When you hear "all bags subject to inspection" over the PA, do you load out or peel out? Contraband or not, you're one of us. This is Bag Raid, a Hung Supply directive taking aim at your favourite photographer's favourite photographer. This month we summon action/lifestyle photographer Pablo Rios, frisking his Sidewalk Sling.
Photos: Pablo Rios.
Framing Pablo Rios' photography as caught between the chaos suggests his involvement is more incidental than intentional. Beneath the skater. Out the window. In the pit. Believe that Pablo puts himself in harms way, and more often than not, he clutches the shot. We flicked Pablo these here questions to get a read on his practice.
Bag Raid w/ Pablos Rios
Nikon Z6III - My main workhorse right now.
A few lenses + fisheye - My lens setup changes depending on whether I'm hitting the streets or heading to a specific spot. The fisheye is nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
Godox flashes - Usually strapped to the outside of my Sidewalk Sling.
Nikon F100 - Always loaded with the 35mm f2, my absolute favourite camera.
Olympus XA - For snapping random moments of life that I don't want to miss.
Sony camcorder - Never hurts to run a tapeless setup.
DJI Osmo Pocket - Clutch birthday gift.
Earbuds & extra bits - So I'm ready for whatever comes up.
Hey Pablo, for anyone new to your work, how do you usually describe what you do?
Lately, I’ve been vibing with street-doc photography. I wouldn't say I have a defined style yet, I’m terrible at describing myself, haha. But board sports, chaos, portraiture, the outdoors, and exploring new stories are what move me daily. I find peace in the middle of the chaos. That’s the best way to say it, haha.
Where are you based?
I live in New Zealand, more specifically in Arataki, a neighbourhood in Tauranga.
How did you get into photography?
That's a good question. Honestly, before I dropped out of a degree I thought was my thing, I borrowed a Nikon D40 that belonged to my sister, and I started taking it everywhere when I did things I liked. That was around 2015.
What made you pick up a camera - and what was your first setup?
I'm really into reading and watching real user experiences about cameras that catch my attention, and I make decisions from there. As for my first camera, after using my sister's camera a lot, my dad and I travelled to a town about 5 hours from my house, and I bought a Nikon D90, haha. By then it was already a bit old.
Your work centres on documentary and skate culture - what pulled you into that world?
I think I'm really interested in how someone gives everything for something they love doing, and I can see the stories I can make out of it. It can be skateboarding, where the rider risks everything just to lock in that spot or trick, and it's basically a battle with yourself.
What do you look for in a frame before you lift the camera to your eye?
Honestly, it depends on what I’m shooting. But light is key for me, plus anything that adds that extra spark to the photo. That’s how I build my frame.
Is there anything you find yourself always coming back to shoot?
Portraits! You can say so much with a tight shot that fills the entire frame, or by bringing in those everyday details around the subject.
How does the Mount shape the way you see and shoot things?
For a while I felt really boxed in in the Mount. I think I was going through a phase that made me feel that way. But one day I managed to break out of that, and I started looking for what this place actually had to show.
You've published Who Am I - how did that project come together?
It was during the summer that I met a couple of photographers from Slovenia, incredible people who motivated me to keep pushing and creating new things. Peter and Marianna had experience with zines, and thanks to them, I started writing and realised that very few people know me here, where I'm currently based. So, I wanted to showcase the projects I've been most excited to be part of over the last few years as a way to introduce myself to the locals.
I dropped the zine at my very first photo exhibition in the country. There was so much support that night, Special Mention was absolutely packed. Huge thanks to everyone who joined me.
Any new projects or bodies of work you're working on at the moment?
A while ago, I started working on an idea for a personal photography project. At first, I wanted it to focus on Māori culture, which first caught my attention when I was about 16. What fascinates me most about their culture, besides their deep connection to the land and nature, is how it keeps surviving despite everything that’s been imposed on Indigenous peoples around the world over the years. Back in my home country, the natives weren't as fortunate, and little by little, their culture began to fade away.
As the project developed, I realised it would feel more complete if I also included skaters outside of Māori culture, as I think the skate culture here in Aotearoa is shaped by everyone together. It's a way of exploring the many people who make up this place, while also saying thank you to all the people I’ve met and I’ll meet.
Why do you think photobooks and zines still matter in this world?
Bro, people should start giving this more importance. It's such a powerful and beautiful way of expressing ourselves. Love that zines are handmade without any help from AI and stuff like that. Keep it real.
What's your go-to camera setup right now?
Right now I shoot film with a Nikon F100 and an Olympus XA. And digitally I've got a Nikon Z6III. I'm not a fanboy, but Nikon was the first brand I ever used, and I have a special attachment to it, haha. I'm sure more than one person reading this will get what I mean.
Film or digital?
Film. Digital can't beat the texture and vibe of it.
What's your favourite film stock?
That's a really hard question. I don't think I can pick just one. But for B&W it's CineStill BWXX and Ilford HP5+. For colour I'm really attached to Kodak Gold, although I also like Ektar or Portra.
What's in your Hung Supply Sidewalk Sling?
Sidewalk, my second best friend after Mango, my dog :')
If you could only shoot one camera for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Man, this one’s tough. I think it would be my F100 with the trusty 35mm f/2.
What's the wildest situation you've found yourself in trying to get a shot?
Back in 2017, me and my D90 went on a two-week trip around a big part of my country, joined by some friends and a few international pro wakeboarders. The mission was to shoot street at different spots they had found on Google Maps. We ended up in Epecuén, a town that was underwater many years ago. It was the gnarliest spot I've ever seen, a concrete pool slide the exact width of a wakeboard, with a drop that had barely any water and a lot of wreckage from the old town. Graeme Burres landed a huge tantrum indy. It was mind-blowing. We were all completely hyped when he landed it.
Carry like Pablo with the Sidewalk Camera Sling.
