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Going Local Spotlight on Todd Keller

With the increased levels of accessibility to information, young skaters, photographers and more are learning and adopting skills from professionals with great ease and precision. With that said, a much higher degree of talent explodes onto the scene everyday. Younger athletes and artists are learning the skills and techniques in a matter of moments generations before had to spend hours or years in the classroom to obtain. APS wanted to give these great newcomers a chance to be seen and heard. “Going Local” brings you the finest in new talent. This month APS spotlights a young skater/photographer/artists hailing from a small town in Illinois… His name is Todd Keller.

APS: So Todd, welcome to APS and thanks for taking the time to chat with us… So tell us a little about yourself…
Todd: Yeah sure thing man, I appreciate the opportunity. I’m nineteen years old. I grew up in Central Illinois. I am currently in college seeking a degree in radiological technology.
APS: Radiological Technology is a pretty serious trade…
Todd: Yeah it’s pretty technical. Lots of opportunity in the medical field though for sure.
APS: How long have you been interested in the medical fields?
Todd: Well I’ve been interested in the medical field all throughout high school. But during my senior year I started picking up art classes and began to explore in the world of design and photography. I originally was enrolled in college seeking a Bachelors degree in Commercial Arts. Just earlier this year I decided to switch back to a medical major.
APS: Well let me take this quick opportunity to note to all skateboarder haters out there to take a look at this young skater, photographer & artists with high aspirations for a degree and career in the medical fields!
Todd: Hahah! Thanks man I appreciate it.
APS: It’s impressive to hear and to share…
Todd: Definitely standing out from the typical stereotype, for sure.
APS: Maybe other young skaters will see this as something they too, can achieve themselves…
Todd: Hopefully, it’s always good to consider your future no matter where you stand in life.
APS: Good luck with it…
Todd: Thanks man, I’m completely optimistic right now!

The Skate Photographer

APS: So tell us about your skateboarding… When did you start?
Todd: Ahhh good old skateboarding. I’ve been skating since I was twelve years old. Still doing it. More than ever right now actually.
APS: What got you started?
Todd: Well, living in a small town it was cool to roam the streets. I used to have a bike; I was a hobby kind of kid. One week, I went through two inner tubes on my bike. My dad wasn’t having that. So he told me I couldn’t get a new tire until next week. So I bought an old X-Games board off of a friend of mine. I needed something to ride around town on. From there, I just kept doing it. I watched old videos of guys skating and I was dead set on learning how to do tricks and stuff. I always had a goal to learn how to grind, when you could grind, you were the legit skater in the town. I learned how to ollie in three weeks after cruising the town. From there, you could ollie cracks, then you could ollie off stuff, even up stuff. That’s the way it works, you can always go a step further.
APS: How long did it take for you to become ‘hooked’ on skateboarding?
Todd: I’m just as hooked now off of that simple principle as I was back then.

APS: Nice… A moment ago you said you were riding now more than ever… Why is that?
Todd: Well the weather’s been nice. Really nice actually. I’ve had a little more free time now that my schedule is pretty leisure between being part time in both class and work. Before it was full time in class, so I never had the free time like I do now. And I hate spending money; skateboarding can let you kill four hours at the park and not spending any money.
APS: Good point. Did you ever aspire to go pro skateboarding?
Todd: Nah, I’ve accepted I won’t be able to go pro at my age and where I’m at regionally. Would I like to move up on the ladder of endorsement? Absolutely. But competitions make my skin crawl, man. Hahaha
APS: Haha, understandable… Did you have to make a decision to select another career rather than one in the skateboarding industry?
Todd: That’s where the art and photography comes in. I kinda did, but really that’s just going with the flow. There’s a difference between having a plan and what fate brings you. But having an idea of what direction to head in is important.

