scores of new young bladers, droves of the devoted, and a surprise cash infusion for the highest ranks. Check www.inlineleague.com for complete results and to get info on upcoming AIL contests that you and your friends can attend. —Matt Mickey

Small Product/Lifestyle Shoot

I got an assignment in class to shoot a small product along with a lifestyle shot.  Conveying a lifestyle that works with the chosen product can be difficult.  I was shooting for s more urban street feel for these images.

 

I shot my roommate Quincy Dean and his Aerial7 headphones. The product shot was of the Aerial7 headphones hanging upside-down by their cords.  I also bent a paperclip such that it would hold the headphones apart and look more natural.

 

The lifestyle shot is of Quincy charging around a wall-ride at Santa Barbara City College.  We took the shot late in the evening to avoid running into foot traffic.  Shooting from the top of the cylinder wall and looking down through my 10.5mm fish-eye gives a alternative perspective that does not make the action as impressive, because you cannot tell how high Quincy is on the wall, but is provides good composition for the Aerial7 loge.

Pics from AIL 2010 Season Opener - ONE Coverage

I went up to Woodward for the 1st Amateur Inline League contest of the season, Mar. 13th. Competing and shooting this event at the same time is an awesome experience. Being so involved in all the other bladers and their skating while I'm shooting them gets me way juiced and stoked over going out and skating myself. Nothing but good times year after year when I look back on all the AIL contests I've been to. Check out the images I shot for ONE mag. There are more to come

Dozens of car loads of rollerbladers headed up to Woodward West for the first contest of the 2010 Amateur Inline League season. The stage was set, and kids antsy and anxious after a long winter were poised to get their blade on. And blade they did. Rollerbladers came from as far away as Utah, Brazil, and Venezuala, and of course all over California, for the chance to compete in the AIL and skate the highly-regarded Hangar 18 park at Woodward West. Snow fell outside as the action inside began to heat up.

With the impromptu addition of the ‘PeeWee’ division to accommodate several of the youngest bladers, and the strongest ever showing in the 10 and Under Beginner’s division, the contest was underway. Organized by Pam and Richie Velasquez, announced by yours truly, and hosted by Woodward West, the day saw Vert, 10-15 Advancaed, 16 and Up Beginner/Intermediate, and 16 and Up Advanced disciplines. The ‘Everyday is Get Someone to Blade Day’ movement is in full swing, with blading classes at Woodward West put on by Richie Velasquez producing a surge of new young faces crossing over from hockey to compete in their first ever rollerblading contest at this AIL.

Over 100 rollerbladers turned out, and 75 of them took part in competitive skating. The main event is traditionally the 16 and Up Advanced division, and the March 13th event was no different. With a large field of over 20 bladers, after two 55 second runs on the main street course, which was modified slightly for this AIL, a winner was declared. Third place went to the talented Tyler Hest, second place went to the ramp local and rising star Damon Franklin, and first place to the hard hustling Rick Rodriguez.

n a totally unexpected turn of events, Pam Velasquez offered up $100 cash to the 16 and Up Advanced winner, and pro skater Rachard Johnson then upped the ante by throwing in $100 out of his own pocket, immediately boosting the significance of Rick Rodriguez’s victory by $200. So the 2010 AIL contest season got off to an exciting start. Scores of new young bladers, droves of the devoted, and a surprise cash infusion for the highest ranks. Check www.inlineleague.com for complete results and to get info on upcoming AIL contests that you and your friends can attend. — Matt Mickey