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Tag Archives: Mountain Sports
Runner’s World Holland Cover
No matter how many times I get an email with the line, “We’d like to use the attached image as… in our…”, I anxiously scroll down to see what image has been chosen. In our case, it isn’t “just” a photo, it’s a piece of our lives, a memory that is going to be shared and used to hopefully inspire others to get out and have some fun.
Recently, upon receipt of an email from the editor at the Netherlands edition of Runner’s World, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the image selected for the next cover of a trail running special. It’s me, but not only this, it’s from a day in the mountains that Janine and I remember as quite possibly the best we have ever had together. Rewards come in many forms, but none greater then knowing you are living the life you always dreamed of.
To see the whole story behind this great day, please visit our Mountain Sport site : DolomiteSport : A Masterpiece
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Posted in Clips, Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Trail Running
Also tagged Dolomites, Europe, Trail Running
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Social Media for the Outdoor Photographer
Our friend Alberto, whom we met via Twitter, on one of our many trips together. Here, seen Twittering from his @albertodegiuli
Visit any online news source these days and it’s guaranteed it won’t take long to find an article on Social Media. For those in the business of photography, we are seemingly all onboard. What works for one may not work for another, but here, we have found that one truly does stand out. For us at PatitucciPhoto and DolomiteSport, the Social Media winner is, hands down… Twitter.
Not only have we developed a healthy following for both our accounts – we have made some very real friends with people we did not know pre-Twitter. Looking back, it seems quite simple; by actively Tweeting, getting involved, sharing and actually reading what people have to say, we have made friends – all this not because we had to, but because it is genuinely enjoyable. Thanks to having things in common, paths crossed and the rest is history – actual friendship.
Looking at who I follow, I find it interesting that there are very few companies left. In the early days I followed a lot of outdoor industry magazines and gear manufacturers – very few remain. I found them boring, clearly not engaging, too much spewing and far too many of the ubiquitous, “Our new blah blah… check it out!”. ZZzzzzzZZZZzzz – Gag. Real people willing to communicate are much more intriguing.
On our DolomiteSport account I created two lists, one of Mountain Sport Athletes, the other of Cyclists – the people on these lists were all becoming very known to me and I was finding myself actually looking forward to what their thoughts were on some topics, whether it be ski conditions, the latest cycling doping scandal, who did what and where, etc…
I recently read that the reason Google puts emphasis on blogs for search results is that blogs are often real world references of what is important, what people think, and what is happening – not just a company marketing or putting spin on something for its own benefit. This all sounds very much like how I have found Twitter to be, the personal things matter most.
But then there are the Twitter oddities. What’s up with the if you don’t follow me I’m not going to follow you rule? Are you reading what I say and finding it uninteresting? – then okay, un-follow me. But don’t just un-follow me out of spite because I offed you when all you did was tell me what cafe you’re in or what song you’re listening to. This is the Twitter dilemma, finding those truly worth friending, …much like life I guess. And then there are those who follow 20,983 and are followed by 20,352. I find them immediately suspicious. Are they really reading anything, or just looking to spew?
How does any of this pertain to what we do as professional photographers? Maybe not so much, but relationships are relationships and what goes around comes around. You never know who is lurking out there – and yes, we have received work from all of this, but better, we have had countless people inform us that our photos and words have inspired them to go to the very places where we have been. This, with the friends we have made, is the reward.
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Are you a mountain sport athlete and want to get to know a great group, follow our list:
For cyclists, our fun list is: Cyclists
Not following us? – give us a try at:
Twitter : PatitucciPhoto – Photos from work, fun and thoughts about being fulltime professional outdoor industry photographers.
Twitter : DolomiteSport - Our lives as athletes & travelers; climbing, cycling, skiing, trekking and living inspired lives in the mountains.
…And finally: Are you following us but we’ve missed you, and we really must meet? Tweet us! We’d love to hear from people.
