darksideofthelens

Off Season

Mark Lenardon — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:31:17 +0000

I’ve been pretty busy recently with “BloodMasters,” and can’t say it hasn’t been worth the “isolation” from the internet in order to do what I have so far with those guys. They’re friends of mine, I just happen to be lucky enough to be invited to film and now edit a lot for them.
Other than that, the off season has me shooting some other things lately. For example, my roommates asked to shoot a few photos for their baby girl that was on the way. Keyword “WAS….” She is one of the cutest babies I’ve seen in awhile, and always fun to hangout with around the house.
More stuff to come soon, including a big project announcement!

““

A year in review…

Mark Lenardon — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:03:45 +0000

SEMA Grabs

Mark Lenardon — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:27:03 +0000

While attending Sema, representing Kenda Tire for some work, I managed to snag some photos of my favorite parts of the show. From the tedious welds on the TORC truck arm’s to a chromed R8…. Mild to wild was all at Sema.
Be sure to check out the new desktops too! A few from Sema made their way over there.

Fatlace’s RWB Porsche is quite fine in lime… but all the RWB on display here were no cupcakers.

First off…I am a HUGE off road fan, and even more of a Johnny Greaves fan. Seeing this hoss was something that made me feel like a kid in a candy store.

Teaser: SEMA & visiting Boulder, Colorado

Mark Lenardon — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:04:26 +0000

Title Fight. Irwindale. Part Two

Mark Lenardon — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:32:54 +0000

Hands down….this was an amazing event both on and off track. Congrats to Tyler for winning the event, and Dai for the championship title!
The whole year couldn’t have been better for me, or more stressful, but after this event- it was all easily worth the headache, long flights, and tight bills.

Songs-
“Outro” by M83
“Punching a Dream” by Naked and Famous
…and the quote was from a interview (by Jackie Stewart) of Aryton Senna.

Thanks and see everyone next year…
-Mark Lenardon

Title Fight. Irwindale. Part One

Mark Lenardon — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:28:48 +0000

Well this was it…the final round of Formula D. I have to say it was somewhat bitter sweet because it meant I wouldn’t see anyone again for some time, but then again, I would have a partial vacation from all the madness this surely brings.

Two things are going to be addressed here, both very significant. First, congrats to Tyler for winning Irwindale and showing them whose boss. And by who, I mean Falken. This brings me to my second point, which is Tyler is a great driver and when he was removed from his car in Vegas so JTP could drive it, didn’t stand for it and the word is he is now a Free Agent for 2012. Teams, get yer holla on.

I really don’t know how Dennis’s bumper is still intact (despite the 300 zip ties)…He ripped it off every other run from rubbing the inner banks’ wall all weekend.

During breaks, we (Dave, Dennis & I) get a little bored so we make duck faces and what not.

I LOVE shooting at 1/20th, simply because it’s never perfect and always has a “game” feel.

JTP was in 2nd place for the championship title, only 5pts behind. But when in battle against Dmac, he cut it to close to a wall and ended his 2011 chase. Video will follow this since I luckily captured it all.

Dmac, as usual, ripping through the course like an old grandma with metal legs at a QVC Showroom. Dmac was also in contention for the championship title, but was also knocked out by Forsberg in top4. High five to you buddy, and a chop to Sarah’s head for just being Sarah. YOU KNOW WHY.

Battle scars.

Tony Martin….well, I can only say two things about this photo. One, he works for Matt Waldin. Two, is this goofy 24/7.

Inside the Redbull Camaro of sir Tuerck, there lays a little phrase taped to the dash….a tangible, mental edge to Ryan everytime he reads it.

The two pics above were hilarious, and completely necessary. It was announced on thursday that Rhys Millen would be stepping down from driving, into a team manager position. Shortly after, we all heard Ryan Tuerck would be piloting the Genesis for 2012, hence thew DA contraband being “donated” by a few people.

OMGdrew.

Well that’s the event in a nutshell…there were so many emotions, “oh’s & ah’s” filled the air, and I don’t think Jarod has ever yelled so much into the mic with excitement. Irwindale was insane-simple as that.

Midwest Drift Union….a look back through my camera.

Mark Lenardon — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:13:42 +0000

Once upon a time drifting started in Japan. After that, Edgar bought beer and started Drift Indy, then a pro-am series called Midwest Drift Union. Some people show up and smash cars, but they’re all there for the booze and free NOS in reality.

