Here is the opening spread from a feature article assignment that I shot for Bike magazine in Michigan this past summer. The feature was about a bike parts manufacturer Nuke Proof that died in the late 90s after a good run with success. I spent some time photographing in and around the decaying buildings of Grand Rapids furniture manufacturing sector that were once at the heart of the US rust-belt economy – trying to set a tone for the story by juxtaposing the decaying buildings next to the story line of Nuke Proof.

“I think it’s interesting that the questioning of the photograph in its relation to the reality, the interrogation of representation, the famous crisis of representation, really all took place before digital technology. Digital technology … is not the villain here. It simply offers another dimension. I’m not sure if it’s a farther remove from reality than analogue. I think if we can speak of reality, if reality and representation can be spoken of in the same sentence, if reality even exists any more, digital is simply another way of encoding that reality.” – Lewis Baltz

I always like heading up Mt Seymour for the first real snowfall of the season –  we’re lucky in Vancouver to have such a close place to enjoy the mountains. Though my brother Chad and I didn’t have our skis with us, it won’t be long now until we stash the bikes and start sliding on snow.

I’m very excited to be involved with the brand new Adventure Journal Print Store. Steve Casimiro, the site’s creator, worked as the Editor at Powder magazine for 11 years, launched Bike magazine as the founding editor, and worked for National Geographic Adventure for another decade after that. His idea for the print store was to bring together the work of a select group of adventure photographers in the form of an online print store. I’m very humbled and honoured to be part of what amounts to an hell-uv-a roster, including renowned photographers like Jimmy Chin, Scott Markewitz, pioneer ski photographer Ace Kvale and NG photographer Ami Vitale, among others.

Check the print store out here.

The proposed Enbridge pipeline from Alberta’s oilsands to Kitimat, BC is something that British Columbians, and beyond, should really be thinking about. The International League of Conservation Photographers have been photographing the environmental and social landscape that the pipeline and tanker traffic could threaten. Have a look at their images and some thoughts:

Great Bear Rainforest RAVE from iLCP on Vimeo.

Freeman Patterson has been a big influence on my photography from the very start. The care, attention, and thoughtfulness that goes into his photographs is the lesson I’ve drawn most from him. CBC Ideas recently did a very insightful piece with him, and you can listen to it here: http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2010/10/13/shampers-bluff/.

Here is the final episode of the trilogy. I’ve bashed my head against the wall about this one, really. Canadian identity is something that I’ve grappled with for quite some time, especially in my studies during my Political Science degree at Simon Fraser University (which I’m just finishing up this fall). Ultimately, I wasn’t able to work it into the piece as much as I would have hoped, due to a whole range of reasons.

None the less, we did have a really amazing trip to the Freshfield Icefield, located North of Golden, BC. My friends at Sherpas Cinema invited me along, and we enjoyed cold and stable snow during 6 days in May, such a treat. They are producing their 2 year film project, “All I Can”, which is bound to be an amazing spectacle, without a doubt. Dave Mossop, one of the “Sherpas”, is known for his ability to imagine and capture evocative time lapse imagery. He’s shown the ski industry what is possible, and in many ways broken new ground. It was awesome to be able to share creative energy and work on images together. It was very gracious of them to have me along and I had a lot of fun getting to know them better, along with skiers James Heim, Chris Rubens, Callum Petit, and Eric Hjorleifson, who are featured in the episode.

Freshfield Icefield: A Skier’s Journey Ep3 from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.

Here is the second of the series presented by Arcteryx and Gore (here is the first: http://jordanmanley.com/blog/kashmir-a-skiers-journey).

My only goal was to really try and do justice to a place that I am very passionate about, La Grave. All things considered, it was/is a lofty goal. The scale is hard to reproduce, for one. Two, it’s not alaska – the snow isn’t always perfect.

I learned a lot about film making/story telling during the making of this, and of course it was a great excuse to go back and ski in La Grave for 3 weeks. Each time I go back I become a stronger skier, and my skill and knowledge about moving through the mountains improves. Most of the film is shot on-slope, meaning that I am immersed in the skiing just as much as the person I am filming. This certainly can take away from showing the scale of the terrain in comparison to the human moving through it. However, it is my preferred method to shoot – I love to ski and be a part of the process, not just an observer. Though, it also lends an intimacy to the images, and hopefully makes the viewer feel like they are that much closer to being there, along for the ride too.

Very special thanks to Bruno Florit and Joe Vallone for their voice over work and insight during our repeated visits to La Grave. Also, thanks to Michel at the cable car. Lars and Ptor, and anyone else we skied with who opened our eyes to new areas, thank you.

Here is what I wrote when I arrived in La Grave back in February 2010, at the start our 3 week trip there:

“The grandur of rock and ice here blow the mind, and the way a skier can move through such a huge volume of spectacular terrain in a day is like nothing else I’ve experienced [although I went to Chamonix after this and it is different, but just as spectacular]. You have to be on your toes, and you have to know where you’re going, as there is no ski patrol, nothing is marked, and the terrain is extremely complex. You’re on your own to wander the mountains, giving you a much more real experience as a skier, and consequently you feel that much more alive.”

La Grave: A Skier’s Journey Ep2 from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.

Here is a recent magazine print ad from Adidas, taken at Whistler Blackcomb during one of the Deep Winter photo challenges. Chad is looking much too serious. Lighten up Sayers, skiing is fun!

Here is the first instalment of “A Skier’s Journey” (part of a trio of episodes). My aim with these was to tell stories about travelling and skiing in some of the world’s most interesting places. I’ve had a lot of fun shooting, editing, and creating these. I have also learned a lot and I’m bound to do it differently the next time around. These were produced with support from Arcteryx and Gore. I’m greatful for the vision and support they have lent to the project. It is great to be working with companies that allow me to make images and tell stories about the things that I love doing.

While still photography is my main thing, I actually started out shooting and editing video in highschool before I ever picked up a still camera. I always knew I’d make my return into the motion medium, but it is really the change in technology that  has allowed me to return to it. Having the capability with a DSLR to shoot high quality photos and video, all in the same package is incredibly powerful. However, I’ve  found it more difficult (than I thought it would be) to mentally switch between shooting photos and video on any given shoot. While there are certain considerations that must be made when composing images for both still and video, there are also significant departures. Ultimately, choosing to shoot both it is a game of give and take, and I’ve had to learn to prioritize (not easy).

Thanks to Tobin Seagel and Chad Sayers for their help along the way. Chad did all the voice over work and I owe him one for that! Also, a special thanks to Anthony Bonello who was making a film of his own in Kashmir and was instrumental in our stay there.

Kashmir – A Skier’s Journey: Ep1 from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.