Felix Wölk, Category: Enhance

Felix Wölk, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerFelix Wölk
AthleteJochen Schweizer
LocationStromboli, Italy
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Felix Wölk
CameraNikon D3
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO500
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/320
About the shot
For capturing Mt. Stromboli together with my friends Jochen Schweizer and Tobias Böck we climbed this nonstop active volcano in a period of strong frontal northwinds. The crater was totally overcast and the wind made it unflyable up there. In the evening, the storm decreased and the thick fog opened its gate a bit. We inflated our mountain gliders.
The wind was still strong enough to carry us, so we took off straight into the deep black north slope of the volcano. The clouds disappeared and the active crater revealed itself. In a 40km/h breeze Jochen Schweizer and I soared up in this infernal scenery. We are used to doing aerial photography together, so we flew in formation from the beginning.
I shot this from a solo glider – that means piloting hands-free, just by shifting your weight. It was breathtaking scenery. To hear the nonstop thunder that came out of the thick smog in the crater was something else. It was scary, I swear! For me, it was clear I had to expose this shot in black and white. It's still the truest look; true like the elements in this photograph – fire, water, air. In between these forces of nature there's some lost human being flying. Or is he searching for something he cannot find down on earth?

Biography
I was born and raised in the city of Munich, Germany. As soon as I finished school I wanted nothing else but to become a hang and paragliding pilot. So I started working as a bicycle messenger in the wintertime and took all the money to fly in summer. I used to live in a VW bus in the summer (I still have it!) and drove from one competition to another.
I did outdoor photography in my youth. With freeflight photography it became professional. I fixed huge camera mounts on my hang glider to capture my personal adventures as a pilot. Suddenly I had a front page in Germany's biggest freeflight magazine. This was when I noticed I could really make a job out of the thing I loved to do. Nowadays I'm specialized in air to air photography. I still love the bird’s-eye view, it still makes me feel humble to discover the planet from above.
For my photographs, I'm looking for sceneries that put the pilot and his wing in places that look threatening (some of them are!). It gives an interesting contrast to the peaceful looking paraglider. And the more exciting it is to shoot, the more fun it generally is.
Philip Platzer, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerPhilip Platzer
AthletePaul Guschlbauer and Tom de Dorlodot
LocationBerchtesgaden, Germany
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Philip Platzer
CameraNikon D4
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO125
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
At the end of June 2014 I had the chance to do a pre-shoot with two paragliders - Paul Guschlbauer and Tom de Dorlodot - to announce their next big adventure called the ‘Adriatic Circle’. The project was a hike-and-fly trip starting and ending in Ancona, Italy, crossing six European countries by travelling over 2000km either by foot or paragliding. We met at the beautiful lake Königssee in Berchtesgaden, Germany to do some portraits, lifestyle and action shots.
After shooting the first portraits and some hiking shots in the morning we started with the action shots. Taking photos of aerial-sports can be pretty hard if you are bound to the ground, especially if you want to include the scenery. That is why we also tried to get some nice ‘air to air’ shots.
But how does a photographer get airborne? With a paragliding tandem which allows the photographer to fly together with a pilot.
Shot after shot the light got better and the sky became more dramatic over lake Königssee. After almost two hours of flying my stomach felt a bit queasy. Usually I don’t get sick easily while flying, but constantly looking through the viewfinder makes it quite challenging. This shot was one of the last we did and after landing we were pretty happy with the outcome. Even though my face was a little green after the shoot it was an awesome experience!
The camera I used for this shot was a Nikon D4 with a Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 zoom lens to be flexible with the focal length. Because I know flying can be a little bit shaky I decided to go with a fast shutter speed of 1/1600 and an F-stop of 5.6.

