Behind the Shutter - Jacob Gibbins

Ever wondered whose behind the shutter of some of the most incredible mountain bike images on the planet? Wonder no more... MoreDirt are posing those burning questions to the best photographers on the circuit. Get the lowdown on Jacob Gibbins a young photographer from Devon

Name: Jacob Gibbins
Location: Tavistock
Bikes: Banshee Rune AM bike for anything off road, and a Volume BMX for all things smooth.

Are you a Canon or a Nikon man?
I've shot Canon the last year but before that I was on Nikon

Any formal qualifications in photography?
Nope all self taught. I did do an A level in photography but to be honest it was more passing time than getting something formal. In terms of learning much, I didn't really. The dark room stuff was good though.

How did you get involved in taking photos in the mountain bike industry?
By racing DH originally, then getting photos used in tiny online regional race reports. From there its snow balled some what to where I am now...

Who are your main clients?
My main clients this last year have been Madison/Saracen and people like Dirt/MBUK/Wideopen/661/Genesis to name but a few...

Favourite location you have ever shot at?
Ever!? hmmm tough... Either Southern Spain thanks to the dust, rocks and constant sun, or Val di sole in Italy, for much the same reasons haha.

Favourite rider to work with?
I have a few... Jay Williamson, local kid who never stops pushing up again and again before you even have to ask him to. He's fast and stylish as well so thats always a bonus! Adam Brayton, funny, soundest guy ever and a total wild man on the bike. Olly Wilkins,Sam Reynolds,Brendan Fairclough and The rest of the S4P Crew , Constant laughs and some of the best and most stylish riders on the planet.

Give us a run down of your kit you'd take to an average shoot on the hill?
I have a Canon 5d mk.3 body and 550d body. On the lens front I have a 70-200 2.8 , 15mm fisheye, 50mm 1.8, 24-105, 2 flashes, Pocket Wizard Flash triggers and a ton of other odds and sods that goes with all that rubbish! Then I pack it away into a nice Lowe Pro bag.

What lens could you never be without?
Gotta be the 70-200 2.8, Money maker!

Do you prefer utilising flashes in your work or use natural light?
They both have there place, I like to think im alright at using flashes when needed but every photographer likes shooting natural light best.

Do you ride bikes yourself?
Yep, rode bikes long before I ever picked up and camera and with any luck will be riding long after I put the camera down... As for inspiration yes, It helps you see what the rider needs to do, how to do it, where they will be, how they will look on any given bit of track and how they want to be shown as riders.

Any advice for a newbie starting out in the world of mountain bike photography?
Shoot as much as you can, of what ever you can both bikes and non bike related stuff. Share only the very best of your work and take the advice from those you admire without taking offense.

Do you take photos of anything other than bikes?
As I said at the start yes, everything from bikes, portraits for models, weddings, corporate gigs, landscape stuff. I can turn my lens to what ever happens to be in front of it.

Here are some more bangers from Jacob. For even more goodies check out Jacobs new site over at jacobgibbins.co.uk

A big thanks to Jacob for giving up his time.

Stay tuned for more Behind the Shutter in the very near future.

Credit: Jacob Gibbins