Rediscovered photographs of the Hollywood skate scene in the 1970s reveals a golden age for LA and the youngsters that took advantage of it. 

The stunning images were shot by photographer Hugh Holland in the summers of 1975-78, the products of which he has now turned into the book ‘Locals Only: California 1975 – 1978.’

‘Skateboarding was happening in many places, but not like in California’ the artist told I-D.

‘To me, it seemed like this was the centre of everything.’

Bold attitude: A bleach-blond and tanned youngster replete with skating scars looks into Holland's camera

Bold attitude: A bleach-blond and tanned youngster replete with skating scars looks into Holland's camera

Bold attitude: A bleach-blond and tanned youngster replete with skating scars looks into Holland’s camera 

The kids photographed were anywhere between 13 and 19 Holland later recalled

The kids photographed were anywhere between 13 and 19 Holland later recalled

The kids photographed were anywhere between 13 and 19 Holland later recalled

Holland documented the change from after-school social activity with few rules and a laid back atmosphere to its emergence as a popular competitive sport.  

The sun-soaked images lay unsorted in boxes for years, he told the publication, until they were shown at an exhibition in Sydney in 2015. 

Now 30 of the best photographs of bleach-blond and tanned youngsters enjoying the freedom of their youth have made it into the book, each page of which can be removed and turned into a frameable poster. 

When asked why he stopped shooting the scene after 1978 Holland recalled: ‘I kind of lost interest. Things began to change.

‘It started with skateparks and contests – suddenly all the skaters were dressed up in t-shirts with company logos on them. And knee pads and elbow pads and helmets. 

‘I was interested in that shirtless, no socks, no shoes time.’ 

Holland documented skateboarding's evolution from relaxed social activity to competitive sport

Holland documented skateboarding's evolution from relaxed social activity to competitive sport

Holland documented skateboarding’s evolution from relaxed social activity to competitive sport

Each page from the book can be pulled out and turned into a poster

Each page from the book can be pulled out and turned into a poster

Each page from the book can be pulled out and turned into a poster 

The photographer claims the LA smog gave the photos their 'yellowish, orangey cast'

The photographer claims the LA smog gave the photos their 'yellowish, orangey cast'

The photographer claims the LA smog gave the photos their ‘yellowish, orangey cast’ 

'I was mostly working during the weekdays so I went out in the late afternoons. Another reason why I love my pictures is that they have that sunset look' Holland recalled

'I was mostly working during the weekdays so I went out in the late afternoons. Another reason why I love my pictures is that they have that sunset look' Holland recalled

‘I was mostly working during the weekdays so I went out in the late afternoons. Another reason why I love my pictures is that they have that sunset look’ Holland recalled

'I was interested in that shirtless, no socks, no shoes time', Holland later said about why he lost interest in skateboarding after company branding took over

'I was interested in that shirtless, no socks, no shoes time', Holland later said about why he lost interest in skateboarding after company branding took over

‘I was interested in that shirtless, no socks, no shoes time’, Holland later said about why he lost interest in skateboarding after company branding took over

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