Biography
My name is Philip Platzer and I am a 37-year-old sports photographer based in the Graz, Austria. I have always been active in sports such as surfing, rock climbing, and snowboarding but I always knew something was missing.
I wanted to capture the dynamic and emotion of a single moment. I've always been interested in both photography and sports, so for me it made perfect sense to capture all these great moments and adventures.
I started to shoot friends, and became addicted to photography pretty quickly. I don’t have any classical education or training - I am an autodidact. I’ve also done lots of assisting, and still do, because it’s a great way to learn new things and improve my skills.
In 2009, I started working as a pro photographer, and I’m happy it worked out for me that way. What I love most about my job is creating unique and never-before-seen images.
Florian Jäger, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerFlorian Jäger
AthleteSimon Gruber
LocationArabba, Italy
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Florian Jäger
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO200
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
Due to a super bad snow situation in the northern Alps I followed the Pirates Crew together with Freddy Evensen and Simon Gruber down to Italy where they were drowning in the white stuff at that time.
We checked a small zone right beside the slopes in Arabba for some good kicker spots and Freddy came up with the idea of this huge gap kicker. After some discussion we decided to build the kicker, which took us nearly two days of shoveling.
In his second try Simon nailed this perfect BS 7 into the landing and I got the shot of one of the biggest kickers I’ve ever seen. I used a Canon 5D MkIII and the 8-15mm fisheye zoom.

Biography

I’m not really good at painting or singing, so I have chosen photography as a way to express myself! And this is exactly what drives me – trying to give other people a glimpse of how I see the world, trying to walk the thin line that combines documentary and fine art photography.
Born and raised in southern Bavaria and based in Munich, I fell in love with mountains, snow and nature in my very early years. I found my passion in photography to share that love and point of view with others and am always looking around every corner to find new impressions and inspirations for my work.
Jason Colledge, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerJason Colledge
AthleteJordan Godwin
LocationAlicante, Spain
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Jason Colledge
CameraCanon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Lens15mm
ISO640
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
Escaping the UK weather just before Christmas is a blessing, shooting bangers like this huge 360 is the icing on the cake! This spot was situated at the top of a steep mountain in Alicante next to a huge stadium which had a bounty of spots to ride.
As soon as we rolled up I noticed a really sketchy skinny wall which followed the stairs along and ended up being about 30-40ft tall. I managed to climb across and get in position, but balancing whilst shooting sequence was a task in itself. We were delighted to see an elderly class of dance aerobics take place whilst this unfolded!
One snapped pedal later and Jordan laced this as clean as could be! No punctures either which was a surprise as this was the most puncture heavy trip we had been on. It was also one of the best trips I have been on to date!

Biography
I was working on a building site with my Dad before deciding the building industry was not for me. Why do something you don't love?
Coming from a BMX background I had always collected the magazines and was fascinated by the images that were on the pages, always questioning how they were created. This sparked my desire to focus on shooting photos of BMX as well as just riding one.
Eventually I was lucky enough to have some of my photographs published in the magazines I collected all those years ago. This became more frequent and bit by bit I was finding myself being sent away on trips to document the riding of some of the best riders in the world. Fast forward to the present day and I am still fortunate enough to be going away and shooting with these riders and having my work published in various outlets, one of them being a print magazine called Endless, which I am a senior photographer for.
Chris Pilling, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerChris Pilling
AthleteReilly Horan
LocationKamloops, Canada
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Chris Pilling
CameraNikon D810
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
A slopestyle rider from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Reilly Horan has been progressing his skills and hopes to enter the world of professional riding. This photo was captured on a photo trip from Calgary to Kamloops Bike Ranch.
The whole trip was centered around shooting this jump. After a brief trip to the location the day before to get an idea of angles and to fix up the jump, we returned before the sun came up the next morning. The riders were busy warming up and fixing the jump while I was choosing my one position to shoot from. There was not much time for adjustment once the sun appeared. Just before sunrise I called out to the riders that it was ‘go time’.
It went from 0 to 100 instantly! Flip whips, super flips, truck drivers, and a barrage of other big tricks were thrown down all at sunrise, but I knew it was Reilly's superman double seat grab that would steal the show. Shooting tricks like these, you have to have a fast trigger reaction once you see the rider at the peak of the trick, a split second either side and the photo is worthless. Luckily I was in good form on that early morning and I knew that would be a defining photo for myself.

