AdamBarkerPhotography Fall/Early Winter 2016 by AdamBarkerPhotography

NEWSLETTER Fall/Early Winter 2016

www.adambarkerphotography.com

INTRO

““Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love that makes life and nature harmonise. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one’s very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” --George Eliot-‘Tis the season for leaf pile-diving, brown pow-shredding and spiced cider sipping. I think I may have labeled summer as my favorite time of year in the last newsletter. Sorry--I lied. Fall, you have my heart. Please don’t leave too quickly with it. In this issue, we highlight San Francisco, CA and its diverse travel appeal. It is so many things to so many people. And with its Indian Summer lasting well into November, this is prime time for enjoing the most that the “City by the Bay” has to offer. For all you sharp shooters, dial in a five-star landscape of that special seasonal transition from autumn to winter in our how-to section. While you’re at it, garner some inspiration from our CRISP photo essay. Oh yeah, do you even shred bro? Check out an in-depth interview with professional skier Marcus Caston. Get to know Marcus better as we quiz the Utah local on such pertinent issues as chicken-fried waffles, spirit animals and swedish models. Finally, gear junkies rejoice! Dive head first into our 2017 fall/winter gear guide. You’ll find apparel, footwear and...wait for it...socks!!!

aised amongst Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, internationally acclaimed photographer Adam Barker has a passion for photography matched only by his zest for life. Known for bold landscape and active lifestyle imagery, his love affair with exceptional imagery has translated into stirring editorial work for Fitness, Men’s Journal, Outside, Outdoor Photographer, Skiing, Ski, Powder, Flyfish Journal, USA Today, Mountain Magazine and many more publications. He has drawn praise for his teaching style at workshops both domestic and abroad, and has drawn similar accord for his instructional DVDs. Barker has produced imagery for a varied array of commercial clients including YETI Coolers, Traeger Grills, Panasonic, Manfrotto, Vestergaard Frandsen, Volkswagen of America, Deer Valley Resort and many more. When not shooting, Barker can be found spending time with his wife and three sons, or “product testing” in the mountains, on the river, or wherever else nature happens to call.

ADAM BARKER

www.adambarkerphotography.com adam@adambarkerphotography.com 801.550.9141

destination spotlight

Must See: Painted Ladies Also known as “Postcard Row”, this charming group of victorian houses was built between 1892 and 1896 and offers a stunning contrast to the modern San Francisco skyline directly behind it. Situated adjacent Alamo Square, it is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic or an evening stroll. Trying to figure out why this looks so familiar? These lovely ladies are best known for their appearance in the opening montage of the popular sitcom “Full House” that aired from 1987 to 1995.

San Francisco, CA, USA “One day if I do go to heaven~ I’ll look around and say, ‘It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco. “ -Herb CaenPhotographer’s paradise? Yes. Foodie’s dreamtown? You betcha. Architect fanatic’s Eden? Uh huh. Shopper’s delight? Come on now. History Buff’s utopia? And how. I’m not aware of any city in the lower 48 that has more of a perpetual (positive) identity crisis than San Francisco. It is so many things to so many people, and the greater majority will check off one bucket list item after another for even the most seasoned world traveler. Home to such icons as the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, San Francisco 49ers football team, Muir Woods, Alcatraz Island and so much more, San Francisco is a veritable smorgasbord of things to do and places to see. Over the years I’ve had numerous occasions to visit this diverse “City by the Bay”. While many times of year are nice to visit and have much to offer, perhaps the best time of year to visit this bustling metropolis is late September thru early November. This is when San Francisco’s “Indian Summer” goes into full effect with pleasant temperatures and welcoming weather. It also seems to be a bit less crowded than the summer months with kids being back in school. Popular locales include Union Square, Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Presidio and Financial District. Get your eat on in North Beach, China Town and/or the Mission (amazing mexican food). While seeing the Golden Gate Bridge is unforgettable in and of itself, up the ante and rent a bike to get up close and personal with this iconic structure. Don’t forget the camera! GETTING THERE: Fly into SFO or (low-cost alternative) Oakland International Airport. Take the BART into the city and let your legs (and Uber) do the rest! Parking a rental car is not worth the trouble!

Fall/Early Winter 2016

How To: Capture the Seasonal Transition Tech Specs

Be There

Thank you Captain Obvious. No really. Thanks. Hugs. Bye! You can joke about it all you want, but the biggest challenge in capturing that subtle fleeting transition from fall to winter is to do your front-end homework and be at the right place at the right time. This means understanding when the foliage typically turns and then keeping a dedicated eye on the weather.You’ll want to be shooting in the hours just after the storm--once the sun has its way with the snow, it’s curtains for that 5-star image.

