Category Finalist 2010: Experimental

Sébastien Anex

Bad weather. At the very beginning of my career in photography, I was afraid of it: no sun, no blue sky and my camera getting wet. But quickly I got bored of the cliché shots taken in what can normally only be described as ‘perfect conditions.’ That's why I really enjoyed traveling to Japan in 2009. Fog was one of the main elements we had to work with. In this weather, having an open-minded athlete who is on the same wavelength is essential.

On the morning of this particular shot, it was raining on the snow which is generally not a good thing, especially as the powder the day before had been perfect. I don't think that many riders would have shared my enthusiasm, or agreed when I said: “Let's go riding and see if we can shoot something!”

Nico Vaudroz is the kind of person you need in the described circumstances. As well as being a talented snowboarder, he is a great painter. His skills and passion mean he has nothing to prove. That's why taking a risk doesn't scare him – snowboarding with his friends is a pleasure. When we saw the silhouette of this lost tree, braving the cold mix of snow and rain, we instantly knew there was something special about the scene. The majestic trunk was the focal point. The scene just framed itself. We just had to wait for the fog to disperse a bit. After the shot, we got home totally wet and cold, but happy to have had the opportunity to appreciate the moody landscapes.

PHOTO INFO

Photographer: Sébastien Anex
Athletes: Nicolas Vaudroz
Location: Tanigawadake Tenjindaira, Gunma, Japan

TECHNICAL INFO

Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: 17.0-50.0 mm f/2.8
ISO: 400
F-Stop: f 8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/800