David-Nelson Hospers

Take a minute to check in with photographer and close friend David Nelson Hospers. Trained in the skate game & with recent work published in Skate Jawn; DNH is on the come up. His photography focuses on the streets and what goes down in them; for more work check out his flickr/stillmatic. 

 NYC/NY

Where are you right now?

At my crib in Crown Heights.

What got you into photography?

My mom had an Olympus Stylus Epic when I was in elementary school and I would take that out when my friends and I were skating the parking lot of our apartment complex or running around in the woods. There's actually a ziplock bag at her house with like 20 rolls of film in it from back then. Some day when I'm rich I'll get it all developed. Probably mad pictures of squirrels. My mom ended up buying a Canon Elan7 when I was in middle school which ended up becoming mine. As I got older I realized how much fucked up shit I see, whether it's my friends being retarded or just shit in the streets. I love being able to keep those memories in hard copy. It's addicting. 

What music is getting you hyped lately?

The new Jeezy album, the new Rick Ross mixtape, Cam'ron Boss of all Bosses 2.8 & 3 and also been bumping a lot of Kool Keith in my headphones lately.

Whats going on in your neighborhood?

It's pretty mellow for the most part. Mostly just people living day to day life. People who have been living here a long time. It's chill. There's a little "skatepark" thing a few blocks up though that has a pier 7 type thing that's kinda cool.

What cameras do you shoot with?

Canon Elan7 & Yashica T4. I used to also use a Canon AE-1 but I lent that one out a few months ago and have yet to get it back. Goddamnit. Ain't gonna lie though I use my camera-phone a lot too.

Who is the your favorite skate photographer?

Uhh. Anthony Acosta and Grant Brittian are sick as fuck.

BROOKLYN/NY 

List 5 objects you are looking at right now?

Empty can of Simpler Times, bowl of cereal, iPhone, the Newport in my mouth and the computer obviously. 

What company is coming up in the gear department?

Boppo!

Who keeps it raw to the streets?

B0bAwesome, Raekwon, Josh Kalis, Yodabaygo, Travis TKP aka Bomb Hills.

SF/CA

How was life in SF; how does it compare to NYC?

Life in San Francisco is amazing. Beautiful weather pretty much all of the time. It's crazy out there, life is so relaxed. Skating every day if you want. I wasn't really even planning on leaving but I got an opportunity I couldn't turn down. NYC is raw as fuck man! I grew up visiting NYC and didn't think I'd ever be able to pull it off but I said fuck it, I'll give it a go. Been here a couple months and I can already say this is the best fucking place ever. It's cheap as hell and there's always something to do. Great bars, great food, raw ass spots and the flyest chicks you ever seen. NYC takes the cake. Feels good to be back on the Beast Coast. Sorry SF!

Plans for the week?

Work the next few days. Got Thursday off, have an old coworker in town, hittin' up her brothers art show and then checking out a friends band at Cake Shop. Then back to work for the weekend. Trying to squeeze in some skating if the weather permits such activity. 

Best neighborhood to skate in NYC?

Latelly I've been digging Uptown.

One reason Muska rules

Muska loves life!

Dream setup

Assuming you mean skateboard. Anti-Hero 8.2, Indy Lo's, Satori's. Fresh pair of Busenitz.

What did you eat for dinner; how was it?

Pasta with sauteed spinach, red onion and mushroom in red sauce. Bomb as usual.

MANHATTAN/NYC

For More of Davids work stay tuned here or visit www.flickr.com/stillmatic!

interview via Brett Dalzell