ends of the earth

Oh, there’s a river that winds on forever
I’m gonna see where it leads
Oh, there’s a mountain that no man has mounted
I’m gonna stand on the peak

Out there’s a land that time don’t command
Wanna be the first to arrive
No time for ponderin’ why I’m-a wanderin’
Not while the…

To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
There’s a world that was meant for our eyes to see
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me
If you will have a say my goodbyes to me

— Lord Huron

torres del paine edit 1-4torres del paine edit 1-7torres del paine edit 1-8torres del paine edit 1-11torres del paine edit 1-13torres del paine edit 1-14torres del paine edit 1-15torres del paine edit 1-22torres del paine edit 1-27torres del paine edit 1-29torres del paine edit 1-31torres del paine edit 1-35torres del paine edit 1-28torres del paine edit 1-38torres del paine edit 1-41torres del paine edit 2-1torres del paine edit 1-48torres del paine edit 1-45torres del paine edit 1-49torres del paine edit 1-53torres del paine edit 1-55torres del paine edit 1-57torres del paine edit 1-62torres del paine edit 1-63

Photos taken on the Torres del Paine full circuit in Patagonia. We trekked 86 miles in 8 days, and these photographs don’t give the park near the credit it’s beauty deserves. Kelsey describes it in much more eloquently; check out her Pisco Sour post and brilliant summary over on Happyolks.

Juliette - Amazing, this makes me so excited to go out as soon as possible and just go..

Ion - Freaking amazing Shaun! 5D MKII + 24-70 all the way?

Shaun - Hey Ion – thanks for the kind words. 5DMII and actually the 50 1.2 all the way through the trek. The post below (A Special Tribe), was shot 95% on the 24-70.

Gem To Ponder: Expect - [...] [image credit: Shaun Boyte] [...]

Amanda - Love the photos and love Lord Huron. Looks like a grand adventure.

Amanda - Your photography is so inspirational. I sat down and sketched mountains all night last night because of it. Thanks for sharing your adventures with the world.

B-Dam A - Didn’t even know these were up you sneaky man! Shots look great… man, I need to get down there!

A Special Tribe

It was on the ride from the Calama airport to Casa De Don Tomas, in San Pedro de Atacama, that I actually realized how beautifully remote and desolate this race would be. A six stage, seven day, self supported (everything but water and a canvas tent) journey through a 250km (155 miles) hot, windy, high altitude course.

There were some 180 of us that headed out in a caravan of buses, 149 incredibly brave souls of whom would toe the start line, anticipating what they couldn’t on that ride out to camp one. Sunset and night fall, we watched as the Milky Way lit up the sky, lights out then sunrise, and Racing the Planet‘s 9th Atacama Crossing was born.

I am really not sure what to say after this point. You see, this is where everything melds into a world that almost becomes indescribable. We became a tribe, a group of survivors. The runners became the warriors, the support staff and volunteers a small link to the precious resources of any desert, water and shade. It just all happened, and I had the best seat in the house.

Thiago Diz, who is an incredible human, photographer and now lifelong friend (he was along to photograph the brilliant story of the blind Brazilian Vladmi dos Santos and guide Alex for Outside Magazine Brazil), myself and our driver Christian, set forth. Chasing after the best vantage points, we traveled some 250km+ by car and 70km+ by foot throughout the week. We witnessed the warriors fly down thousand foot sand dunes, trudge through knee deep river crossings, salt flats, Mars like terrain, all between 8,000 and 10,000 feet of altitude.

There were no showers. Just a will. Deep down, to do everything possible to get from the start line to the first check point, then reassess and get to the next. One step at a time. Freeze dried food and lukewarm water became a luxury each night. I didn’t experience the exact same journey, but by the second day, I could feel the athletes pain, through their eyes, posture, blisters. Running along side, climbing mountains of crumbling volcanic ash deposits, sitting in the rivers, I tried to get the closest to the journey as possible without distracting or slowing it.

And what an incredible display of pushing the human experience to the edge I witnessed. Some may question why anyone would ever subject themselves to such a brutal mental and physical challenge, and I think the athletes themselves would all admit to asking that very question at least twice a day, but that’s the part no one will ever know unless you too experience the ultimate triumph you feel at the finish line.

When I was walking backwards on course the 3.5k from check point four on stage four to a makeshift water station in the middle of the 104 degree salt flats, I came across Andrew Espin of South Africa who summed it up as he ran by, “It has now officially changed from a running to a religious experience.”

There are so many more words I could type to convey the feelings deep within, the many lives we lived, the brother and sisterhoods developed, but I want to pause, and allow it all to soak in.

