Freeriding!

Quick lesson for those who are not into the cycling thing: Freeriding is sort of a new segment of mtn biking. All those bmx kids that used to fly off things and jump down stairs - well, they grew up and became freeriders. They still fly of of things, they just do it with bigger bikes.

Dave and Brock are two such guys. Dave built a place on his grandmother's land in Somerset, WI, that he calls "Snake Trails". It consists of large sets of dirt doubles and wooden ramps (and other obstacles that I don't have names for). All of them are for going big. Big air, big gaps, all things big.

Our first photo session actually got rained out. I managed to fire off about 6 frames before the rain was too much. Here are a few. More to come when I revisit Snake Trails in October. Pray for dry dirt, boys.

Also, Dave is trying to find a place for himself in the bike video world. He has a decent start from what I have seen. I'll try to work on a link so that you can see for yourself. Enjoy.

Portraits - Travis N. senior photos

I don't shoot too many seniors usually, but I had two guys, Travis and Bryan, give me a call this year telling me that they like my portraits because they did not look like "senior portraits" - I took that as a compliment. Thanks boys.


Here are Bryan's images. We shot down by St. Anthony Main - his idea. I think it worked out pretty well!
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Here are a few of Travis that I liked. (Travis is wearing the plaid shirt) As well as owning this sweet VW, he's got a few nice bicycles as well. You're on your way, Travis!
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2007 Assignments - Part 1

I'm going to highlite some of the best assignments I did this year. Most were for the NY Times - Travel section.

This is the perfect place for me to release images that might ever be seen otherwise. The NYT only publishes a couple images per assignment, but ususally there at least a handful of interesting shots. Let the chronicle begin.
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This is Mount Bohemia, in Upper Michigan. It is a EXPERT ONLY ski/board area. Black diamond runs with "gladed areas" - which are tree runs. In other words, it is backcountry. Miss the trees and you are having fun. Ski over your head and you are going to end up hurt.
Somehow I managed to walk away from this one despite my non-black diamond skills. I did most of the photography by running (literally) around the mountain on snowshoes.

If you are into backcountry with rocky drops and tree hazards - the closest destination is Mt. Bohemia. Great atmosphere, run by great people. You will not be dissapointed.

* If you'd like to use any of these, please ask first. Thanks.

Photo Project 2007

I am fortunate enough to get to photograph a lion's share of cool things. I am not in need of exciting work ususally. But my job has left me a little unsatisfied in that my assignments are small glimpses at things. I mean that I do not get to really get into the middle of things like I want to. I don't get to experieince them fully - you dig?

So, to remedy that, I gave myself a long-term assignment to follow a local bicycle racer (or racers as it turns out) through a season. It started in a dimly lit basement. Two guys spinning on trainers - the dirty work of cycle training. It progressed into racing in the spring, both on the road and on the Velodrome. I have captured what I feel are some great shots of the beautiful, elegant sport of bicycle racing.

This project has spurred me to begin racing - something I always wished I had done. And I am joining the team for this next season. I intend to race both mountain bike and track (velodrome - see www.mnvelodrome.org ) I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Here is a sampling of the project. Big thanks to Tim "Super Rookie" Hayes, Dan Wold, Spencer H. and the rest of the Grumpy's Cycling Team. Enjoy!