In Her Element Photo

Photographer’s Note

This image is from an event at Holme Pierrepoint National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham - about 12-15 miles from where i live. These were the Olympic team kayak and canoe slalom event deciders and as the day wore on the speed and skills of the competitors just became more and more obvious.

The weather was freezing and after about six hours outside a friend saw me and advised me to get inside immediately - my usually rosy complexion had turned blue!!

Men and women completed the same course - I think the strength of the women especially just amazed me.

Originally i conceived this as a black and white image - it is in the workshop.

bantonbuju, Manamo, Leilani has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Manamo (3474) 2008-04-19 18:22

Hello Kev,

this kind of event is sooo spectacular!! It's hard to take good pictures though...I guess it was really hard to get near the action so even with a 300 mm, it's hard to get the kayak full frame. And your hand gets shaky trying to follow the action, etc.

You got her at a good moment. There is a lot going on in the frame. All the droplets, her focused look, her going down a huge wave... I don't think the focus is optimal, but I think it's good enough.

Finally, I think that color was the good option. I always found that the dynamism and action of sports is best shown in colors.

Rivers are starting to unfreeze here, so I hope I'll have the chance to see such a thing! I like to shoot this kind of event!:D

see you!

Marc

miketelemark (2425) 2008-04-19 18:55

Great action capture and I like the way the kayak handle is below her face.

kleeross (159) 2008-04-19 20:37

Kev,
Amazing capture, you look as if your right in the middle of the action. The detail is and clarity is great for this type of shot. Even through the water you see the intensity on this persons face. Very nice job.
Regards,
Kevin

bantonbuju (48856) 2008-04-19 23:24

hi kev,
i think that the tight framing did a lot of good to this photo... the way the "kayaker" is frozen diagonally clearly tells what's happening there and how fast the movement was...
bw, j.

brevbrev14 (372) 2008-04-20 1:52

Hi Kev, very good image and action here..
a lot of energy and a perfect moment captured..
i like it a lot
ciao!
Valeria

Cos (1562) 2008-04-20 5:54

Hi Kev
This is a great action shot - it really gives a sense of chaos in the water and the strength needed by the competitors to get through the course.
Regards
Sarah