The World is Magic
Every Second Counts
Photography by Alexandru Costin
Photographer Alexandru Costin talks about why he never limits himself, how skateboarding is like dancing, and how you should always listen to your inner voice.
Barcelona, Spain
For Alexandru Costin, skateboarding was the gateway into new worlds. “I’ve always loved skateboarding, I love everything about it,” he says. “It gave me the opportunity to open my mind to new places, new music, new people. Skateboarding put me in different situations and taught me discipline.”
These new experiences also gave him a new visual perspective. “Skateboarding taught me how to see life in movement. I started shooting videos a few years ago and then turned into shooting more images, mostly from the desire to have a language to express what I feel inside.”
As Alexandru dove into both video and photography, he noticed some differences. “To me, video is easier,” he explains. “Slowly, I began to shoot more photos, and I found it more challenging. Sometimes in video you show exactly what is happening and people become lazy in thinking of possibilities. Images are more simple and without text you have to imagine what is inside, to create your own version and story by reading it. This is what really interested me about photography.”
As an artist, Alexandru does not want to put himself into a category. “I am not sure if I want to call myself a photographer,” he says. “Defining yourself is limiting yourself. I never said ‘I am a skater’ when I just did skateboarding. I do many things. I try to figure out what I want and expressing those wants through photography, skateboarding, crafting, and other art forms. I still consider skateboarding an expression; I see it more as a dance, and dance is art, so I guess skateboarding and the other board sports should be viewed as art as well.”
Is there advice that Alexandru now would give a young Alexandru? “I am still young,” he says, “but more patience will always help. Planting a seed today, and expecting the fruit tomorrow is not how things work. I learned fast not to search for photos, but to wait for them...and they will appear.”
Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Alexandru now lives in Barcelona, Spain, a city he always wanted to be in. “It was a childhood dream to skate in Barcelona,” he says. “I always dreamed of chill winters with no snow. I ended up staying here more than I was expecting but i still love it.”
Barcelona is also the city where he developed his photography style. “I started photography in Barcelona, mostly shooting skateboarding in a different way; I was a bit tired of the fish eye view. I began experimenting and kept doing it because it made me happy. My interest in photography is changing, however. I like to be loose and try different things even if I do not post most of my travel and fashion work.”
Although Alexandru loves Barcelona, this isn’t the final place for him. “I learned how to swim 4 years ago and I am surfing now, which is the best feeling ever. It seems like I have to move on to places with more waves. Additionally, as photography opens my eyes, I realize I can enjoy being mostly anywhere, even in places where I could not see interesting things before. I am amazed when I go back to Romania, I see so many authentic things that other countries have lost for many years. I feel lucky that I am from there and am planning to spend some months in the Romanian countryside sometime soon.”
One of greatest accomplishments Alexandru has had as a photographer is seeing them printed in a gallery. “Images and moments are all I have; I enjoy seeing them printed. A gallery in Los Angeles, the House of Spoils , is representing me and have a few of my favorite shots. I am very happy to see them turning physical. Knowing that someone will look at an image I took everyday brings me such joy.”
Many might say that Alexandru is an accomplished photographer, but to him, he’s still finding his way. “It is hard to describe as i don't know who I am or what I am doing. I am on a journey of discovering how to find a language that will fully express what I have within. This is not easy to do. It is easier to make others happy than to be happy yourself with what you create. The most important thing is that it changed the way I see and feel the world, it got much more exciting after a few years, now i look back and sometimes I feel like I was asleep, the world is magic and every second counts.
What’s next for Alexandru Costin? “Looking forward to film more,” he says. “I started as a filmmaker and I miss motion. All my life is about motion; all my childhood and the way I see the world was from my wheels. I am looking forward to living remote for the next few years traveling and shooting around. Surfing is one thing, and buying a van for sure. Now I am waiting for the borders to open so I can travel by train for one month around Europe. I will keep posting when I start the journey. I’m excited, I’ve always dreamed about this trip. One last thing: Always believe in your inner voice!”
To See More of Alexandru’s Work, Follow His Instagram @alexandrucostin
After School
“The Simple Things.
On my first trip in Morocco, after wondering the medina streets full of donkeys and not much asphalt, i found a square where i was staring at a beautiful door waiting for something to happen in front of it for half an hour very relaxed, it was the end of the day and it was a calm atmosphere.
Time was passing and i heard a sound of a skateboard coming from behind, i turned and these kids were speeding down the plaza with big screams and smile on their faces, and as i had my camera in the hand ready for the other shot, pressed the shutter as they passed by, and ended up with this picture.
For me it was a very surprising moment, as I never planned to get an image like this, I was completely waiting for another picture.
For me this image represents the language of skateboarding, one I have experienced since I was a kid.
Surprised to see after they disappeared, they were dirty, had boots, friends of different color, not the best skateboard, and regarding all these things they were having a great time in a place where everyone's activity is completely different. I found myself in that.
I never expected to get a skateboarding picture in Morocco, and by far one of my favorite ones that expresses how I felt as a kid when started skateboarding more than 15 years ago, and where all started for me as a skateboarder that later turned in other ways of expression such as photography and crafting open my mind and vision.” - Alexandru Costin
After School
