Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Photography By Faris Haziq

Photographer Faris Haziq shares images of the skate culture in Malaysia and explains why he loves skateboard photography.

Jerantut, Malaysia

How did you get into photography?

I entered the photography world in 2014, during my first year in college. The day I bought my first DSLR camera, I went straight up to the skatepark and tried to shoot a skate photos, but I was unsatisfied with the results. As a reference, I bought a skateboard magazine and learned how to capture a real skate photograph. I get better with time and I’ve been happy and satisfied. Other than skate photography, I also do landscape and street photography. Photography plays a big part in my life right now.

When did you start skateboarding?

I started skateboarding in 2010 when I was 15. I was hanging around at a friends house who skated and I saw his skateboard laying in his room and gave it a try.

What about shooting skateboarding do you like?

For me, shooting skateboarding is art. I love seeing their tears, blood when they fall, and sweat from doing a skate trick. I get so excited when a skater does a trick and it turns into an epic picture. I also love how every picture has it own story. The skate culture are so unique and interesting.

What's the story behind your favorite picture?

My favorite photo is Joey doing Backside Tailslide. The photo was taken at Kuantan, Pahang. We were filming for his skate video project called Dunia Tua which is still in filming. This is one of the best photo I've ever taken, because the spot is looking great, an with the contrast from the sun makes the photo one of my favorites.

What is the skateboarding scene in your corner of Malaysia like?

It’s not that big but the community is quite strong. A skateboarder from our country who achieved a higher level is Pa’din Musa: he has won 2 Asian X Games and several other competitions in Southeast Asia. Other names in scene are Pocrock Luis, Azreen Azman, Fikri Fauzi and koya miyasaka. In Malaysia, most of the skate styles are influenced by US skateboarders

As far as photography, what's next for you?

I want to spend more time with photography and learn more about photography and different techniques.
Maybe one day I'm gonna make it this as my career.