Trusting Nature—Seasonal Exploration With Photographer Ryan Creary
Seasonal Exploration With Photographer Ryan Creary
Words and Photos by Ryan Creary
Beautiful British Columbia, as the slogan goes, is as vast as it is beautiful. Rugged mountains, desert grasslands, rich river valleys with towering forests that come to life under the canopy of a cloudy day. A photographers dream. Add in some of the best mountain biking trail networks on earth and you have a place that feels like it has won a lottery of geographical proportions. The Coast Range, The Selkirks, The Monashees, The Purcells, The Cariboos and The Rockies rise and fall across the province, giving way to some incredibly diverse mountain biking.
For most of my photo career, I’ve focused my lens on the trails of Interior B.C.—in the places that ring loud when mentioned amongst our mountain biking brethren—Rossland, Nelson, Vernon, Valmount, Nakusp, Penticton, Golden and my home base of Revelstoke. Showcasing the details, chasing last light of the day and capturing the natural experience of riding in this geographically blessed part of the world.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Andrew Shostak, Ian Middleton and the otherworldly scale of Powell River.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Stu Dickson. Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Lynden Corley high above Okanagan Lake as the sun sets and leaves change.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Photo: Ryan Creary
Ian Middleton drops into a slab at sunset. Powell River backcountry, British Columbia.
Photo: Ryan Creary
From rainforest to dry desert landscapes...B.C. has it all. Jay Starnino, Penticton, BC
Photo: Ryan Creary
It all comes back to nature... blowdowns, ferns and cedar slab bridges. Christy McLean, Revelstoke, B.C.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Snow, mud, and big trees. Aleks Klassen experiencing the full spectrum of Fall. Boulder Mountain, Revelstoke, B.C.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Patterns of nature. Penicton, B.C.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Hot laps on a hot day. Jay Starnino, Penticton, B.C.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Photo: Ryan Creary
Autumn's version of the yellow brick road. Matt Yaki, Revelstoke, B.C.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Stu Dickson speeds through an alpine berm in the Selkirks.
Photo: Ryan Creary
Framed by ferns. Elliot Jamieson, Mt. Seymour, North Vancouver, B.C.
Being able to choose and change up my canvas in such close proximity of regions keeps me inspired and allows me to see the natural landscapes with fresh eyes. With a plethora of places to choose from throughout the summer, that can range from the dry desert like region of the Okanagan with its rich golden hues and ponderosa pine forests, to the inland temperate rainforest in areas like Revelstoke and Nakusp with it's giant cedar trees and dream dirt. Or, further north to up and coming mountain town destinations like Valmount that sit at a cross section of mountain ranges with a world class trail network and a population of just over 1000.
Being immersed in nature is the goal and my camera and bike are the tools that keep me connected to the natural world. Colors, textures and landscapes shape my images with the intent to showcase the diversity and beauty of riding in this special place called British Columbia.