Biography
I am an action and adventure sports photographer currently based out of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Though I grew up in Calgary, Alberta and spent the first 23 years of my life there, I always knew I would end up in BC.
Since I first got into action sports I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of for the rest of my life – the culture, industry, and lifestyle. Mountain biking eventually led me to taking photos and video of the sport and everything that came with it. A goal of mine has always been to make the viewer feel as if they were part of the action themselves. If a viewer can imagine themselves in the photograph or it inspires them to get outside, then I have done my job.
Alexandre Voyer, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerAlexandre Voyer
AthleteMarianne Aventurier
LocationThe Azores Islands, Portugal
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Alexandre Voyer
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens15mm
ISO640
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/200
About the shot
With my buddy Alex Roubaud, and my girlfriend Marianne Aventurier we were invited by a great friend and underwater photographer, Fred Buyle to his little Azores Island. This place, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the best spots in the world to interact with ocean wildlife.
We were off the coast of Faial Island when we met two blue sharks in the open ocean. There we were, alone in the middle of Atlantic Ocean, the water was dark and clear, and there was perhaps 2,000 meters below our fins; it was an incredible moment.
You can see on this shot Marianne Aventurier facing a curious blue shark. The photo was taken with a Canon 5D mark2 and a 16/35mm f2.8 lens in an underwater housing. Now, just try to relax, take one breath, and fly!

Biography
My name is Alex Voyer, I am 37 and I live in Paris, France. I was born near the sea in the Pacific Ocean and now I am a freediving instructor in a pool, but I try to spend all my spare time and holidays traveling around the world, looking for ocean creatures.
All the photos are made on a single breath of air – I don’t use oxygen tanks – with natural light. I am training almost everyday to be in shape for when I meet these creatures. Taking photographs, practicing freediving and studying the behavior of the animals all go hand-in-hand for me.
We are used to seeing images of humans’ destructive effect on nature, but in my photos, I try to show that we can be part of nature!
Sergey Shakuto, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerSergey Shakuto
AthleteDominic Roithmair and Marco Fuerst
LocationBromo National Park, Indonesia
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Sergey Shakuto
CameraSony Alpha A7R
LensFE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
ISO50
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
Dominic Roithmair and Marco Fuerst performed a skydive with the Indonesian flag over Bromo National Park, East Java, Indonesia.
I didn't think too long when the guys from Red Bull asked me what interesting shoot we could come up with in Indonesia. The valley of Bromo volcano in East Java is one of the most beautiful places on earth and inspires many photographers, attracting tourists and athletes from all over the world. This makes the place the business card of Indonesia. So what could get more attention than skydivers with a huge flag over one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world?
One of the biggest challenges was the altitude of the landing area that sits at 2,100m. The helicopter had to work to its limit to provide athletes with enough height for this jump.
For me it was my first skydiving project and I felt the pressure, as I had to deliver good images from the first try, as the second chance might not happen. I took two cameras with two different lenses into the helicopter so I could switch to the right one as fast as possible. This project changed my life. Right after it I started skydiving myself and stepped into skydive photography.

Biography
I was born and grew up in a small town in Russia, but since childhood I have dreamt about traveling the world and doing extreme sports. As soon as I made money as a graphic designer, I started to realize my dream. So for the past 15 years I have been doing all kinds of sports, from surfing to skydiving, and capturing them with my camera.
My super-power is my insider knowledge of sports and it helps me to speak the same language with all the athletes I'm shooting.
Sebastián Villegas Vargas, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerSebastián Villegas Vargas
AthleteAndrés Jaramillo Botero
LocationManizales, Colombia
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Sebastián Villegas Vargas
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO32
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/570
About the shot
After a few months without visiting my hometown, Manizales, I decided to leave my camera at home and get out from the routine. All I took with me were some clothes and my bike. I called my friends the morning I arrived, and asked them to go ride our bikes in one of the highest mountains in the city, La Elvira.

I was on my enduro bike. At the beginning of the track I fell really badly from my bike, and I didn’t feel right or comfortable riding it. There was a lot of mud and there was almost no light inside the forest. I was going slowly, so my friends decided to slow down. All of a sudden, I had a clear view of where they were going down hill. This is when I visualized the perfect shot, so I stopped and quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket. I waited for the decisive moment, until my friend Andrés Jaramillo would be in the perfect place for the picture, so he and his bike would look like they were part of the landscape. I used the camera of my iPhone 6.

Biography
My name is Sebastián Villegas and I live in Medellín, Colombia. I took up photography when I was 14-years-old, capturing moments of my friends riding their bikes with the camera I got as a present from my mom. Within a few months, I started to get professional jobs as a photographer. From that moment, I realized that photography was something I wanted to do for a living.

