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On Location
Meet
six of the best outdoor sports photographers in the business today and
see for yourself what happens when the love of sports and the love of
photography collide.
There’s no better time
or more fitting place than Celebrated Living’s “Sporting Life” issue to
highlight some of the world’s hardest-working outdoor sports
photographers. Take a look at a typical day at the offi ce for these
six shooters. Welcome to the wild world of sports photography.  | SURFING CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
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CHRIS BURKARD
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I’m a California native and live in the surf town of Pismo Beach, which is more known for its clam chowder than waves. Photography never came easy; in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard at anything in my life.
THE SPORT I’ve been surfing and bodyboarding since I was a little guy. Surfing is truly like no other sport. It allows the subject to be so connected with nature in every movement. My favorite aspect of surf photography is being able to be in the water shooting … The feeling of moving with the waves and capturing that moment is something I have come to live for.
THE SETTING This image was taken about 15 minutes before sunset. This cove faces primarily south, so it’s protected from the northwest winds that typically plague California. These days don’t come very often, maybe once or twice a year, when the strong east winds blow all day and we get these amazing clear conditions which, when coupled with a large westerly groundswell, can produce some of the most hollow green barrels in California. The surfer in this photo is one of my best friends, Eric Soderquist.
ZOOM IN My and coauthor Eric Soderquist’s new book, tentatively titled The California Surf Project, will be published by Chronicle Books and has a release date of spring 2009. More info at www.thebookprojectca.com. My website is www.burkardphoto.com, and my work can be seen in many major surfi ng magazines such as Water, Surfer, Transworld Surf, and Surfing.
 | HIKING CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UTAH |
PETER POTTERFIELD
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I’m an adventure journalist who has made a specialty of photographing and reporting on wilderness travel for publications like National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Backpacker, and Smithsonian. I’m a veteran of climbing and backcountry expeditions, have hiked solo across the wilds of Arctic Sweden, retraced Ernest Shackleton’s route in the Antarctic, and have spent multiple seasons reporting on expeditions to Mount Everest. I currently live in Seattle and am the editor of www.greatoutdoors.com.
THE SPORT This photo is all about the challenges and joys of hiking — or, more accurately for this setting, wilderness travel. These journeys are even more rewarding because almost any fit person can do them — you don’t need technical skills to do some of the best hiking routes in the world.
THE SETTING This is in Utah’s sprawling Canyonlands National Park, one of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in America. My partner and I were on a five-day wilderness trip from Squaw Flat out to Chesler Park, a thousand-acre expanse of sagebrush, and a virtual oasis in the center of the park’s redrock environment.
ZOOM IN I’m the author of a dozen books, two of which are In the Zone and High Himalaya. My new book is Classic Hikes of the World, and I’ll be doing a 20-city slideshow tour at REI stores through April 17. The message is simple: Get off the couch, see these amazing places, and then help preserve them. For more on the book, see www.classichikes.com. My website is www.peterpotterfield.com.
 | | FLYFISHING SEYCHELLES |
VALENTINE ATKINSON
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I’m based in San Francisco. I studied photography in art school and combined it with a love of nature and outdoor sports.
THE SPORT Flyfishing and photography are two of my passions in life. I married them together into a career. Happiness, for me, is a dusty, lonely road in summer with a full tank of gas and a trunk full of tackle ... escaping the crowds of the city for the wonderful solitude of the river and its inhabitants; to breathe crisp, clean air and to feel the sun on my back as I wade the river.
THE SETTING “Jumping Mullet” in the Seychelles islands occupied a split second in time that I was fortunate to capture on film by being in the right place at the right time … and being prepared.
ZOOM IN I have four books out, including Distant Waters, Trout and Salmon, The Greatest Flyfishing Around the World, and, most recently, Friends on the Water: Flyfishing in Good Company published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang. Visit my website at www.valatkinson.com for more information.
 | | SCUBA DIVING STINGRAY CITY, GRAND CAYMAN |
NORBERT WU
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I live in the Monterey, California, area. I’m known as an underwater photographer, and my writing and photography have appeared in thousands of books, films, and magazines. I got into it because I’ve always loved being in the water, and have always been fascinated by marine life.
THE SPORT This image highlights the sport of scuba diving. As an underwater photographer, I have to be an expert diver myself.
THE SETTING This was taken at Stingray City, Grand Cayman. The water is shallow, unbelievably clear, warm, and calm. The sand is a clean, bright white, and sunlight bounces back and forth between the water’s surface and the sandy bottom, so that swimming here is like gliding through a room lit up by thousands of flashing strobes. Mobs of huge bat-like apparitions come flapping out of the blue, right up to you. They are among the largest animals you’ve ever seen underwater, six feet from wingtip to wingtip. In 25 years of diving, this encounter was the most memorable experience that I have had.
ZOOM IN I recently finished a Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship, where I traveled around the world for three years documenting marine conservation issues. Those images came out in my most recent book, Diving the World. I’m presently working on a book about waves, in between filming and still-photo assignments for clients such as the BBC and National Geographic Television. I also write and regularly contribute photographs for children’s books and textbooks. My website is www.norbertwu.com, which has links to my books and prints.
 | | KAYAKING LA PUSH, WASHINGTON |
JOEL ROGERS
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I was born and raised in Seattle — with miles of Puget Sound coastline at my doorstep. Sea kayaking became a natural sport for my outdoor experience as well as my budding photojournalism career. And though I’ve ventured into environmental issues and the sport of competitive rowing, kayaking remains my first love, my first subject.
THE SPORT Sea kayaking is a much more ethereal experience than most outdoor sports. It is a quiet exploration of coastlines, remote beach camps, and hidden inlets weeks away from civilization. But every now and then you run the edge: You find yourself atop a 10-foot wave heading for the beach whether you planned it or not. The beauty of the sport is your wilderness awareness and sea-keeping skills that allow you to both enjoy and survive where your kayak takes you.
THE SETTING This image was taken at Beach Number One, La Push, Washington, which is known for its winter storm surf. January is when you will find the annual gathering of really good and crazy paddlers for the Surf Frolic. These kayakers are riding the inner break with the massive outer break behind them.
ZOOM IN My most recent book is a wordand- pictures essay on my town entitled Seattle by Graphic Arts Books. I can be reached at www.joelrogers.com. Let me know if you want to go for a paddle.
 | ROCK CLIMBING DEVILS TOWER, WYOMING
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JONNY COPP
THE PHOTOGRAPHER I live in Boulder, Colorado. Climbing and photography started for me as separate passions. But over the last 14 years they have grown together and become a fourth dimension to each pursuit.
THE SPORT Climbing and shooting the mountains, spires, and steepest places on earth, from the Himalayas, to Patagonia, to the walls right here in the U.S. have taught me about fear, commitment, and art. Climbing is as much a passion of mine as photography. I’m a sponsored climbing athlete as well as a professional photographer.
THE SETTING This photo was taken during the final golden hour of daylight on Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming. This route, named El Matador, is known for its sustained climbing and incredible geometry. I had to climb the route first to get into position for the shot — that part of the job I love, too.
ZOOM IN Check out coppworks.com for more images, projects, and stories from the edge. I’m also founder and director of the Boulder Adventure Film Festival, Boulder’s independent, international festival that focuses on adventure and environment; More on that can be found at www.boulderadventurefilm.com.
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