About the Photographer
Max Pattenden is a recent graduate (2025) from Plymouth University, where he studied BA Photography. His work is situated within the South West of England, and he looks to investigate the relationships between people and time, focusing often on masculinity, adolescence and the experiences he has had with the people around him.
working to create an identity and a name within the subculture.
Proposed Project
Exploring friendship, masculinity, trust and adolescence, 'Epidermis' is the ongoing story of a small group of friends in the South West of England. Created around the edges of the newly established street sport of Parkour, Pattenden’s photographs display scenes of celebration, reassurance, trust, and anticipation; showing an insight into the relationships built while tackling new challenges and travelling together.
The project is centred around a group of friends who practice Parkour within the South West of England. The project is intended to investigate the themes that Parkour presents, for example trust, young male friendships, masculinity and self worth. The images act as a photographic vignette, lining the edges of where the sport exists - from spending nights together editing videos and reviewing footage, to celebrating breaking new challenges.
