This edition of photos of the week comes from Crested Butte photog Devon Balet. Devon is a guy that shoots it all. From the X Games to the early morning hikes into the BC he makes it happen from behind the lens. Word on the street is that he is even better with bike shots. I can’t wait to see them. Enjoy and check out his website.
Words and photos by Devon Balet.
Jackson Hole is well known for deep conditions all season long. The 2010/2011 season was no different. The famous Tram opened on December 1st with conditions seen in mid February. I joined in with a crew of three Colorado shredders for a super fast mission to the land of powder. With less then 4 hours of sleep we loaded into the Tram and set out to find the goods. Here, William Dujardin navigates through the trees to capture some air time.
The X Games have always been a huge draw in the action sports industry. Athletes from around the world flock to Aspen like an odd breed of bird. The small mountain town is stuffed to the gills with spectators, media, industry personal and athletes. My goal for the X Games while shooting with world famous photographer Christian Pondella, was to get angles not normally seen. To find a new look into the sport. That is no easy task.
Cliff Bennett has been competing on the FWT for many many years. His aggressive skiing style and charging attitude has won him the coveted Ski Bird award, as well as winning several stops on the tour. Cliff is one of the best athletes I have ever shot with. He has a great understanding of what the camera is seeing, and how to make his skiing look even better. We were being chased on the the front side of CBMR while hunting for late day light. The beauty of Crested Butte is a perfect backdrop to any ski photo. This shot was featured in the Denver Post after Cliff’s win at Crested Butte in 2009.
2011 X Games, ski slopestyle
Over the years of shooting with Cliff Bennett I have learned that you tend to need to zoom out more then you may think. We went out in the Crested Butte backcountry in the hunt for big airs for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. This was another perfect example of Cliff’s amplitude in his skiing.
