Eric Nakamura
Bryce Kanights
Matt Irving
Andy Jenkins
Mark Whiteley
Sean Cliver
CLUB MUMBLE MEMBER INTERVIEW #2:
BRYCE KANIGHTS
Welcome to the second of many Club Mumble Member Interviews to come. As mentioned in interview 1, I’m keeping the intros short and letting the interviews speak for themselves so, without further ado, I present Mr. Bryce Kanights…
What’s your job title and what does your job consist of on a day to day?
I’m a freelance photographer and I also work as a marketing consultant. On any given day I’m either outside or indoors in the studio working behind a lens or keyboard on a project or two. At the moment I have several irons in the fire with projects on my plate.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to do what you do for a living?
My advice would be to get out there and absorb as much as possible from others and books. Observe and study lighting and shot for the love of it and not for financial reward. Be prepared to work long hours and weekends. Save at least a couple hours of your day for “your own” skateboarding and sanity.
Tell us about your photo show at the Department.
The Renegades and Role Models show highlights assorted characters that I’ve photographed in skateboarding over the years. For the past three months I’ve selected images from my archive that reveal the unique people, skate sessions and situations that have contributed to its culture and art form for the past quarter century. It’s kind of wild to realize that I’ve been rolling behind this camera rig as a skater for more than half of my life.
How long have you been shooting skating for?
I shot my first roll of film with skateboarding in the summer of 1979. Ever since I was a young skater I’d always been captivated and inspired by the images of Craig Stecyk, James Cassimus and Ted Terrebonne that appeared in the pages of Skateboarder magazine. Those skateboarding images became the foundation and the spark for me to go out and photograph my friends during our skate sessions as kids. Wherever we skated, my camera was usually along for the ride.
How far back in the archives did you dig?
For this upcoming show, I pulled several images that roll back to the early 80s with some of the first streetstyle contests and personalities on the scene.
Can people who can’t make it to the show buy prints online?
Yes, I’ve sold many of my prints through my website over the years without a store front. That’s an area on my website that I’m looking to put into place this year. I’m planning to release a self-published book of my images as well. Look for it later this spring.
Who’s the biggest asshole you’ve ever had to deal with in the skateboard industry?
Well, I’d rather not name names, but the kook that I used to report to at adidas tops the list hands down. He once told me that editorial and advertising within the brand was not to collaborate whatsoever. I’ll leave it at that.
Who’s the nicest person you’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with in the skateboard industry?
There’s just so many exceptional people in skateboarding that it would be hard to name just one of them. How about a top ten? Ray Barbee, Steve Caballero, Steve Van Doren, Karl Watson, Corey Duffel, Don Brown, Ben Krahn, Judi Oyama, Wally Inouye and Paul Schmitt.
Is there a secret code people can plug in to play your character in Tony Hawk Proving Ground 9?
I’m sure there’s some sort of a code, but I’m not much of a video game nerd so I really couldn’t tell you. If somebody out there knows, hook me up!
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you in the past year?
Along with other Americans I’ve embraced a renewed hope for the United States of America. Thankfully, the past eight years have finally come to an end…the end of an error.
What bores you?
People that complain too much or wait for life to come to them tend to bore me. Staying in one place or scene for too long gets to me. There’s so much out there to experience, see, and do. There’s really no excuse to sit around and wait for opportunities to come to you.
Favorite food?
An authentic burrito in San Francisco’s Mission District, caprese salads, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.
Top 5 favorite books?
Annie Leibovitz at Work by Annie Leibovitz
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
West of Rome by John Fante
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Built to Grind – 25 Years of Hardcore Skateboarding
How often do you get to go skateboarding these days?
Time permitting, I usually skate one or twice a week. I keep my wheels on the transitions and bowls these days. All those afternoons of jump ramp blasts and wallrides-to-flat as a twenty something have hammered my knees.
What’s your favorite skateboard brand of all time? It doesn’t have to be one that’s still in business.
Well, I’ve always felt that Real has the best name in skateboarding. And their boards, team and beliefs in skateboarding have held very close to mine over the years…so I’m gonna keep it Real.
