I was working in Utah with Brett Rheeder and Anthill Films as he built his segment for the film 'Return to Earth'. Brett and crew had built an amazing line through this field of tumbled rock formations. The critical move was this dirt jump he molded into the back of this near vertical rock face that in the middle of his run, he was backflip tail whipping. When I was roaming around this terrain searching for how I would document this trick for him, I settled on this stunning perspective from behind where I could play up the rocks he was riding amongst and then contrast him into the depths of terrain far off in the distance. This type of creativity by the rider, mixed in with the incredible endless possibilities that the Utah landscape provides for mountain bikers is why I love to photograph in Utah so much.
Sterling Lorence

About the shot

Biography
I grew up on Vancouver's North Shore and continue to live here with my wife and two daughters. Mountain biking in the moody forests of the North Shore inspired me to become a photographer and I have been lucky to call it my career for more than twenty years. I feel fortunate to have been able to shoot the evolution of freeride mountain biking alongside some of the sport's greatest athletes, for the most progressive brands, in locations all over the planet. My motivation as a photographer is similar to that of why I chose to ride. The trails that exist on our planet will take you to incredible places with breath-taking scenery and striking light. They will take a lifetime to discover, session, and photograph. I find photography at an incredible place these days, for the digital evolution has made it more accessible and successful for more people. Furthermore, action sports are blossoming across the world and as a result, we are seeing such incredibly progressive accomplishments in the photographic arts and it leaves me constantly inspired and stoked to keep trying out new techniques and ideas.