Friends Through The Lens - Devon Denham

"It's a shame that the new generation might not get to experience the feeling of seeing their first photo in print."

16 Nov 2015

Greg Goldberg - Gap to Wallride: This was Greg’s final clip in the Hardtimes video, and I have to say it’s up there on tricks that had me most scared for the rider. It’s not that I didn’t think he could stick the wallride it’s just the precision that was needed to ride through the 2ft wide portion of his landing. Not to mention, he gets drunk off of Svedka Vodka and Blue Cherry Gatorade before he films anything. Let’s just say the liquid courage didn’t fail him on this Saturday morning Cincinnati, OH.

Mike Vititoe – 180 Barspin: In today’s day and age a 180 barspin isn’t the most groundbreaking trick out there but when I rolled past this Indiana Pacers Jersey barrier I just had to take a stab at shooting a photo there.

Linwood Monk – Ledge Rail Feeble: This went down during the recent DG jam in Cincinnati. The vibe couldn’t have been any better. I’m pretty sure Linwood was sweating the spot but from being amped on the other riders at the jam and the possibility of security kicking us out he couldn’t say no.

Ryan Howard - Feeble to X-up grind: I've always liked shooting photos with Ryan Howard for many reasons. One of the sole reasons I like to lug my bag around on trips with Howard is the fact that he's one of a few riders out there that can X-up grind just about anything he can put his pegs on. Here's one of his many variations of a classic trick in Berkley, California.

Ryan Howard – Over Toothpick Stale: Ryan and the boys have been putting in work for his future video project. From the looks of it they have been running around Dayton, Ohio quick-creteing more spots than a small concrete company. Here’s a sample of their latest Jersey barrier creation. Contact Ryan or Greg if you need that new driveway or set of steps on the back porch!

Jake Coulson – Tire ride to Barspin: One of the many perks about riding with Jake is that we are all older than him and we tell him to do the tricks that we can’t do. Jake tossing them for the boys.

Zack Gerber – Gap to Pegs to Hard 180 to half cab out: I felt bad for Zack because he’s hand was torn open due to trying a trick for two hours straight. However, on this one he landed it first try while we were out in San Jose, CA for the Hardtimes video.

Doroba – Smith Grind up the Ledge: The weekend that followed this photo was a wild one. Long story short, I had went on trip to Baltimore, MD with the LSF guys and with and hour of being there we had almost got mugged and guns were pulled on us. Luckily we got away but after that the rest of the weekend everyone was on edge. Even when we shot this photo we were pretty spooked because of the part of town we were in. Baltimore is no joke!

Jamie Thayer - Ledge ride to 180 barspin: You may not recognize this spot at first glance but it’s a famous Cincinnati gem, mainly due to Steven Hamilton riding it in the Animal “All Day” video. I never would’ve thought anyone would touch this somewhat unridebale access ramp that lies within this spot, however Jamie surprised everyone when he called out this 180 bar. Goes to show anything is rideable if you have the right person.

Greg Goldberg - Bumpjump to Wallride: Greg has some serious skills when it comes to wallrides and he could pass up on this random bump to wall next-door to his new house.

Mike Vititoe – Pegs to over nose manual: While I was in Indianapolis the 5th peg crew was kind enough to share their spots with me and we came across this untouched beauty. Mikey had this done within a few tries.

Words and Photos by Devon Denham

BMX media is changing and the amount of outlets to view it are shrinking year after year. With that being said I am still grateful that there are a few left that appreciate BMX photography when we're in a generation that has a split second attention span. I do think some of the reasons BMX photos aren't as popular as they used to be are due to popularity of web videos, loss of magazines, and little to no print ads but I think there are a small group of riders (maybe older) that appreciate a properly shot riding photo. Personally the reasons why I still shoot BMX are for the same reasons I started and that is traveling, friends, and the same rush a rider gets from landing a trick they worked for I would get that same feeling when i get the shot of them.

It's a shame that the new generation might not get to experience the feeling of seeing their name in a magazine or seeing their first photo in print. I know I always enjoyed it and it pushed me to shoot more. At one point I became addicted to the challenge of getting a photo in print. Anyways, this is for all the riders out there that appreciate BMX photography and understand what it's like to lug around 40lbs of camera equipment while your friends are a block ahead of you.