Judge 2010
Mikael Helsing
PHOTO EDITOR, OXIGENO & OUTDOOR MAGAZINES (SPAIN)
"Moving to Spain from Sweden in 1991 opened my possibilities to work and develop myself in outdoor and action-photography" says Mikael Helsing, photo editor of Oxigeno and Outdoor magazines. With fifteen years experience of shooting mountain-biking, running, skiing, trekking as well as motorcycles and cars, Mikael lives and breathes action and adventure sports photography. Since he wandered out of his homeland, he has had his images published all over Europe as well as Japan, Australia and the USA.
What excites him about Red Bull Illume? "It's interesting to see so many images and the different ways to transmit the sensation of those special moments that all photographers look for - but doesn’t always find. I think that Red Bull Illume is a reference-point today in the world of action-photography."
As a judge, Mikael will be distinguishing good, but generic photos, from the truly unique. And it is the way that action-sports photographers still find ways to express themselves that he appreciates. "What I love about photography is great possibilities it offers in doing the same thing in different ways. If you look at the result of different photographers all over the world, even if we work on similar things, you can see the huge differences in interpreting them. The creativity never ends. You will always find a photographer with a type of interpretation which is different to yours - which also means that you can always learn a lot and open you mind."
Does he find it hard to be creative after so many years in the business? "I have been working in ski-photographing since 1985 but I still get many new ideas before every winter starts. But I still feel kind of nervous before each season!"
After "many winters" in the industry, what has changed most? "The photographic industry has changed a lot. Today many more people can make their own photos and experiment with cameras, lenses, flashes and photoshop to get a more personal result. Before, at the era of analogue cameras, we were a small group of professionals who did experimental photos. Today, it’s amazing to see so many websites with young photographers with their own image-style."
What for him makes a photo really special? "A great photo is one which you can look at year after year and still get a good feeling. It doesn’t have to use the latest technologies, or the best lighting - even though if I love good lighting!" Just as the Red Bull Illume nominees of 2007 are still looking fresh today, the class of 2010 will hope that their shots also stand the test of time.
