Mt. Rushmore of Photographers

Not mine if it's from Muddy Creek . . . never made it there, but honored by the call out.  If it's the shot in this thread with RV on the rear wheel, that might be Steve Cox's shot (Steve was a solid shooter).  (RV sideways is mine though 😇)

Rex is right about Fran Kuhn, Dewhurst should be in any list, as should Shiba.  Basically include anyone who got a photo in Inside Motocross.  I always love the Hueter shots back in the 70s, and why not include Terry Pratt.

It's hard to pick 4, and there are some stellar guys shooting now I've not listed, but to me Paul Buckley will always be the first pick - incredible body of work from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s.  Just a great guy, too.

Now, if you wanted to get into the cross over list of really good shooters and true characters, throw in Joe Bonnello and Carl Stone.

Charlie Morey's photos told the early stories of American motocross...mostly from an East perspective where the AMA nationals began.
This shot from Tallahassee's 1973 Winter AMA of Brad Lackey on the KX450 is so iconic that it has been used in ads by both Alpinestars and Dunlop.

Kardy.

One of my favourites as well but he very nearly high sided there.

FYI, if you want to learn about the late Terry Pratt, Moto Photo Shooter from the 1970's. Published one of the best GP books.

https://wewentfast.com/the-curious-life-of-terry-pratt/

FYI, if you want to learn about Japan's Shiba...a great photographer. Met him on the rental car bus in Hartford, Conn. (Southwick race)

https://www.shibaphoto.com

Finally, for us wanna-be  MX Photographers, the magazine Inside Motocross was the Bible, the Torah, etc. Just wonderful images printed on high stock paper. Jim Hale of AXO was the $ man and Fran Kuhn was the creative behind it. 

https://themotocrossvault.com/category/motocross-magazines/inside-motocross-magazine-motocross-magazines/

Credits: TONY BLAZIER

Me lol. Because this pic went mega viral! I'll go with FTE!!

That was a great read!

+1 for David Dewhurst. Decades of class.

Then Nick Haskell, not least for the famous Jobe double jump over the Hawkstone bombhole.

And a Belgian guy  named Plons(?) who took some truly astonishing and atmospheric shots in the early 2000s. Sadly  I think he dropped MX in favour of MTB. 

Garth Milan at the top 

Chris Hultner has always been my personal favorite. His style of shooting was way ahead of it’s time IMO. 

Kevin Sherman from Florida 

I spent the day with him at an event about two months ago. He said he doesn't do sports anymore, his new thing is nature stuff (he'd done an African photo safari a couple of months prior to coming here).
Not to get too far off the moto photo topic, but there's a really cool looking documentary on HBO (I think) about Ken Griffey Jr. shooting the Masters last year that I really want to see.

Thanks Rick, but not even close!   I read something about Aaron Franklin, the Franklin Barbecue guy; someone tried to shade him by saying they could do brisket as well as Franklin, and another chef responded anyone can do a perfect brisket, few people can smoke 250 perfect briskets every day and bank.  The shooters who do this week in and week out for a living are the only ones who this is about.

If the thread has moved past Mr. Rushmore to really good shooters who deserve a shout out, Lissimore should be mentioned.  I've always liked James's work.

Get the book if you can find a copy.  It's incredible.  I confess I have a soft spot for it because I first saw those guys in 71 and 72 and it brings back that magic of being a kid discovering MX and getting to see the best in action at the fence line.

Sadly, Plons died.

Where's the Cox love?

Brown Dog Wilson has had some great shots.

Ken Griffey Jr. shoots now as well. 

From the olden days, (1960's & 1970's), in MXGP, Justyn Norek is on the top of Mt Rushmore.

Wasn't there a guy named Devin that had a meltdown on here several years ago? I'd nominate him. Seriously, though GuyB is one of my favorites. I've got to meet him and ran into a few times. My profile picture was taken by him when I gave a tour of the White House several years ago before a Budds Creek race.

Do you love cox?

Honorable mention for “riders mom” 

Fran Kuhn. The entire mountain. Look him up. He’s responsible for the look that defined motocross, and everything that followed.

Awesome topic, these guys deserve so much credit for telling the story of our sport to the world. Having had the pleasure to shoot both MX & SX with many of these legends, I also want to take a moment to highlight that these are some of the nicest guys in the paddock.

US

-> Cudby

-> Milan

-> Emery

-> GuyB  

Canadian

-> Lissimore

-> Bigwave

going to throw some flowers to a couple video guys, Mikey Neale, Alan Hardy & Ed Warren were absolute LEGENDS back in the day. 

Miss edit's being a consistent thing in this world.

Chris Hunter is the GOAT, especially during the 90’s. So many awesome shots and unique perspectives.  

Hultner Photo Instagram

Came here to say just that.  Chris Hultner is one of the greats and even was part of filming a lot of legendary moto films as well.

Tony Scavo, honorable mention.