W
ELCOME TO THE FIRST official end-of-year photo edition of the FreestyleXtreme
Magazine. Throughout this issue you will come across twelve of our favourite
bangers from 2015.
With the rate technology has increased in the last ten years or so, modern
cameras and even mobile phones have made taking good photographs an
everyday skill for everyday people. Taking a truly great photograph however, still
requires something that technology alone cannot provide.
Along with knowledge and experience, the key to taking a great photo lies in the eye of the photographer. To
capture a moment perfectly takes a heap of natural talent, imagination and creativity. I don’t know how they do
it, but I’m pretty sure it’s something that is inherent within you.
Action sports photography is not an easy game to make a living in these days. You need startup cash
for cameras and equipment and contacts to get you into the right places, as well as huge amounts of
determination, patience and perseverance. Speak to any pro photographer however, and they will tell you that
seeing one of their shots published and having everyone buzzing on it is one of the most rewarding feelings
you can get.
On page 52 of this issue you will find our report on the Nine Knights Snow and MTB contests. When it
comes to photography, these guys are doing it right. Along with the contests for the athletes, Nine Knights
also host photo competitions throughout the week where official event photographers compete against
each other to see who can bag the best bangers. Every year the results speak for themselves. This level of
acknowledgement, encouragement and reward for the artists is something we’d love to see more of in the
future.
We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with the awesome crew of photographers that we do. Guys like
Jason Halayko, Garth Milan, Ricky Monti, Matt Collins, Cristopher Breda, David Blažek and Simon Makker to
name a few. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to give a massive shout-out to all the photographers
that capture the perfect split-second mo ments that go down in history, as well as making all the magazines
out there possible.
I hope you enjoy this issue
Ride on
Adam Simpson
Editor
Regular contributors
Doug Parsons
Doug is an OG
Californian FMX and
Freeride legend who
made a name for himself
in the Moto XXX videos.
When Doug isn’t out
shoveling jumps and
riding the hills with the
Dirt Bike Kidz, he’s
getting creative with a
pen and paper.
Simon Makker
Ex-editor of Freerider MX
magazine, New Zealand
born Simon Makker is
as well respected in the
action sports media
industry as they come.
A talented writer and a
truly sick photographer,
‘Smakker’ has the skills
to pay the bills.
Jason Halayko
Jason is the leading
FMX photographer in
Japan. Having worked
a lot with Eigo Sato in
his early days, Halayko’s
photography has
progressed to an aweinspiring level over the
last decade or so.
Michael Laverty
When it comes to
Superbikes, no one
knows their stuff more
than Michael Laverty.
In 2015 Michael will be
racing the BSB series
for Tas Tyco BMW and
working as a test rider for
the MotoGP Aprilia team.
In-between all this he will
be bringing us the best
SBK features direct from
the pits!
Ricky Monti
One of Europe’s top
action sports and FMX
photographers, Ricky has
written for many a major
motocross and FMX
magazine. The artistic
Italian continues to blow
us away with his unique,
inspirational photos
and open, in-depth
interviews.
Adam Wheeler
Adam is one of the
motocross industry’s
leading journalists. He
has written for RacerX
(USA), Motocross
Illustrated (USA),
Motorwereld (BEL), Dirt
Bike Rider (UK), Moto
(UK), MotoX (GER),
Motociclismo (SPA), Race
(SWE) and Motocross
(ITA) to name a few.