As long as I’ve been a professional photographer, there has been one main way I’ve described my images. Each time I go out with my camera, I strive to turn ordinary life into extraordinary art. I would like to take my first article for Life Pixel and share a few images that I feel illustrate this particular way of looking at the world that surrounds me.
There is something uniquely satisfying about telling the story of where I go and what I see with my camera. I’m a strong believer that there is beauty everywhere if I stop and take the time to notice my surroundings. I feel people miss out on so much by being in such a rush to get from one place to another. It’s nice to have a goal, or a destination in mind. However I’ve some to understand in a very deep and personal way, that the journey is the whole point. How you get from point A to point B, and what you see along the way is really what matters to me.
The main way that I enjoy doing this in the winter is by ski touring. Putting skins on my skis and sliding my way uphill not only is the best form of exercise I know, it’s also a great way to travel. The slow pace of one step at a time means that I don’t have the option to not be aware of my immediate surroundings. Not only does it mean I’m travelling in a safe manner, it also means I have the time to notice the snow, trees, rocks and everything else interact.
I particularly enjoy how the wind and weather shapes the snow over time. It creates all manner of fascinating beautiful shapes and textures. Some of the most interesting shapes I find are the really delicate ones. It’s almost feels like a little bit stronger wind gust will shatter the bonds that hold the shape in place. I have to be extremely careful lest my footsteps accidentally destroy what I want to shoot.
One way that I enjoy photographing these snowy scenes is to consider and then choose unique perspectives from which to capture the details that catch my eye. I like it when the scene before me doesn’t have any significant point of reference that suggests size or scale. It’s fun getting down on and sometimes in the snow to position my camera for the desired angle. I know for certain people have skied by me at times wondering what in the world this crazy guy with the camera is doing rolling around in the snow.
Scenes like this are all about form to me, and more often than not I process them in black and white as I don’t need colour to help me tell the story. I respond to these scenes in such a way that the final images tend to be abstractions of light, shadow and texture. The form could be large or small depending on how you look at it. I like presenting a final image in such a manner that rewards repeated viewings with something different each time.
Thanks for reading along. If you’ve liked these images, you can see more of my photography on my website at www.photistry.com or follow my adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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Curtis Cunningham
Curtis Cunningham is a freelance photographer in Smithers, BC. He's passionate about seeking out the splendor of this earth, from the smallest snowflake to the grandest mountaintop vista. He absolutely loves telling the story of wherever he is, no matter what he's doing through his photography and writing.
See All Articles by Curtis Cunningham
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