Mount Superior in Utah - Free HD Wallpaper/Background for Skiers!

So if you love Winter in the mountains, but are stuck in the office right now, staring at some boring picture on your monitor, check in below for a FREE wall paper download and mount this photo directly to your display for a pseudo vaca-chion!   Or feel free to slap it up as your background on your 60" HD TV when you get home.

If you like this shot, share the KWP Facebook Fanpage love for future stuff like this.

Download the wallpaper:
1080p HDTV Skiing Wallpaper - download here
iPad/iPhone Skiing Wallpaper - download here
4K Resolution Timelapse: available for license, just shoot me an email.  (Seeing the clouds dance around the mountain peaks and up the canyon is spectacular in full time-lapse format).

*Please note: downloads are for personal use ONLY.  If you want to use this photo for commercial or editorial purposes or want a huge signed print for your wall, let's talk!

About: Yesterday was an absolutely stunningly, gorgeous (and every other adjective you can think of) bluebird day up little cottonwood canyon.  After some much needed snowfall the sun came out to play and I spent the morning skiing and shooting a bit of active lifestyle photography as well as soaking in the beauty around me with some more casual scenic and timelapse photography.  So here's my "shot of the day" from the adventures; the beautiful Mount Superior as seen from Snowbird and Alta Ski resorts in the cottonwood canyons of Utah.

It's up on my screen right now:

Kevin Winzeler | Commercial Sports and Lifestyle Photographer

If there's a cow in the road?

Take it as a sign! Stop, look around and live life in the moment.  (then take a picture)  
Kevin Winzeler | Photographer

This photograph was created in Maui, Hawaii past the road to Hana.
More Landscape Photography

Pray for snow...

...in the Wasatch!

After crossing the road late one afternoon in Little cottonwood canyon, it began to snow.  It snowed and  snowed some more and would not stop snowing.  Large flakes floated out of the sky touching down on aspen trees, chalets, cars, and completely blanketing our photography equipment.  I was smiling from ear to ear.   It was the 2010.  It was the week of the Salt Lake shootout and we were getting pounded!

It's January 2012.  The snow is coming!  I think.

(The 2010 Salt Lake shootout was an unbelievable week for both athletes and photographers pushing the limits each day to create some spectacular ski photography.  I felt fortunate to be around world class athletes and photographers and lucky enough to take the best of show award at the end of competition.  About the winning image:  It was our first day and first run of the day.  After a solid hike up the Fantasy Ridge cliffs above Solitude Ski resort, Pro skier Jason West decided to launch a 60 footer just to warm things up a bit.  He stomped it.   That image would win both "Best Air" and "Best of Show" for the shootout. )

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It's Christmas morning in Utah (not Autumn!).  All I want is for Christmas is some Snow!  I've been good this year.  I promise.

This is my sweet little girl letting "daddy" take a couple of quick pictures just before heading to church in her new Sunday clothes.  Family is amazing and that's all I really want for Christmas; to spend time with them.  I hope you enjoy yours during this holiday season!

-Kevin

Kevin Winzeler Photography | Commercial Photographer

Self portrait

Hi.
A self portrait from back in the day...
Peeling an orange, thinking hard :)

Kevin Winzeler | Sports + Lifestyle photographer

Published in Print: Editorial + Commercial Photography

Here are a few photographs that I'm finally either able to post or just getting some time to post.  Either way, it's always a pleasure to see both the editorial and commercial photography go to print.  A sincere thank you to athletes, models, crew and clients for making these shots happen!  Hit me below with any questions you have about behind the scenes or anything else that comes to mind!

Fuse Archery |  Catalog Cover 2011

Hoyt Archery | Opening Catalog Spread 2011

Hoyt Archery | Catalog Cover 2011

Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah

Alpinist Magazine | Contents Page Opener

Athlete: Kara Bankhead

Location: Indian Creek, Utah

University of Phoenix | Cover / Inside story

About: Christoph Malzl

Client: Real Salt Lake

Client: Skiing Magazine

Location: Snowbird, Utah

Client: University of Utah | Salt Lake International Airport

Skiing Location: Solitude, Utah

Athlete: Jason West

Thanks for checking in...

Kevin Winzeler | Commercial Photographer

2012 Sports Photography Calendar - Trail Running Cover Shot Explained

Every year I receive numerous request about my photography calendars and despite the tremendous work that is involved, it's rewarding to see the finished product.  A huge thanks goes to the athletes included within and my wife for getting it to print!

