SKATEISTAN X IMPOSSIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

Skateistan recently received camera and film packages from Impossible HQ at their project sites across the globe, introducing photography to youth of Kabul, Afghanistan; Mazar-E-Sharif, Afghanistan; Johannesburg, South Africa and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

15 Polaroid 600 cameras and film made their way to each of Skateistan’s skate schools, giving students the chance to experience instant photography for the first time and develop new media skills. A photojournalism project involved students and youth leaders interviewing and photographing each other using the Polaroid cameras and Impossible instant film. They asked their subjects questions about what skateboarding means to them, and about their hopes and dreams for the future. Each image now holds a unique and special story about Skateistan students from Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa.

Over 70% of Skateistan’s students come from low-income families, including many street-working children, they were very excited to be taking a picture for the first time and see themselves in a printed photograph instantaneously.

The results and images produced from the project have been amazing.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Before the first Skateistan facility opened in 2007, most Afghans had never seen a skateboard before. For girls, participating in any sport is a huge challenge. Now that a safe place exists in the Skateistan skate school, over 40% of Afghan skateboarders are female - the highest in the world. The project has been further extended into Mazar-E-Sharif in the north of the country. 

Johannesburg, South Africa

Armed with one Polaroid 600 camera and rolls of Color 600 plain film, students from Skateistan’s newest project site in South Africa had a lot to say about the impact of skateboarding, the photos taken express the joy skateboarding has bought to participants in the newest of the Skateistan projects. 

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Urban Cambodian youth are often exposed to tourists and their cameras, but it is rare that they get to see the pictures, let alone take them. Having the opportunity to hold a camera, point and shoot was a valuable creative experience. Most students were also completely fascinated by the instant image that appeared in front of them minutes later.

Upon completion of this project, Skateistan and Impossible Project HQ will be teaming up to produce a Skateistan x Impossible film. A portion of the proceeds from each film package will benefit Skateistan’s programs internationally - keep an eye out for this on www.skateistan.org - @Skateistan