Photo Essay: Technically Skateboarding

Technically Skateboarding

Technically Skateboarding

Maverick Moore, a post back student studying at Baylor University, loves skateboarding. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

He believes skateboarding is a way of life, a subculture that is completely unique. Matt Hellman | Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Maverick has been skateboarding since he was in high school. Matt Hellman | Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

A simple style is Maverick's choice rather than difficult or more challenging stunts. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

He enjoys testing out different locations around Baylor to land some of his more practiced tricks. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Once a location has been chosen, repetition becomes the key to learning a new trick or performing a taylored trick in a new area. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Some tricks take a physical toll during the learning process. Although, every scar could represent past experiences and locations to skateboarders. Matt Hellman PHotography

Technically Skateboarding

Most boards come with different artwork on them. Many times, the art represents a specific aspect of the skater's values. Beacuse of his relaxed style, Maverick's board doesn't portray the qualities of a highly used skateboard, unlike many other skateboarders. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Some skateboards, such as Maverick's friend Clay Kosh's, have been weathered after years of intense skateboarding. Many of the deep scratches and bruises on the board are symbols of the same scratches and bruises the skater has experienced. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

But for Maverick, skateboarding isn't the only love of his life. Since the original showing of Jackass, Maverick always knew he wanted to be a videographer. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

He decided to take it even further by meshing the two aspects of his personality together. To produce skateboarding films, he uses his own personal camera, the Panasonic AG HVX200 Camcorder. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

His video career started back in high school producing small skits for a local skate shop, but it wasn't until college that the two skills began to truely shine. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Since his first college years at Texas A&M, Maverick has been producing skateboarding videos with his friends Clay and Kevin, which he met at the campus skateboarding club. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

A variety of different terrain and scenery play a big part in chosen locations for the videos, as well as practicing stunts for fun. Within Burleson, the smooth surfaces provide a perfect place to practice freestyle tricks. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Maverick also prefers getting fast paced motion video while on smooth surfaces, since he is in motion himself. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Technically Skateboarding

This parking garage located on Franklin and 5th Street has been a place of memories for the group of friends. From videos and stunt shoots to successful and failed tricks, the location remains a unique and special experience for the skaters. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

At times, places have been marked as no-skate zones, and the group has been kicked out while videoing and skating.

Technically Skateboarding

"Every angle, every emotion, and every error counts when producing a skateboarding video," Maverick says. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Although being on the same level isn't always the perfect point of view. Many times he finds himself on the high ground. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Maverick encourages his friends to take up and attempt more difficult stunts in order to challenge themselves, improve their abilities, and enhance the quality of footage he can put into a project. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Even he tries new things, like using his skateboard as a slider for motion shots and close up action footage. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

Even chilling and relaxing is part of the experience Maverick captures on footage. B-Roll can easily be the bulk of a video. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

His ultimate goal is to illustrate his view that the community of skateboarding isn't just a past-time, but a subculture of unique individuals with their own personalities trying to express their abilities, differences, and experiences in their own way. Matt Hellman Photography

Technically Skateboarding

At the end of the day, boards and film gear alike end up right back where they started, ready to find a new location. Matt Hellman Photography