Spotlight: Ben Colen

Interviewed By: RE1000, God Among Men

Where are you from, and where do you live now?

I grew up in Long Island, New York, lived in Boston for a long time and just moved to Brooklyn from LA.

Big Change?

Definitely. I've only been here for a week but it seems like it's going to be really different skate/photo wise from LA.

Who do your work for and what do you do there?

I'm a senior photographer for Skateboarder Magazine. I pretty much shoot skate photos and write an article every so often when I have to.

Ah nice, how long have you been working there and how long have you been shooting photos in general?

I've been on staff at Skateboarder for about six years I think. I started taking pictures a long time ago, but I've probably been taking skate photos since about 96'.

'96, ahh those were the days...What equipment setup you use these days?

it depends i guess. for stills, usually Hasselblad, but occasionally I've been shooting digital. sequences I always shoot digi. other than that I mostly just shoot 35mm.

I'm suprised you still have the hassy, most are ditching them and going all digi. well soon, everything will be all digi. you ever use the hassy as a weapon in a bad situation? those things are heavy

I'd like to smash it against a wall half the time, but it's a little too expensive

Besides skating, do you shoot other stuff?

I shoot all types of stuff for myself, but professionally, I mostly just shoot skating.

Are you really into Dungeons and Dragons?

No. Aaron Meza(who does the randoms at crailtap) decided one day that i was a huge Dungeons and Dragons buff, and they've never stopped joking about it. Apparently everyone thinks it's true though.

Come on now, I know you have at least one wizard doll or a 12 sided dice somewhere.

30 sided dice. 12 sides gets you no where

What's up with that "Colabo" DVS shoe of yours? I like the insoles!

Thanks I have no idea how i got picked for that one but it's pretty funny that I can say I have a shoe.

That's pimp. Do you have a favorite skate photo of all time?

I don't think I have a specific favorite. there are definitely a lot of photos and photographers I like looking at. There was an old Sturt photo of Matt Hensley doing a backside nosebluntslide on a curb. That one sticks out right now.

That night time one, I think I remember that one. Well pretty much all his photos are freaking ill. Alright, I'm gonna ask a few quick question, gimme quick responses.

Boston or L.A.?

Boston but L.A. was fun

Nikon or Canon?

Nikon

Red Sox or Celtics

Sox for the most of the year and the C's for the rest of it, but the sox killed me this year

Ha all of us in Red Sox Nation, damn injuries.... Kilroy's or Choppin' Block?

Killroys, the block got super northeastern-afied, it's like a dance club now

Alright, I think this is interview is a wrap, gimme your shoutouts

Umm... just all my friends. everyone I skate with and take photos of and ray-mo for doing the interview.