Australian based creative Lester Jones has been featured many times on this site. He runs I Dig Your Sole Man; a blog on the Vice Network about fashionable shoes in the street world. And recently he was commissioned by Vans to shoot a short on Australian skater Chima Ferguson. The video is fairly simple, but still quite beautiful due to a couple of detail shots and cinematic movements.
But beyond the video, there is also the whole notion of approaching a skater and talking to them about being captured on film. And for folks that don’t know how to do this or want to, Lester offers some tips after the jump; along with the video.
Vans x Chima Ferguson from Lester Jones on Vimeo.
Phoblographer: Why did you choose to do this in all black and white?
Lester:Â For a grainier more reportage feel. Skate videos are often highly saturated and colourful, this project aims to introduce a new angle on skate films so a new look seemed like a good idea.
Phoblographer: You used an Induro Hi Hat; how did it help you get the shots that you needed despite it not being a videography tripod?
Lester:Â Intimacy and low angle were the two things I liked the most. This thing is solid as a rock yeah small, light and very versatile for stills, video, and the use of toys like sliders.
Phoblographer: If a creative wants to approach a skater and start shooting them, what are some tips that you can give them to get over the initial nervousness?
Lester:Â Well, it helped that I worked with my mate and skate legend Anthony De Sylva on this, plus Vans have me the exclusive with Chima too. If you don’t have Ant or Vans in your corner I would suggest buy the skater in question a beer!
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