After a trip to the Amazon, my photographic interest in sports became mixed with one in nature. I realized that I had a strong connection with the places and animals I visited there, sort of like they knew when I was going to portrait them. After I came back the engagement department from my school contacted me so my pictures could be shown in the school’s art gallery for a week.

Nowadays, I work as an independent photographer for both commercial and sports brands. My photographic style throughout the years has been in constant change, but always keeping in mind that I must have a previous relationship with, and knowledge of, the person or place that is on the other side of the camera.
Jaanus Ree, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerJaanus Ree
AthleteErik Orgo
LocationTallinn, Estonia
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Jaanus Ree
CameraNikon D810
Lens105mm f/2.8
ISO640
F-Stop14.0
Shutter Speed1/200
About the shot
After seeing a portrait in a bookstore where I was able to see the photographer’s silhouette against the reflection of an eye, I got the idea to make something similar. I played around with the idea and thought about making a silhouette shot through an elephant’s eye but the local zoo did not approve it!
So the next best thing was my cat. We used a 6x9 meter white sheet meant for shooting cars as a softbox. In front of that Erik Orgo and Kristo Õismets started to perform. We made several good shots, even a few in black and white but color worked out the best.

Biography
Although I was always taking pictures during my school years, my real path towards becoming a professional photographer started when I got injured during a windsurfing competition and I had to stay on the shore for a while. I just couldn’t sit on the beach doing nothing; I wanted to get closer to the action. So I took a camera and got myself on the race officer’s boat as a photographer.
At first I just wanted to see the action but then I ended up only shooting pictures. After that I was invited to shoot various windsurfing competitions and later on all kinds of different sports. A year later, I enrolled in the Estonian Academy of Arts to study photography.
Today my main focus is on motorsports but I love to shoot other sports. Thanks to Nikon and Elinchrome I can try almost anything that comes to mind. I am always trying to find something new in every shoot: new lighting techniques, cool remote camera places or anything else. I believe there are a lot of interesting things yet to be discovered in the world of photography.
Jaanus Ree, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerJaanus Ree
AthleteMartin Bachmann
LocationRummu, Estonia
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Jaanus Ree
CameraNikon D3S
Lens24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
ISO1250
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
About 20km from my home there is an abandoned prison and mine that has been flooded with transparent water. The story goes that one day a digger hit an under-ground river and the place was flooded within a few hours. You can actually see the machine still in the bottom of the lake.
As the location has underwater houses it is one of the favorite places for local pho-tographers. I had the idea for a few years to do something there and went there sev-eral times to find out nice angles and study how the light works. When we finally made it happen it took us lots of time to prepare.
I tried different possibilities to light up the bottom but in the end the easiest solution worked the best – my friend held a speedlight on the other side of the collapsed roof of the building while I took photos. One more light was from the right side on the first floor to light up the athlete. We tried different lenses, angles and light possibilities but one of the first shots was the best. I was so stoked that after that shoot we went back there several times to get some more shots. I think my involvement with this place has not ended yet.

Biography
Although I was always taking pictures during my school years, my real path towards becoming a professional photographer started when I got injured during a windsurfing competition and I had to stay on the shore for a while. I just couldn’t sit on the beach doing nothing; I wanted to get closer to the action. So I took a camera and got myself on the race officer’s boat as a photographer.
At first I just wanted to see the action but then I ended up only shooting pictures. After that I was invited to shoot various windsurfing competitions and later on all kinds of different sports. A year later, I enrolled in the Estonian Academy of Arts to study photography.
Today my main focus is on motorsports but I love to shoot other sports. Thanks to Nikon and Elinchrome I can try almost anything that comes to mind. I am always trying to find something new in every shoot: new lighting techniques, cool remote camera places or anything else. I believe there are a lot of interesting things yet to be discovered in the world of photography.
Ben Thouard, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerBen Thouard
AthleteLandon McNamara
LocationTeahupo’o, French Polynesia
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Ben Thouard
CameraCanon EOS 1D Mark IV
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO400
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I’ve been shooting a lot of underwater photos these last few years at Teahupo’o, choosing the right days when the water clarity gets insane. The morning this photo was taken was the day before the big swell we had in May 2013. I showed up on the spot early as a bunch of surfers were enjoying a nice 6ft Teahupo’o.
Landon McNamara was one of them and is the surfer in the picture. I decided straight away to only shoot underwater photos that morning, because the waves were perfect – completely glassy as there was no wind at all. Also it had not rained the last few days so the water clarity was just a dream. These were the conditions I was waiting for!
I spent four hours just shooting below the surface and the show was unreal! That wave came in, I dove under as the surfer was paddling for it, just early enough to be under and get the right position. Everything lined up perfectly and I was really happy with the result!
The funny end to the story is that it took me almost a year to identify the surfer. As I spent all morning underwater, I forgot to pay attention to who it was. Thanks to social media and the three color fins Landon was able to identify himself and tell me!

