In the 1980s, Helge Tscharn established himself as one of Europe’s most influential skateboard photographers. He remained loyal to the scene he was part of, capturing iconic figures like Claus Grabke, Lance Mountain, Ray Barbee, Tony Hawk, and many others. His passion for hardcore music is also reflected in his work, with photoshoots of bands such as Pantera, Monster Magnet, and Motörhead. Many of his portraits were shot with a fisheye lens, whose distorted, immediate style quickly became his signature.
Architecture also plays a central role in Tscharn’s photography. His shots never focus solely on the skateboard trick itself, but rather explore the skateboarder in an urban environment – as an organic part, lone warrior, and outsider all at once. This theme defines much of his work from the 1990s. His images are monumental, often in grainy black and white, or with the crystal-clear, “frozen” look that has become his unmistakable style.
