Jury 2010

Steve White

EDITOR, ACTION ASIA (HONG KONG)

Since starting out in 1992, Action Asia magazine is the continent’s only real adventure travel magazine. It shows the region’s most interesting and unusual destinations through practical travel information and heart stopping-accounts of adventurers pushing physical and natural limits.

Steve White, the magazine’s editor for the last four years, has a passion for shooting adventure racing. "Besides the often beautiful and challenging terrain, you have to be amazed at the effort athletes go through in a race. The emotions swing from elation to despair, then exhaustion to relief."

What criteria does he use when judging whether a photo is great or not? "It might capture a fleeting moment, have a great use of color or dramatic subject matter. But a great photo owes everything to the lighting. The sense of drama, balance of color or timeliness all depends on it. If the lighting is not right, the effect may not come off or you might not even get the shot at all."

How has the photography industry changed in Asia over the last decade? "Digital photography has hugely expanded the possibilities but at the cost of increased responsibilities all round. Photographers now have to post-process and edit every day in the field. Editors have to be on their guard for shots that have been manipulated beyond simple processing."

On the look-out for fresh photo-talent for his magazine, Steve is excited about Red Bull Illume. "The contest celebrates a spirit of individualism and challenge. I’m hoping to pick up the names of several photographers who we can use in the magazine! We are more focused on the great outdoors of course, but I expect to find a lot of common ground."

www.actionasia.com