I've Rediscovered the Mountains in the Winter

So, I wrapped up a week in Aspen at the X Games and I must say, I can't wait to shoot it again next year.  I probably wouldn't have said that two days into the event, but once I learned how to get around the mountain efficiently, I was a much happier camper.  Dozens of rides on snowmobiles and snow cats and bringing snacks up on the mountain with me made all the difference in the world.  Plus, being able to take chances to make unique and different photos paid off and I feel like I was able to shoot photos that went beyond the obvious.

Also, I've included a few pics from my feature project with the magnetic poetry.  I really think it was a success and I hope you get a good laugh out of them.

Enjoy the pics.  Off to watch the Superbowl!!!

-TSB2

This might be my favorite pic from last week...

On top of the world...

While I will try snowboarding, I don't think I'll be racing like this any time soon...

See what I'm talking about?  These people are wired a little differently.

Snowboarders are bringing back the 80's...

Ahhh, those silly snowboarders...

Handlebars and jawbones don't mix...

No, I didn't just turn the camera upside-down...he's actually flipping a 600lb snowmobile.

"Be quiet, I'm about to go skiing with a bunch of nutcases."

I know I posted an image like this in my last post, but this is what I've been looking to get all week...all of these guys in a group, flying together.  I love the color that their bibs add...

These people are totally crazy. Period.

Before I start, if any of you friendly do-gooders out there want to book me a massage at my favorite Denver spa, Glo, go for it.  I'm going to need it, big time.  I'll be back in Denver on Monday, so anything after Monday afternoon will work.

Yes, my body aches.  I'm getting over a cold.  My feet are killing me.  My face is slightly sunburned (we all know it will turn tan tomorrow with my skin).  In fact, curling my toes sends pain all the way up my calves, and my back feels like I've been toting around a 400mm lens on a snow covered mountain all day...oh wait, I have been doing that.  But it's been worth it.

While this has been some of the most challenging photography both mentally and physically, I've come to enjoy it.  I'm totally exhausted at the moment and really don't have it in me to write any more, so I'm going to hit the sack in a few minutes.

I hope you enjoy the pics.  I've put a lot of sweat into making these and I'm very proud of them.

Check out the TV coverage of Winter X 12 this weekend on ESPN/ESPN2 (I Don't know which one it's on). You won't be disappointed.  These athletes have some screws loose and do things that are incredible to see.

Oh yeah, you can also check out pics from ALL of the events here.  I'm working with some pretty talented photographers, so if you have a moment, give them their due and check out their stuff.  Just remember, I don't write the captions.  Sometimes, they're pretty funny though.

I hope all is well with everyone out there.  Please feel free to drop a comment below.

TSB2

PS-Honey, I'll be home on Monday!  I can't wait to see you!!!

Soaring among the Aspens...

I don't know how these guys see where they're going with all the snow flying around...

Snowboarding just looks cool...and I can't wait to try it one of these days...

See what I'm talking about???  These guys are CRAZY!!!

Tuckin'....or Truckin'.

Oh my god, he's traveling through time!

Chillin' on the sled.

Look at the snowboarder, here....

Duuuuuuude, greetings from Winter X 12

This week, I'm up in Aspen for the Winter X Games shooting for EXPN.com.  I got this opportunity through my colleague Brett Wilhelm who has been working as a photo editor at Winter and Summer X for the past 5 or 6 years.  This year, the EXPN crew has grown significantly because the web site has continued to draw more and more people to it, especially in the last year.  Thus, they've added more photographers, writers, bloggers, video people, and editors...about 30 people in all.

We had a large meeting this morning during which we 'brainstormed' (if you want to call it that) all the different stories we'll be covering this week while we follow around these nutcase athletes. The EXPN crew is a colorful, yet motivated bunch and I'm really excited to see the work that we're going to produce for the website throughout the week.

I've been assigned with another photographer to cover Skier/Boarder X (where 6 skiers or snowboarders race down a course at the same time) and the Snocross events where guys race snowmobiles around a track that is like a motocross track, but obviously made of frozen water that most of us refer to as 'snow'.  I'm really excited to shoot these events since there is a high 'wreck factor' in both of them and it will definitely provide tons of opportunities to make some sweet photos.

Additionally, they've asked all of the photographers to contribute a feature gallery of some sort.  While the other photographers are concentrating on everything from the newest fashion at the games to the hottest chicks (I'm not kidding...that's the level on which the fans who visit expn.com think),  I'm going to shoot something a little different.  Since these sports attract people who are three dead brain cells from being totally crazy, I want to get into their psyche and show it. Thus, I thought a creative way to portray this would be through magnetic poetry.  I cut small pieces of sheet metal into handheld size tablets on which fans and/or athletes will create poems that show just how idiotic they really are.  Just think about it for a second...If you've played with magnetic poetry on a friend's fridge, you've come up with some pretty weird stuff, right? Now, think about how weird it will be when you have snowboarders with 9 brain cells do it.

I'll be posting pics throughout the week.  I don't know if I'll have time to write very much, but please check back every day or two for some fresh pics.  Until then, enjoy a few pics that I shot today while scouting out various positions for the events I'll be covering.

Talk to you later!

-TSB2

My snowmobile ride to the top of the Skier/Boarder X course.  Yes, I almost fell off while taking this photo.

Some workers mounting the giant X games logo to the Skier/Boarder X starting gate...

The last drop on the Skier/Boarder X course...