By Raci Levine
Features Editor
Costa alumnus and photographer Kevin Salk showcases punk artists in his punk rock photo book, “Punk: Photo’s From A Fan’s Perspective.”
When Salk took his first photography class at Costa in 1983,his interest in the photo arts took off. Salk’s desire for photography came from his love for punk rock and the ability to get into clubs and punk concerts for free with media passes.
“This has been a crazy journey,” Salk said. “[Punk Rock]was a place to fit in with people who didn’t fit in. I liked the scene. I liked the energy.”
After Salk graduated fromCosta in 1983, he took a break from photography while he attended Arizona State University as a Political Science major, according to Salk. He had moments throughout his years after college figuring out how to create his book but got sidetracked until now.
“There [were] stops and starts,”Salk said. “I would start thinking, ‘I should put a book together because I have all this product.’It would stop because [creating a book] is a lot of work, and I didn’t really have the resources to do it.”
Salk furthered his passion for photography by going to punk rock shows and admiring other photographers. The first punk rock concert he attended was at the Santa Monica Civic, whereSalk and his high school best friend, Costa alumnus Mike The-odore, saw The Clash. This was eye opening for Salk as it was his first exposure to punk rock.
“[Punk rock photography]gave me some status and edge,”Salk said.
Salk took his first punk rock photo at The Barn, a music room in Torrance. One photo from that night stars as the cover of his book. Currently, Salk uses a Nikon camera to capture his photos of rockers in the mist, with bands like Pennywise and theCircle Jerks.
“I took photos of Pennywise,and I am going to take photos of the Circle Jerks,” Salk said. “I’m Reliving my youth.”Throughout his photo journey,
Salk has looked up to photogra-phers Glen Freedman and Edward Colver. These artists helped guide Salk on his path to create his punk rock book. AlthoughSalk didn’t have the best high school experience, these artists helped guide him to find his passion later in life. Since publishing his first book, Salk has yet to decide what his next step will be.
“I thought about [releasing an-other book that would be] a small then and now, [comparing my photography],” Salk said. “I see myself having pictures of the Circle Jerks then, and having photos of them now.”
His book is published throughFathom Arts and is now in its fourth printing. Throughout
With the creation of his book, he has been able to meet new people and make new connections to artists such as Henry Rollins andKeith Morris. According to Salk,he is now friends with the artist she had once looked up to and admired. Rollins and Morris were both a part of Salks’ favorite photos he has ever taken.
“My favorite photo is of the guitar player in the Misfits, Doyle, and it’s just an amazing picture; there is a look at him,” Salk said. “[Another one of my favorites] is a picture of Keith Morris with a shoe in his mouth and Henry Rollins giving the finger.”
Recently, Salk donated 15 books and prints to the University of Maryland, where they will permanently be on display in the Performing Arts Department. In addition, Salk’s photos will also be in the new punk rock museum opening in Las Vegas.
“We’re not done yet,” Salk said. “I want to conquer the world.”
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