Faction Skis

Interview with Red Bull Illume semi-finalist and friend of Faction: Camilla Stoddart

beanie — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:06:24 +0000

As we have already raved about in the news and anywhere we can get typing, friend of Faction, Camilla Stoddart has made the semi-finals for the Red Bull Illume Photo contest. So here to give you a bit more info on the lady is an interview:

When did you start photography?

I started taking photos when I was at school. I went to photography club and started to get a love for shooting and developing my work. I then carried it on through Art School, although I didn’t study photography, and started shooting ‘professionally’ in the ski industry in 2005 after graduating. I then embarked on back to back winters, following the snow with my camera in hand…

How do you see ski photography evolving in the next 10 years?

Ski photography, along with the ski industry goes through fashions and changes. From fisheye lenses, to sequences, to flash fill, to tilt shift…. I think the best photography is timeless, and I like to shoot mostly with natural light, instead of using flash to create false atmospheres. Who knows where it will be in 10 years. The first flash filled sequence has recently been shot… Pretty cool, but maybe just another fashion for the ski photography world?

What skis do you use?

Faction Royals (my fav) and the 3.Zero’s with a touring set up

What do you like about Faction?

I love the creative free thinking vibe about the company. It is a company that breaths passion and collects creative minds. The graphics are always off the hook (yeah Tony) and the people who ride the skis love not only them but what the Faction Collective stands for. It is a company born out of a love for skiing and good design, passion for the sport and the creative people who live it.

Camilla relaxing at home in Wanaka. Photo: Tim Pierce

What do you think of the red bull illume contest?

I am so stoked on the comp. It is the only one in the world of its kind. It gives adventure photographers a chance to show of their best work, to the best in the business. Red Bull has done so much for the free sport industry, showcasing not only athletes, but photographers and filmers alike. Hopefully people will get a better understanding about what it takes to shoot images of such incredible sports, and humans pushing their limits using the land. It is a great opportunity for people like me to put my work up against the worlds best and see how you come out. I also love the opportunity to see other photographers work, be inspired by them and check out new names…

Have you been shooting a lot in NZ lately?

I spent my first summer down here in NZ and my first summer shooting photos… It was such fun and a welcome break from the ski industry. It was great to get stuck into shooting other sports, like mountain biking and BASE jumping. It is one of my BASE shots that is in the finals of the comp! This winter has got off to a bit of a slow start with a lack of snow, but things are changing with back to back storms rolling in this week…

What are you plans for next (northern hemisphere winter)?

I am going to have another NZ summer. I am basing myself in Wanaka year round now as it is such a perfect place for me to be right now. There is so much to shoot here, from adventure sports to landscapes, mountain and lake life. My brain is starting to think about organising an overseas trip too, who knows where, but I want to get back to Kashmir, India perhaps. Or maybe somewhere different, not ski related? Who knows…

Thanks Camilla and to check out her photo head to The Red Bull Illume Site click on New Zealand and you can view Camilla’s sweet base jumping photo.

Win a Wild Card Place on the World Heli Challenge

beanie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:52:04 +0000

The Infamous World Heli Challenge starts July 30th, and with defending champion Ted Davenport back for more alongside Travis Rice in the Snowboard category this years challenge is set to be a hell of a show.
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Extreme Day World Heli Challenge 2009, photo courtesy of WHC.

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If you are down in New Zealand you could potentially grab a wild card in the Qualifying Backcountry Big Air at Treble Cone tomorrow: 28th July. Registration starts at 8.30am up at Treble Cone, with the big air set up at the top of the Saddle, a start time of 11am is planned.
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There is one spot available for the top male skier and snowboarder. But the top 10 in each category will win wild card spots in the Street Style Snow Show at Lake Hawea, and all entrants will get tickets to the ”Afterburner” party at Lake Hawea Hotel on the 7th August.

Vote for Sam Cohen in the TGR Grom Fest

beanie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:42:40 +0000

TGR Grom Fest, has an epic prize, if you win the votes you get the chance to film with TGR next winter. For most of us we are a little too long in the tooth, but Faction rider Sam Cohen is just 17 so he is in it to win it.

Sammo Cohen season edit from Dub-Satch Prod. on Vimeo.

Check out his edit and go give him an excellent thumbs up on the TGR site, click HERE.

Camilla Stoddart in the Red Bull Illume Image Quest Semi Finals

beanie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:17:13 +0000

Friend of Faction, Camilla Stoddart, has reached the semi finals of the Red Bull Illume Image quest. 22,264 images were submitted, Camilla has reached the final 250, the next stage will be judged on the 2nd September. Congratulations and Good Luck, we are certain she will be in the final 50 with her amazing Base Jumping image, taken at Rob Roy Glacier in New Zealand.

To see the image click this link and once in click on New Zealand on the map to see her image.