Location: Telluride, Colorado, USA Camera: Canon EOS 1DX Lens: Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L Settings: 10 sec. @ f/11 ISO 500

Utilize Your Camera’s Live View Display Our camera’s LCD display can be an incredibly useful tool for so many things in this age of digital photograpy. Not only does it give us all the information needed to obtain a proper exposure, it is also incredibly helpful in nailing down a dynamically composed image. Sometimes it’s hard to translate what we see in front of us into the confines of the photographic frame. Additionally, sometimes it’s hard to really gather how the image as a whole feels when looking through the viewfinder. Utilizing our liveview display helps us to take a step back and look at the image as a whole. Liveview is also incredibly helpful when using Grad ND filters as it helps us to see exactly how (and where) the filter affects the image.

Scout Your Location “Wall hangers“ don’t just just fall into our lap by happenstance. Schedule in time to adequately scout the location you hope to shoot. Understand what type of light and time of day are best suited to photographing that location. Scour the area with camera in hand and dial in the exact composition you hope to shoot. Make it such that all you have to do upon arrival is set up the tripod and click the shutter.

PHOTOESSAY: Crisp

Yes. Crisp. It’s the word I think of when out hiking around in the dark before sunrise on a fall morning. It’s the feeling I get when donning a fleece hoody for the first time in months. It’s the sound of the first snowflakes of the year hitting hitting my windshield. And it is a replenishing of mind, body and spirit as we transition into winter. What is it about seasonal transitions that cause us to reflect inward? Perhaps it’s the time spent memorializing that which just occured, and preparing for that which is knocking on the door. I know what’s knocking on MY door...early alarm clocks, first chairs and high fives. Cold face shots, warm smiles and incessant shutter clicking. What’s coming your way???

Fall/Early Winter 2016

Get To Know: Professional Skier Marcus Caston Take the charm of Sean Connery, the cat-like reflexes of Bruce Lee and the charisma of Jimmy Fallon. Add to that an uncanny ability to absolutely shred on skis and you’ve got snow superstar Marcus Caston. He’d never admit it, but he’s way better than you. It’s ok, you’re probably better at... cribbage. Get to know Marcus better as we quiz this Utah local on pertinent issues like spirit animals, chicken fried waffles and swedish models.

Name: Marcus Caston Age: 28 Home: Salt Lake City, UT Home Resort: Snowbird, UT Proof: Watch This Marcus—you’ve become a household name amongst core skiers in the past couple of years. Tell us about your early years as a skier. I started skiing at Snowbird and poaching hot tubs with my dad when I was 2, and pretty much have been doing the same thing since. I joined the Snowbird Ski Team, where I spent nearly every day chasing around the coaches and other racers. Thats where I learned everything.

You’ve got one day, anywhere on planet earth—no holds barred. Describe your ideal ski day. Bluebird day, 30 Degrees, Alaska, avalanches don’t exist, a heli full of my best friends and 50 Swedish models. Heli skiing all day from sunrise to sunset only stopping for a BBQ on the glacier.

Fall/Early Winter 2016

things I spend most of my time chasing, and I love working as a team with a photographer to find the goods. Each photographer has a different style, and just like anything else, some teams work better together than others. We will usually meet up early and head out on the mountain, often before the sunrise. Setting up shots is a whole process in and of itself, planning the exact spots and moments you are going to turn and communicating that with the photographer. We will usually shoot until the light and snow disappears, or until we are too exhausted and cold to stay out any longer. Thats when I head home and get my social media on before heading to the gym for a little recovery before another day out on the

It’s obvious you work hard to keep your name and brand front of mind. What is the secret to staying relevant as a professional skier these days? I think it’s important to treat skiing as a job and put in the hours. I absolutely love shooting and working with other creative minds, but some days it’s way too easy to want to blow off shooting and go ski powder with your friends. Those are the days you have to buckle down and “go to work.” As far as remaining relevant, I think you have to be pushing the boundaries of the sport in one way or another. Stay true to yourself and don’t just follow what’s cool at the moment. If you’re do-

ing what’s already cool, somebody else already paved that path. Go do something else and make that the new cool. Resort or Backcountry? Lamest answer ever: Both. I really love both equally. Pancakes or waffles? Chicken Fried Waffles If I had to choose one word to describe your style of skiing, it would be “dynamic”. Describe your style and/or approach when you’re out on the mountain. I just love getting huge angles.

don’t have any option other than to wait for it. Sometimes sitting there for over an hour in the snow for the light to never pop, or to blow the turn. Blowing the turn is definitely worse.

off on me bit. Photography has been a really fun and different way for me to exercise my brain and creativity. I understand the process from shooting skiing with professionals, so it’s fun to take the reigns a bit.