War “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
Alexisonfire “Born and Raised”
Skrillex “Kill Everybody”

<3 Mark Lenardon

Pets & Drifting

Mark Lenardon — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:07:31 +0000

Drifting is a “family” based sport. Whether it’s your immediate family that helps change tires & spot for you in a pro-am series, or if you’re a seasoned pro and the team that gave you your big shot has become so close, that you do consider them family. But not just people are considered family, a lot of drivers/fans/friends all bring their pets to the track too. Infamous Hater-Dan brings his pup, Kiddo, to many Clubloose events and she even has a pretty steady facebook-friend list.
Another Clubloosian, Matt Petty, absolutely loves his dogs. Him and his girlfriend, Susan, help at a shelter in Ewing, New Jersey, where many dogs are rescued and taken in anywhere from being abused or being a stray. Hands down I can say I have never met a group of people (at the Ewing Animal Shelter) that have ever been so dedicated to helping out any cause. And being there was pretty eye opening to how hard everyone there works, and how much love they have for any “newbies” coming in.
The reason for my being there, Petty had asked if someone could help out and get some decent photographs to put on the site to show how adorable all of the animals were…and naturally I jumped when I heard about the chance. Here’s a taste of my journey there, which was only a few hours but undoubtedly will remember for a long time & whenever I see my own best friend, Tex.

How can someone give up something so innocent? It breaks your heart, but it’s a pretty great feeling at the same time knowing people are doing what they can to help the “little guys” out….even if the little guys are 90 lbs of over grown puppy.

Even Formula D driver, Dennis Mertzanis, does what he can by running Petfinder vinyl on his car. Dennis being one of the nicest drivers in FD, defiantly loves his two dogs, Buddy & Lola. Here’s a quick shot of Buddy as well….

It’s extremely unfortunate to know that I was there two days ago with all 20+ dogs, hanging out with them and making them look cool for their future owners and finding out since then, a few had to be euthanized. But regardless, pets play a big role in anyones life, drifting or not, and it’s never a bad thing to help one out at a shelter when you can…worst case scenario you get a “Trenton Steak” because the crew at Ewing Animal Shelter were really glad you could make it out and lend a hand.
If you would like to find out some more info, head over to the link below, or just search on Petfinder for other locations.

http://members.petfinder.com/~NJ206/index.html

Street Life Tour: Part One

Mark Lenardon — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:19:18 +0000

This year I barely made it to Street Life Tour (in Xenia, Ohio) and as usual I had another amazing time. This years drivers list was full of friends/locals/drifter/hoodlums/etc…and so being there was a must. The video should be an epic recap of all the madness we had, and a full story will be written at some point…in the meantime, check out these pretty faces.

Aaron Bledsoe loves cameras, beards, flannel, dark meat, and scars….all of which I have.

This happens more than you know, I mean….They live together.

This guy makes my stickers…I’m legally obligated to do something for him since he gives me a fair price and always sings me his favorite Dave Grohl song.

Fanny packs & Budweiser…. sup?

There were a lot of white girls drinking…and when white girls drink, they want photos, and I know a lot of white girls. Here you have “Wesley Snipes” and Skrillex’s little sister.

Shout out to a local Ohio driver, Cody Tobe. This event got him his Formula D pro license, which many in Midwest Drift Union want pretty badly. I’m pretty sure there was only five points seperating second thru fifth place in the series overall.

This is were the after party began…Stan’s Bar. They remembered us from last year to say the least, but we apologized for killing half their “business” and what not.

And heading back to PA for my last two weeks there before I leave for LA….I snapped this really fast while at my “favorite” rest stop in Maryland.
BIG THANK YOU to Edgar (the hero) and Mike Bailey of Zerolift for helping me out with the trip out there!
Video should be up this week of the entire event too
-Mark

Club Loose: Freedom Moves

Mark Lenardon — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:20:08 +0000

To be honest, I didn’t think I could have more fun with all my friends, at an event, especially after East Coast Bash. But that idea was quickly kicked after going to Freedom Moves this year. From moped racing, 10 car tandems, BBQ, and obviously just hanging out with everyone is a blast. Within the first five minutes of being at the track Friday night, I see Tony Angelo sawing off the roof of a Toyota Tercel (R.I.P.), on Saturday Tuerck wrecked his missile about five times, and Sunday I seen some amazing Pro-Am competition… Needless to say, WOW. BIG thanks to J-wang & Hop for taking me out there and Nick for feeding me the entire weekend nearly.
PS- I’m digging this DSLR more and more…I need more than one lense though!
Crystal Castles- “Untrust Us”

If you didn’t have a OG-moped, then obviously you didn’t get the memo on the random moped races. High five to myself for fixing this one for Nick D’Alessio (Elite JDM).

This years (Almost, but pretty much guaranteed) DMCC Champ, Miro Ovcharik. Good friend of mine and always smiling and laughing…even when he wrecks the rear of the car for the 32x time.

“YO BRO! Are you takin’ pictures?!” -Nick D’Alessio

Eric O’Sullivan joined in this weekend with a “loaner car” from his team, Gardella Racing.

The “Table Game” was pretty fun to watch. It was simply to see who could e-brake closest to the table and surprisingly only one person ran thru the table.

Hobo Herron graced us with his lovely presence this weekend too…shooting for/with the Drift Alliance guys and even managing to drive a bit in Angelo’s missile car.

Matt Petty congratulating Matt Predmore on ALMOST beating Tanner Munson…. the #1 and #2 drivers though were amazing, and by the looks of how close they were driving the entire day-the couldn’t care less about if they won or not.