So for those asking, go here to purchase: 2012 SPORT/ADVENTURE CALENDARS ON SALE NOW (just $10)

About "The Cover Shot": This years cover shot comes from a shoot for Mountain Hardwear/Montrail this past year in Lake Tahoe, CA featuring ultra trail runner extraordanare, Max King.  Max has way too many titles and accompanying list of victories to include here, but suffice it to say that he's wicked fast (sub 4:40 miles on pavement), ridiculously smooth (off-road) and one of the best athletes I've had the pleasure to work with on a photo shoot. 

We had a back-to-back days that were just plain brutal including working our way over several snow covered areas on the flume trail that were normally dry this time of year.  In all we ended up traversing about 6,000+ vertical feet on two consecutive days (First scouting and back to shoot the next day with gear, crew and athletes) to get to this location and meet our shoot objectives of environment long-range photography -- 'rave run' type stuff.

Initially, I had another shot picked out to shoot near this location (see below), which we had discussed in our pre-production days that would  provide an awesome environmental sport image.  But like any other location shoot, once I'd nailed what needed to happen according the the brief, I began exploring for additional compositions.  This was a  moment for me to push the creative direction and shot list just a bit further and capture something unexpected and engaging.  We explored the trail and found just up from our first location a piece of overhanging piece granite rock that was intriguing both compositionally and aestically.  I decided to rally the troops (who were well spent) and shoot this local also.    The set-up took about a half an hour as I employed a favorite rig I like to call the 'mini heli'; essentially a camera mounted boom pole that allows me to get an 'mini' aerial perspective of a location very quickly and with minimal gear.  This was the perfect location for the mini heli!

We rigged up the 5D Mark II (no grip) with a 15mm fisheye, and a 4x6 sunbounce reflector and started exploring the trail from this new perspective.  The late afternoon sun worked well to backlight the runner and we bounced a little fill into the front.   Thirty minutes later we had a few takes that were solid and we called the flume trail shot a wrap!

Check out more trail running photos from this shoot in a recent case study here: photography case study with Mountain Hardwear

(Another Trail Running Shot from the Flume Trail)

Hawaii Photography and Timelapse

I'm on vacation this week in Oahu, Hawaii and in theory "away from the camera" for a few days, but that's nearly impossible to do in practice.  While I am away from the commercial photography routine, I can't help but get out and shoot some beautiful scenic and landscape imagery while here.  Look for updates to this post with new photos and possibly some film or at least time lapse shots during the stay.  Points of interest to include The north shore beaches and surfing, Pali Lookout, Makapu'u beach and point, Waikiki, Diamond head, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and more.  I'll also add that although Oahu is spectacular, I must say Maui, Kauai and the big Island are even more amazing.  If you are planning a trip, particularly a photography trip and choosing one island, go for Kauai!

For starters, here's a time lapse photography sequence from the Pali highway.

Longboarding Photography in Park City, Utah

A friend recently pulled out a prototype carbon fiber longboard he's been working on and I had to get it on the hill for some photography and video splendor.  There's much more to come on this emerging little company, but the board is unbelievably lightweight, ultra stiff and fast.  Check out some photos from our Park City, Utah adventure.  Some cinematography still to come!

Hit "Like" on the Facebook page for exclusive behind the scenes updates and giveaways.

-Kevin Winzeler
Utah based Sports and fitness photographer

Top 5 ways to stay in shape during Winter (Photography made the list!)

What is your favorite way to get that much needed exercise outdoors during the winter months? 

All too often I hear people grumbling about how much they "hate Winter, nothing to do, can't wait til Spring, are sick of shoveling, getting fat and lazy, have to put off the exercise routine and wish they lived somewhere else...."  Since Winter is right around the corner, let's chat.  First off, this blows my mind.  How can someone strongly dislike one of the greatest seasons of the year??  I'm bias of course, so after taking a step back and before shipping them out of my home State of Utah, I usually reply that "they just need to find something that is FUN, something they can enjoy".  I reassure them that it (fun) is out there to be had for everyone and will usually result in great way to stay fit!

So, let's hear it!  For those of you who stay active outside all winter, what do you do?  Ski? Snowshoe? Nordic ski? Snowboard? Ice hockey? Run?  Ice Fish?
(Fact: 100% of all ice fisherman consume more calories than they burn, so scratch that off the list)

My top 5 ways to stay active during Winter (outside):


1) PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO:
From photographing winter sports and lifestyle imagery in the Wasatch mountains to the breathtaking scenics and landscapes of Bryce, Zion and Arches down south;  I don't have to stray far from home during the winter months in Utah to take pictures.  So how exactly does photography keep me in shape? Find something you love to do creatively and you'll be amazed at how motivated you are to climb, bike, hike and haul yourself to the best place to do it. The pure addiction of capturing beautiful imagery constantly keeps me exploring even when the days are short and temperatures cold.  My sports photography usually requires a combination of keeping up with elite athletes and hiking into pristine locations all while porting way too much gear on my back.  It's a full body workout to say the least!  But even when I head out for a relaxing landscape shoot, my mind is looking for subjects and colors, shapes and textures, light and compositions.  I'll be pushing a 160 heart rate for an hour and not even realize it because I'm sidetracked with my adventure to find the perfect image.  So find a creative outlet and you'll stay active and in shape as result.

