Shapes/Surroundings
The ways we move and the spots we choose obviously play key roles in parkour. I think good parkour photography recognizes these shapes and surroundings – complimenting them. What I seek is the fine line between embedding a subject in its background and isolating them. We all know ‘parkour shapes’ are born out of adaptation to their surroundings, but human movement still always stands out from concrete, and that’s what I want to highlight.
Much love, Wessu
Wessu, @whoiswessu
Wessu’s series Shapes/Surroundings explores the pure visual elements of parkour photography, with a formalist approach that compares the human body with architectural shape. The photographs feature brutalist structures, photographed with a sense of the sublime, as they tower over the viewer; leaving the athletes featured to explore the frame and place themselves within the photograph seemingly freely. Wessu’s sharp corners and strong use of colour reminds a viewer the unforgiving nature of the environment that parkour athletes use, moulding their bodies and movement to the spaces they occupy.
Max Pattenden, Skin&Stone
