Big air up there - big jumps and snowboarding

[L Stegall]

Let me start off by saying I did not take these images. I wish I had. The photographer, Ryan Gertner, graciously allows me to share them and he sent me the full res files to print. Some of you may know from an earlier post that my brother, Mark, passed away a month ago very unexpectedly - he was a professional snowboard racer and coach. This was a photo shoot with my brother from 2006 (so he was 43 at the time). Believe it or not, these were shot in July on Mt. Hood! They took a snowcat to get up there. Mark always said he loved the view from his "office." Um, yeah, me too.

I know there is a dust spot or two that I'll take care of before I print them, but just wanted to share them. I think they are gorgeous. From an early age, if it had a board or wheels and he could make it jump, flip or fly, he would. He was still doing that at 48......


One of his friends noted that many attach snowboards to their feet, but few attach them to their souls. Mark did.



Ryan was shooting with a Canon 1D Mk 2 and a 70-200 @ 200.

[Some Idiot]

All very cool and meaningful, but this one is awesome

[L Stegall]

Rob, yep, that's probably my favorite. I think I'm going to print it 20x30 metallic and have it at my house.

The VastAction people also sent us another incredible print from the 2010 Nationals, as Mark was near the finish line and passing someone in the final of the Boardercross event on his way to a repeat gold. You can see the focus in his eyes and he is completely in the air, having just come off a jump. I just have it in print, though, no digital file yet.

[L Stegall]

Rob, since you are up in Eugene, I don't think I mentioned these were @ Mt. Hood (edited to note that now). I'm told that is Mt. Jefferson in the background. For a native Texan, he loved the snow and he dearly loved Oregon - he was the head snowboard coach for the Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp for many years and when he wasn't there, he was surfing the Oregon coast.

[jeffclow]

Great series of your brother.....number two is my personal favorite.

[L Stegall]

Thanks Jeff. #2 is definitely another fav for me. I am SO glad I figured out the security questions on his email account and took the time to go back through his old emails. Lesson learned, don't just delete stuff - your family may treasure it one day. The photographer had sent him 600x900 images in 2006 and I emailed him last night and he sent me the full-res files this a.m.

[HuyMan]

Cool pix, I would love to do some sports/action shooting. Looks so much fun. Love the clouds in the background!

[kenw]

real treasures, Lisa. He was doing what he loved and I think that is what we all want for those we love. Thanx for sharing these.