The past 12 months have been FULL-ON!
From Japan to NZ and back to Japan again, the melting pot of work was as varied as always, if not more so. My year included re-working our virtual tour systems for 360queenstown-wanaka, the short stint of guiding and coaching with Niseko Academy, Examining during the NZ winter with SBINZ, being selected as member of the 2015 Interski Team to go to Argentina, cameo appearances as a Trainer for Cardrona, learning new time lapse techniques, judging at the Snowboard Junior Nationals, a re-surge of web design work, the launch of 360newzealand.com, various filming projects… the list goes on!
Instead of summarising my year of work with words, I’m going to do it with photography.
My 12 Favourite Photos from 2014
January: Taken from the top floor of a Kutchan-lodge, looking towards Niseko. A simple photo, but I enjoy the composition, showing the half-cleared snowy roof with the night lights of Niseko in the background.
Niseko United ski resort from the local Japanese town Kutchan
February: Whilst showing Richie Johnston around the Niseko backcountry, we scored a rare blue bird day in Niseko and we were lucky enough to find this open face. I really like the lines in this image – from Richie’s track in the snow to the shadows of the trees.
Richie Johnston in the Niseko backcountry
March: The last day of a short road trip in Nagano and Niigata, this was shot at Nozawa Onsen on a 40cm+ powder day. How about that unique rectangular shape in the snow?
Richie Johnston in Nozawa Onsen
April: The timing of this shot was very fortunate, capturing an intended explosion at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.
Explosions at Warbirds Over Wanaka
May: I wouldn’t usually put an Instagram shot in my top 12, but this one just makes me smile.
Slack-lining in Wanaka
June: With the snow dragging its feet at the start of the NZ winter, there was plenty of opportunities for shots like this one. Again, it’s the composition of the image I enjoy, with the framing of Roy’s Peak in the frozen puddle.
Mountain reflections on Lake front Wanaka
July: The photo-opportunities continue as the snow line slowly gets lower.
Moody skies at sunset on Lake Wanaka
August: To be honest, the taking of this photo wasn’t anything special at all, I just like the post work I did to add the tilt-shift effect (might have to get me the real thing and pick up a tilt shift lens).
Moody mountains from Treble Cone ski resort
September: Whilst judging at the NZ Snowboard and Freeski Junior Nationals, I snapped this pic during the halfpipe practice. It’s the depth of field that I enjoy in this shot, capturing both grommet snowboarders riding their backside walls simultaneously.
Snowboard groms at the 2014 Junior Nationals
October: 6am and dead calm! This was actually one of about 500 shots taken for a time lapse project we’re working on at 360. It’s taken of that renowned Wanaka tree, in case you didn’t know.
This has to be one of the most photographed trees in NZ
November: Taken at the new “Dirt Park” in the Cardrona Valley, this shot was fortunate timing as well – capturing one rider mid-wall-ride and another mid-jump in the background.
Wall ride at the new bike park in Cardrona Valley
December: Back in Japan and there’s lots of snow (again)…
Looking towards Mt Annupuri at night from rural roads around Niseko-Cho
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