asphaltchronicles.

Back in September 2012, I got the opportunity to shoot the...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:17:00 +0100

Back in September 2012, I got the opportunity to shoot the spring/summer 2013 collection book for k1x - a German-based brand created in 1993.

My story with this brand is quite unusual. I started working for their French distributor, as a sales & marketing manager, I helped them launch and develop the brand in France from 2005 to 2009. As I was experiencing a parallel life through my freelance photographer/reporter activities, I decided to quit the full-time job in early 2009 and dedicate my life to my #1 passion - Basketball photography.

Summer 2009 marked an evolution in my career as a photographer. Investing in the freshly released 5D Mark II has opened me some doors and allowed me to start a new career of videographer. My friends Niels & Fu asked me to shoot the k1x Fall/Winter 2009 collection book alongside legendary photographer Marc Baptiste and then started talking about this concept of an NYC streetball clip using Red Café’s track “Heart & Soul of New York City”. Timing was right since I was already in town with my girlfriend, covering New York playground basketball on a daily basis.

Back in France, I get to show the footage to my brother David and Thibaut de Longeville at 360 Creative, it was a no brainer for them to come on board and help on producing the video. Early 2010, “Heart & Soul of New York City” gets released on Vimeo with an unexpected success !

A few years later, it has accumulated approximately a million views online and has now become a classic video in basketball culture ! I feel very proud about this because it started my Director/Director of Photography career, even more grateful to k1x who has always trusted in my skills & vision of outdoor basketball.

PARIS x WHITE SNOW

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:25:00 +0100

A few weeks ago my partner in crime and I spent the entire night shooting Paris under the snow. We walked 15 kilometers in the city of lights, spent 7 hours outside, played snow-baseball with an umbrella bat, ate a cheeseburger… It took us a little bit of motivation and many layers of clothes but witnessing such spectacle was a privilege.

Fully equipped with a 5D Mark II, Hasselblad 503CXI and a tripod - I ended up shooting film only, fighting against the snowflakes falling on the camera’s viewfinder. Used two rolls of black and white films, Ilford HP5+ 400 & Ilford Delta 3200, I had to push the 400 to 3200 but I’m pretty satisfied of the result.

A few more shots on my flickr.

QUAI 54 INTERNATIONAL STREETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – 2012 Ten years...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:16:00 +0100

QUAI 54 INTERNATIONAL STREETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – 2012

Ten years after the first tournament on Quai Michelet in Levallois, the Quai 54 is now recognized as the biggest worldwide playground basketball competition and also known as the yearly meeting of all ballers looking for recognition. Its the friendliest and most emblematic streetball tournament worldwide and get bigger and bigger each year. The success of this competition keeps on rising, exceeding 10.000 spectators during its 2011 edition, which took place on the square of the Trocadéro in Paris, France !

In 2012, the finest basketball and urban culture event in Europe took place on June 30th - July 1st at “Champ de Mars”, in front of the Eiffel Tower, an exceptional place for a single event. 15 high-level basketball teams from around the world, including La Fusion (triple titleholder) came to defeat the 2011 winners La Relève and be crowned the champions of streetball. Thousands of fans joined the court side to attend this 2 day tournament showcasing unique entertainment such as live performances of renowned French artist Youssoupha, internationally acclaimed Wiz Kalifah, a Slam Dunk Contest, DJ sets, Dance and rap battles.

Shot with Canon C300, 5D MARK II
Lenses : Angénieux Optimo DP 16-42mm, Angénieux Optimo 45-120mm, Canon 24-70mm 2:8L, Canon 70-200mm 2:8
Timelapses : Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly

DOIN' IT IN THE PARK x KICKSTARTER

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 03:39:00 +0100

Hello !

Kevin Couliau here, co-director of the film DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC.

After screening our self-produced doc in five continents at various festivals/events, and winning some awards and support along the way,
we’re now planning an independent release this spring 2013, but we need your involvement!

Kindly visit our Kickstarter campaign to learn how you can contribute, and please, help us spread the word!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doinitinthepark/doin-it-in-the-park-pick-up-basketball-nyc?ref=live

THANKS :)

Bonjour !

Ici Kevin Couliau, co-réalisateur du documentaire DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK : PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC.