Biography
Ben grew up in the south of France, his father was a sailor and taught me everything about the ocean.
Coached by my older brothers, he quickly fell in love with surfing and spent the most time possible in the ocean.
He discovered photography at the age of 15 and start shooting his friends who surfed. Ben studied in a photography school in Paris, He managed to achieve his dreams of travelling to Hawaii and shooting images. During the next couple of years, I traveled the world alongside professionals in search of photogenic landscapes and waves that has never been surfed before.
At 22, he decided to move to Tahiti.
Ben quickly made Teahupo’o’s famous wave his backyard and his favorite place to shoot.
In the last years Ben has risen to the top of game being the one of the leading photographers based in the the tropical paradise called French Polynesia. Magazine covers, advertising campaigns, award winning images from the water and around it has lead to global success and acknowledgment from his peers and many happy clients world wide
Finally Ben now dedicates a lot of his time shooting Waves and Ocean images that are displayed in Art Galleries.
He recently released his first solo book "SURFACE", a 184 pages, hard cover, coffee table book that includes some very new and unseen images.
Enric Adrian Gener, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerEnric Adrian Gener
AthleteVero Vidal Torregrosa
LocationCenote Siete Bocas, Mexico
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Enric Adrian Gener
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO3200
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
This image was shot in a place called Cenote Siete Bocas, which is situated in the middle of the jungle in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The whole area has an immense system of caves and rivers under the land. For this image, we used a 60 meter-deep cenote.
The picture is the result of a freediving session: total darkness broken by a stark ray of sunlight piercing through the dense jungle and the rock. To immerse yourself down there on a single breath of air is to take a journey to the afterlife.
It is easy to lose the perception of space with the excessive contrast between darkness and light. You’re not in the open sea, you’re in a freshwater lake so your body does not float as well. Here there are other rules.
Biography
I was born in Menorca, a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean and I grew up there, surrounded by sea, enjoying and learning from it until I went to university. It was there, while studying art and design, that I had my first contact with photography, studying everything from the darkroom to digital over four years.
I started to work in motion graphics and design, first in some companies and after that as a freelancer. And because my work is purely digital I started to work remotely. This allowed me to change my lifestyle, letting me live in many different places, far away from the city and just a small step from the sea.
I kept working in motion graphics and at the same time started to mix my passion for the sea with photography. For me this is so important because my underwater project was born free – from passion and not for work. Today, it remains the same.
Gaps Sabuero, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerGaps Sabuero
AthleteManuel Melindo
LocationSiargao Island, Philippines
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Gaps Sabuero
CameraGoPro HERO3 Black Edition
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1500
About the shot
A good size swell was bound to hit Siargao Island. It was off season. There hadn’t been decent surf for a while so everyone had expectations. It was my second month on the island and my first good swell. I had some experience of shooting small surf but knew I was going to get worked by what was coming.
The skies were overcast but the sun came through often enough, making surfing shots backlit. There was so much water from the swell already and the high tide was peaking so the rip currents were like wild rivers. It wasn’t an ideal situation for a newcomer like me.
Hammered by set waves, I got washed back a few meters. Manuel Melindo was paddling back to the line-up after taking one of the waves that got me. I swam back out with him and this smaller wave came. When we went under I pointed my GoPro at him, swam back to position and forgot about the shot. I knew I had some good barrel shots but I was surprised to see this amazing one while sorting on the computer. It’s weird that now I have equipment that’s supposedly more efficient, but it cannot reproduce this kind of shot. I guess it’s all about luck and being ready when it comes.

