[NBR] Climbing/Bouldering shots

[JSinclair]

So I had the opportunity to head up to Squamish and shoot some climbing / Bouldering on Saturday. Thought I would post up a few for thoughts.

This first series:
The kid in the shots is Mike Foley from the east coast. He is 16 and the US Junior bouldering Champ. He has climbed "China beach" in New Hampshire rated at a 5.14b (For non climbers - handfull of guys in the world have climbed it). Here he is climbing "Zombie Roof" in Squamish at the Bluffs. This climb is a 5.12d (the kind of climb you just don't see anyone on...)

I got really lucky. This kid made this look easy.

Foley checking out the roof.
http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/MikeFoley_Portrait.jpg

Mike on the roof
http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/MikeFoley_ZombieRoof3_512d.jpg

http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/MikeFoley_ZombieRoof5_512d.jpg

http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/MikeFoley_ZombieRoofBW_512d.jpg


This set:
We walked into the boulders at the bottom of the Chief and found a few guys and girls trying some stuff. This guys name was Sam.

http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder_Chief.jpg

http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder3_Chief.jpg

http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder4_Chief.jpg


This is my first time shooting climbing and I would like to shoot some more, I'd be really interested in knowing what you guys think...especialy if there are any climbers on here.

Cheers!
J.

[billytalented]

tilt shift lens on the way perhaps?? that would be reeeeeall sick for climbing

Im no climber but i think those are pretty good, i like number two especially. having quite a gap below him in the framing makes it seem like its a long fall to ground, which it may or may not be in reality.

[CoCa]

Solid Jay. The last one looks really cool to me, captures how they climb.

[josimar]

I like #3...I'm not sure if this is possible, but when I go climbing, everyone always has interesting facial expressions when they try difficult moves. Would it be possible to get shots from uptop?

[big ben]

Climbing just seems so intense. Nice shots!

[the flying moose]

jay just wants a chance to shoot 16 yr old boys without shirts on.

[JSinclair]

I like #3...I'm not sure if this is possible, but when I go climbing, everyone always has interesting facial expressions when they try difficult moves. Would it be possible to get shots from uptop?

It would be, but I'd have to rap off the top and set up with rigging to stay on the rock face.

It is also a roof, so it overhangs tough to shoot over the top of the lip.

I do plan of getting some rigging shots eventually.

In both of these cases though, I just walked into the shoot.

[JSinclair]

jay just wants a chance to shoot 16 yr old boys without shirts on.

If I wanted to find shirtless 16 year old boys, I'd come to your place.

how's that panel van treating you these days?

[the flying moose]

If I wanted to find shirtless 16 year old boys, I'd come to your place.

how's that panel van treating you these days?

will you come over and help me find my lost puppy?

[Mr. Charles]

this is really great
http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder3_Chief.jpg

[JSinclair]

will you come over and help me find my lost puppy?

only if you have free candy.

[JSinclair]

this is really great
http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder3_Chief.jpg

Thanks dude.

[D1r7 R0(k]

this is really great
http://www.jaysinclairphoto.com/Images/Sam_Boulder3_Chief.jpg

werd...sweet shot.

[big_perm]

rappling down and getting some downward shots would look good, seems to be the majority or standard of climbing shots

Or just create your own climbing shooting style

This wasnt what seems to be the standard climbing photoshoot technique was it???

[M_Dub]

from a weekend climber

first one really gets me stoked!

[zmcdee]

You guys have puppies and candy!!! Can I come over? :fruit:

[the flying moose]

only if you have free candy.

i have candy and if you dont tell your mommy or daddy ill let you try some of my "jesus juice".

[Faithless]

I'd say tighter crop and try to capture some of the facial expressions.

[biggles604]

I'd say tighter crop and try to capture some of the facial expressions.

You don't climb with your face though.
Climbing is all about the connection with the rock, so for me the best shots are the ones that really show the texture of the rock, just like the one Mr Charles suggested.
I need to climb again now.

[Knnn]

I liked the muscle strain visible is shots 2 and 3. I'm not and never will be a climber, but those shots really emphasis's the sheer physical effort involved in overcoming that climb.

They also scared me shitless so I think they must be good shots because they are evoking a strong primordial response!

[the Master Plan Dan]

I liked the muscle strain visible is shots 2 and 3. I'm not and never will be a climber, but those shots really emphasis's the sheer physical effort involved in overcoming that climb.

They also scared me shitless so I think they must be good shots because they are evoking a strong primordial response!

Could not agree more Ian...

I would love to go climbing... anything that requires that much strength can only benefit's the individual both physically and mentally.

I am going to try indoors first though.

Great shots Jay!

Dan

[ito]

Not a bad first attempt. Did you have any shots of him on the roof?

The bouldering shots are definitely better and give a better idea of the feel of the rock. When shooting climbing I find it best to go for the big picture (ie. the whole damn rock) or to get really close and focus on one little aspect of the climb (a crimp, a pinch, some sort of intense moment).

5.12D is a pretty intense route (way above my ability right now), but from a climber's perspective you gave absolutely no idea how hard it is. The crack above the roof and the roof itself are the most interesting features in your shots, but they aren't really used (I know, the roof is dark and the crack is way the hell up there), so you miss out on the intensity of the climb.

A quick example of what I mean by really getting close in or stepping back

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/itohill/DSC_0013-1.jpg

I do wish I'd taken this one when he was close to the top, but too much stuff had been happening and I missed it.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/itohill/DSC_0020.jpg

Bouldering is definitely the easiest aspect of the sport to capture and you did a good job. If you want to capture sport or trad climbing (possibly the most intense aspect of pure rock climbing) then hook up with some local climbers and have them set you up on a static line one day. The pictures you'll take will be vastly different. That or find a way to shoot from the top or out back aways.

