The discipline to keep at it

October’s remarkable cover image – of the Mill and the mouth of Tiskwat – was captured by Ryk Tataryn, a local boarder with some serious drone photography skills. Here, he reflects on falling into a passion, with the help of friends, rather than formal schooling.

How did you get started in photography?

Ryk • After I broke myself so many times snowboarding, skateboarding, and skim boarding I was so frustrated that I didn’t have any photos or videos of myself or my friends, doing what I love with the people I enjoy being around. I basically got into it because I wanted to be able to look back on the good times when I’m having a bad time so it doesn’t seem so bad.

Who did you learn from? Who are your mentors and heroes?

Ryk • I taught myself how to use a camera. I started to self-educate with the Internet and asking people that I knew that were into it. One of my mentors and good friends is Jeremy Williams (River Voices Productions). He is a really rad guy to hang out with because he is so good at what he does and I really enjoy talking to him about drones, cameras, shots, angles. Will Kovacic is a snowboarder from Whistler. He is hands-down the gnarliest dude I know. He started a company called Big Mountain Media the same time I started my company LOFT. He is the most talented mountaineer/snowboarder/climber I’ve ever met and I’m so happy to call him such a good pal of mine. My mom Wanda Griffioen has showed me how to be hopeful and supported me no matter what and has always been there for me and loved me unconditionally. My Opa (Ward Griffioen) got me into drone photography when I was not able to do anything because of an injury at a very low time in my life.

How did you capture the cover image?

Ryk • I captured this cover photo with my drone, a Mavic Mini 3 Pro

What do you think about and feel, when you look at our community from this angle?

Ryk • I think that no matter how small it is it speaks so loudly of what is here and is so quiet at the same time.

What do you hope to capture, when you take these images of the mill and Tiskwat?

Ryk • Its not what I wish to capture when I take these images – its what I wish to feel. I have a very hyper active mindset and get very underwhelmed by how much people don’t see or do here. I take these images to feel hopeful for people to get stoked on what’s in their back yard and come out and see it for them selves – not just see it on the pages of qathet Living.

When you are not making art, what are you up to?

Ryk • I’m usually out on a hill somewhere cheating death. or on a beach somewhere with my skimboard learning new tricks and looking for a log to ride as a rail. Or on a mountain or in the snow on my snowboard trying to discipline myself to keep at what I love.

Where is your work available to look at and buy?

Ryk • My work is available to buy at the Wishing Well gallery in the bottom of the Rodmay Hotel. I have my LOFT apparel (clothing) in there as well as my R.T. Aerial prints (drone photography) on posters.