If you haven’t heard of him yet, you probably will soon. He’s been following some of L.A.’s best artist up on buildings, rooftops, and even on billboards. While they paint he documents their work with an artistic eye and shoots away. Keegan Gibbs is a photographer that is willing to risk his freedom and his rights for the sake of photography and art. Today we got the opportunity to pick his brain and see what kind of person stands behind the lens…

 

Civil: What’s up Keegan…First things first.. I think we would all like to know how you got into photography?

 Keegan: Thats a two fold question. I first picked up a still camera when I was a little kid, maybe 6 or 7 years old and I actually remember framing up my very first photo. But it wasnt until I graduated from film school that it started to really inspire me again. I had just finished school and the last thing I wanted to do was do film work, so somehow I started shooting photos and was in turn getting good feedback from friends and family. Looking back now I think my Mom was a big inspiration to grab the still camera. She was taking photo classes at the time and I found myself in discussion with her frequently about photography, and it just placed me in that mindset. Thanks Mom.

Civil: That’s dope..How would you describe your style…?

Keegan: Im not really sure. I have been dicking around with trying so many different things from editorial, journalistic, fashion to fine art recently that I cant really say it would be any one specific “style.” But I do know that I have learned to always shoot and stick close to what I know and what surrounds my life. To make sure not to reach out too far past what I know. Too often when I try to, it feels fake and dishonest. Sorry for the tangent.

 

Civil: What are your inspirations…?

 Keegan: I could list off a slew of photographers and directors that I think are great, but its my friends, some who dont even necessarily do photography, such as Brendan Lynch, that give me inspiration through discussion about art in general. I try not to look at too much photography as a form of inspiration because I get scared that inspiration will turn into plagiarism and will change my vision influenced by someone elses. Rather, I like to look at other photographers as education about what is possible, and to see how every photographers perspective on a subject can differ.

Civil: How did you get involved with the seventh letter crew and following Graff artist in general..?

 Keegan: It first started off with being friends with the EE Crew from Los Angeles. Yoink, Char Skegs and Paste.  Through them, I met Augor, whom I have done the most documenting with to date.In regards to the 7th letter, my good friend and Co-director in the film Piece of Mind, Evan Romoff and I were contacted by Eklips about working with them. Im not exactly sure how it all came about in the beginning, but we hit it off and now I consider those guys family.

 “The fear and adrenaline of getting caught, quickly replaced any fear

of heights I had”.

 Civil: From what I have noticed from your pictures; I can see that you go on rooftops and even billboards with the artist. Are there any crazy stories you would like to share from these experiences…?

 Keegan: Yeah of course. Stories are a dime a dozen when you get placed into situations like those, even if everything goes as planned. I am working on a photo exhibit and book for the end of this year that will be a compilation of photographs accompanied with essays and stories of specific photographs and nights out with the artists. I have just started writing out the stories and its pretty exciting to see the stories out on paper. A real quick one I will talk about more in the show/book is I used to be pretty afraid of heights my entire life, however after going on a billboard or 2 with Augor, I quickly was forced to get over that. The fear and adrenaline of getting caught, quickly replaced any fear of heights I had.

 

Civil: What are your favorite photos from any photographer including yourself…?

 Keegan: Hmm, I dont really have any one specific photograph that I would consider a favorite.

 Civil: Let’s do a little word exchange. I will say one word…and you answer with one word.

Keegan Gibbs…dotcom

Revok…rockstar

Augor…madman

Surfing…essential

Photography…documenting

Graffiti…subject

America…travel

Obama…yes

Women…trouble

Civil…unrest

 

Civil:How would you like to be remembered…?

 Keegan:As a good friend. As a photographer I want to be remembered as someone who was able to shine light on subjects in a direction that was never seen before.

 

 Civil:Have any future projects we should be looking out for…?

 Keegan:Solo photo exhibit and coffee table book 2009/2010. Thats just the beginning…look out.

 Civil:Shout outs..homies…family..lovers..haha..?

 Keegan:Point Dume crew. Logan Lara.

 Civil: Thank You Keegan Gibbs…The Civil Fam shows love. Keep doing your thang.For more info about Keegan check out www.thekeegangibbs.com and www.knowngallery.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at 6:24 pm and is filed under All, Art, People, Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.