I do really like the second shot you took. It shows the line really well and the back muscles going to town is a plus.

[counterpoint]

bouldering is a pretty gay name.

I think spidermaning would open it up a bit more to the masses.

[JSinclair]

bouldering is a pretty gay name.

I think spidermaning would open it up a bit more to the masses.

Would that require tights?

[biggles604]

bouldering is a pretty gay name.

I think spidermaning would open it up a bit more to the masses.

Bouldering sounds A LOT more manly than 'Spidermanning"

[Mic]

Bouldering is fun. And easier than the big walls. And Jay......sick pics.

[Schleyer]

Bouldering sounds A LOT more manly than 'Spidermanning"


what about spiderpigging?

[Highrider]

Bouldering is fun. And easier than the big walls. And Jay......sick pics.

Hahahahaha....have you ever hit V8 and beyond? 5.9 big wall is a little easier...it is just that bouldering....for the most part, is a little less commiting!

Nice pics Jay! I have been bouldering for about 8 years and climbing for 15 and from all my friends and thousands of pictures there are about 50 or so that are truly amazing. It isnt an easy sport to capture in a single moment and pictures nor movies do it justice!!

[Dan CH]

sick shots jay! My sister started climbing about a year ago and is loving it. Her first year in it she qualified for world championships, crazy. im afraid shes strong enough to beat me up now...haha

Those lines are nuts!

[Mic]

Hahahahaha....have you ever hit V8 and beyond? 5.9 big wall is a little easier...it is just that bouldering....for the most part, is a little less commiting!


Am talking about the size of BIG walls here...el capitain and the like. And I'd consider bouldering easier than hanging on a sheer face of what, near 1000 m of vertical crazyness.....come on.

[JSinclair]

Am talking about the size of BIG walls here...el capitain and the like. And I'd consider bouldering easier than hanging on a sheer face of what, near 1000 m of vertical crazyness.....come on.

bouldering = more difficult technical climbing / less exposure and risk / ability to drink a latte while contemplating your next move.

big lines = slightly easier climbing / more risk, exposure and fatigue / no lattes.

[BrendanHowey]

jay those are awsome! looks hard

[~mike*bodnaruk~]

WHAT!? the first pic of sam is retarded!! great shots jay

[JSinclair]

Thanks guys.

[brian]

great shots.

I shot some guys on Zombie Roof last month hanging at the lip and didn't really like the angle. you got to see the roof but not much else. did he did he finish the route? just curious as only a handful of people of freed it.

[JSinclair]

great shots.

I shot some guys on Zombie Roof last month hanging at the lip and didn't really like the angle. you got to see the roof but not much else. did he did he finish the route? just curious as only a handful of people of freed it.

he got up to the ledge above the lip, and then came back down.

does the route go to the top, or does it stop there?

[brian]

he got up to the ledge above the lip, and then came back down.

does the route go to the top, or does it stop there?

ends at the ledge. good for him.

[brian]

been on the road so I couldn't post these before. A few I've done over the past couple of years. I don't usually hang from a rope as gives me vertigo some times.

http://briangoldstoneimages.com/climbing/

[Mic]

^omg...these are some of the best i have ever seen. hero. :eek2:

[JSinclair]

been on the road so I couldn't post these before. A few I've done over the past couple of years. I don't usually hang from a rope as gives me vertigo some times.

http://briangoldstoneimages.com/climbing/

Brian,
SICK. Those are what I am looking for. Those are some of the best climbing shots I have seen.

Thanks for sharing.

[seand]

bouldering = more difficult technical climbing / less exposure and risk / ability to drink a latte while contemplating your next move.

big lines = slightly easier climbing / more risk, exposure and fatigue / no lattes.


:lol:

There have been days when we were setting up a 2nd belay point (multi-pitch) where I thought to my self, "I would rather be bouldering, much easier on the body.."

And we even managed to have a latte break before continuing forward with that next part!

I would say that highballs hold far more risk than any lead/sport climbing. I am not counting trad here as that is a completely different beast. At least, that is from my years of climbing experience...

The pics..
A great start for sure! The pics that jump out at me in rags such as Climbing are the ones where you can get a feel for just how demanding a line is. The veins and facial expressions are a great measure for that. Of course, the shot of the full line from afar with the climber showing up as a dot in the pic is a great way to show this too...even a shot from above where he/she is looking up at the next move with that look of pain that is only supported by a crimp and in the background all you can see is a massive fall into nothing but trees...

[kadmille]

been on the road so I couldn't post these before. A few I've done over the past couple of years. I don't usually hang from a rope as gives me vertigo some times.

http://briangoldstoneimages.com/climbing/



Quick question - are any of those shots from Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota? A few of the ice walls looked familiar.

Great shots by the way.

[brian]

Quick question - are any of those shots from Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota? A few of the ice walls looked familiar.

Great shots by the way.

Nope most of the ice ones are from Ouray CO or Canmore, Alberta.

[sheffy]

Cool pics JS nice work!!!!!!!!!

[LeeLau]

sorry to troll the thread JS - brian is the 2nd shot in Scenics the Adamants?

http://briangoldstoneimages.com/Scenics/

[brian]

sorry to troll the thread JS - brian is the 2nd shot in Scenics the Adamants?

http://briangoldstoneimages.com/Scenics/

farther east. Auguille du Midi area.

[LeeLau]

thanks brian - no wonder the Adamants are called the canadian chamonix

[kadmille]

Nope most of the ice ones are from Ouray CO or Canmore, Alberta.

if your into shooting lots of climbing, there is a ton of great climbing in Spearfish Canyon. There are the Needles just behind Mt. Rushmore and a whole lot more spread throughout. Check it out sometime.

[MotherHucker]

makes me want to rockclimb pretty bad.