On the 29th of August, German photographer Lorenz Holder was crowned Overall Winner of the 2013 Red Bull Illume in Hong Kong. It was an extraordinary night for Holder – of his six images placed in the Top 250, three were selected for the Top 50, winning two Categories and the Overall Winner. Red Bull Illume caught up with the photographer to see how things have been since…
So has it all sunken in yet?
It’s still super crazy, I had no expectations at all when I arrived in Hong Kong. Being the overall winner of Red Bull Illume is super insane because the quality of the pictures is so high – I am honored!
What’s been happening since? Phone been ringing a lot?
It’s been pretty busy, a lot of interviews. Newspapers have been wanting to know about the picture and story behind it. I was in NZ for 5 days on a job and trying to sleep at night but the phone kept ringing – pretty hectic!
How was the Winner Award Ceremony?
It’s so rare to meet photographers just like you! With Red Bull Illume you also meet so many from all different kinds of sports. It was an amazing time with plenty of really great conversations about photography – where it’s at and where it’s going to go… Also Hong Kong is just such a mind-blowing city!
Any interesting chats?
I was talking to Polish photographer Rafal Meszka about my one underwater shot in New Creativity. He’s an expert dive photographer and he told me I could’ve drowned if I had gone any deeper! Basically I left an oxygen tank at the bottom of the lake, and I would go down, breathe with the regulator, shoot and then go up to see what was going on. He told me that without strapping the tank to my back, my lungs could have exploded due to water pressure if I had gone deeper and done the same thing! I guess that’s what happens when snowboarding photographers go diving…
Is it easy to produce a winning shot?
To win Red Bull Illume there is a big factor of luck. If there had been no snowstorm, or the weather was different, the pic wouldn’t have worked. I think a winning shot needs a little bit of luck with the right light and weather!
You won a load of gear – Leica cameras, broncolor kits and gear from Sun-Sniper…
The prizes were really great and I’m certainly looking forward to experimenting with all the gear!
What’s next for you?
In January, I will start getting more creative, I have some new ideas I want to try. They are getting some structure in my head… so, in development!
Also, due to a number of print requests I’ll be opening an online shop on my website soon… Watch this space!
Interview with Red Bull Illume Winner Lorenz Holder
Interview with Red Bull Illume Winner Lorenz Holder
