Image by: Alexander Rydén
Meet the videographer who shoots these stunning winter sports videos – while SKIING at up to 55mph.
Alexander Ryden is an action director, cinematographer and gimbal operator from Sweden.
He chases world class athletes down steep slopes with full-size cinema cameras – making the viewer feel immersed in the action.
Alexander said: “With a camera in my hands, I ski, jump and climb, next to some of the best athletes in the world.
“I follow them on adventures in the mountains, where few people can go to. I want to get as close to the real action as possible in the most extreme locations in the world.
“At the same time, I want to inspire people. To be outside and to see new possibilities.”
Image by: Alexander Rydén
Image by: Alexander Rydén
Image by: Alexander Rydén
Alexander uses a rig called a gimbal – an electronic cage that stabilises the camera and costs up to $80,000.
“The image can be perfectly stable, even if I sometimes ski 100km/h,” he said.
Alexander has worked with brands like Red Bull, Ford, BWM, Toyota, Peak Performance, Discovery, Huawei and Unibet.
He said: “I have to be at the right place, at the right time, at the right speed and keep the object in the camera frame.
“If I can’t keep up with the athletes I’m working with, it could be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
“That’s why training and staying in shape is very important to me. I need the strength and endurance to be able to film the way I do.
“I know inside my mind, that sometimes a slight mistake could be catastrophic.
“That’s why I prepare myself, until I know I won’t do that mistake. I have been competing in both skiing and climbing.
“Some people are impressed and think it’s cool. While some say that I’m crazy and the things I do are dangerous. They say I should stop before I hurt myself.”
Video by: Gabriella Petty
