Tag Archives: workshops

  • Mountain Biking Gamble's Oak Colorado by Jay Goodrich

    Sari Anderson rides through Gamble's Oak in Carbondale Colorado during peak autumn color.

Where in the World…Traveling

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Well it is safe to say I have been residing on a skewed line to reality lately. On a travel binge. Shooting some of the best things in the world. Working hard. Traveling non-stop. Getting ready to throw hand grenade after hand grenade of announcements to the world. I haven’t been on this blog because I have been on another one. One you have never heard of, but still know very well. It is safe to say that come January there will be significant changes to my business. Significant changes to my brand. Culture. Life. Anything and everything possible. All for the good of course.

Last week I was in Colorado, teaching my ever growing and popular Colorado autumn workshop. This year we headed to Aspen, and I think future years will happen there as well. Even though the workshop was my mission, I never leave home without an alternate agenda. I fired off an email to a bike shop in Colorado, then one to a new sponsor my wife has, and before I knew it, I had more to do than there were hours in the day. And all of this started with me missing my flight on Monday morning due to traffic. Tuesday I had to drive from Eagle, where I was staying, back down to Denver to pick up my long time friend and supporter Brendan Quigley - because both he and I never looked at his itinerary to verify that we were coming in on the same days. Then I had to go to Aloha Bikes in Carbondale to pick up a loaner mountain bike. Then back to Eagle to shoot mountain biking in fall colors with my friend Brennen Fitzgerald.

Do you see where this whole post is headed? Probably building on Chaos Theory from last month, or whenever that last post was. Then off to Carbondale to shoot for Shredly, a female-only mountain bike clothing line created by Ashley Rankin. I photographed her and Sari Anderson in Gamble’s Oak not far from town. Then back to Eagle for one more night. Then back to Carbondale for workshop scouting, check-in to the Limelight Hotel in Aspen. Then back to Carbondale to shoot Sam Stevens from Aloha Mountain Cyclery on this crazy downhill trail right above town. Then floor the car back to Aspen to meet with participants, well only one, because all of the others got stuck in Denver because of the weather and decided to drive. My morning shoot was very peaceful and nice, but the weather that delayed everyone, also blew all of the leaves off of the trees. If I hadn’t lived there for twenty years this whole thing could have gone south in a heartbeat.

What did I learn, besides everything all over again? Niner Bikes RULE! Autumn in Colorado makes me sane and very happy again. Mountain biking rules. Photography rules. And I have a lot of work to do before some crazy announcements change everything. Hope you can join me for the ride along the way. Save your cash…Maybe.

Testify

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We all want that positive reinforcement that we are doing good in this world. Whether it be in the work place, at home, or in a volunteer situation. The positive side of life keeps us moving forward, keeps us learning, and excelling. I do post all the testimonials I receive, but at times I make a connection with a participant that goes beyond that “great job” experience. Their testimonial almost becomes a work of art in itself. When Jose signed up for my Palouse workshop, I realized he was a talented photographer from the visit I made to his website. This is when my job becomes even harder, because I need to then figure out how to improve upon an already talented person’s work. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it is not. I love photography though, and I love the experiences that I have had over the last fifteen years of my career. And what a better time to share those stories than a workshop situation. Here is Jose’s testimonial written more eloquently than I could ever describe…Let’s just say he doesn’t testify against me. Oh, before I forget, Jose, can I get a model release for this photo? ;)

Portrait Photographer Palouse Washington Dusk by Jay Goodrich

Dear Jay,

This message to you is a little overdue so please excuse its tardiness; but know that it and my highly positive experience in your workshop has been ever present with me.

As you know, when I signed up for your Palouse workshop, I felt somewhat confident in my technical knowledge of how to capture an image through a camera.  What I was looking for in my career at this point was an experience in an unpredictable “natural” environment, one which would confront me with an unplanned canvas of infinite possibilities and force me to narrow down what’s already in front of me to create an engaging image.  In groups, my creative process tends to cloud since there’s an implied willingness to share images, successes and failures.  Such can be discouraging if not handled appropriately and can cripple one’s process, so I was unsure of what to expect from your workshop.

I found that through your casual conversation and laid-back approach, you built a comfort zone that frees a student to genuinely experiment.  You delivered the knowledge and experience of your craft on a sort of “timed release” basis, rather than a resume-like shopping list that could intimidate.  You observed your students, saw where they were in their process, and offered a hint of direction in technique or tools.  Based on their reception, you gave a little more or a little less.  It didn’t seem like a conscious strategy, it was more an act of respect, and one well received.  Most instructors lecture and provide their strict list of “dos and don’ts” which can contribute to a judgmental and overly self-conscious working environment.  Yet you invited a constructive dialogue through your good humor and pointed storytelling.  And although your students were on different levels of expertise, you found a way to bring them together on the same plane, while still allowing them to advance individually at their pace.

