Fishies and deep breaths.
07/10/08 11:28
A year ago today, I left Roatan after living there
for 3 and a half months. I expected to be back
there around June, but life is always
interesting and you never know what is around
the next corner, so instead it has now been a
year since I've seen some of my friends down
there. I've booked a flight back for
Christmas, which makes me extremely happy, but
I miss the place. No Roatan has also meant, no
diving, which I miss terribly. People have
asked me what the appeal is lately and my
response is this; scuba diving is everything
that snowboarding isn't. It's warm (at least
where I like to do it), it's no impact, it's
quiet and calm (which snowboarding actually
can be too, but not sledding or crowded
mountains, etc.).
Diving to me is like a forced meditation. You slow down your breathing, clear your mind, and look at pretty fishes. It calms me.
So in the year since I've been home, a lot has happened. I've made big strides professionally, and am very proud of the work I'm doing these days. Between that, the new apartment, and impending wedding, life has kept me very, very busy. I feel fortunate, considering the state of the global economy and how tough it is out there to make it as a photographer, to still be getting work, selling pictures, and interesting new clients.
Now if I can just figure out how to do it all of that from the beach...
This is a typical view off the wall in Roatan. No sharks or seahorses or barracuda, just a squirrel fish and lots of coral. Aaaah.
Diving to me is like a forced meditation. You slow down your breathing, clear your mind, and look at pretty fishes. It calms me.
So in the year since I've been home, a lot has happened. I've made big strides professionally, and am very proud of the work I'm doing these days. Between that, the new apartment, and impending wedding, life has kept me very, very busy. I feel fortunate, considering the state of the global economy and how tough it is out there to make it as a photographer, to still be getting work, selling pictures, and interesting new clients.
Now if I can just figure out how to do it all of that from the beach...
This is a typical view off the wall in Roatan. No sharks or seahorses or barracuda, just a squirrel fish and lots of coral. Aaaah.
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off the map
17/01/08 22:15
Last year, after multiple run-ins with bad luck and
bad conditions, Travis Robb, Mark Landvik, Eric
Jackson and I set out to find a new spot. We
searched and searched, and eventually came upon a
little miracle of geography that was perfectly made
for snowboarding. Especially for shooting photos of
snowboarding. We spend a few days "working the
zone" before other obligations dragged us in
different directions and although we put some great
stuff on film, we had unfinished business.
We're back in our spot. It has set up differently this year, different in a good way. Sammy Luebke is along for the ride this time and he's having a ball riding the best pillows on the planet. The level of riding has jumped through the roof this year. While we were happy linking transitions with big straight airs last year, this year tricks are getting thrown in the most insane places. I'm totally exhausted and I have so much to take care of at home, but for now, I'm in the middle of an amazing dream and I'm going to hit snooze for just a couple more days.
We're back in our spot. It has set up differently this year, different in a good way. Sammy Luebke is along for the ride this time and he's having a ball riding the best pillows on the planet. The level of riding has jumped through the roof this year. While we were happy linking transitions with big straight airs last year, this year tricks are getting thrown in the most insane places. I'm totally exhausted and I have so much to take care of at home, but for now, I'm in the middle of an amazing dream and I'm going to hit snooze for just a couple more days.
On the road
15/01/08 18:06
I am on the road with Standard Films right now.
Over the long drive, Travis and I talked about
all sorts of things, one of the themes that
comes up frequently with us is creativity,
inspiration, and how our lives are affected by
the ebbs and flows of the creative cycle. One
thing that always seems to kill creativity, is
working from home. When you are home you are
trapped in your normal routine and held
hostage by the mundane. Chores and bills and
social obligations all draw energy away from
the creative process.
Hit the road though, and all that is behind you. You see new things, and you see regular things in a new light. It is guaranteed to kickstart my inner art guy.
I'm missing out on so much at home right now, but at least if I have to miss that, I can be happy about taking good pictures.
I shot this while were driving so it's not really one of the good pictures...
Hit the road though, and all that is behind you. You see new things, and you see regular things in a new light. It is guaranteed to kickstart my inner art guy.
I'm missing out on so much at home right now, but at least if I have to miss that, I can be happy about taking good pictures.
I shot this while were driving so it's not really one of the good pictures...
Back in BC
09/01/08 20:31
I'm back in BC after a really short trip to Baker.
Although we didn't end up getting what we went for,
we did manage to get a whole bunch of other stuff.
I got to do a few turns on Baker in between shots
which is always nice, and met Nick, Nate and Sammy.
I also got to see some good old friends, Sean
Sullivan! Ranquet, Barrett, Temple, Shaun McKay,
John Laing, Pat McCarthy (who is looking good, and
riding after the accident)
All in all, it was a nice trip if a little too short. Washington is beautiful
All in all, it was a nice trip if a little too short. Washington is beautiful