Thank you so much Racing the Planet staff, Alina, Sam, Ross, Mary, Alistair, and all the volunteers. A huge thank you to all the athletes who allowed me to run along side you shooting away and get all up in your grill when you were exhausted.

And an even bigger thank you to my new brother, Thiago Diz, who pushed me to dig deeper to get the best possible shot. You can see a shot of Thiago flying down the dunes taking a photograph of Vlad and Alex about halfway down below.

Cheers to you all until the next time we meet…Gobi anyone?!

The following are some of my favorite images from the week. You can see the entire collection at Racing the Planet’s Atacama Crossing photo display.

Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-8Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-14Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-9Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-11Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-15Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-23Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-22Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-17Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-24Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-27Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-29Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-31Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-33Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-35Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-36Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-37Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-39Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-40Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-42Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-43Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-44Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-46Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-47Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-48Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-51Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-52Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-53Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-54Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-55Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-57Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-58Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-59Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-60Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-61Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-62Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-65Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-66Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-67Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-68Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-70Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-69Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-71Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-72Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-75Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-76Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-77Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-80Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-82Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-79Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-78Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-81Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-83Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-84Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-86Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-87Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-88Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-90Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-91Racing the Planet Atacama Crossing Selects-92

A.B. - The progression of emotion in this string of photos speaks to the race and to the tenacity of the people participating… and to put it plainly, you nailed it! As always, I’m super impressed!

Christian Mazza - These shots look great, love the color. You’re making me miss South America, I spent a few years living in Argentina.

Laurie - I love the way you display human spirit. I seldom read your blog without tears and this one is no exception. Nice work!!

Judi - One of our dear friends competed in the race. Thank you for putting it so eloquently, not only in words, but in the images you captured. Well done.

phil - Hearing about this race doesn’t do it justice – your pictures give us a glimpse of what the 180 of you experienced. Thank you for your gift – I am moved.

patti - Stunning! You captured every emotion conceivable to the human spirit, which can only be done by someone who is committed to be fully immersed in the experience and connecting with each person so that they comfortably welcome you to “get in their grill.” YOU….are an exquisite artist on so many levels!

Leny - Ready, worn down, hopeful, triumphant. We get to feel all of these emotions in these shots. Cant wait for the next journey.

Grant Maughan #89 Atacama Crossing 2013 - The images from your fine lensmanship choked me up.
Its hard to relive an ordeal with someone from behind your own eyes so we need these frozen-in-time images as a shrine to the moment that will never again be.
When the desert strips you down to your bare foundations emotion is all you have left….

kaye - Congratulations!!
With each of these Races comes the
sheer joy exhaustion satisfaction pain and that overwhelming smile of delight to finish
Pictures are a 1000 words
and you have given us insight into each of these athletes
adventure through your lense
No doubt sharing and feeling all their emotions
Thank you

Tess - These pictures are fantastic. Wow.

mel and mike

When Mike originally proposed shooting a brand film for his new business, and conveniently added the potential of also photographing his wedding, I smiled. Then a week later he tossed a wedding video into the mix, just to keep things interesting. Couldn’t have been more stoked to hang out with Mel and Mike over their wedding weekend. I grabbed Adam and we each tossed two cameras over our shoulders and captured their super rad, light, beautiful day in stills and motion. (also, huge thanks to Ali for editing the stills…insane.)

Mike and Mel —

Your love is rich. The positive energy radiates, and it was special to stand behind bushes and chase you around for a day, watching as you committed to each other a lifetime of adventures and a winding journey through stages and chapters of great mystery, struggle, and powerful love. Thank you for inviting Adam and I to capture a brilliant celebration of it all. Cheers to the next 75 years!

View full post »

we are capable

Kelsey read me this tweet this evening and it sparked the same fire I had when I wrote my last post on storytelling (also sparked by an interesting conversation with Karsh/Hagan’s CD Matt Ingwalson). But this time, I wanted to write an open letter directed at those who are creating these commercials. If you are a creative director, writer, producer, director, or anyone else anywhere along the process, I urge you to at least acknowledge this request. There is some passion behind this one, believe me.

 

Dear Content Creators,

This is our time.

For so long, we’ve been trapped in a world of linear thinking, a structure that defined the exact amount of time, words, and images you were allowed to show. It’s been a formula; introduce the product, tell audience why they need it, and then add call to action. It’s product first, it’s about finding the quickest way to obtain the potential consumers emotional need to desire said product. And it’s painful. Regardless of how beautiful the imagery was, how great the actors were, how produced, polished, thought out, if we continue to create content around our products, we will continue to push our audience to click the mute button, to dread the moments between the ‘action’.

We need to move forward together, through this deep sand, and onto a much more solidified surface.