Additionally, I very much appreciated your openness regarding your profession and process, your ability to demystify circumstances and boil them down to reality, practicality, in order to attain the image at stake.  Just you being there making photographs along with us (not to mention later showing us your images during critique) brought the group closer and shaped a structure for support.  I feel that there’s no better way to teach or lead than by example and that’s what you do.

In retrospect it was a short workshop, just three days.  But they were three very full days that allowed for the rehearsal and development of technique to the point where you nearly stop thinking about it.  It became instinctual, reflexive.  And isn’t that how you want to react when Bigfoot stomps across your picture plane?

Thanks for demonstrating your dedication and passion for photography through your work and teaching style.  It’s contagious and inspiring and it has stuck with me.  And my photography in the subsequent days has been all the better for it.  I look forward to the opportunity to put our heads together on a project someday.  Take care of yourself and I wish you much success in your endeavors.

All the best,

Jose M. Cabrera

  • Sunset over Mauna Kea by Jay Goodrich

    The sun reaches the horizon at the end of another day on the Hawaiian Volcano of Mauna Kea.

Well–We’re Back in the Plane–Again

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Hawaii in November equals RAIN. Then, more rain. And then, some more rain. What most people don’t understand is that the island of Hawaii has two massive volcanos that rise over thirteen thousand feet bisecting the landmass and thus bisecting the weather.  These peaks are so high that in “man bar speak” they would be classified as fourteeners. Everything grows when men get drunk, come on you should know that by now. These two volcanoes are so massive that they get snow year round. This is great for me as a skier, but even better for me as a photographer. You want unparalleled light, just head directly up to the dividing line and you will find the light that causes a true photography addiction.

During my recent Hawaii workshop with Gavriel Jecan it rained nine out of nine days, and out of those nine days, we only missed a spectacular sunset once. The sea was a bit angry on that particular day and almost the whole island had rain and clouds. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Always remember though, weather equals drama and drama equals amazing photographs. Well, it’s time for me to board my private jet back to the mainland, re-enter society with the minions, and work harder to make enough money to pay my bills next month. Yes, I was fortunate enough to hitch a ride on a friend’s private jet into and out of Hilo for this journey and man that was an experience. Also remember, that reality can sometimes come crashing down upon you when you least expect it. God it is going to suck flying coach after this trip.

The Wilds of Alaska Will Change You Forever

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An extended version of this article was published over ten years in a magazine that is no longer in publication. It was actually only the second time I had ever been published in addition to being my second feature article. It still brings back all of those emotions.

Toenails of an Alaskan Brown Bear by Jay Goodrich

Three weeks in Alaska changes a man’s ideals of our world and makes nature an everyday experience in his life.

The peaks rose from the sea, lush and green, and slowly turned snowcapped, white like a frosted cupcake. My jaw was on the floor of the airplane. I looked over at my wife, Heather. She flashed me a grin. I felt extremely lucky. We met each other in a climbing gym; seeking challenge, we found love. We got married at a ski area in the summertime. And now Heather and I were on our way to our honeymoon. Not a honeymoon like most, to go somewhere tropical and sit on a beach and drink fruity drinks all day. Nope, we decided to mountain bike Alaska. The next three weeks of our lives would be the adventure of a lifetime. Falling in love is a great thing.

We met Mike late that afternoon, entering his little shop of river guiding horrors on a whim. It was like Obi-Wan-Kanobi meeting Han Solo for the first time. He was a well-spoken, clean-cut adventurer.

“I’ll take you wherever you want to go, but it’s gonna cost you.”

“Bears.”, Heather replied

“Come back at 9.”

Seal Alaska by Jay Goodrich

He took our fifty bucks and the three of us sped off in his flat-bottom river boat. He hammered the throttle and we flew up Twister Creek at about 50mph

We crouched low in the bushes and didn’t say a word. A yearling Grizzly Cub was interested in us.  He was only half his full grown size, about 700lbs. The mom was in the tall grass, poking her head up a couple of times to make sure we weren’t going to harm the “little” guy. They disappeared into the bushes only to reemerge about fifteen feet from us. Mike, Heather and I all sat there not moving, not talking, just watching. It was amazing to see something that big in the wild. The cub’s paw prints were bigger than my size 12’s. Our trip was full of experiences like this for three weeks.