A Busy Week in the Life of PatitucciPhoto
We live a busy schedule of combining work with play - for us, they are one and the same, we call it life. Living and working in the mountains is simply what we do. But the last week was particularly dense with activity and has finally ended on a drizzly day in Switzerland where I can finally sit and get all caught up – for not only were we on the move, we had no phone service for much of the last 6 days.
It started with friends visiting the Dolomites, lots of road biking and a 21 pitch climb on the South Face of the Tofana, one of the Dolomites largest walls. Then it was straight to the Graubunden Region of Switzerland where we spent some days climbing in the Sciora group. From there I rode my bike back to St. Moritz before climbing another amazing wall above Disentis, Switzerland, the Piz Cavardiras. Once down from shooting photos, and the climbing itself, I jumped back on the bike and rode over several major Swiss passes before bumping into the Bernese Oberland and calling it good. As in exhausted. Maybe I have been drinking too much coffee. A huge thanks to two friends who joined and helped us in the fun; Thomas Engl and Tim Connelly.
This then is our visual diary.
Tim Connelly on the South Face of the Dolomite's Tofana - 21 pitches that he accurately described as being more of an odyssey than a climb. Agreed.
Thomas Engl on the Sciora Group's Innominata; Via di Mezzo 6a
From dumping rain, it snowed, then in ten minutes it was sunny and warm for cragging.
Shame shame shame, but well done Thommy
Thommy Engl cragging above the Sciora Hut
Thommy & Janine in the Sciora Hut, course number 1 is soup
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda, 6a, in the Sciora Group
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda in the Sciora Group
The Sciora Hut sits directly beneath some impressive granite walls and spires
The walk out from Sciora after an all day journey that started, and would end, with headlamps
Above Disentis, Switzerland is the Piz Cavardiras and an amazing 6b+ direct line up one of the best routes I have done anywhere in alpine terrain
What started in blue skies on the Piz Cavardiras turned cold and dank
I opted to pedal to the next venue over the Oberalp and then Furka Passes, pictured here in heavy traffic
PatitucciPhoto and the rolling office/home
Follow what we do as we do it at Twitter:
@patitucciphoto : Our photo business feed
@dolomitesport : the Inspired Mountain Living feed
Posted in Climbing, Photography
Also tagged alpine climbing, Climbing, Europe, Photography
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LowePro Photo Sport 200 for Mountain Sport Photographer Athletes
Both Janine and myself are professional mountain sport photographers. We are also very dedicated, serious athletes in many of the sports we photograph. As such, we regularly combine what we do for sport with what we do for work. With all of this centering around mountains, photography, performance, reliability and results – we need the best gear.
Quick, easy access to a protected camera and long lens in a dedicated compartment
In the last 12 years of our career, we have made it a specialty to photograph real trips; ski tours, climbing, trekking, and especially trail running. For much of this, we have been both the photographers and subjects. We’ve run across Iceland, around Patagonia, through the Dolomites, around Mont Blanc and done countless day trips throughout the Alps, Sierra Nevada and Rockies. All with camera on hand. For years I dreamed of a pack that would allow me to run/hike/bike comfortably while having a camera safely protected, easily accessible, yet in a real backpack… for an athlete.
Finally, a few months ago, Lowepro contacted us to help test a new pack that they had been developing; the Photo Sport 200. Designed specifically for active mountain sport photographers or for anyone needing a superlight pack to carry camera gear. With all of our experience, they wanted to know what we thought.
We think it is perfect.
The key with this pack is that it is a go to bag for when you want to go shoot in the mountains, and getting to where you need to go is involved. It isn’t going to be your standard pack for mountain biking or running, it isn’t meant to be. It is simply the ideal system for being a working photographer in the mountains.
We’ve used it hiking, trail running and mountain biking and can honestly say it functions perfectly for what it was designed for.
