Locals Only: California Skateboarding 1975-1978 Hardcover – Illustrated, May 1, 2012

I might be partial because I’m in this book. Great photos very clear Hugh Holland is an excellent photographer. I would recommend this book to any locals , skaters or surfers.

This has to be one of the best volumes of photographic work published over the last twenty years. It perfectly captures the essence of an era that we will never see again, and it does so from inside the core of that experience.This volume conveys the philosophy of an age that, like fine wine, has become more precious over time.Many photographers, especially in the area of sports, are distant and aloof from their subjects. Hugh Holland, on the other hand, sweeps the viewer off his feet and takes him along for the adventure with him. That is the magical aspect of his images.In an essay I just read online today, an editorial refers to Holland's work as capturing "The Lost Art of Living". Read this to fill in all that I would have loved to have said myself:[...].

I absolutely adore this book and the work of Hugh Holland. These amazing images take me right back to everything that was the best about being young in Southern California in the 1970s. If you like skating, the 70s, or excellent photography, you will love this book.

I am a huge fan of the Southern California skate/surf culture, and this book always puts a smile on my face. The photos by Hugh Holland are iconic, and he is one of the great surf/skate photographers, and why not, documenters of a certain period in American history. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in board sports, photography in general and the Californian beach scene

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Most of the vintage photos put a smile on my face. However, there are a few things that could have been done better. As the old saying goes, "If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right."I love all kinds of photographs. Nude, simi-nude, or fully clothed, whatever they are I love them all. Modern photographs have the advantage of "state of the art technology," but there is something special about vintage photography. Some of them have a character that is missing in modern photographs. It could be that vintage photographs have the power to cause us to become reminiscent. Remembering "The Good Old Days," when life was simple and carefree, is good for the soul. The beautiful subjects of this book certainly display a wonderful carefree existence. This is what makes this book attractive and refreshing.My biggest pet peeve about this book is reflected in some of the photographs. There were two issues that I find very irritating. A couple of images were cut in half by the crease in the binding. It would have been better if these images covered one full page, (leaving the entire photograph intact) instead of making them cover two pages. To me, this totally disrespects the image. (It literally takes a quality image and ruins it). It never adds quality to the photograph. Quality is always sacrificed. This practice might save printing costs, but it severly damages the image.The next issue is, in my opinion, the fault of the photographer. Poor lighting caused a couple of images to show no facial features. Instead, what we are left with, are faces, and bodies, that only appear as a dark shadow.If more care were taken, both of these issues could have been avoided. I would have gladly paid more for a book that did not contain these issues.Despite my criticism, is this book still worth buying? The answer is, "yes." In fact, I might buy it again, and give it as a gift to a friend. Most of the photographs are displayed in an appealing way and the price makes it worthwhile. This book has an appeal for those who love photography.If I had created this book I would have certainly done things differently. The two issues mentioned above would not have been my issues. My precious photographs would have been displayed in a very respectful manor. Each photograph would have reflected the quality it deserves.

This book is so sick. Perfect coffee table book.

I bought this for my boyfriend who skated in the 70's and still skates now! He absolutely loved it. The pictures are amazing! It brought back a lot of good memories

This is a great book of photos that really capture the spirit of the 70's So Cal skateboard scene. Glen E. Friedman may be the most famous photographer to document the era, but Hugh Holland is proof positive that there were others doing solid work.