The newest addition to the HIP Visual Arts portfolio is a short featuring Jessica Jensen and Amalia Barker out for an evening trailrun to the Diamond Fork Hot-springs. In shooting shorts such as this, my goal is to improve my ability to visual convey a story. The combination of video and stills is a totally new field for me, but each time I venture out to experiment, I come back with new skills and bigger ideas. Throughout my career as a photographer, the goal has always been to capture and convey a story that would inspire others to act; whether that’s purely in a recreational sense or toward a greater cause. The creation of these video shorts brings a whole new element into the production side of the business. There is more preparation to be done and unless you’re Superman, it requires additional people involved. The first two shorts I have created were solo projects, but to continue to push the creativity and get better results, I can see I will need assistance in capturing audio as well as a gaffer/light tech. The creative capacity of the D3s opens so many doors and coupled with the wide range of SLR lenses inspires creating some powerful pieces for both personal and commercial work.
This video features music from the KI: Theory, who support the creation and distribution of media. They allow their music to be downloaded for free for use in non-commercial videos. This is part of the new model of media usage and creation that will level the playing field and allow creators from all fields and backgrounds to collaborate. The key is the networking and turning that collaboration into business. Check out KI: Theory and support the great music they are putting out.
Moving forward with these shorts and the general creation of media and stories, I would like to work together with local athletes of all disciplines. If you have an idea for a short and would like to work with me, leave a comment or shoot me an email garrett (a) hammersincphoto dot com
The Outdoor Retailer show is in town this week, and they got a release on the Ogden River on Monday morning. I headed up with the Rapid Progression Kayak School to shoot some photos of the action.
The light was pretty harsh, which never makes for great photos, plus all the contrast with the white in the water and the dark shadows on the sides. I decided shortly after arriving that I would shoot with B&W in mind and these images turned out good. It’s important to have the knowledge and skill to make the most out of any situation. As a landscape photographer I prefer to shoot early and late in the day for the best light regardless of what I am shooting, but often that’s not an option and I have learned how to deal with the variety of challenges that come with shooting actions sports. Thinking in Black & White when the light is bad is a great technique to come away with good images under marginal conditions.
Pitt Grewe coming through on of the crux rapids on the Ogden Narrows
Marcus Greenwood almost done, pulling through the last rapid.
Pitt Grewe easing up after navigating the Poison Ivy rapid mid river.
Pitt Grewe watching out for the wood.
Andy Thunell pulling hard through the continuous crux section.
Andy Thunell and Marcus Greenwood testing out the new Jackson Dynamic Duo—a two person creek boat—on class IV whitewater, and enjoying the hell out of it!
Andy and Marcus said they had never laughed so hard while kayaking in their lives.