Ever since I can remember I have been riding anything with two wheels. I got back into Mountain Biking about a year ago and found my long lost passion, photography. Living so close to Aptos, CA, I traveled there almost daily. I began taking photos of local riders with a small point and shoot camera. I wanted to take pictures of dirt jumpers, so I went to the Post Office and just waited for riders to come. I would show them my little camera and ask them if it was cool to shoot some photos. After meeting so many riders and getting some really cool photos, I got a basic digital SLR camera. My first shoot with the new camera resulted in my first
POD. Since then I have been shooting the best local up and coming riders around.
I started off with a small point and shoot camera and I didn't know anyone in the biking scene. I was using a Canon Powershot 870. I shot
photos and
videos, and had pretty good luck with both! But the photography bug got me and I went out and bought a Canon Rebel Xti. I started off with just the camera, no extra lenses or flashes. I had to learn the manual settings basically from scratch. I have taken some photo classes in grade school, but actually applying it to guys flying in the air took some time. I practiced for a while without the flash, but very quickly got some cheap transmitters and a Vivitar 283 flash. I recently got another flash transmitter and have invested in a new lens. I am receiving investment money to purchase some new equipment towards the end of this July. I will keep you guys updated with my work in the upcoming months.
Big thanks goes out to the riders that have helped me along the way. Guys like Ryan Howard, Cob, Jack Fogelquist, Guy French, Jessie Nickell, Jamie and Keith Morelan, and Old Mike to name a few. And thanks to those photographers that always gave me good advice like Jason Peters, Devin Schmitt, Eric Palmer, Brad Walton, and Bryce Shaw. With out these people I would not be where I am at today! So I thank all of you greatly.
I have put together a collection of 10 photos that I consider my favorites. Every time I shoot I feel that my photos improve and my best work is still to come. Please enjoy and check
my photo albums here on Pinkbike and
my blog for more pictures.
1. Greg Minnar going down hard at Sea Otter. This was my first big event and had so much fun. This photo won Pinkbike's best crash photo for Sea Otter 09'.
2. Sam Hill racing his way to first place at Sea Otter Dual Slalom.
3. Brandon Semenuk is an amazing rider and at this moment I captured a keeper from the Post Office Jump Jam 09'!
4. My favorite berm shot! Keith is really fast and has some serious bike skills. This is the first berm on Jugs in Santa Cruz, CA, and Keith is pushing it to the limits.
5. Jacob "Cob" Hyde bailing at the step up. This was my first day using my new lens. I got a Sigma 24-60mm f/ 2.8 and it caught this picture of Cob bailing out of a dumped 3. Cob is a great rider and was fine after this fall. He said it was the funnest fall ever!
6. Cob taking a fat dump at the step up after the bail!
7. Guy French inverting by the ocean. It was a foggy overcast sunset and I love the blues that came out in this image.
8. Guy French doing an Indian Air FTW! French is a super smooth rider with a nice bag of tricks!
9. Jack Fogelquist is the man! Watch for Jack at this years Colorado Crankworx! I love the sunset on this this one! I told Jack that I needed a three table and he made it happen.
10.Jack and Guy doing what they do best at the same time at the Post Office! I can't believe the way these guys lined this shot up for me! The timing is epic.
I hope you enjoyed the collection photos I put together! I will be traveling to Colorado Crankworx with Jack Fogelquist to cover the event for Pinkbike. I will be writing up daily articles with pictures, so everyone can follow the action. Thanks Pinkbike, and I hope to see some of you there!
--Justin Brantley 
Still, such good shots!
