Andy Wissman Interview - Paying In Pain

Were you alive before digital?

Oh definitely. I'm only 25, but I learned on a canon AE-1 developing film in the darkroom when I was in high school. My school only had one photo class so I took it four times for no credit. Here's a photo from the first roll of film I ever shot with a flash http://theradone.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nickollienorth.jpg

How does living in the Midwest effect your photography?

Growing up I always believed skateboarding meant California. That's just how we pictured it back then. I believe with progression of the web and how it has changed how we act socially that is no longer the case necessarily. Getting noticed may not be the easiest thing out here, but if you whore your name out enough, people's heads will turn. There is a sense of pride associated with building a scene rather than trying to break into one.

Adam Mckee Sidewalk Ollie

Have you had much experience with the skaters on the coasts?

I've never made it west of Phoenix or East of Ohio. I've had the pleasure of shooting some really cool contests and some Redbull pros that happened upon the Gateway to the West.

Are you planning to stay in St. Louis forever?

I plan on keeping my heart here forever, but my body and mind are always thinking about departing for greener pastures.

David Flotte FS Noseslide

Tell me about your online 'zine.

THE RAD ONE is a small skateboard company I run in St Louis. It all started as a blog for all of my friends to sort of keep in touch with each other and has grown into a blog with about 40ish contributors, a webzine that's approaching ten issues, a board company and I'm also doing a full length video.

What is your camera set-up?

I shoot Canon. For stills I have a 5d, for sequences and video, a 7d. I shoot primarily with Q flashes now, but use the old Vivitar 285s when I'm in the mood.

Were you stoked to get a photo published in a major mag?

Randy Ploesser is from St. Louis and has always been the best skateboarder. When we were young all my friends and I would fan out on him so hard. That always bummed him out (We still do, it still does). It's always satisfying when the hometown hero calls you up and says he wants you to shoot a photo. I was psyched it turned out as good as it did. I had sent it in and heard that they liked it and might run it months ago. It wasn't until my phone started blowing up one day that I even knew it was in the mag. Skateboarder mailed me a few copies and I first held it in my hand about a week ago. Boyhood dream realized. It was a really great feeling. I've been trying to shoot as much as possible since then to throw some articles together to shop around.

Pat Vonder Haar Wallride Fuck You Fakie

Future plans?

Get in a car, find some new concrete, make some new friends, take their picture and see if we all can't get famous in the process.