Standerd Slides

Subject: Matt Manzari
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Juice section, Pages 3-4

Matt was on board with us when Reed Hansen and I went searching aimlessly for winching spots. We rolled up on this undisclosed location where we pulled out the rope and positioned the car. I shot a sequence for a Fox ad with Reed, then had Matt session it for a while.

Our car was parked just up underneath the road so we thought we wouldn’t be seen. It didn’t take long until a white truck with yellow lights pulled up and asked what we were doing there. He was more concerned with why we were taking the photos than actually winching the spot. In fact, he told us we weren’t allowed to shoot photos of this spot. Nevermind us winching, I thought. He stuck around enough to watch one more hit, then left saying there would be a shift change soon. Meaning, somebody else was going to come out in a white truck and kick us out.

Matt had a few more hits in him and so did Reed. It wasn’t time to leave just yet. They were just getting warmed up. And besides, the weather was nice and the sun was setting, why was there reason to go? We thought we’d roll the dice and wait for another white truck, but nobody came. Good thing, they rode until dark.

-Meddock

In honor of The Standerd’s first appearance at Surf Expo 2008 in Orlando, FL, the crew at TheWakePlace.com interviewed founding photographer Joey Meddock. They forever captured him in all his bearded glory with video footage. On the video, Joey shows off the The Standerd’s photo booth at expo and his sweet beard-growing skills.

TheWakePlace.com isn’t just our favorite new site because of Joey’s video. It’s the hottest new site for all things wake. With features like Trick Of The Day, Wreck Of The Week, and new videos of your favorite riders, TheWakePlace.com always has something fresh, leaving other sites behind in its wake. Click here to check out TheWakePlace.com.

TheWakePlace.com is emerging as the best spot to check out HD wake videos on the web. With the new site re-design, and loads of quality content updated daily, the team at TWP has created a site that’s gathering much-deserved attention. Recently, videos from the 2008 Surf Expo in Orlando, FL have been added, as well as updates to the Wreck of the Week and Trick of the Day sections. Check out the latest clips from up-and-coming young riders and the established pros here, at www.TheWakePlace.com.

Photographer Bryan Soderlind launched his new web site, www.bryansoderlind.com, showcasing some of the best imagery the wake industry and beyond have seen yet. The action section of his online portfolio hosts shots that every aspiring photographer or rider should take a long look at, but don’t stop there. The portrait section will amaze you as well. Click here to check out Bryan’s new site.

Subject: Mike Marsh
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Critique, Page 84

Ahh yes, the method. One of my favorite tricks to photograph or witness first hand. Certain riders can visibly do them better than others and Mike happens to be one of the lucky few.

Mike, Keith Lyman and myself went out on the lake one morning to get a few shots when this one came about. With the limited about of people there to help out, we were stuck with only a few options to shoot from. With Keith driving, I thought I’d just get out of the boat as well, and take a walk up on shore, camera in hand. A few boat passes back and forth and a few cuts on my toes from the shells later, Mikey threw this method in front of me. When he finally stopped for a breather, I told him where the distance was lining up and to do the method again so we’d have a few to choose from.

Sometimes this interaction solves the problem and the photos get better, or they start putting to much thought into it, driver included, then all the pieces slowly get worse. Mike stuck a legit method after that first pass, so fortunately for us, everything after was just bonus.

-Meddock

Subject: Darin Shapiro
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Photo Essay, Page 75

Darin and I flew out to Mexico together on the same flight. We met at the airport. Little Kien was yet to be born as Heather and Darin’s mother came to drop him off at the airport. Jeff Weatherall and I were already inside at the counter when we noticed them giving farewells out at the curb.

There’s nothing really worth of a dramatic story by any means with this photo, it’s just one of those cool moments people share with their loved ones before they depart for a trip.

-Meddock

Subject: Glow
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Inside Back Cover, Page 122

Darin Shapiro and I were in Mexico shooting one evening when we headed back for the dock to race the sun. I had all my camera stuff put away and had my mind set on food and a few cervesas. The sun was on my left and the light kept peeking between the tress hitting me in the eyes. Each time I looked over I noticed it dropping faster and faster. With the palm trees blinking back and forth at me, I told the boat driver to slow down so I could get a shot or two. I got my gear out and ripped off a few shots. Turns out, the first frame I took was the best exposed. The more I sat there and adjusted and tweaked every little part of the photo, the sun kept dropping and the photos got worse. I think about that nearly every time I look at this photo. What if I never told the boat driver to stop?

-Meddock

Subject: Nick Tuten, Fireman
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, You Page, Page 117

A good friend of mine has a brother who is a fireman. About six months ago, we did a similar photo with the same fireman for book 2.1 but nobody ever saw it due to our Mexican friend making the cut instead.

Shooting the photo for this page is really one of the more fun things to do, per issue. Sometimes the image just comes to us, other times we have to hunt it down. The trick is having the subject hold the previous magazine, so right off the bat, we can’t shoot this photo until the magazine is in hand. Often, that will leave us in a pretty tight window of time to make something happen. Depending on the time of year, traveling can encounter great subjects for this page. Otherwise, we have to get creative.

I called up Nick and told him about the idea and that it was time once again to take a try at the photo. Nick is the driver for the number 10 truck here in Otown. Prior to my arrival, he jumped in the truck and pulled it out into the driveway of the station for me. Polished, washed, and waxed as usual, the sun was glistening off the red paint. We took a few shots in different positions around the truck until we found this spot in front of the engine.

The 9a.m. Florida sun was heating up as Nick stood there in full uniform for me. I didn’t want to take up too much time and add any more heat in his day than necessary, no pun intended.

-Meddock

Subject: Shane Bonifay
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Critique, Page 86

Chalk up another one of my favorite photos coming from my $30 camera I bought from the thrift store. I think my trip to Abu Dhabi with the Liquid Force team was the maiden voyage for that camera. I shot a few handfuls of black and white film throughout my stay there.

One evening at the Al Jazirra Beach Club and Resort, Shane and I were making our way toward the water’s edge where we’d load up the boat. Waiting on a few more people to arrive, Shane made sure his boots were nice and snug on the board by tightening them up with a screwdriver, obviously.

This shot was fun for me because at the time, I had still never received the results from the camera. I was aimlessly shooting, hoping for the best; a clueless type of fun that only a handful of photographers can understand and appreciate.

As Shane did his thing, I moved in close where you could see his last name “Bonifay” on the loop of the binding. Without the caption, I like the idea of the faceless person that only some would recognize as “Shane“. His arm happened to cross in front of his face as I knelt into position next to the binding.

-Meddock