4
mins read
Behind the Image with Miles Holden
published
November 3, 2022
location
NEW ZEALAND
discipline
Skiing
Behind the Image with Miles Holden
Copy Miles Holden Hero image Copy
Behind the Image with Miles Holden
published
November 3, 2022
location
NEW ZEALAND
discipline
Skiing
4
mins read
Miles Holden
“I love how it’s slightly backlit. It’s really important to give my images a three-dimensional feel.”
It's one of those jealousy-inducing photos. You see shots like this and you instantly know that the conditions were pretty amazing. And it's just the whole thing of skiing or riding at speed and pushing that snow up, getting it all up in your face in the turns. There's nothing quite like it. It's an amazing feeling.
This image shows the really good transition and light from the shade through to a bit of a sun pocket. Jess had a fair amount of speed coming into this slope, and I just love that vapor trail behind her. I love how it’s slightly backlit. It's really important to give my images a three-dimensional feel.
I also like that it doesn't reveal the whole of Jess, but it's more about her being in the white room there. Photography-wise, I was shooting with a 100-500mm looking up the slope and this gave me the range to pull back to get more texture from the foreground or zoom in quickly if required. I waited to see what was going to happen with her turn and I like that it shows the conditions of snow even when it is a slightly wider frame.
It was a dream day, and it felt like you could ski forever. It was just a beautiful thing.
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If I could, I would try to shoot images like this all day. I love how the sun is just sort of cusping that rock and how things sparkle in the foreground.
I set up this image so Jess would rip a big turn, but be close to the shadow that's created by the rock on the top of the ridge. We had really nice sparkly snow with super cold conditions in the shady parts. I love how she sits in that pocket of light.
What were your goals and hopes from this shoot?
I hoped we would have a big snowfall, and time to give Jess the opportunity to ski in great conditions. You never know what you're going to get in New Zealand as it can change drastically from one day to the next.
I wanted to do the Kiwi mountains justice and capture good action photos that showed off Jess’ skiing. Jess is quite an aggressive skier. It's important to be able to show that in the stills. I really wanted to shoot some of the snow that had landed and had a lot of beautiful texture on it. You really can see how it looks similar to water in many ways.
This shoot was intense with a lot to achieve in a short amount of time, and Jess was operating at a very high level. When you’re documenting an athlete at that level, what are you looking for so you can make sure you capture that story?
I was really mindful of trying to capture textures, great light, and big roosters coming up from behind her. We ended up finding an area that had some beautiful light and we left Jess to ski it the way that she wanted. Sometimes, when you are operating in alpine conditions, you can’t always do exactly what you want, and it’s not that you’re settling for second best, it’s that you’re restricted by where you can go, how far the skier can go, and how you can frame it. However, we definitely made the most of what we had.
Queenstown local and action sports photographer, Miles Holden, is one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry. Bringing Miles on board for our “powder day” shoot was a special opportunity. A lot needed to align to make this shoot happen, but when it did Miles was able to bring his signature style to the day.
We sat down with Miles after the shoot wrapped to learn about his favorite images and what his goals were going into the shoot.
What excites you about these images? Tell the story of how they came to light…
copy Miles Holden carousel 1 Copy
It's one of those jealousy-inducing photos. You see shots like this and you instantly know that the conditions were pretty amazing. And it's just the whole thing of skiing or riding at speed and pushing that snow up, getting it all up in your face in the turns. There's nothing quite like it. It's an amazing feeling.
This image shows the really good transition and light from the shade through to a bit of a sun pocket. Jess had a fair amount of speed coming into this slope, and I just love that vapor trail behind her. I love how it’s slightly backlit. It's really important to give my images a three-dimensional feel.
I also like that it doesn't reveal the whole of Jess, but it's more about her being in the white room there. Photography-wise, I was shooting with a 100-500mm looking up the slope and this gave me the range to pull back to get more texture from the foreground or zoom in quickly if required. I waited to see what was going to happen with her turn and I like that it shows the conditions of snow even when it is a slightly wider frame.
It was a dream day, and it felt like you could ski forever. It was just a beautiful thing.
Miles Holden
“I wanted to do the Kiwi mountains justice, and Jess is quite an aggressive skier. It's important to be able to show both in the stills.”
Queenstown local and action sports photographer, Miles Holden, is one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry. Bringing Miles on board for our “powder day” shoot was a special opportunity. A lot needed to align to make this shoot happen, but when it did Miles was able to bring his signature style to the day.
We sat down with Miles after the shoot wrapped to learn about his favorite images and what his goals were going into the shoot.
What excites you about these images? Tell the story of how they came to light…
copy Miles Holden gallery image 2 Copy
copy Miles Holden carousel 5 Copy
How are you connected to the mountains? Describe your relationship with the mountains.
I haven't always been connected to the mountains. I didn't grow up around mountains, but now I live in a valley surrounded by them. There's something magical about the silence of being in the mountains. There's a certain pace to being in the mountains, and spending time in them, sort of cleans your soul, fills your cup, so to speak. It gives you energy that you can't really get anywhere else.
Photography is a unique way to make a living… why have you chosen to be a photographer? What has photography taught you? Why do you love photography?
Photography has taught me to be patient (I’m not a hugely patient person) but timing is everything with photography, especially for light, seasonal conditions, whatever it may be. When I was around 10, my grandmother told me to always have the sun on my back when I shot a photo, so I now chose the opposite; I really like looking into the sun.
Photography is a really unique way to make a living. I really enjoy the discipline of photography and the camaraderie of going out with an athlete with the common goal of trying to capture a person really in their landscape.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.
