Viewfinder: Boone Speed

By: What Matters?, 7 months 22 days ago

Boone Speed started rock climbing in 1985, and became the first American to climb the grade 5.14b with his ascent of Super Tweak in Utah's Logan Canyon. He also helped develop climbing areas in Utah, mentored a young Chris Sharma, and went on to become one of the most well-respected and recognized photographers in the outdoor industry. With his signature mix of composition, color and photojournalism, Boone makes photos you can feel, whether they're ads or art. His clients include Nike, The North Face, Adidas and Fila among others. His work can be found in advertisements, art galleries, magazines and on wallpaper. http://www.boonespeed.com/. He recently won PDN Magazine's grand prize award for sports photography.

Before Boone was a climber, he was an artist. His father, too, was an artist and Boone grew up hanging around the studio watching him work, experiences that shaped him.

Boone shoots like a big kid with a camera - enthusiastic, spontaneous, but with the discerning restraint of an artist using highly-tuned visual tastebuds. His compelling composition, texture and story-telling are visceral experiences of art and adventure. "The bottom line is I want to create something every day. If I wanna shoot something, I go out and shoot it," says the Portland, Oregon-based photographer. "I can't wait to get out of bed in the morning. I mean it's hard work, but it pays off. Just like in climbing."

--Caroline Treadway

Including news, features, photo galleries and videos, What Matters? is dedicated to covering adventure sports, active travel and the outdoor lifestyle on behalf of VentureThere.com--a member of the USA TODAY Travel Alliance.