Gravity Photo Contest / Justin Olsen Interview

The photo comment contest has finished. A big thank you goes  to everyone that told us why this photo should win Pink Bike’s “Photo of the Year Contest.” Props to Justin Olsen for making the final four in the contest. His photo was only 2.6% behind the competition.  Stay tuned to this site, Gravity will be reviewing the submissions and choosing the winner shortly.

Andrew Taylor had this to say about the famous shot seen ’round the world…

“This was the first year that I took part in the deep summer photo challenge and had been looking forward to it all year. We had a solid crew of riders and one of the top photographers in the business to ride and shoot the best bike park in the world. Who wouldn’t be stoked on that? The first couple days on the shoot were wet and muddy so we shot mostly trail and steep shoots, so on the final day we had sick weather to get the jump shots dialed in. We were having a session on one of our favorite jumps on A-Line when Justin busted out his crazy chest mount for his big camera. I strapped it on and followed R-Dogg until we got exactly what we wanted. One of the most clicked inverts I’ve seen and the best part was that he did it on a full DH bike. It took a few try’s to get the timing but it was more than worth it for a shot like this one!”

Check out this exclusive behind the scenes interview with the photographer Justin Olsen below.

1. Where are you from? How did you get into photography?

I am from Utah. I have always been into photography but have been pursuing it full time for the last 6 years or so.

2. When and where was the photo taken?

This photo was taken on A-Line in the Whistler Bike Park. It was part of my Deep Summer 2011 show.

3. Explain the chest mount set up?

I don’t want to give away the details, but it is a custom rig that I had made. It is comfortable to wear and protects the camera fairly well.

4. Where you nervous that AT was roasting the Tombstone on A-Line with your camera gear
strapped to his torso?

No, I wasn’t really sweating it at all, we shot a sketchy rock roll earlier that day that I was much more nervous about… I had full confidence in AT in this shot.

5. What made it difficult to get the shot you were looking for?

The timing.. it was tough to time it just right. They were training the jumps so close together. This shot makes it seem like they are not that close, but they were.

6. Whistler Bike Park is everywhere these days, is it tough to produce original photo’s up there?

Yes, it is really tough. Whistler is an amazing place, and has been photographed by all the best in the biz for sure. I was hoping to bring a unique perspective to the table with this set up.

7. Where do your skills shine brighter…behind the lens, behind your bars, or behind the ladies in
the bars?

Behind the lens for sure, I am a hack at everything else…

8. Who would win in an un-turndown contest, Ryan Howard or Gumby?

Ryan Howard has no competition, he pretty much owns that trick.

9. What is you’re all-time favorite MTB photo?

Not sure, there are so many that stick out to me. I like shots that make the viewer think “how did they do that?” The “birds eye view” shot that Sterling Lorence took of Thomas Vanderham and Andrew Shandro on the North Shore comes to mind. The one looking down on them out of a tree while they are riding across a skinny. Nice angle, nice color, nice motion blur..

10. Any Thanks?

Big thanks to Andrew Taylor and Ryan Howard for making this shot happen, and to the rest of my Deep Summer team for being willing to work with me. Also thanks to all the companies and mags who have ever bought a photo from me!