Joe Curren | Blog

When I was in San Diego a few weeks ago I also spent some time with surfer/filmmaker Richard Kenvin, staying at his place near Wind N’ Sea in La Jolla. For the past couple of years Kenvin has been working on his mini Simmons designs which are based on the boards enigmatic shaper Bob Simmons made and rode in the late ‘40’s/early ‘50’s. Kenvin explores Simmon’s influence on the evolution of modern surf board design in his work-in-progress documentary film, Hydrodynamica. It was an inspiring couple of days …

Discussing assymetrical mini Simmons with shaper/designer Carl Eckstrom

Kenvin and Coronado’s John Elwell with the board that inspired Kenvin, an original “hyrodynamic planing hull” made by Elwell’s old friend Bob Simmons in the early ‘50’s

Logging footage for Hydrodynamica

rk — faithfully compiling the facts

Wind N’ Sea

“Rincon, January 16th, 2010”, Ilfochrome, 7–¹/₂ x 20” (matted to 20 x 24”), edition of 75

Pictured is a framed Ilfochrome print (formerly Cibachrome), custom made for a friend in San Diego. Ilfochrome printing from photographs made on slide film started in the early ‘60’s. I’ve always printed with both digital and traditional methods, but after getting a few Ilfochromes that’s going to change. My digital prints made from high resolution scans were good, but for me, especially when it comes to printing from slides, nothing compares to the quality, detail and the glossy metallic-look of a handmade Ilfochrome print.

Who know’s how much longer Ilfochrome printing will be around (these prints were made by Frank Green of The Lab Ciba in Burbank, ca), but I’m going to keep printing and shooting with traditional methods as long as I can.

Speaking of handmade, I milled the moulding for this frame from salvaged Pacific madrone (arbutus menziesii), a western hardwood. It’s finished with a varnish.