2) SNOWSHOE:
At least once a week, I like to head to the hills on shoes and explore nature at a slightly slower pace.  This is your ultimate stair stepping machine for you gym folks; a great way to burn a huge number of calories and get a full body workout.

3) PLAY WITH THE KIDS:
Kids love snow! Their enthusiasm for the white stuff will quickly spread as you bundle them up and roll around with them.  The heart gets pumping quickly when trying to keep up with my two kiddos romping around in the snow.  Sledding, Snow angels, Building igloos and Snowman; it's endless fun and activity.

4) SNOW SKIING:
Nothing else out there will keep the thighs toned during the Winter months all while keeping a grin on your face quite like a chest deep powder turn.  Get out to your local ski resort or into the backcountry for a truly refreshing and rewarding workout.  One of our local resorts here in Utah, Alta, has a 'Ski Free after 3' program every day on Sunnyside lift.  So don't let cost get in your way here.)

5) TAKE A WALK or JOG:
There's something purely magical about taking a walk while gigantic snow flakes gently fall all around you.  Just pull on your down puffy, hat, gloves and boots step out the front door and into a blanket of whiteness for a few miles.  Make sure to have the hot chocolate boiling and fireplace stoked for your return home.

33) SHOVELING:
Errr not. Shoveling my driveway did not make the top five list, but it is a solid full body workout, for those curious.  And my wife's favorite!

If you still can't find anything good to say about winter, then yes, pick up and move! :).  Okay, I guess you are free to jet to your second home in the tropics and work on your tan.  But rest assured, you. will. be. missing. out.

So, what is your favorite way to stay in shape during the Winter?  Comment below!

-Kevin Winzeler
Commercial Photographer in Sports, Active lifestyle and Outdoor work

Remember:
-The right gear makes all the difference.  Most people avoid winter activities because they tried 'it' once and were too cold or uncomfortable.
-Be prepared.  Make sure you check the local snow and avalanche reports to avoid any areas of danger - Utah Avalanche Center and REI put on some excellent courses to help learn about the backcountry here locally.

About the pictures:

This photograph was taken in Park City, Utah during a commercial winter shoot for Columbia Sportswear.  For inquiries regarding licensing an image or hiring Kevin for an assignment, please send an email to "info (at) kevinwinzeler (dot) com" or call 801-319-8023.  You will be replied to immediately.  We look forward to working with you!

Autumn in Utah - Outdoor Photography and Video

Today, I took a much needed break from the commercial photography routine to enjoy some fresh Autumn air in my own backyard.  The fall foilage is in full swing along one my of favorite drives in Northern Utah and I was able to snag a couple of images during the morning outing.  My primary focus was on the details using a mix of 100mm macro with Kenko extension tubes (for > 1:1 magnification) and 70-200mm with 1.4TC for some tight 280mm frames.   During use of this set-up I was manually focusing toward the blue sky on a tight group of leaves and noticed that as I pulled focus back and forth the leaves took on an abstract shape almost like a group of birds taking flight!  Check it out - image #4 below (click on the image to enlarge). I love those subtle discoveries that come when we patiently work a location.

I'm excited to see a few of these printed large!  Speaking of...all images are indeed available as signed, fine art prints as well as available to license for commercial and stock purposes.  Get in on the goods!  You can also find more Autumn stock photography also in print.

I also shot motion and video clips of many of the still images, both slider and locked off shots (single 17 second clip to kick things off below).

-Kevin Winzeler

Sports and Active Lifestyle Photographer

Tech details:

Motion Clips: Shot on 5DII supported by Sachtler Cine DSLR Tripod/Head and Kessler Slider.

Photography: Shot on 5DII supported by Gitzo sticks.

 

Photographing the Ocean and Water.

I love to photograph in and around water!  There's always a sense of movement, energy and activity that makes me feel alive and excited to pull out the camera and shoot.  Here's a few images that struck me as I was pulling some stuff together for a printed portfolio recently.  Most of these pictures were shot during two separate trips to the Hawaiian islands, both in Oahu, the Big island and Kauai.  Let's see some of your favorite water shots.

Another cover photo for Trail Runner Magazine!

