Behind The Lens: Matthew Clark

Photos by Matt Clark

By InnerVoice

October 14^th, 2016

Behind The Lens

Behind The Lens takes the concept of the inner voice to the next level. As an athlete struggles through a tough race or a hard workout, their mind is telling them to stop. What about a photographer, capturing the moment? What are they seeing and what is their inner voice telling them? Here, we explore the thoughts of those who take some of endurance sports’ most iconic images.

__________________________________________________________

The goal for this shoot was to capture winter riding in some big mountains. We went to Whistler to inspire viewers to ride in any conditions. I love shooting road bikes in the winter; the elements and light at that time always creates some unique and eye catching imagery.

(featuring Kristian Manietta @kristianmanietta)

This is one of my favourite images — the light bursting through the trees, the lean as Kristian navigates through the snow and ice trying to keep upright. It really does shout ‘epic’. We were dealing with some average conditions for the majority of this day and decided right at the end of the day to head out for one final go. We captured this image in a 15’ burst of light through the tall trees on the lower trails around Whistler.

(featuring Kristian Manietta @kristianmanietta & @trispecific)

Edmonton gets a bad wrap from most reviewers throughout Canada. But two things it sure does have are a great riding community and a river valley that explodes with colour during a few weeks in early Fall. I wanted to capture this and felt the aerial view gave a nice composition to the overall content. It reminds me of CX season in Alberta — the crisp morning air and anticipation to race at that time of year in the town is infectious.

(featuring Chantel Widney @cwidney)

This was day one of a project riding multiple islands around Vancouver Island. I wanted to capture the truly wild landscapes that we were lucky enough to be riding through during those three days. I think we really only just touched the surface of what can be ridden in that part of the world and I want to get back there soon to ride & shoot again.

(featuring Kristian Manietta @kristianmanietta, Bobby Howell @bobby_howell, Peter Reid @prpp123, Jonathan Davis @johnny_5_83)

We were on assignment to capture fat biking through some of the iconic landscapes of the Rockies. This one is in Maligne Lake. It was around minus 20 degrees and the hope was to fat bike all the way to Spirit Island — a popular summer kayaking trip in Jasper. We arrived early and soon realized the recent snow fall made very deep routes that were unrideable. We made the best of it though and explored some truly breathtaking areas to ride. The saying ‘photos don’t do it justice’ is always relevant in the Canadian Rockies. It is the most beautiful place on earth and every time I am lucky enough to get up that way to explore I consider myself lucky for the opportunity.

(featuring Jeff Bartlett @photojbartlett, Matt Staneland)

Poetry in motion. The morning light on the recent edition of Ironman Canada was magic. I wanted to single out the lone lead swimmer with catch light and it worked out perfectly.

(featuring Andy Potts @andy_potts)

Jeremy and I spent a full day trying to get this image and I mean a full day (left home at 2am, returned around 10pm). This kid is just gnarly and I wanted to do his riding justice. I had driven past this ridge countless times and thought it was the perfect backdrop to show an athlete in big landscape. It all came together perfectly — great dusk light, big mountains and a rider up for anything.

(featuring Jeremy Stowards @jeremystowards)

I wanted to capture spring and switchbacks in the Okanagan. See You Later Ranch climb is the perfect place to do it and the affectionately named ‘The Wall‘ section provided tough climbing, but more so, a fun winding downhill. As the long winter ends and the layers are not needed anymore for early morning rides, there is something so satfisying about moving into the new season. Everything feels easier, the air is crisp, not cold and the roads are cleared of the sand and grit that is put down to avoid slipping in winter conditions.

(featuring Geoff Waterman @geoffwaterman)

This edition of the stage race threw in all types of tough conditions: snow, mud, sleet and wind. This particular stage was probably the hardest of days for the riders. The challenge was to still showcase the beauty in this part of Alberta under flat light. The changing leaves gave a perfect border to shoot the peloton as it passed along this range road that was full of potholes and flooded from days of rain. I was thinking that the hours of waiting in the cold rain was worth it.

(featuring Tour of Alberta @tourofalberta)

Andy is the perfect Canadian Rockies trail guide. He will find you a trail at any distance and elevation and was prepared to rise and start our climb well before the sun decided to rise. The aim was to capture a mountain runner in his element and it worked perfectly. This was actually our second attempt; the first try found us hiding from bitter winds and an incoming storm. The reward always tastes better when it is earned.

(featuring Andy Reed @canmoremd)

This is Icefield’s Parkway in Alberta. The idea was simple: capture riders in big mountains and justify what my eyes are currently seeing, which is always hard to do when you are surrounded by an area of the world that blows your mind at every corner. Two wheels can take you to some truly amazing places.

I shot this marathon the year before, around the seawall, and wanted to challenge myself to shoot a totally different perspective than the year before. I actually jumped into the wall to get this image from a water perspective. The pre scout is always worth it.