Tim Banfield: 10 Years as a Gripped Photographer
As we head into the 2019 rock climbing season and the 20th anniversary of Gripped magazine, it seems appropriate to take a look at one of the photographers who’s captured
thousands of images over the past 10 years, many of which we’ve published. As a top-selling real estate agent in Calgary, Tim Banfield spends much of his time making sure his clients have the best service, while keeping one eye on the weather for good photography conditions. If a team is heading to try an esthetic route or a project, Banfield has no problem leaving the city behind to capture the moment. More than once, he’s worked on real estate deals from the tops of mountains or at the base of climbs.
“I focus on capturing pictures of climbing and outdoor adventure that are unique and inspiring,” Banfield said. “Whether ascending ropes, carrying heavy loads or braving the elements with the athletes themselves, I can be relied upon to capture a picture that will leave an imprint and inspire a desire for the same experience.” Banfield enjoys being in the action and will often lead pitches to get good top-down shots or just put the camera away and enjoy the climb, but if there’s an amazing moment unfolding, he’ll be sure to have it ready. “I pride myself on not putting the camera away when times get tough or when the weather turns bad; these are the times that fully convey the reasons why we head into the mountains,” said Banfield, who was once a pilot in the military and is originally from Halifax. Banfield always knows when the new issue of Gripped has dropped because his mom sends him a stoked message about how proud she is that he, once again, has so many amazing images in print. With seven cover shots over the years, you can be sure that you’ll be seeing many more photographs from Banfield. The following are 10 of his favourite from the past 10 years. “I hope my photography will inspire you to get outside, seize the moment and reproduce these experiences in your own life,” said Banfield.
What Tim Packs
“I really pare down the camera gear,” says Banfield, “because typically, the days are eight to 12 hours of constant movement and I don’t feel like carrying a lot of extra weight. My hard and soft good choices are also made around trying to keep weight low and conserving space in my pack for the camera.
“I pretty much always take poles, mostly so that I can take some of the pounding off my feet on the way down. Visor, for after you top out from the shade into the sun. I have two headlamps, bear spray and a small first aid kit. My water varies from a half to a 2 l bottle, depending on the time of year and the objective. If I know there will be running streams then I carry less water and simply fill up throughout the day. I have a biner clipped to the half litre bottle because that’s the one I keep clipped to my waist belt. Then I don’t have to stop to get out my water bottle for a drink or to fill up.”—Gripped