The most recent issue of Trail Runner magazine is Live!  The cover photograph comes to you from our Mountain Hardwear/Montrail shoot this past Summer.  The picture was taken overlooking the majestic Lake Tahoe and surrounding area as we headed up toward the infamous Flume trail.  To get an elevated perspective we used a boomed Canon 5D Mark II camera (about 14' up) with a live feed to a monitor down below. Athlete and Olympic hopeful Max King was an endurance machine during our two day shoot.  Thanks for making it happen Max!

New Adobe Campus site in Black and White (Photography)

One of my current photography projects will span the next year or more as I document the construction of the new Adobe Systems site right here in my own backyard.  The plans are unreal and it should prove to be one of the most stunning buildings in Utah when finished.

Here is a series of black and white photographs from the early stages of the project including some 'aerial' perspectives atop their 200' crane:

-Kevin Winzeler
Commercial Photographer

Smugmug video with Kevin Winzeler

My website partner, Smugmug, recently dialed up this little promo video.  I jumped at the chance to participate as their Sports and Active Lifestyle Photographer of choice and to have featured a recent cycling shoot here in the Wasatch mountains of Utah. For nearly four years, I have been a customer of theirs and have recommended their Pro service to someone on almost a weekly basis.  Amazing work on this piece Anton lorimer and team!    (In full disclosure, there was no pay for this). 

Outdoor Photography Expo - Salt Lake City Wrapped!

Thank you to all who attended my seminar on Photography Story telling & Lighting at last weeks Outdoor Photography Expo in my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah.  We had 95% of the audience stay after the session ended for an additional half hour.  It was awesome hanging out with such an enthusiastic group of photographers, so thank you for coming out!

A special thanks also to the folks at PDN for making this happen in Salt Lake City!  Great job.  Also, thank you to my assistants as well as our volunteer athlete, Chris for putting in a solid 45 minute work-out during our live demo!

For those that missed the event, but would be interested in hearing what was talked about, I may present again locally (Utah) if there's enough interest.  Hit "Like" on my facebook page and tell me if you're interested.


Thanks,
Kevin Winzeler
Sports and Active Lifestyle Photographer

Presenting @ 2011 PDN Outdoor Photo Expo! Topic: Story telling, Lighting and Adobe Lightroom

If you are even remotely interested in photography, adventure or the outdoors, then you best be in attendance at the first ever PDN Outdoor Photo Expo.  I received a call a few months back and was asked to present a 2 hour seminar on the topic of my choice.  I was game!  So, here are the details:

Topic: SHOOTING + LIGHTING

Lighting and Storytelling: Natural Light, Strobes & Adobe Lightroom [FA1]
Kevin Winzeler
Sponsored by Adobe

In this session, award-winning photographer Kevin Winzeler will take you behind the scenes and discuss lighting as a powerful story telling element. Light is the essence of photography and it will communicate radically different emotions and story lines based on it's use. By building your lighting knowledge and arsenal, you'll be better equipped to shoot the personal work that inspires you and deliver exceptional results to the clients that hire you. We'll discuss the nuances of lighting by utilizing both the natural light around you (reflecting, diffusing, shaping) as well as introducing artificial light (both small and large strobes) when necessary. Lastly, we'll discuss the use of Adobe Lightroom in your workflow to select and complete the perfect image. Bring your questions for a Q&A at the end. All levels.

Date: Friday, Aug. 5th from 8-10am.
Location: Hilton Salt Lake City Center
Register here: http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/

Okay, here's what I need from you!   If you are coming or tuning in via the web or at all interested in storytelling, lighting or lightroom, then what do you want to learn about during my session??  Let's hear it!   Send me some questions here, on my FB page or tweet it.   I'll pull from here for my Q&A at the end as well.

I do promise you'll see some brand spankin' new work as well as a LIVE lighting demo (shhhh).  I'm stoked to share as much as possible within the two hour time limit.  Come enjoy!

Thanks,
Kevin

Scouting near Interstate 15. Utah.

A few photographs from the evenings scouting trip.  The full-moon rise was unexpected and enjoyable; a wonderful evening to browse the local stomping ground.

Kevin
Sports & Active Lifestyle Photographer

A Portfolio Review - Photographers

A couple of weeks back, I organized a portfolio review for a few photographers.  The goal was to get some critical feedback and improve our respective portfolios.  Work was done. Good times were had. Thanks for the feedback gents. Check out the 60 second time lapse footage below...along with some imagery at the end.

-Kevin Winzeler  

Active Lifestyle and Sports photographer

IS EXERCISE FUN? (Sports and Active lifestyle photography & Film)

Quick question for you today:  IS EXERCISE FUN?

I'm really curious what ya'll think, so please answer the following in the comments below:

Is Exercise fun?
1) Yes or No?
2) What you do for exercise and what have tried before?
3) Why is it or isn't it fun for you?


Let's hear it!

Kevin Winzeler
Sports, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor Photographer