2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout: That’s a Wrap

March 1st, 2010

For the last three years, I (with the help of Ski Salt Lake and the Cottonwood Canyons resorts) have hosted a ski-based photography competition called the Ski Salt Lake Shootout. It’s a frenetic mess of photographers, athletes, loads of equipment, inevitable cell phone exhaustion and always, exceptional photography. I know by now that, for five days, I am encased in a veritable bubble of shutter clicking, bro-brah-ing, thumbs-upping, and little, if any…sleep.

Andy Jacobsen, making sure gravity is taking time off the clock at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Andy Jacobsen, making sure gravity isn't taking time off the clock at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

In the end, however, the visual and emotional rewards are extremely gratifying. It’s humbling to see what the photographers and athletes are able to produce within such a short window of time. It’s always great to see how other photographers see, and to talk shop with others in the biz. This year we were blessed with a mix of weather conditions and what seemed like consistently good (and at times exceptional) snow. The talent pool of athletes here across the Wasatch Front is staggering, and it’s always cool to see how many top level athletes call SLC home.

Photographer Mike Schirf lines things up at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Photographer Mike Schirf lines things up at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

While I spend the majority of my time documenting the event for awards slideshows and the like, I do search for differing angles from which I can shoot some of my own imagery during the week. Check out the images in this post  for a peek at the action, and I’ll be sure to post a link to the Shootout site as soon as we have the winning images uploaded.

Carston Oliver enjoys a break in the action at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Carston Oliver enjoys a break in the action at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Julian Carr, making the best of late light and fresh pow at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Julian Carr, making the best of late light and fresh pow at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Norwegian photographer Erlend Haugen captures Cody Barnhill at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Norwegian photographer Erlend Haugen captures Cody Barnhill at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Carston Oliver, just before the hurt at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Carston Oliver, just before the hurt at Snowbird during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Julian Carr checks his takeoff at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Julian Carr checks his takeoff at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Andy Jacobsen sends it at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Andy Jacobsen sends it at Alta Ski Area during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Jared Allen takes a break from/for the camera at Brighton Resort during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

Jared Allen takes a break from/for the camera at Brighton Resort during the 2010 Ski Salt Lake Shootout.

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Posted in Action Sports Stuff | 2 Comments »

We All Start Somewhere…

February 9th, 2010
Sunset, Entlebuch, Switzerland 1997

Sunset, Entlebuch, Switzerland 1997

I was hanging out at my parents house the other day when I went downstairs, down the hallway that led to my old room. On the way, I noticed my first print “exhibit” on the wall. Placed there nearly 15 years ago, this was a veritable blast from the past, and one I couldn’t help but study and ponder. Wow–talk about photography 101! I gazed at the images sheepishly, wondering what I was thinking with the blown highlights here, centered composition there and numerous other nitpicks in between. And then it hit me–I wasn’t thinking. I was simply shooting.

Sunset, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France 1997

Sunset, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France 1997

It was a simpler time during my senior year in high school. I had taken my only photography class the year before and had learned just enough to operate my father’s old Canon FTB. It was a literal aluminum tank that hung from my neck, with a light meter that bounced up and down in an unsure motion as I panned across shadows and highlights. To this day, that photography class at Highland High School remains my only formal education on a medium that would one day define my career. Who knew? I certainly didn’t.

Fall color, Mill Creek Canyon, UT 1996

Fall color, Mill Creek Canyon, UT 1996

This is less of a “look at me now” post, and much more of a “look where I started” reflection. The simple truth is this: we all start at the same place. A place unfamiliar, curious and rarely comfortable. It’s an insecure place, where one is pestered by self doubt and a lack of knowledge. Conversely, however, this place also bursts with a desire to create and explore. It’s a place illuminated by the glimmer that comes from rounding every unknown bend, and returning with a new morsel of skill or knowledge…

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France 1997

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France 1997

Times have changed a great deal since I first picked up a “real” camera. Film has been replaced to a large degree by digital sensor. Notepads with scribblings of apertures, shutter speeds and focal lengths have been replaced by high tech programs that record it all for you at the click of the shutter. Entry level cameras can do more now than the best pro cameras could ever dream of mustering 15 years ago. One factor, however, remains the same. Creativity, passion and the will to achieve can never be replaced or switched out. They are the photographic foundation that will never crumble.

Sunset, Lake Powell, UT 1996

Sunset, Lake Powell, UT 1996

Think about where you started. Maybe it was ten, fifteen, or even twenty five years ago. Maybe it was yesterday. Remember not what you didn’t know then. Rather, remember that all you knew was that clicking the shutter brought mystery and joy and crazy, care free satisfaction. What a cool thing…

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Posted in Landscape/Scenic Photography, Photography Instruction | 3 Comments »

Why Do You Do It?

February 2nd, 2010
Winter sunset over Big Cottonwood Creek, UT

Winter sunset over Big Cottonwood Creek, UT

You know what I’m talking about. Why do you photograph?

Whether a green amateur or a full time pro, you have to ask yourself now and again why it is that you create imagery. Is it for money? Love? Cyber back-pats? Creative survival? What is it?

