Behind the Shot: Ruben Lenten

The latest issue of IKitesurf Magazine features Dutch superstar Ruben Lenten and his struggle to overcome injury. Many of the images come from our work together in the Gorge this summer- which wasn't much. I figure in 5 days together we shot on the water for maybe an hour and a half.


My stoke in creating images comes a great deal from the subject themselves. For years it was easy to accomplish with Ruben.

2008 and Ruben feelin' it.

Unfortunately he has been in a tough place the last several years and as a result, it's become a challenge for me as well.

If an athlete is injured and isn't in the moment what can a photographer do? The answer is very little- especially with Ruben. There is no cajoling, or coaxing possible with pain. Ruben has intense pressure from sponsors to produce insane imagery. Compound that with injury... and you have a major formula for frustration. Especially for Ruben... all he wants to give is 100%... um make that 200% (check out 1:13 here.)


Behind the scenes my 5 days with Ruben were spent in a controlled chaos... from dawn to dusk I'm getting hourly weather reports, texts from marketing directors and company owners asking what's happening. I'm managing videographers, jet skis, a 40 foot boat, a helicopter and the logistics of keeping multiple vehicles all together and ready to go on a moments notice. While keeping the vibe upbeat and pressure low.


Sometimes what's best is to not push the button, to not make the call. To put the phone down and say it's not worth it. Let's forget about the helicopter, jet skis, the monster boat. Forget about kiteboarding... it's not the most important thing in the world.

Concern for your friends' well being and happiness is. Cause if kiting isn't fun, then why do it.

In the end with the time we did shoot we accomplished exactly what was needed. More importantly we were able to enjoy the time and leave enriched by the challenge.

Ruben psyches up

boom


soul session

Dakine Kiter- Eric Rienstra

Latest issue of SBC Kiteboard features a new ad with Dakine.

I'd been eyeing this angle on Mt Hood for a little while. The spot needed morning light and heavy wind to work due to a large wind shadow at the launch. I texted Eric from my bed early after listening to the wind chimes hammer all night, I was surprised to hear my phone ring 5 minutes later. Eric isn't known to be a morning person... but you can always count on his stoke to get out and ride no matter what.


Grabbing gear and meeting up we realized, of course... that neither of us had a working pump. As precious morning light tick'ed away we ripped over to a friend's garage, breaking in to root through some old gear. We found a pump only after it looked like we had totally botched the setup.

The launch itself required a bit of a trek. Passing barbed wire, train track, fecal ponds and blackberry bushes- the beach was one to earn. Made that much more difficult barefoot.

With one sketch launch zone and mega gusty conditions Eric made it happen. We ended shooting sun up to sun down that day. Covering nearly 50 miles of the Gorge. The entire time Eric was at it charging... stoked.

Keen Kayaker- Simon Hirter

Hybridlife clip from Keen featuring the photography I shot with Simon Hirther, a fantastic athlete who lives in Interlaken Switzerland.

Simon is a positive spirit and activist for nature. I greatly enjoyed our time together and the late night discussions about the evolution of human consciousness, what environmentalism means and the healing power that nature has.

Heavy thoughts shared in the deep forest and mountains of the Swiss Alps- truly a magical and powerful place of inspiration.