The New York City finale of the Red Bull Manny Mania tour provided a perfect opportunity for a group of at-risk youth kids from local non-profit Stoked Mentoring... After all, they wanted a chance to use the photography skills they just picked up in a workshop held in conjunction with Red Bull Illume, a unique action-sports photo exhibit. The results speak a thousand words for themselves, and the kids...
Stellar Session, for Skating and Photos
On the 12th of August, under the Manhattan Bridge, the final battle of the Red Bull Manny Mania series went down. For four hours, skaters battled it out to see how technical they could get with their tricks for the top prize - $30,000 cash money to be exact (for more, see the Red Bull Manny Mania Site).
But, there were also a group of young photographers in attendance to cover the event, and all they were searching was the perfect snapshot.
The kids were from Stoked Mentoring, and they were participating in a Red Bull Action Sports Photography workshop to cover the event held in conjunction with Red Bull Illume, a travelling photo exhibit.
Stoked Mentoring pairs at risk youth with a mentor and involves them both in programs to skate, surf, and board as much as possible.
Red Bull Illume is the world’s first international action sports photography contest and is the inspiration for the inception of these workshops. The 50 winning photographs from 2007 have been traveling the country as glowing masterpieces of sculpture, light, and imagery. (See the photos, the exhibit schedule, or register for 2008’s contest here).
Over the course of five days, everyone involved in the workshop got the opportunity to photograph with a Nikon D200 and edit their photos with IBM thinkpads afterwards. Pro photographer Brian Uyeda was invited for the workshop and inspired all the kids with a slideshow of his work to kick off the workshop, then lead a Q&A with the kids.
What was really unique about this experience was that most of these kids have never even touched a camera before. But, their natural talent, combined with their raw enthusiasm, kept them going all day long.
These kids would be up at 7am to take photos of surfing and skating, then go surfing and skating, and then be up till 10pm to edit their photos, just to do it all again the next day. And, all this with nothing but smiles on their faces.
When the group arrived at Coleman Skate park, the skaters were warming up under the protection and shade of the bridge. But, by the time things got rolling, that sun was out, blazing, and taking its toll on all the competitors.
Everyone was skating sick, but it was Ronnie Creager that ended up walking away with the top prize and the bejeweled Red Bull pimp cup for his manny mastery under the beating sun. Brandon Biebel came in second, and Joey Brezinski rounded out the top three.
For more action, check the media gallery at right.
And, be sure to check out the site for ‘Stoked Mentoring’ and see how you can support or get involved. They have a special program running for the kids of NYC, so check them out and see if you can get involved too!