"If you’re doing what’s cool, somebody else already paved that path. Go do something else and make that the new cool."

Proudest accomplishment on skis thus far?

so much that needs to happen to make a good ski image, the odds aren’t in your favor, so when it works out it’s really rewarding. My least favorite part is definitely waiting for light. When everything is there except for the light, you

Tecnica, Blizzard, Osprey, Snowbird, Leki, Helly Hansen

mountain. What is your most/least favorite part about working with photographers? My favorite part is seeing the result when everything works out. There’s

You have quite the eye for photography yourself. Tell us about your passion for photography. I guess after years of working with professional photographers it rubbed

A tie between the first time I got to film with Warren Miller and first Powder Magazine cover. Sponsor shoutouts???

Want to see more inspiring snow slayage from Mr. Caston? Follow him on Instagram and hold on for the ride.

There isn’t a better feeling for me than putting the skis way out there and snapping them back. When you start linking them, that’s heaven. Spirit Animal? Baloo from the Jungle Book You’ve had a hefty helping of published images and video segments in the past couple of years. The average Joe has little grasp on what it takes to make this happen. Tell us about your typical “work” day in the mountains. It’s certainly a process. First you need good light, and second you need good snow. These are the two Fall/Early Winter 2016

featured image

Yes, please...

For motorheads, there are few things more enjoyable than a late afternoon rip on your favorite patch of asphalt. Add to that a veritable tunnel of peak fall foliage and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got yourself a little slice of vehicular heaven. Location: Millcreek Canyon, UT.

2016 FALL / WINTER GEAR

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Drool-worthy morsels for your fall and winter pursuits... Go ahead. Admit it. You’re a junkie, an addict, another hopeless victim of gear infatuation. It’s cool--you’re not alone. For better or worse, we are all obsessed with the latest and greatest. Fear not! We are here to help! No, we’re not going to help you back away from that ledge of perpetual gear obsession, we’re here to make sure you get the biggest, baddest and best equipment out there. These items have all dutifully earned the ABP stamp of approval! Click on the item images for direct links to the goods.

FEATURED I am an absolute NUT about ski socks. When you spend as much time as I do locked in to the less-than-comfy confines of a high-performance ski boot, you tend to search out the best socks one can buy. Enter Dissent Labs. I don’t have anywhere near enough room to wax poetic on these fine threads but trust me--best stocking stuffer ever.

Arc’teryx Covert Hoody

Dynafit TLT Radical ST 2.0

My favorite no-nonsense fleece that is equally at home on the couch or under your shell. Best part??? It won’t break the bank.

Do you earn your turns? If so, this is your new best friend. Incredibly lighweight and exceptionally strong, this tech binding will have you wondering why you waited so long.

Tecnica Cochise 130

Pladra Elli Flannel

Forsake Freestyle

Blizzard Zero G 108

This is one mean mother of a hybrid ski boot. It has the stiffness to keep you dialed in when maching in-bounds, with a legit walk mode for heading out on a quick tour.

Do you flannel? Then get yourself over to Pladra and swaddle your bad self in one of their ridiculously soft, MADE IN THE USA flannel shirts. You’re welcome.

Forsake has been taking the casual shoe scene by storm, and with good reason. The freestyle is a slip-on disguised as a fantastically hip chukka. Slip em’ on, and smile away.

Pair these featherweight sticks with the aforementioned Dynafit TLT Radical and you’ve got yourself the sickest uphill setup that still slays the down! 136-108-122 (185cm)

Dissent Labs SKI GFX COMPRESSION HYBRID PROTECT

Fall/Early Winter 2016

Higher Learning

Online Outdoor Photo School If you’ve always wanted to dive in a bit deeper with your photography or simply hone your skills, this is the course for you. We cover a wide range of topics from basic review to specific tips and insight into better landscape, fast action and general outdoor shooting. It’s all online, and easy to take at your own pace. Weekly assignments will keep you on your toes and testing what you’ve learned from each week’s topic. Take it yourself or give it as a gift! Visit this link for more info.