Star photographer Christoffer Sjöström explains the concept and the making of his recently published "The Book Of Candide", the most appealing and most comprehensive portrait of the innovator of modern freestyle skiing: Candide Thovex!
We hope you have read the interview with Candide Thovex in our current digimag issue (if not, you can do that here). But the little Frenchman is such a fascinating character that it is always worth reading more about him. The best possible way to do so is a new book about Candide which was recently published by renown photographer and long-time companion, Christoffer Sjöström. Check it out at www.thebookofcandide.com!
Christopher Sjöstöm is one of the most high-profile photo artists in the ski world and has worked with many of the biggest freeski stars over the past decade. He met Candide Thovex at the very beginning of his career and has been shooting him ever since on a regular bases. We had the chance to talk with Christoffer about the concept and the making of the book:
Books about great personalities like Candide are obvious, but not easy to do. How long did you work on the project?
I love these kinds of books myself and I had been toying with the idea for a few years. I didn't want to make a book of my random portfolio photos, but preferred to tell a story by gathering 10 years of shooting a pioneer and one of the innovators of Freestyle skiing; the rider I've been shooting, traveling with and waited for on lots and lots of mountains. Some photos have of course been seen in mags or adds but there's a lot of new material that no one has seen before.
What can we expect from this book? What does it show, Candide the skier or also Candide the person?
The book captures different themes that have been important in Candide's life as well as his career as a pro skier such as his home resort La Clusaz, Alaska, Candide Invitational, X-Games, his big Injury and after. It's a 175-page hard cover coffee table book of a wide selection of life and action images through the years 1999-2009, and It also contains exclusive interviews with top riders such as Tanner Hall, Jon Olsson, Simon Dumont, Sammy Carlson and others giving their impressions of Candide.
How was the involvement of Candide in the making of the book? What did he say when he first heard about the project?
He really liked the idea and has apart from being interviewed also been checking the selection of photos throughout the process.
You have been shooting many years with Candide and you are living in the same area. How did you meet Candide in the beginning and how would you describe your relationship over the years?
I met Candide for the first time 1998, in Riksgransen, Sweden, during the first quarter pipe contest for skiers. Candide was only 15 and my wife Raphaelle was his team manager at Dynastar back then. We have gotten to know each other really well over the years, especially from working together in all kinds of conditions.
In two sentences: How would you describe Candide and why does he deserve to have a book about him?
This book is a showcase of my work and I chose to do it about one of the best riders I've worked with during the past ten years. Candide is one of the greatest pioneers within the world of skiing, and he was one of the riders who changed and turned the sport to what it is today; he is an artist with a unique character!
And finally, what's up next for yourself?
I've got several projects going, but we never now where the snow takes us!
