BY JONATHAN KANE
Leo Corrales, entering his senior year at Wood River High School, is both an avid skier and a talented photographer who combines the two passions in his art. As a member of the Compassionate Young Leaders program, Corrales recently returned from a service trip to Ladok, India. At Wood River, he is a member of the Model United Nations and last year was captain of the mountain biking team.
Corrales’ passion in life is “discovering the unknown, whether it be within the natural world, different cultures or even within myself,” he said. “For instance, I backcountry ski and I love to find different routes up and lines down.
“In another way, my photographic endeavors take me where I wouldn’t go otherwise. I have also discovered things within myself, like in a lot of ways our lives are centered on our vicinity, but I really want to understand and uncover my thoughts and ideals and what drives me to do the things that can enrich my life.”
Part of that desire was played out on his recent trip to India for three and a half weeks.
“When you go to a place where the culture is really so different, you learn that your way of life isn’t necessarily the right way, but one of many.
“In Ladok, people live a simpler life and they are not as addicted to technology as much as we are. They surround themselves with peers and family and tend to find the positive highlights in life rather than the negative.”
Corrales started in photography four years ago when he was given a digital camera as a Christmas gift.
“I started by primarily focusing on landscapes. I did portraits, but was more attracted to landscapes,” he said. “My favorite subject is the Sawtooth Mountains. They are so special, primarily because they are big and rugged and a little bit intimidating. I would go up north, find a road and get out there.
“A lot of what I do is self-taught but I’ve also been so fortunate to attend workshops through a scholarship from the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. I’ve learned in a week what I’d have learned in six months while attending.”
Today, Corrales loves to photograph skiers (primarily on Dollar Mountain, in Sun Valley) and skateboarders.
“Mostly, it’s good friends in the terrain park and a lot of the same people at the skate park,” he said. “I love to ski and I’ve been doing it since I was two years old. There is a freedom in the sport that is unparalleled and you are able to get completely connected to the immediate environment around you. I also have more of an eye for skiing photos because I do it.”
As to the future, Corrales wants to use what he knows about photography to “help people realize what’s out there. Like when I went to India, I took my camera to show people that India is really beautiful and not like what a lot of people think.”
You can see Corrales’ photography and video work at www.leocorralesmedia.com.
Editor’s note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact Jonathan Kane at jkjonkane@gmail.com.