As I’ve transitioned from casual amateur to serious hobbyist to full time pro over the years, I’ve thought long and hard about why I photograph. The motivating factor has changed across the years,  from a carefree occupier of time, to a burning desire to improve, to a simple desire to prove (something to someone, somewhere, anywhere) to a means of putting food on the table for my family. In the end, however, the simple answer is this: I NEED TO PHOTOGRAPH. It is every bit as much a part of me as my fingers typing this very blog post.

Within every true creative, there is a relentless desire to…create. A feeling akin to that of an athlete’s muscles aching to be used and abused, this hunger to create is innate and restless unless satiated on a frequent basis. It matters not whether there are stock requests to fulfill, commercial clients to satisfy or workshops to teach. At a certain point, you must ask yourself why you do it. If the answer isn’t one of creative necessity and passion, then when it gets bad, you won’t have enough to keep going.

I think many a pro would be lying if they said there wasn’t a glamour factor to it all.  Yes, it’s great to get compliments and adoration and words of encouragement, but that won’t sustain a photographer through the peaks and valleys. The image above was one of, if not my very first five-star shot. If you’ve followed my work, you’ve likely seen it many times before. I can remember the feeling I had when I uploaded the images of my CF card and saw it on the computer screen. I was elated. And yes, I still get that feeling every time I go out to shoot and come back with a keeper.

Ask yourself why you do it. Hopefully you discover a truth you may not have known before. And hopefully, that truth fuels your photographic fire for years and years.

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2010 Workshops: New Partnership with M&M Photo Tours

January 20th, 2010

I’m extremely excited to announce a new partnership with M&M Photo Tours as a guest pro at six workshops/tours this summer. See the official release below for details! Also–M&M has graciously agreed to offer any of my fans/followers a $100 discount off National Parks workshops and a $250 discount off the “Best of Italy” tour.

Landscape photographer has partnered with M&M Photo Tours as a guest pro at numerous workshops for 2010 including numerous National Parks and a "Best of Italy" tour.

Landscape photographer Adam Barker has partnered with M&M Photo Tours as a guest pro at numerous workshops for 2010 including several National Parks and a "Best of Italy" tour.

Adam Barker to Partner as Guest Pro with M&M Photo Tours

Tours Include National Parks and Italy

Salt Lake City (January 2010) – Award-winning landscape photographer and noted educator Adam Barker has partnered with M&M Photo Tours as the “guest pro” at numerous photo tours/workshops for 2010. Workshop locations include iconic National Parks such as Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Arches National Park as well a “Best of Italy” tour.

Says Barker, “There truly is no better way to progress one’s photography than by visiting internationally recognized locations with experienced professionals for a fun, immersive educational experience.”

Adds Mike Gulbraa of M&M Photo Tours, “We are excited to welcome Adam Barker to our guest pro list which includes National Geographic and Canon Explorers of Light photographers.  We welcome his skills and keen sense of creativity & artistry to our workshops and Italy tour.  We are certain that Adam’s vast skills and expertise in teaching workshops and interacting with all levels of photographers will bring both M&M and Adam new experiences and appreciation for our art, while providing excellent education and resources to the workshop/tour attendees”.

Barker will lead a total of six workshops/tours for 2010 as follows:

  • Page & Monument Valley — May 6-9, 2010
  • Best of Italy Tour – May 15-24, 2010
  • South Rim of Grand Canyon — June 6-9, 2010
  • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park — July 6-9, 2010
  • Zion & Bryce National Parks — August 1-4, 2010
  • Arches National Park — October 4-7, 2010

For workshop details and itineraries, visit M&M Photo Tours at mmphototours.com

About AdamBarkerPhotography

Raised amongst the towering peaks of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Adam Barker has a passion for photography matched only by his zest for life. His affable nature, coupled with his workshop and seminar experience has helped many photographers to take their photographic endeavors to the next level. Obsessed with golden light and unforgettable vistas, his landscapes have sold as limited edition fine art prints to private and corporate collectors throughout the United States. His love affair with exceptional imagery has translated into stirring editorial work in skiing, fly fishing and numerous other lifestyle and adventure publications including Outdoor Photographer, Skiing, Ski, Powder, The Drake, USA Today, American Angler and many more. To find out more about Barker and view his work, visit AdamBarkerPhotography.com.

About M&M Photo Tours

Mike Gulbraa and Mike Montgomery established M&M Photo Tours to answer the call of photo enthusiasts with a knack for photographing the wonders of the world with the best instructors around. Both published and award-winning photographers themselves, the Mikes offer a wealth of travel experience in addition to their photographic foundations. Having traveled to over 150 countries on all continents and speaking several languages between them, their tour expertise is unmatched. Visit mmphototours.com for a complete list of photo tours and workshops for 2010.

Contacts:

AdamBarkerPhotography

Adam Barker

adam@adambarkerphotography.com

801-550-9141

www.AdamBarkerPhotography.com

M&M Photo Tours

Mike Gulbraa

mikeg@mmphototours.com

801-652-9316

mmphototours.com

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