Cristian Benzoni aka Osde is a Milan based, graphic designer and photographer who’s web site’s url wriggled it’s way into my browser the other day. I recommend you take a few moments to check out his site, some of the imagery is so striking. I was so impressed at a first viewing that I tracked down OSDE for a quick Q&A… as you will see he is quite the ruler...

Which came first for you, the camera or your skateboard?
First was the skateboard, in the 80's, when I was child, but only for a short time. I never have been a fan of sports or any kind of physics exercise. I was too lazy for that, and still I am, I'm well known for this attitude. Ehehe.
Then came photography, about ten years ago, I've started shooting skateboarding pics.

How do you pronounce OSDE?
"O", "S" like in Skateboard, "D" in Death, and "E" like in Elephant... The Italian E, is not like the English one.

What does it mean?
Every time I have to explain the meaning of this nickname, people become disappointed discovering such a silly reason. It comes from the phrase "on the mic" I was acting like an MC with a microphone, with a defective pronunciation. A friend of mine started calling me "on the mic", then turned in "osdemaic" and then "osde".

That is the best reason ever! What have these been shot with?
I use to shoot with different kind of cameras, from Hasselblad to cheaper toy-cameras; it depends of my mood and the sort of image I want to get. I prefer shooting films, lately I bought a couple of digital cameras, I use them in need of convenience, but is not the same, the feeling is completely different, you can't get the same taste (the feeling of film grain) with digitals.

Which locations are the pics shot in?
Italy, London, Berlin, Barcelona... I work as graphic designer, I can't travel whenever I want, except for holidays or skate-trips, is when I gather the massive part of my shots.

Do any of the images there, have there own amazing story attached to them?
A lot of. Shooting skateboarding photography’s put you on the streets, doing basically a prohibited activity, you often have to deal with police, security officers but also passers-by who start yelling at you 'cause you are ruining that bench or the other one.
Skateboarders are not common people nor the ones to deal with, kind of crazy things can happen in those situations.

Which pic on the site is your favourite?
One of my favorites is the black & white one, portraying my ex-roommate reflected in our bathroom mirror while a Milla Jovovich's picture, hanged on the door, seems to stare at him. He used to put these attractive women pictures all around the house 'cause he was in a deep and sickening worship for blonde hair girls, he didn't take care of the others. Actually he is happily married with a dark hair woman!

What do you love about skating and lurking on the streets in Milan?
Skateboarding in Milan means skate on the streets, except for the main spots, like MC station or some other few squares, Milan's spots are literally in the middle of the road or on the sidewalks, under the buildings.
Skating there is all about squabble with the owners, avoiding cars and pedestrians, and fighting against rough surfaces.
This are not conditions necessary to achieve the better skate session but in those circumstances everything turns "appetizing".

It is known for its fashion internationally, does Milan have a lot of friction between skaters and the glamour? or is skating too small there?
Skating is a small business in Milan as in the whole Italy, but in some period it was so attractive for the fashion world that it happened to see skateboards next to catwalks and in magazine's reports. I remember one time some friends were paid for a mini ramp demo during a fashion show. Now it's time for fixed bicycles, right? !

Did it irritate the locals at Milan’s bus station that so many foreigners traveled to skate there?
Absolutely no, Central station's (that is the main train station indeed) locals are really kind and welcome every skater arrives there. The spot is amazing and there's marble for everybody.

What do you like about viewing photos on the web rather than in a magazine?
It's totally different and I definitely prefer the second one. I love to see film grain and not pixels.

If you could be given five subjects to shoot a portrait of dead or alive, whom would they be of?
My grandfather’s face, he had a wide and interesting face which I couldn't portrait 'cause he died before I started took pictures.
David Bowie performing live during the 70's, "The Warriors" characters, Audrey Tautou and definitively an Andrew Reynold's Fs flip.

What is next for you mate?
I'm trying to save money for traveling as much as I can, take more photos, rather in this period, and see those printed on papers.