Lowpro Photo Sport features and how we use them
We carry the lighter, more compact Canon 5d when we do these longer, more difficult trips. On the body we keep the 17-40 f4.0 and below it fits the Canon 70-200 f4.0. Both fit snugly in the padded internal case. There is a drawstring closure to cinch the entire system tight inside the pack to prevent shaking, and the camera bag is low enough to keep the weight balanced on the body – brilliant.
The pack has another, external sleeve specifically for a hydration system. The design is well thought out in case it leaks, the water will not get to the camera system. There is also a built in rain cover.
The rest of the pack is pretty much just a backpack, super light, a couple of pockets, all with enough room still inside for clothes food or more camera gear. The suspension & padding system allows for the pack to be worn comfortably for long periods. It carries up to about 15kg very well. External straps allow you to attach a tripod.
I tried out the Lowepro Photo Sport 200 while mountain biking in to scout a location
So as bloggers writing a gear review, aren’t we required to now admit that we were given free gear and that this fact might influence words of praise…? Yep, the pack was a freebie. And yep, if you run into me in the mountains while I am working you’ll see a bright orange Lowepro Photo Sport 200 on my back. Because… I really like it.
Want to get your own? Lowepro says June. For more information – visit Lowepro
To see what we have done as running photographers, visit our Running Portfolio
Follow what we do, as we do it in the mountains – via our Twitter feed @patitucciphoto
Posted in Gear Review
Also tagged Adventure Sports, Digital Photography, Photography, Photoshoots
19 Comments
Photographing Climbing in the Italian Dolomites
My connection to the climbing world is strong and influential to where I am today.
In the fall of 1987 I went climbing for the first time, by winter I was obsessed. A short time later I picked up a camera to begin photographing this image rich sport, then in 1998 I became a fulltime, professional photographer shooting primarily climbing. As the years progressed I became a “We” and we (with Janine) moved into different outdoor subject matter, typically the same subjects we were most interested in at the time. But climbing has always remained close, and so it is a treat to take on a job that allows me to return to my roots.
A good friend here in the Italian Dolomites is professional climber and UIAGM Mountain Guide Kurt Astner. In recent years, Kurt has been busy freeing old aid lines as well as putting up some routes of his own on the dizzying steep walls of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo’s Cima Ovest and Cima Grande. During the summer of 2010 he established an all new route, Pressknödel (7c), with fellow UIAGM Mountain Guide and professional climber Christoph Hainz. In addition to this route, he repeated a former aid line recently freed by a Czech team, now Super Erectissima, 8a+.
Kurt asked me to join him on the two routes so we could make some images, but poor August weather continually delayed the work. We even managed to get up on the routes in preparation for the photo work only to have thick cloud cover, rain and ice force us down. Finally in late August, the high class climbing magazine Vertical became involved, renewing our motivation with a deadline for a story on Kurt.
On September 4 we were able to photograph both routes. Yet still some rain came down, we were pelted by ice and the clouds tortured us at sunset. Together with Stephan Steinkeller we managed a long and productive day, climbing the first part of the Cassin Route before traversing into Pressknödel to rig and get me in place. After these photos, we rappelled the route and ran for Super Erectissima. The sun was sinking into big black clouds sitting on the horizon. Kurt climbed the lower pitches, fixed a rope, and I quickly jumared the overhanging face. Literally in the final moments of daylight, we made the last images.
Climbing: A Photographer’s Perspective
If you have ever wondered what it’s like to be a climbing photographer, and especially to work in a vertical, or in this case overhanging world, here is my perspective from this photoshoot. Note the exposure in positioning, the timing of images to the body position and how still I must remain so as not to swing around. First you’ll see Kurt climbing, then the logistics of moving about on a steep wall. Making climbing images requires a massive amount of work and comfort in this world, it helps to be a real climber, and it especially helps to have a great climber to work with.
