What is Sky Splitter Photography?
Sky Slitter Photography is the creative project of climber and photographer Matthew Paul. While not a business, Sky Splitter Photography isn't simply a hobby either. Rather, SSP is a creative outlet for a climber who can't get enough and who wants to share his passion with others. Beginning with simple pictures of friends on a smart phone, SSP has grown into an semi-professional endeavor to capture the beauty of the climbing in Kentucky's Red River Gorge, and hopefully eventually beyond. It is also a way to tell the stories of the climbers who push their limits, no matter the grade.
Who is Matthew Paul?
Originally from Bloomington, Indiana, I grew up around the outdoors and photography. Yearly family backpacking trip out West always involved hours of Dad taking nature shots. However, much as I loved the outdoors, I was always drawn to the competitive and physical appeal of sports, and grew up playing soccer through college. I never realized that an athletic pursuit could be paired with the outdoors until I saw my first climbing film at the ripe age of 25. I was immediately hooked, totally mesmerized by the combination of strength, poise and natural beauty of outdoor climbing. The interaction between the climbers and their natural surroundings was unlike anything that I had ever seen. It wasn't long before I was taking my own knowledge of photography and using it to capture the sport that I came to love. While I currently reside in Cincinnati, OH and work as an academic advisor, on the weekends you will find me climbing and shooting somewhere in the great outdoors.