LAist Interview: Photogs Patrick O’Dell and Angela Boatwright Focus on Teens

It's called "Troubled Teenagers" - what do you view as troubled?

PO: Well, it was just a reference from a Belle and Sebastian song. I don't really know if they are troubled or not. I guess I sort of see them as people out there finding themselves. I really identify with them, I was like [how] they are. I went to demos when I was a kid and I wanted to dress like the pros I liked.

AB: Obviously not all these kids are troubled but it's fitting because all of them are definitely going against the grain - which is refreshing. It's very, very important that kids are still out there redefining what they've been told.

What is it about the heavy metal and skateboarding cliques specifically that drew you to capture it all? Over what period of time did it take to compile all these pictures?

PO: I used to work at Thrasher Magazine and would go on a lot of skateboard tours, during the demos I would walk around and take photos of the kids. It was a lot more interesting than the skating to me.

AB: I had been shooting heavy metal consciously for about six years and counting - all over the world.

How do you approach your subjects? Do you hang out with them at first or just jump right in? Do you show the end product to them?

PO: Well, these demo kids photos are just a side project for me, usually when I shoot photos it's just of my friends and my life. But for this I would just walk around the demo and say, "Can I take your picture?"

AB: Most of my images were taken after asking permission for sure but in terms of who I choose - sometimes I'll be talking to someone and then want to take their photo but most of the time I see someone who I think is perfect and then approach them. Most of the kids I photographed I'm still in touch with. I've sent photographs to quite a few of them as well.

What format were the pictures in the collection shot in? How do you feel about shooting film and shooting digital?

AB: I'm a huge supporter of film. I am much much faster at hand printing an image than I am at digitally retouching it therefore it can be cheaper for me to shoot on film at the end of the day. Not to mention that I feel film looks better, so anything remotely important to me I shoot on film. All my prints are traditional C- prints or black-and-white (both RC and fiber-based). As far as format, samples from this show are shot on 35mm and 120 medium format.

PO: I love shooting both film and digital, there is some of both in this show. A lot of these are the first digital photos I ever shot, I just got the camera to make a blog with, but I really started to love some of the images.

Is there a particular piece that you are especially proud of?

PO: I like the skinhead-looking boy the best. I priced it really high at the show so no one would buy it, I am saving it to give to Morrissey as a gift, it reminds me of the song National Front Disco. The kid wasn't really a racist or anything.

AB: Sure. There are a few, but the image that stands out the most to me is the one used on the postcard of guitar player Nick Lane with his Iron Maiden shirt. I remember the exact moment that I took that picture. It was Nick's 14th birthday party at the Portuguese American Center in Jamestown, RI and I pulled each of the guys outside to shoot their photo. Nick and the other Rhodekill guitar player are incredibly talented. They're insane. You should hear them play. It'll bring you to tears.

“200 Troubled Teens”
Opening reception May 31, 2007
7p.m. —10p.m.
RSVP: downtownlarsvp@standardhotel.com
Exhibit runs through June 7

The Standard Downtown Los Angeles Art Series
550 South Flower at Sixth Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Portrait of Nick Lane courtesy of Angela Boatwright, portrait of "skinhead" kid with kitten, courtesy of Patrick O'Dell