Words: Christine McManigal 2023-01-23 10:01:25
The angle of repose is the ultimate point of no return, a thin line between snow staying put, or hurtling down the mountainside. Photo: Greg Von Doersten For someone in the backcountry, the angle of repose, the steepest tilt at which loose granular material remains in place, can determine when a few extra snowflakes are enough to release an entire mountainside. For professional outdoor photographer Greg Von Doersten, the angle of repose can also measure defining moments in life. Angle of Repose is Von Doersten’s collection of photography and personal vignettes showcasing newly released images of Jackson Hole, WY, the Teton Range and the rich surrounding community. Within its pages, Von Doersten illustrates the turns of his life and explains how improvements in technology have altered outdoor media and how we create it. With the great explosion of backcountry touring this past decade, what once were rare photos are now in higher supply, and the switch from analog cameras to smartphones allows us to upload images at a moment’s notice. With his book, Von Doersten slows things down, reminiscing about the anticipation of a magazine release and the smell of glossy print images as we turn the cover page. Or the memories of developing a roll of film and praying we did everything right. “The purpose of Angle of Repose is to give these photos—these collaborations between artist, athlete, weather, environment, and mountainside—a proper showcase. Perhaps by appropriately exhibiting these pieces of what I consider fine art, we can help tilt the axis once again,” Von Doersten writes. To pull off that shift, Angle of Repose is broken down into five chapters: “Discovery,” “Access,” “Lines,” “Levitation” and “Gratitude.” Each begins with a personal anecdote about the decisions that have shaped his life, and the reader quickly learns that Von Doersten was destined to move from his Midwest origins to his current home in Jackson Hole. Wyoming had been a family playground for years, from his mother’s childhood to the author’s impressionable teen years, as he learned to navigate and document the surrounding wilderness. Von Doersten doesn’t hesitate to give a nod to Jackson Hole’s storied visual past, noting that the area was, and still is, a hotbed of ski photography. He was not the first to emerge from this scene, and says the competition forced him to take a unique approach. “We’re always evolving and changing,” Von Doersten writes. “There are many ways to reinvent yourself.” During the late ’80s, Von Doersten implemented his climbing skills, using ropes and gaining aerial viewpoints to discover new perspectives. “One thing that separates the true professional from the amateur photographer is the mastery of gaining access to locations and talent based on an ability to consistently capture arresting images,” he says. The work in “Levitation” is a testament to his approach, coupling Teton backdrops with skiers unweighting and gliding through frozen particles at incredible speeds. For Von Doersten, a memorable ski image doesn’t always show to have the athlete front and center. Sometimes an image offers a softer narrative in which an athlete seamlessly blends into their environment. Along with extraordinary shots of vapor trails and pros dropping into Corbet’s Couloir, Von Doersten pays homage to the local community. Along with his own imagery, the book features historical blueprints of the infamous tram and old photos of aerial photography’s trailblazers. These visual departures add context to Von Doersten’s work and, perhaps more significantly, his inspiration. “Gratitude is near to my heart. There are story threads from friends that are now lost in the mountains,” Von Doersten writes. Angle of Repose is a collection of stirring photographs and short stories that remind us of the toils of creating masterful, one-of-a-kind art. But perhaps more importantly, as our ski world copes with the digital deluge, this book is a reminder to slow down and enjoy the beauty in the details. Angle of Repose is now available in the Fine Art Store at www.gregvondoersten.com.
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ANGLE OF REPOSE
https://digital.theskijournal.com/articles/angle-of-repose