The Photographer

APS: Let’s get into the arts then… When did the photography and artist bug kick in with you?
Todd: It really kicked in high school year. I took a bunch of art classes and really experimented creatively. I ended up winning a couple of local gallery shows. At that point something said maybe that’s a sign to keep looking into it.
APS: Which do you feel you are most consumed by, photography or art?
Todd: They both intermix pretty equally. Photography is easy, anyone can do it literally. I can shoot photos more and more, but it’s the fact that it’s easy that makes it feel like it’s not too special. That’s where the art comes in. Nobody paints or draws the same.

APS: Cameras these days do make it easier, but I have to say, after seeing some of your images, composition isn’t something you can buy at your local electronics store… You have a skill and style that is impressive… Especially given the short time you’ve been at it…
Todd: Hahaha, no it’s definitely not. All of my photos have a plan; I have an idea of what I want to shoot before I shoot. I feel that makes the difference. A lot of people out there just shoot at random and BAM! They think they’re a photographer.
APS: LOL, yup…
Todd: That still can contrast to art. You HAVE to have a plan when you’re creating a piece. You can’t paint a waterfall without the idea of a waterfall.
APS: From looking at your skateboarding pics, it’s easy to see your love for skating blending with your eye for art… But what inspires the other scenes you shoot and art you create?
Todd: I see a camera as a tool to capture a moment. Any other photo is because I seen something that I really felt I would never see again that same exact way. That’s the value in it, really. It’s funny how straightforward that definition is, yet nobody seems to see camera’s like that anymore.
APS: It is, but it’s true… You have a rather ‘old school’ approach to photography it seems.
Todd: Well you have to respect what was there before you can start being innovative.
APS: Very true…
Todd: You can’t have an approach without knowing where you begin from. Fundamentals are important, whether from photography to skateboarding. Still the same rules.

The Artists/The Graphic Designer

APS: Excellent point… So what inspires your artwork?
Todd: You know that’s a good question. (pause for thought) Breaking the rules, that’s for sure. Sitting in an art class for 3 hours, you listen to a bunch of crap that literally makes you think these guys are out of their minds. I hated it, honestly. I don’t mine critics. But man, you can create WHATEVER you want. I think that’s it, I make these pieces that completely leave any art instructor reaching for the right words to say.
APS: That’s what art is supposed to be about isn’t it? Self-expression…
Todd: Absolutely… Absolutely.
APS: What kind of feedback have you gotten from some of these instructors about your pieces?

Todd: They’ve never seen my personal pieces. I won’t show them to them. I just followed the rules and create class pieces that answer the curriculum of the assignment.
APS: Wow, that’s an interesting approach to art class…
Todd: No, I don’t want people proficient in art to see them. To me, art people and regular people see art in two ways.
APS: What two ways are those?
Todd: Art people, honestly, I feel they are really being taught how to pull out the bad in pieces when really they think they’re being taught how to view art.
APS: Hmm…
Todd: Well think about this: A regular guy appreciates any kind of art, it all looks cool! An art person can sit there and try to tell you you’re focal points aren’t working or your colors aren’t harmonized. That’s not what it’s about, man.
APS: Good point…
Todd: I appreciate all kind of art, I really can’t stand trying to tell someone what’s wrong with their piece. Because you think something’s wrong, but it’s not YOUR art.
APS: What’s the old expression? Those who can’t do, teach?
Todd: Yes! Haha
APS: So let’s skip forward a few years… Will art, photography and skateboarding being a part of your world as a Radiological Tech?
Todd: It will. That’s really the thing; all of those can be done in my “free” time.
APS: That’s great to hear… Well I want to thank you for taking the time to chat with APS… Your work speaks for itself… If someone wanted to see more of your art, where can they find it?
Todd: Thanks again man, I appreciate it! My professional portfolio is found at http://toddkellerhasaportfolio.tumblr.com
APS: Great… And if someone was interested in hiring you to shoot a skateboarding ad or spread, are you available for that?
Todd: I am! My email is on my portfolio page!
APS: Perfect… Much appreciated and good luck on your career my friend…
Todd: Thanks man and thanks for your time.