Photo Story - A Moment in Time

Dec 2, 2023
by James Stokoe  
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A MOMENT IN TIME
Words & Photography: James Stokoe
Athlete: Kera Linn
Cinematography: Carson Fletcher

For better or worse, social media is a part of our everyday lives. It allows us to see a massive breadth of imagery and videos from across the world, it also means that we are fed an endless amount of content which leads to mindless death scrolling through thousands of images and clips that rarely provide thought-provoking moments.

As a photographer, I feel that the objective of every image is to provide the viewer with a significant pause, a moment in time, as they study and examine the subject and interpret the story with their personal and unique approach.

Earlier this year, Kera Linn, Carson Fletcher, and I traveled to Costa Rica in search of imagery and video that may encourage the viewer to pause, examine and interpret. Huge thanks to Cannondale for supporting our vision.

The morning light bounces off the mist as it dissipates from the sun rising all while highlighting the stark contrasts of greens found in the plant life that borders some of the best trails rubber has ever touched.
The morning light bounces off the mist as it dissipates from the sun rising, all while highlighting the stark contrasts of greens found in the plant life that borders some of the best trails rubber has ever touched.

Caution Bikes Passing.
Caution! Bikes Passing.

The coverage of the dense rain forest kept the dirt prime but also kept you constantly imagining what creature may be lurking in the bushes every time a branch brushes your leg.
The coverage of the dense rain forest kept the dirt prime but also kept you constantly imagining what creature may be lurking in the bushes every time a branch brushes your leg.

Plenty of chances to kick dirt up to reflect the morning sunlight creeping through the trees.
Plenty of chances to kick dirt up to reflect the morning sunlight creeping through the trees.

The trail system at Senderos Col n found us under an abundance of canopy cover which provided us with a couple of light spots for us to play with - the impending storm was quickly taking away any and all natural light this left us with a very small windows of time and light to get the shot before we battled being washed down the trail in the upcoming terrential downpour.
The trail system at Senderos Colón found us under an abundance of canopy cover, which provided us with a couple of light spots for us to play with - the impending storm was quickly taking away any and all natural light, this left us with a very small windows of time and light to get the shot before we battled being washed down the trail in the upcoming terrential downpour.

Loamy berms and thick plant life create smiles lifelong memories and moments captured.
Loamy berms and thick plant life create smiles, lifelong memories, and moments captured.

The majority of the trails find us under a deep green canopy however when it opened up the views were breathtaking especially at the crack of dawn.
The majority of the trails found us under a deep green canopy; however, when it opened up, the views were breathtaking, especially at the crack of dawn.

Carson Fletcher videographer and astounding drone pilot... until the POV drone is accidentally left somewhere in vast landscape.
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Carson Fletcher, videographer, editor and astounding drone pilot... until the POV drone is accidentally left somewhere in the vast landscape.

Canopy Adventure Volcan Barva has some incredible trails that feature everything from deep loam to wood features all while buried in a thick forest that provides home to some gnarly black wasps that could and did easily take out the photographer for a touch-and-go couple of minutes.
Canopy Adventure Volcan Barva has some incredible trails that feature everything from deep loam to wood features, all while buried in a thick forest that provides home to some gnarly black wasps that could and did easily take out the photographer for a touch-and-go couple of minutes.

Silhouetting the calmness of the mountainside while the night movers and shakers start to fill the streets of Escazu below.
Silhouetting the calmness of the mountainside while the night movers and shakers start to fill the streets of Escazu below.

A nod to legendary snowboard photographer Dave Lehl. A composite of a number of images taken in a very remote location high in the mountains of Costa Rica. We had been warned by the locals to be very careful as this area is known to be a playground for some less than savory characters. Once we got the shots needed we bolted.
A nod to legendary snowboard photographer Dave Lehl. A composite of a number of images taken in a very remote location high in the mountains of Costa Rica. We had been warned by the locals to be very careful as this area is known to be a playground for some less than savory characters. Once we got the shots needed, we bolted.

Aliens above San Jose.
Aliens above San Jose.

The countryside harnessed stark elevation changes from the bustling city below.
The countryside harnessed stark elevation changes from the bustling city below.

A merge of 16 shots provided us with the real estate to silhouette Kera above the city back drop as we circumvented an early evening storm that had the hairs on our neck standing to attention all while the sun set to provide refractions of deep colors on the distant clouds.
A merge of 16 shots provided us with the real estate to silhouette Kera above the city back drop as we circumvented an early evening storm that had the hairs on our neck standing to attention, all while the sun set to provide refractions of deep colors on the distant clouds.

The streets of Naranjo provides just as much excitement as the trails high above this quiet and beautiful town.
The streets of Naranjo provides just as much excitement as the trails high above this quiet and beautiful town.



Regions in Article
Costa Rica

Author Info:
jamesstokoephoto avatar

Member since Sep 27, 2014
13 articles

19 Comments
  • 62 2
 "For better or worse, social media is a part of our everyday lives" Speak for yourself. It's actually optional and opting out will make you instantly happier.
  • 17 0
 Amen, it’s too bad enough people don’t get that.
  • 3 0
 Amen. I do find it interesting how many people treat it as mandatory. I'm so much happier giving that and most news up. I don't need to worry about things happening on the fat side of the world.
  • 7 1
 I am noticeably happier after deleting FB and Insta from my phone. I still have those accounts because marketplace is great, and we have a business that has good results networking and advertising through FB.

Endlessly scrolling through a filtered view of everyone’s lives and having an algorithm determine what gives you a hit of dopamine is not a healthy way to live.
  • 8 0
 I’ve just cut loose and feel instantly better for it
  • 2 0
 Instant mental health boost getting rid of SM.
  • 17 2
 'For better or worse, social media is a part of our everyday lives'

Speak for yourself. Life is generally better since I ditched it 99.9%
  • 6 0
 What a cool experience! Thanks for sharing.
  • 5 1
 Not sure if I can get as excited about the images as the photographer in the video. I didn't find the scroll stopper at least.
  • 2 1
 Our eyes are spoiled. B&W title image is awesome. Will admit I also hoped for more though.
  • 7 0
 I love my country.
  • 3 0
 Every rider is in pants... in Costa Rica. Whats up with that? Being here in the rainy and cold northwest, my pants would be swapped for shorts as soon as the walked off the plane.
  • 3 0
 You missed the part about big wasps and other bity things... sometimes the more cloth the better.
  • 1 0
 Pants lol. I wear trousers in summer to keep the ticks off my legs, never mind the jaggy nettles.
  • 3 1
 Amazing trip. If you asked me to choose only one to hang on my wall I wouldn't be able to choose. That sunrise photo is fantastic. And the evening storm photo is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
  • 3 3
 This is the content that I enjoy seeing on social media. Profesional photographer, professional rider in an exotic location we don't get to see very often, paid for by a bike manufacturer in the hope of selling more bikes. What's tiring about social media is seeing so many poorly edited phone or GoPro video of a local hero on a local trail.
Also, complaining about social media on PB? Shouldn't you be sending a letter to the editor of your local print newspaper?
  • 3 0
 Love trying to beat the rain and losing. My most memorable rides have been in the rain.
  • 3 0
 Nice trip, hard work, few comments.
  • 1 0
 Eskapee format finally







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