I believe in a new form of storytelling. Of creating a tribe, a definition of who your organization is at the core, the beliefs, the truths of why this organization exist. Of what you fall back on regardless of the hardest of struggles or the grandest of victories. Speak truth to your people, the people who also hold those beliefs close to their hearts. Because at your core, you’re not a product, or a platform or a sellable entity. At your core you are a human, a soul that not only believes you can be the best at what you are doing, but you are constantly working for that exact thing. At your core, you are built of love, life, movement, of non-physical items. Let’s start treating our storytelling the same.

Tell stories, ones that have emotion behind them, for your tribe. If we collectively take this idea on, can we begin to redefine the structure? With the digital shift of what has previously been defined as broadcast, we are only going to get more targeted, have a better handle of who will see our stories, of who might be interested what we have to say. Can we together start selling the idea that we aren’t just an item, but rather an important part of the definition of the life they are living. This isn’t the beginning of this idea, yet a reminder as this new era flood of media exponentially grows. As a brilliant start, let us take Cary Fukunaga’s, Sleepwalking in the Rift, as a beautiful example.

May I plea to please use those 3 minutes we have, to enlighten, inspire, and educate. Let’s use this time to better our world, define the hidden paths we are running down, allow people to connect with our core, our ultimate purpose.

I know we are capable, more than ever, of achieve a higher level of storytelling. We are equipped with the perfect tide, we just need to commit, all of us.

to breaking old rules and not looking back,

S

 

 

Storytelling

I’ve been on a trail of thinking recently, really desiring taking my work to a deeper level. Going from producing videos, to producing meaningful stories. My initial journaling and thoughts the past three to four months has been to spend more time investing in the story of the company, the people, the culture, what they believe, why they come to work every day. Less about the product, more about the tribe. Inspired by Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk philosophy of the golden circle, I asked myself, could I make every project I create, work from the inside out. I began pitching it to current clients, getting them excited about trying a completely new approach on future projects. Then I shot Fin Art. Still feeling premature in the development of this new thought process, I just went for it. And when cutting the interview, I tried to pull out only the pieces that really moved forward the anatomy of who they are at the core and why they live how they live, rather than facts about their creations.

But then Salomon’s vimeo likes feed dropped a whole new element into view. VW Polo by Casper Balslev and Lincoln the Spark by Christopher Hewitt made my mind take one more step. For those companies who have already told their culture story, how can we reach out, with the same inside out rule in mind, and tell the product story. I am fascinated by the way Casper was able to make the story of VW about the viewer and not the product, even when the spot was advertising just that.

“You’re in the drivers seat. Not just about cars, but of our company too. It’s you who fuels us. Your A to B. Every man, every woman, every family, everywhere, needs to get somewhere. The Polo isn’t just built on a production line, it’s built on principal. That the power of innovation and quality, is for all. We call it, the Polo Principal.”

He worked from the inside out. We care about you, your needs. Whether your a male, female, married or not. This is about a principal that you should have the best, regardless of who you are. We are not just a company of machines putting screws in place and welding medal, but a company that wants you on board the decision room of a central piece of your life. Oh, and by the way, we sell cars.

The thought process and idea is still fluid and growing, but this is the direction I want to start working from, the inside out.

By all means, these concepts are far from new. These are old practices that I am just learning, but I hope that I can continue to gather theories and ideas that will help give my films a meaningful purpose. For so long, I’ve focused on the act of filming as the key element, rather than how that act plays such a minor role in the greater purpose of telling the story. A shift I am really stoked to move forward with.


The photographs are outtakes from our most recent Happyolks post. Kels’ just updated her site/branding and did a brilliant job. Her ability to run a blog as successful as Happyolks, with a full time job is insane. So proud of and am constantly inspired by her.

 

Christian Mazza - Nice post. I’m also in the midst of developing this sort of thought process. The technical stuff is the easy part.

Rachel Bastarache Bogan - Shaun! Great thoughts here, both as an artist and a filmmaker. When I work on my video productions as well, I start with “why”. Why do you do what you do? Why is it important you do it? Why does “it” need to be done? It’s a powerful little question, “why.”

My old boss used to call the process of storytelling a cycle, and he would talk at great length on how storytelling is all about getting your audience to do something: remember the “why”. The nugget, the core message, the central theme, whatever you want to call it, the whole point of telling a story is to convey that one idea in a memorable way. Every piece, from interview clip, to camera shot, to sound effect is laid in and built up to provide the framework to unveil and remember that idea.

One of my side projects at the moment is writing a “theory on interviewing” for some of my storyteller colleagues in SIM. I’m frequently asked “how do you get such good material from your interviews?” My answer is, “I find out the ‘why’ behind my project, and ask every question to answer that ‘why’.” I’d love to share the piece with you when I’m finished, if you’d like a read!