Whadya Lookin at Punk by Jay Goodrich

Cycling over to Exit Glacier weeks later, I began to get a cramp in my stomach as I realized the trip was just about over.  Heather and I had done things that people only dream of doing.  People always say “someday”. I believe that someday is now. Alaska is so wild, so untouched, that it grabs hold of you. A hold of your emotions, your dreams, and every thought you have ever had. Places that are so different than anything you have ever experienced do that to you. It was grabbing hold of me right now. Down where all your emotions come from, deep inside your soul. I was saddened that the end was approaching faster than I wanted. For the first time in my life I felt free, but freedom sometimes hurts. You are always afraid that it will leave you. I thought about the course my life was taking. The nine-to-fiver to pay the bills, to live that life I always wanted. Success. New York Style. That was the road I was on. But I wanted freedom forever, not just on the weekends. I was going to make it happen; I was going to take a different path.

Brown Bear Tracks in Mud Alaska by Jay Goodrich

I stood there taking photos of Exit Glacier, a glacier receding so fast that twenty years ago it was a quarter of a mile longer. It is amazing how fast this world can change. The shutter released on my camera for the 3000th or so time, and I decided. Screw nine to five, screw professional. It was time to do what I wanted. Pick the career I needed. I did, and at this moment in time photography was where I decided to go. This place, Alaska, changed my life forever. The desk I would now sit behind was my own. Outdoors was going to become a full time job. I have seen all I wanted to see of the “professional world”.

In a place where natural beauty abounds, I found beauty in my own life. I vowed from that day forward to never give up, and to always follow my dreams. I dreamt of Heather and got her. Now it was time to realize the rest of my dreams.

The trip was over. 500 or so cycling miles later we drove out of Seward headed to Anchorage and the big plane ride home. We were quiet, thoughtful. We were going to miss this place, but we were determined to return…

How has immersing yourself in nature changed your life?

And if you want to experience some of this wild for yourself, Jay and legendary photographer Art Wolfe have only 3 spots left in a workshop at the end of July. It could be your time…

  • Powder Skiing by Jay Goodrich

    Mark Kogelmann makes some powder turns in the backcountry near Mt Herman.

Work–Workshops–and Travel

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Many of you have been wondering where the heck I have been. It has been how many weeks since my last post? I know, I know, inconsistency is not good for Google, SEO, PPO, CPS, NPS, LLC, INC, and whatever other abbreviations you can come up with. Seriously though, I have been working like a crazy man. 21 days of photographing skiing, 14 days of teaching workshops, and then image mastering–tons of mastering, keywording, descriptions, titles, and headlines. And let’s not forget the proposals for upcoming projects. Days are just flying by, I can’t believe it’s almost April?

I have put together submissions to Patagonia, Powder Magazine, Black Diamond Equipment, and a major calendar company. I taught a workshop with my dear friend Art Wolfe in Seattle on the art of composing images, then I taught two HDR workshops at this year’s NANPA Summit in McAllen, TX, and the whole time in-between working to create the best ski portfolio ever. This is where I need to add a special thank you to all of the athletes who have been working with me–Mark Kogelmann, Owen Dudley, Peder Bottheim, Tyler Hatcher, Nick Marvic, Colin Poff, Pat Tolton, and Ian Burge. The images would be nothing without them. Now, I would also like to thank the Academy…I think it just feels good to complete missions and projects. It’s like adding another notch to the bedpost. Or something like that. Laugh. Oh and there will be a film highlighting all this work sometime this spring, with an interview with ah…me. We are thinking of calling it life | SENTENCES, what do you think?

I have been to Seattle, Texas, Canada, and now as you read this China. Yep, JG Inc. is going international–again, this time crossing the monster pond. If I can sort out an internet connection while there, (which I am hoping I can do) I will post some of the work I am creating while there.

As if that wasn’t enough, l have managed to fill all but 2 of my workshops. China–FULL, The Olympic Peninsula–FULL, Zion–FULL, Lightroom 3–space left, and Alaska–space left. The Alaska trip is being co-lead with Art Wolfe, so why wouldn’t you want to go? I mean it is not everyday that you get to drink really good Tequila and Bourbon with really good photographers. Right? And in the future, I promise to try and enlighten the world at least once a week with something intriguing, if not, it will at least be completely off the wall, humorous, and as misdirected as a Jack Russell Terrier.