Tweet
January 29th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I once saw a photo by Bryce that was right inside a Thrasher, which featured a flare and a indoor mini ramp in SF, i think it was studio 47? Sorry I forgot and was tictacing in the midwest at the time, but that photo is one of my all time favorite photographic things I have ever seen. Thanks.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Awesome! I really enjoy features with people that still love and are inspired by skateboarding even as adults. I am glad to hear that you get on the board at least a few times a week still. I think it’s important to stay on it! Keep on pushing!
January 29th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
BK,
I’ve always loved your work and your skating. Thanks for the nice mention. I have enjoyed working and skating with you over the years. Can you believe we are still skating! Have a great show and hello to Donna.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
BK1, you rule for being cool brothaman & BK2, nice work on puttin the interview up on club mumble. Luvya both & hope alls good & beautiful in the world for you & yours : ) Staci G*
January 30th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Bryce, I had your first board on Schmitt Stix and was always stoked to see your photography in the magazines then, and now. Great to hear you still skates loads.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:11 am
I remember the first time I figured out who Bryce Kanights was. It was an ad, I thought it was for Madrid, but I am probably wrong, with his teeth all mangled from some story about his hardware falling off his board in SF etc, etc. I thought that was the gnarliest skate thing as a kid.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Loft Yo Jive. That’s the first thing I remember about Bryce… it was scribbled on the bottom of his board in Thrasher. ’85? I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it… the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Then used it for a Club Homeboy sticker. Never thanked you for that Bryce. Thanks.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Always cool to hear about BK! My first set-up (a true street sled without rails) was a Madrid BK. I learned kickflips, feebles and few other tricks on that bad boy. A few years later I was fortunate enough to shoot with Bryce at various legendary SF spots…Ft. Miley, Embarcadero, etc…sick memories!!! Thanks Bryce for your influence and dedication!!!
January 30th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
hopefully I’m comin’ through the show tonight, I got a ol’ BK Schmitt Stix deck I want him to sign, should be a good time either way
January 30th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Wow I’m honered to be on your top ten list Bryce! I wish I was at your show tonight. It would be a joy to see your perspective on this past quarter century of skateboarding all at one time. I will be anixousley awaiting your book.
Push, Carve & Grind daily!
January 31st, 2009 at 12:39 am
man, myth, dog owner and photo geek. wish you all the best Bryce, keep up the rad.
January 31st, 2009 at 11:31 am
Great interview Bob. Its too bad Bryce is such a mean, selfish and awful loudmouth, but hey, you can’t have your cock and eat it too.
Keep up the good work Bryce.
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Thanks Bryce for all the photographic inspiration to your peers and the younger photogs over the years.
Cheers to a bright future!
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 am
BK, thanks for all the years of amazing stuff, and more recently, thank you for the chet childress article in the newest transworld. some of the best photographs i’ve seen in a long, long time.
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Bryce,
Thanks for all your help! It was wonderful working for you back in the day! Sorry I never knew what any of the street tricks were, or the skaters, luckily, Kelly Ryan was usually there to correct me.
me: “Who was that guy I just took a photo of?”
Kelly Ryan: “Eric Koston”
me: “Oh, is he good?”
February 4th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
B.K Norcal Pride !even if your in Oregon! A true friend and brother in the the never ending adventure called skateboarding!Pride ,Power ,passion!Thanks for everything you have done for skatin all these years.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Bryce is a stand up guy with true talent! I am pleased to have know and worked with him… Wish I could attend his show. Good luck!
May 26th, 2010 at 8:50 am
good post. thanks so much!
June 25th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Just had to take the two seconds to post a thank you. Read through through your site and really liked the written content, bookmarked and I plan on coming back soon!
November 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
B.K Norcal Pride !even if your in Oregon! A true friend and brother in the the never ending adventure called skateboarding!Pride ,Power ,passion!Thanks for everything you have done for skatin all these years.Bryce,
Thanks for all your help! It was wonderful working for you back in the day! Sorry I never knew what any of the street tricks were, or the skaters, luckily, Kelly Ryan was usually there to correct me.