There’s a definite feeling of excitement when everything in a shot comes together perfectly—when the landscape, the rider, lighting and an unexpected observer all align in a split second that you know will collaborate to be an interesting and unique picture. That feeling hit me hard while shooting in the Valleycliffe are of Squamish, British Columbia, as I captured what would become the October wrap-around cover of Singletrack World magazine.

Stunning feature, Confident Riding and a curious companion

This is the story behind that shot—a large slab feature built and envisioned by local trail builder Matt Bolton, rider Clemente Peralta, and a watchful, potentially concerned Samoyed named “Maya”overlooking the scene. It’s a photo that encapsulates amazing riding but also the beauty and Effort of Trailbuilders that make this place a mountain biking paradise.

Finding the Perfect Location

Squamish, BC, is home to some of the most iconic mountain biking trails in the world. Its rugged terrain, towering slabs of granite, and dense forests draw riders and photographers alike, offering no shortage of epic backdrops.

Matt’s work as a trail builder goes beyond creating rideable paths—he builds features that are art in themselves, merging seamlessly with the landscape while pushing riders to their limits. The feature in this shot was no exception. As I approached the location, I immediately knew this would be a standout feature to photograph. The slab was steep and imposing, the moss-covered granite glowing in the soft light that managed to break through the canopy.

Setting Up the Shot: Lighting, Angles, and Challenges

Capturing mountain biking in environments like this is no easy task. There’s the technical difficulty of the feature itself, the unpredictable lighting conditions which tests your patience waiting for that single beam to hit the right spot, and the need to be in the right place at the right time to capture the rider mid-action.

On this day, the lighting was tricky. Clouds rolled in and out, and the forest was dense, with sunlight filtering through sporadically. The slab itself was an absolute blessing allowing the rider to stand out from the forest subjects so usually blend in with.

To capture the entirety of the feature while still maintaining focus on Clemente, I positioned myself a fair distance away. I had taken shots from above with a 17mm wide angle, and directly infront with a 105mm prime but it didn’t offer the perspective of steepness I was wanting. Using my Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 lens, I was able to zoom in enough to highlight the rider while keeping the massive scale of the slab in full view. My aim was to draw attention to the steep descent while maintaining the organic feel of the forest in the peripherals, as though the rider and trail were part of a bigger, natural system and allowed space to try and capture the illusive Maya as she wandered around the location.

One challenge I always face is timing the rider’s descent to match the light. The clouds and trees cast long shadows, and I wanted to ensure that when Clemente hit the key part of the feature, the lighting highlighted both him and the rugged texture of the slab.

Above: All Different Angles, Lighting, White Balance and perspectives. I wasn’t feeling any of them particularly stood out to me as special and Maya was off exploring, probably bored stiff waiting to proceed with her walk

The Rider: Clemente Peralta in Action

Clemente Peralta, a seasoned Chilean mountain biker who comfortably can ride features and trails to an expert level, was the ideal rider for this shot. We had spent a day exploring the lesser ridden location of Valleycliffe, the climb is demanding although short and a lot of the optional features in this area are pretty high level. After warming up on a trail we explored to find standout features that would challenge us but also appeared great to photograph. In the image, you can see Clemente as he leans into the slab, his body and bike in perfect alignment with the steep rock face, His focus sharp.

The Unexpected Star: Maya the Samoyed

But the shot would not be complete without one unexpected element—Maya, the Samoyed. Maya belongs to friend and another exceptional Mexican biker “Allan Pilgram”, and was a quiet observer, watching as Clemente tackled the feature again and again.

What I didn’t expect was for Maya to add such a serene, almost mythical element to the scene. Positioned on the rock above, Maya calmly observed the action, her white fur providing a stark contrast to the earthy tones of the forest.

In the final shot, Maya’s presence made me laugh to be honest. Us, a group of hairless apes on metal contraptions riding down steep rock faces, all whilst a sensible and noble fluffy dog questions what on earth she is witnessing. On a serious note It’s a detail that many might overlook at first glance, but it adds an emotional depth to the image that I hadn’t anticipated. Her calm, watchful demeanor elevated the photo from an action shot to something more—a moment of stillness in the middle of something fairly rowdy and testament to the trail dogs of the world that bare witness to some wild antics but still stick by their owners side.

Technical Details: Gear and Execution

So, what gear do I use to get these kinds of shots, and for this one, my setup was crucial. I shot with my Sony a7IV, paired with the versatile Tamron 35-150mm lens. The flexibility of this lens allowed me to capture both wide and tight shots without compromising quality. Like mentioned I had tried different lenses and angles but ultimately this framing provided a wide enough view to encapsulate the whole scene whilst keeping the subject noticable and the feature of the image.

The lighting was naturally diffused by the cloud cover and the trees, so I didn’t need to rely on artificial lighting or flash. Instead, I focused on using the available light to create mood and atmosphere.

Because of the changing conditions, I had to make quick adjustments to my aperture and shutter speed, ensuring that I captured the rider sharply while maintaining the soft, natural feel of the environment. The depth of field worked perfectly to keep Clemente and Maya in focus while slightly blurring the background, enhancing the sense of motion.

A Wrap-Around Cover for Singletrack world Magazine

When I saw the final image on my camera screen, I knew it was special. It captured the steepness of the slab, the skill of the rider, and the “WTF” of Maya’s gaze. So when Singletrack chose it as their October wrap-around cover, I was stoked. A first for me to have an image in print regarding the sport and hobbies that I love combined.

This photo isn’t just about mountain biking—it’s about The amazing work Trailbuilders do to create stunning features for us to all ride, our faithful fluffy companions and the fun of getting out and playing in nature! It’s a shot that captures the beauty of Squamish’s natural environment and the skill and dedication it takes to ride here.

Final Thoughts

Photography, like mountain biking, is about seizing the moment. It’s about patience, preparation, and sometimes a little bit of luck. This shot, featuring Clemente Peralta and Maya, is one of those moments where everything aligned just right.

Being featured on Singletrack world magazine’s cover is an honor I won’t forget, but more importantly, it’s a testament to the collaboration and artistry that goes into every aspect of mountain biking—from the trail builders, riders, publications and even to the dogs who keep a watchful eye.

Socials:

Trail/Feature Builder: https://www.instagram.com/matt_boltz/

Rider: https://www.instagram.com/clementeperalta45/

Photographer: https://www.instagram.com/backpackerphotos/

Publication: https://singletrackworld.com