Mirjam Jager Interview with Blick.

beanie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:41:24 +0000

Mirjam Jager in Blick, the largest newspaper in Swiss German. Along with a double page piece in Sportmagazin.

Mirjam riding pipe in Colorado.

Here is a translation into English as the article is in Swiss German.

My best characteristic: I am determined and strong willed

My worst trait: Sometimes I’m too impatient

My person in three words: night person, fashionable, sporty

My clothing style: Varies, from Bikini to ski suit

I would never wear unfashionable underwear … …

My Shopping tip: L.A.

Makeup, lipstick and nail polish … … are always in the suitcase there!

My perfume: I get headaches from perfumes, eau de toilettes, therefore, only

My morning ritual in the bathroom: wash face, brush teeth, onto the face cream and mascara that’s all!

I always showers in the evening

My most attractive athletes: My friend Adam Taylor, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres.

They’re just hot

What makes men attractive: sporty character, good charisma, a neat appearance and good manners

What men unattractive: Unkempt appearance, smoking

In men … … I look to the eyes, the hands, the body and the radiation

My most beautiful body part: My eyes

My flaw: My skier’s thighs

Tattoos and piercings … … Piercings are a no-go, I myself have five tattoos and therefore a strong yes to tattoos

Body hair … I find very unattractive …

The most important thing in a relationship: loyalty, honesty and trust

I would take to a deserted island: My friend, my iPhone, headphones, sunglasses and a surfboard

The first kiss: Hmmm …, do not think that was good

In bed I wear ... … that you would like to know …

Love is … … sometimes complicated but always beautiful

Marriage is … … one of the most beautiful proof of love

Sex is … … very important in a relationship. I would never do without it

My biggest private dream: Healthy and happy to grow old

My biggest sports dream: A gold medal at the X-Games

In ten years … … I am married, have one child and am successful in my job

For the original article and pictures go HERE.

Win $25,000

beanie — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:01 +0000

Hey Everybody

As a group, skiers are proactive in their filming and editing, so when we discovered that the Vimeo awards were taking place we thought we had better let you know.

Photo: John Jay Ski Films

In order to win $25,000 you just have to have put together a damn fine edit and have it posted on Vimeo in the last two years. All you have to do is submit it at www.vimeoawards.com. Where upon, the likes of David Lynch, DJ Spooky, Lucy Walker and Morgan Spurlock will be judging, no biggie. Anyway you go into win and then walk away with $25,000 to make your next edit – we’re thinking heli in Alaska. Good Luck.

Take 5

beanie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:21:08 +0000

Here at Faction we were contacted by Rahul Dole, asking us to take a couple of minutes out of our day to help and hope you will do the same:

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All you need to do is vote – once a day, everyday, if possible – this will give the Hermatology Oncology Needy Patient fund, at Dayton Childrens, the opportunity to receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Foundation. Allowing families who do not have the funds for medication/treatment the ability to have their children their much required treatment.

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Go on take 5 and vote: Refresh Everything – Needy Patient.

IF3: Dates announced and they are coming to EUROPE.

beanie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:35:34 +0000

The IF3 or International Freeski Film Festival as they are otherwise known have announced there dates, yes that is dates plural. This year not only the North Americans get to enjoy the film festival but Europe does too, good times all round.

First stop will be the traditional one in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: 16th-20th September.

Last stop will be in the beautiful city of Annecy, France: 30th September – 3rd October.

For those of you who are unaware of the IF3, their event heralds in the coming winter, getting us all over excited by premiering the best ski and freeski films, partying, playing live music the whole shebang.

We at Faction will be there with bells on ready to party in the new winter.

A wee taste of what you can expect to get over-excited about:

Look on the Bright Side teaser from Voleurz on Vimeo.

Conrad Lucas checking out the land of the long white cloud.

beanie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:51:59 +0000

Conrad Lucas and friend Dhanu decided to head south in search of snow in the Southern Hemisphere. Ditching part time jobs they headed to New Zealand for early season. Getting straight out and shooting on arrival, photographer Woody Gooch got us jealous by sending through some shots from Cardrona Park.

Photograph: Woody Gooch. Skier: Conrad Lucas. Resort: Cardrona NZ

Conrad was then onto competing in the Air New Zealand Winterfest Invitational Rail Jam, when he unfortunately broke his hand. Not to be stopped, Conrad has since been up at Snowpark shooting with friend of Faction, Camilla Stoddart, for a sunset shoot on the wallride.

Another shot from Woody Gooch, making us all miss the snow:

Photographer: Woody Gooch. Skier: Conrad Lucas. Resort: Cardrona NZ

Photographer Update: Camilla Stoddart

beanie — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:41:24 +0000

One of our favourite Faction photographers, Camilla Stoddart, has just updated her blog, check it out along with some of her amazing pictures, at Whiteroom Pictures. Here is a sneak peak below:

Photo: Camilla Stoddart, Wanaka Skate Park, whilst awaiting snow.