(Q) How long have you been taking photos of graffiti & what interests you to do so?

(A) I’ve been taking pictures of graffiti since 1996 when I moved to San Francisco, but on a very amateur and voyeuristic level until about 1 year ago.. Once I figured out how to better use my camera, I was happier with my shots and started taking more.. Going out shooting with graffiti photographers is great, too.. Graffiti is a small part of my photo library, but one that I enjoy building upon quite a bit..

(Q) Do you own photo albums of actual prints or do you prefer digital??

(A) My photo albums are mainly galleries and favorites I’ve filed away on Flickr.. I do own quite a few graffiti books, though..

(Q) How many photos are in your personal collection??

(A) When I last counted it was over 800, and that’s just for San Francisco.. Probably close to 1000 for every shot with graffiti in it..

(Q) Do you feel photography plays a major role in documenting graffiti culture??

(A) Yes, for better or for worse.. If only seen by the right eyes, it can be shared, commented on, like art in a gallery.. But if monitored by law enforcement (I believe they use Flickr to build cases against the more prolific artists), it can be devastating.. But I can’t control who shoots/posts/monitors what, so I try to focus on following certain writers and working on my color processing skills..

(Q) Do you have any crazy stories or memorable moments while taking photos??

(A) I was photographing a graffiti van in the Mission District one afternoon.. It was covered in 6 foot PLANTREES trees.. As I was framing the shot, the car owner woke up and started yelling at me for taking his picture.. I told him I wasn’t taking his picture, but rather of the graffiti on the side of his van.. He asked me if I had ever painted on his van, and I said no.. He didn’t believe me on either accusation, got out of his van, and chased me down the street with a hammer..

Location: San Francisco, CA

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