Skiing and photography. A match made in heaven! One's already, no doubt, in close proximity to some spectacular scenery. Combining the two is only natural. A heavy camera and lens around my neck, concealed under a ski jacket? No problem!
Alpine snow skiing can give one a feeling of unbridled freedom.
Sun, snow, sky
Scent of pines and conifers in the air
Gliding almost effortlessly
Brisk wind rushing by
Soft "swish", "swish", "swish" of edges carving turns
Nothing else quite like it in the world!
Skiing does take some effort though, as one's body attests to throughout the day, and at the end of it. The same goes for photography. It's hampered somewhat by the unzip/zip of the coat, taking off gloves to operate the camera, breath fogging up the viewfinder. Stopping to shoot, then realizing there's a slightly better vantage point, uphill.
At the end of the day one can be fairly exhausted, but it's OK, because there may be scenes like this:
This was taken at Bogus Basin, located above Boise, Idaho. A 16 mile drive from town.
I'd observed the light changing on the last run of the day. I got down and took the ski's off, which hampered my ability to get to where I wanted quickly, which was across the parking lot and up on a 5' high snow berm created by the plows. Carrying skis and clunking around in ski boots, I made it in the nick of time.
A nice end to a nice day.
Late Winter Afternoon is available for purchase in the Landscapes gallery.
Wishing you the "Peace of Light".
Thomas Cakalic