Après avoir diffusé notre documentaire à travers le monde, lors de différents festivals/évènements, et gagné des récompenses et le soutien du public,
nous envisageons maintenant une sortie indépendante au printemps 2013. Nous avons besoin de votre contribution !

Merci de visiter notre campagne Kickstarter et comprendre comment participer à cette levée de fonds. Aidez nous à diffuser le message, svp !

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doinitinthepark/doin-it-in-the-park-pick-up-basketball-nyc?ref=live

MERCI :)

NEW YORK KNICKS - BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS On April 13, 2012,...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:42:26 +0100

NEW YORK KNICKS - BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

On April 13, 2012, the New York Knicks celebrated their “Basketball In The Boroughs” themed evening as they played host to the Washington Wizards. The DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC team combined to present an homage to the city and its connection to the sport: “New York is basketball, and basketball is New York—in every single borough, in every single way!”

Directed by Kevin Couliau
Edited by David Couliau
Narration by Bobbito Garcia
Music by 20 Syl
Color Grading : Moritz Fortmann
Sound Mix : Mike Suarez
Post-Production : Goldcrest Post
Production : 360 Creative, Thibaut De Longeville

QUAI 54 INTERNATIONAL STREETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – 2010 The Quai 54...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:38:00 +0100

QUAI 54 INTERNATIONAL STREETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – 2010

The Quai 54 tournament showcases the finest basketball and urban culture in Europe.The tournament has invited amateurs, professionals and NBA players from all nations to play together for just one exciting weekend, all possible with the help and support of the JORDAN BRAND. Like every year in this competition, the eight last teams in the run, are qualified in quaterfinals. Thousands of fans will be able to join the court side of this event making it a unique experience with all the right component: competition, entertainment and music. Today, Ten years after the first tournament on Quai Michelet in Levallois, the Quai 54 is now recognized as the biggest worldwide playground basketball competition and also known as the yearly meeting of all ballers looking for recognition. Its the friendliest and most emblematic streetball tournament worldwide and get bigger and bigger each year. The success of this competition keeps on rising.

NIKE’S WORLD BASKETBALL FESTIVAL, PARIS - 2012 12th -...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:32:00 +0100

NIKE’S WORLD BASKETBALL FESTIVAL, PARIS - 2012

12th - 16th July saw the World Basketball Festival takeover Paris.

Two full-size courts and Two half courts were built inside the Cité International Universitaire in Paris to host the Nike+ T.P Skills challenge, Nike+ dunk contest basketballs camps, 3-on-3 competition, and several Nike+ basketball experiences.   Game On, World.

Music : The Work / DE LA SOUL’S Plug1 & Plug2

————
Produced by BLACK no Milk no Sugar.
Creative director : Cyril Masson.
Directors : Cyril Masson & Kevin Couliau.
Camera Operators : Kevin Couliau / Ugo Tsvétoukhine / Bachir Benfaida.
Editor : David Couliau.
Motion Designer : Mister Gü.
Colorist : Cyril Masson.

Red Cafe & Pete Rock “THE HEART & SOUL OF NEW...

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:48:00 +0100

Red Cafe & Pete Rock

“THE HEART & SOUL OF NEW YORK CITY”

A film by Kevin Couliau

Yes, it’s about that time. Rain, sleet and snow have made way for the sun, long evenings and fresh sneakers. Early may, when Europe’s hardwood champions have been crowned and the NBA playoffs shift into full gear, marks the inofficial start of the real basketball season: the streetball season! That’s when reputations are made, nicknames are born and every ballplayer naturally gravitates towards that “thump”, “thump” sound of his or her home court. Playground basketball is where it all started. Playground basketball is where talent is honed and friendships are made. It’s where neighborhoods gather and where skills and sweat are a currency. That’s especially true for the mecca of basketball, New York City. Nowhere else do streetball tournaments, players and games attract a quasi-religious following. Dollars, pride and bragging rights are on the line. Believe the hype!