- Kurt Astner at the base of the Cima Grande
- Kurt Astner climbing Pressknödel 7c. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italian Dolomites
- Kurt Astner climbing Pressknödel 7c. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italian Dolomites
- Kurt Astner lowering off Pressknödel 7c, Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Stephan lassoing Kurt to reel him into the wall
- Kurt Astner climbing Super Erectissima 8a+. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italian Dolomites
- Kurt Astner climbing Super Erectissima 8a+. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italian Dolomites. The last image in the last light.
For the whole story of free climbing at the Dolomite’s Tre Cime di Lavaredo by Kurt Astner, watch for Vertical Magazine’s full feature in an upcoming issue.
Posted in Climbing, Dolomites, Photography
Also tagged Adventure Sports, Climbing, Dolomites, Photography, Rock Climbing
8 Comments
Photo of the Day: Sellaronda Ski Race
This week’s selection is meant to be inspiration. Snow is falling, thoughts are turning to skiing and the coming ski rando season is nearly upon us. This photo is from the start line in Corvara, in the Alta Badia.
Last year I did my first races in Italy and had a great time, I also got thoroughly schooled in one of the hardest endurance tests I have ever done. Sci alpinismo, or ski rando racing as it is called in English is massively popular in Europe. The sport combines backcountry skiing with mountain running and alpinism.
One of the biggest races in Italy is the Sellaronda Ski Marathon. Beginning at dusk, the race circumnavigates the Dolomite’s Sella Group using both pistes and service roads – at night!
Participants use powerful headlamps and ultralight ski gear, the climbs are incredibly fast and the descents are on torch lined pistes and typically in full tucks. The sport is 100% full on.
We shot the race in 2008 and it was enough to make me want to try it the following winter. I can confirm; fun, addicting and painful.
Posted in Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Photo of the Week, Photography, Skiing
Also tagged Dolomites, Italy, Skiing
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Expressive
Expressive is a new addition to our online stock site’s categories. While our other categories are based on subject, Expressive is based on a feel; the sheer beauty of the environment, a playful look or special action by the subject, a uniquely captured moment, or simply some emotion we can all identify with. The images are in the collection because they are what make still photography special.
More than anything, these images are what we love about photography, what we love about making photos – the type of photos that make us happy to create and to look at.
We hope you enjoy them and would love to hear which are your favorites.
Posted in Photo Business, Photography
Also tagged Adventure Sports, Photography, Travel, Travel Photography
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No Photos, just Words
Twenty years ago I did little more than climb; sport climb, trad climb and alpine climb. Like so many other climbers of my generation, Peter Croft was a hero. He was also, and still is, a friend. I vividly remember one morning we spent having coffee together at my house, he was telling me all about a morning he hiked in to climb a North Cascade peak. Alone in the pre-dawn with the smells, the sounds, and the anticipation of going climbing – things all climbers will understand. He recalled crossing some frozen snow where he banged his knuckles, causing them to bleed a bit. Details of the climb were skipped, instead he described seeing the little spots of red in the snow later that day and having his morning come back to him, realizing that he had passed through the environment in the darkness and that he had been a part of a much bigger picture.
Something made me think of that this morning as I hiked alone in the dark toward a climb in the Alps. I am fortunate, for well over twenty years now, the majority of my days have been spent in the mountains. Yet still, when the alarm wakes me in the middle of the night I often feel the same child-like excitement for what I will see, what I will experience, and for all the emotions of the coming day.
We are inundated with images and video, everything everyone does is broadcast with visuals. I am a part of this. Deeper than what we see are the feelings we have when we, as individuals, are actually doing what we love, passing through the environment and taking it all in. We must not forget to slow it all down and do something purely for the sake of what it gives us. And we must not forget that in addition to photos and video and all the impact that they can carry, there are words. Maybe they’re not as fun, and certainly slower paced, but perhaps they are the most important of all. Especially those words which run through our own head and remind us that yes, there is a much bigger picture through which we are passing.
And so this post is just words, I made no photos of my climb, I just thought about how wonderful it was to spend a morning alone in the big mountains.
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