I haven’t really talked about it much over the past few months, even as we knew Outrider, from JoeDios.com, was sick with cancer. A ravenous fan of the o-ring style, Outrider could do more things with a camera and cinematography than I could even think about. He never did any elaborate dio-stories, sticking mostly with single shot images, but he had an incredible eye for perspective, and just had a frustratingly incredible natural talent for photography.
I say frustrating because I would see an image that it probably took him 10 minutes to take, and would try many, many times to replicate the cinema-like “feel”, only to come up empty. Yet, it just seemed to come naturally to him.
I didn’t deal with him much on a personal basis, but he was a real spirit behind JoeDios.com, and did some amazing things there, and when news came through that he passed away, I felt compelled to write a little something.
He wasn’t the most vocal guy on the ‘net, and if you didn’t frequent JoeDios.com, you probably didn’t even know who he was, but he contributed more to this hobby than many other people out there, and for that he’ll always be remembered.
Mirrored below are a few of his images that I’m especially fond of, but do the crew at JoeDios a favor, and head over there to pay your condolences. His images can all be found right here (all 125 pages worth!). After 10 years of taking pictures, I still can’t capture the spirit and perspective that Craig did in a single shot, and I will always simultaneously love him and hate him for that.
Rest in Peace, Craig. You earned it.
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That’s terrible news. I didn’t know of him on that site, or even as Outrider, but I certainly knew him as cradea2 on Flickr. I recognized his extraordinary work immediately. Very sorry to hear about that.
Definitely a rare, natural talent. Rest in peace, Craig.
Amen to that. He was a genius and will be missed.
It’s always sad when a brother in arms falls. I salute you sir and thank you for your art.
He really was a nice guy, I don’t think Joedios will be the same without him. Seeing his work was something I looked forward to, it was very inspiring to me. He will be missed.
He was the backbone of Joedios.com, nobody comes close to what he did for the site. Truly one of a kind talent.
Didn’t know him from JoeCustoms, but I was a fan of his on Flickr where he went by Cradea2. His work was awe-inspiring. Rest in Peace.
I’m glad to see a tribute here. cradea2’s Flickr page inspired me to make my own. Sadly, I only just discovered his stuff a couple months ago, and began to realize he was sick by doing a little research. It’s pretty heart-wrenching to see all his friends online give their hearty condolences, and certainly sad that they have to. I wish I’d discovered his work sooner, and had a chance to talk to him. May God rest his soul.
I hope to meet you in the peace of afterlife Craig. Godspeed.
I never met him, but I was a fan of his work. I echo Justin’s comments… the man had an eye that made our silly compulsive hobby seem a lot less silly.
God bless Craig and his family. Yo Joe.
I’m sorry to hear that. I didn’t know him personally, but his work was incredible and awe-inspiring. It kept me coming back to Joedios again and again.
Craig was undoubtedly the best G.I. Joe photographer around. That T.A.R.G.A.T. picture you chose is the perfect example why, he took one of the stupidest figures in the entire line, and actually made it look impressive.
Rest In Peace man.