The idea for a visual love letter to NY basketball was born when Red Cafe’s unreleased track “Heart & Soul” established itself as an instant office-favorite at K1X headquarters in Munich (Germany) last spring. Niels Jager (K1X Go-To Guy): “The tune was on replay 24/7. And one day it hit us: let’s build a statue for NYC streetball!” Red Cafe’s ode to the city that never sleeps is a Pete Rock production that boasts all the makings of a hip hop classic. K1X, who has been active in the outfitting of several high profile NYC streetball tournaments for several years, was all the more surprised to find out that this beast of a tune was not yet a prime focus of Red Cafe’s record label. Shake Down quickly agreed to let K1X shoot a poetic clip for the song, whose lyrics are a glowing personification of K1X’s appreciation for street basketball: The Heart & Soul of New York City.

French streetball documentarist Kevin Couliau (Asphalt Chronicles), who spent the summer of 2009 in the five boroughs hunting down supreme blacktop action, was a natural choice to capture the raw essence of NYC and its rich streetball culture. As was the Canon 5D Mark II as Couliau’s weapon of choice. Art director / director / producer Thibaut de Longeville (director of the acclaimed “Just For Kicks” sneaker culture documentary) and motion graphic designer Vincent Dumond of 360 Creative in Paris added their visual expertise to the project and took care of elegant motion graphics and bona fide post production.

The outcome of this work will celebrate its world premiere on May 1st 2010 on k1x.com. The clip features action from K1X affiliated tournaments in Harlem (“Together We Chill” and “Kingdome Classic”) and the Lower East Side (“Lower Manhattan Classic”) as well as a variety of other city courts and an impressive array of cameos by iconic players, opinion leading heads and a bunch of regular dudes. Bobbito Garcia, who got an early preview of the clip last winter had this to say: “It’s so beautiful, man. It’s snowing tonight but it made me look forward to the coming summer months again.”

Credits:

Concept by Papa Neal & Fu for K1X. Track by Red Cafe & Pete Rock, Cinematography, Direction & Edit by Kevin Couliau (Asphalt Chronicles), Art Direction by Thibaut de Longeville, Motion Graphic Design by Vincent Dumond and Post Production by 360 Creative (Paris) feat. Red Cafe, “Miles High”, “The Franchise”, “Anti-Freeze”, “Special FX”, “Best Kept Secret”, “Headache”, “Black Diamond”, “The Pirate”, John Starks, Bobbito “Kool Bob Love” Garcia, KRS-1, Stay High 149…

Japanese Streetball to the fullest ! @mcmamushi @banglee...

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:37:14 +0100

Japanese Streetball to the fullest ! @mcmamushi @banglee #alldaymag #underdog #tachikara #defragmedia #tokyo23

Checking my OG´s #adidas #topten #streetball #sneakers #kicks...

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:53:53 +0100

Checking my OG´s #adidas #topten #streetball #sneakers #kicks #kickstagram #sneakerpedia #instakicks

10 years in the game. #quai54 #jordanbrand #nikebasketball

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:05:38 +0100

10 years in the game. #quai54 #jordanbrand #nikebasketball

{TACHIKARA x NITRAID x TOKYO 23 } The best Japanese basketballs....

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:07:26 +0100

{TACHIKARA x NITRAID x TOKYO 23 } The best Japanese basketballs. Props to @mcmamushi #tachikara #nitraid #tokyo23 #doinitinthepark

A small present from my friends @k1x. Lew Alcindor by Richard...

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:28:26 +0100

A small present from my friends @k1x.
Lew Alcindor by Richard Avedon & Original Rucker by Robert Mc Cullough Jr.
#playgroundarchives #doinitinthepark

From Tokyo to Paris. #doinitinthepark

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:13:49 +0100

From Tokyo to Paris.
#doinitinthepark

Mitake Park, Tokyo. Aja Jordan Park

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:34:42 +0100

Mitake Park, Tokyo.
Aja Jordan Park

Japanese streetball to the fullest ! Arrigato A-1 store.

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:00:33 +0100

Japanese streetball to the fullest ! Arrigato A-1 store.

SOMECITY 3x3 League. Arrigato @NOWRI , @BANG LEE...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:56:57 +0100

SOMECITY 3x3 League. Arrigato @NOWRI , @BANG LEE @MCMAMUSHI !! #somecity

Packing for TOKYO !

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:07:53 +0100

Packing for TOKYO !

DOIN´ IT IN THE PARK drives !!!

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:40:47 +0100

DOIN´ IT IN THE PARK drives !!!

Irving Park, Portland.

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:32:34 +0100

Irving Park, Portland.