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Today TransWorld Wakeboarding announced my photo (above left) is named one of the top 10 photos published in the magazine in 2010. ( http://wakeboardingmag.com/features/2010/12/27/transworld-wakes-top-10-photos-of-2010/8/ ) I couldn’t have been happier especially since it was one of my favorites to shoot this season.

JD was in town for the Red Bull Flugtag in St. Paul, MN this summer.  Prior to this shoot he was up north at Levi Levalle’s “fun camp,” and had a free day between that and the event the next day, so we decided we should take advantage of that and try to get a photo.  Originally the idea was for JD and local rider, Josh Tranby to have a “jib off” on a feature that Josh had built.  

I got to the site early before everyone arrived and shot a few photos of Josh warming up but between sets, and decided to poke my head around in the woods just off shore.  Low and behold I came across this old chain link hockey net which was stashed away for the summer, waiting to be used again once the lakes freeze over.  I grabbed my phone, snapped a photo and texted JD, “we NEED to do something with this.” 

Once the rest of the crew showed up we took a few sets on the rail, shot some photos and began setting up the net.  I usually tend to gravitate towards strobes and a fisheye, so I grabbed those out of my kit and started setting up.  Once set up, JD took a few test hits and on his first contact with the net I got a shot but didn’t quite like the angle, so I switched it up a bit and eventually ended up with the shot above on the right.  Since he had gotten in the groove and pretty much had the back lip dialed, he agreed to keep going so I could get a second angle.  I decided to go long lens and forgo the strobes. I typically like to light up my shots, especially rails, but decided to go for a more natural look on this one.  Definitely glad I did because the photo was named one of the top 10 in 2010.  It goes to show that when shooting, always keep your head up and look around your surroundings to see if there is a different angle, subject, or moment to capture.  You never know what you might miss if you keep your eye looking through the lens all the time. 

Big thanks to JD, Tranby, Horner, Buck and everyone else that made this shot happen!  It definitely was a group effort and I cannot thank you guys enough!  Let’s get some more in 2011!