Biography
I come from a city in the Philippines best known for its waterfalls, but these days I find myself treading a different body of water – surf. In 2015, I packed up my life and headed to Siargao, the country’s surf capital, with what seemed like nothing. A few shirts, boardies, fins, laptop, a DSLR, and a GoPro. Essentially, it was all I needed to get started.
My background is in landscape, travel, and documentary photography and I am no stranger to capturing beauty from behind the lens. But it was my combined passion for surfing and photography that made me dive headfirst into the country’s best waves.
A year on, I dare not say it, but I’m starting to build a career for myself. I’m working with (and learning from) top class watermen, photographing surf and lifestyle for local surf brands and running a cafe-gallery aptly called ‘Shaka Siargao’. I owe this island and everyone on it my dream. It’s the only way I know how to give back. My dedication I hope is evident in my work which tries to embody the laid-back vibe of the island I feel I owe so much.
Christian Adam, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerChristian Adam
AthleteMike Foley
LocationSquamish, Canada
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Christian Adam
CameraNikon D810
Lens14.0-24.0mm f/2.8
ISO400
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/320
About the shot
Dreamcatcher 14d is one of the most iconic sport climbs in the world. It was first established by Chris Sharma in 2005. I have always wanted to go to Squamish BC to climb and check out this beautiful route.
This was my first time to see the route. I definitely planned on shooting it while I was in Squamish but wasn't sure if anyone would be working it. The time I went up to scout was about five minutes before this photo was taken – I was lucky enough to stumble upon Mike Foley making his final attempt.
I didn't really have time to get set up as well as I wanted, but the platform I was on was just about perfect without going through all the effort of setting up a static line to shoot from. I just held the camera as high as I could in live view mode to shoot. I knew there was a winner in the batch, the light was perfect, and Mike was a great climber to shoot, showing tons of energy and psych.

Biography
I have been a photographer for nine years, and in the spring of 2014 I graduated from Brooks Institute with a Bachelors of Fine Art, specializing in outdoor adventure commercial advertising. I was previously a photo editor for Chris Burkard and interned before that at Corey Rich Productions.
I don't necessarily refer to myself as a photographer but more as an image creator. The camera is just one of many tools to bring the ideas in my head to paper. I strive to not just create pictures, but to create images that really engage the viewer, to leave them saying ‘wow’.
I strive for innovation and exploration every time I go out to shoot and believe that in order to create amazing images there first needs to be an idea or inspiration. The vastness and pure awe of Mother Nature always inspires me to create amazing imagery. My goal as a photographer is to share my experiences and to hopefully inspire the next generation.
Oscar Carrascosa, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerOscar Carrascosa
AthleteNacho Sánchez
LocationAlbarracín, Spain
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Oscar Carrascosa
CameraNikon Df
Lens8.0mm f/3.5
ISO64
F-Stop20.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
The day I took this photo I was in a village near to El Escorial in Madrid, spending a weekend with the climbing team of Trangoworld.
After two days of shooting in the Spanish bouldering paradise I decided that this time I did not want to limit my work to doing action shots. I felt I needed portraits of the athletes.
So I decided to try to mount the tripod with the camera pointing at the sun, and my fisheye lens. I asked the whole team to pass pretending to look into a hole, to infinity.
Undoubtedly I got my objective with the help of Nacho Sánchez, his weather-beaten skin, the serious look, the sun at the perfect height and the tape on his fingers showing the effort that they make to conquer those routes.

Biography
I’m Oscar Carrascosa, when I was a child the only thing I wanted, like kids, was to follow around my older brother. So at only 11-years-old I begged my father for a camera and after months of insistence, I got one! A Práktica MTL.
From that moment I devoted myself to following my brother and taking photos the whole time. This introduced me to a new world of sensations and every new discovery led me closer to my future career.
For many years I dedicated myself to photography, developing in black and white, learning to control the light, the filters and the times in a special form. I fell for analogue photography, but a new way was opened for me up with digital photography. I did not believe the quantity of possibilities that were possible! This began a new stage for me, a professional stage.
In any professional career there are moments that change your life. One of the moments that changed mine, and that made my career take off, was in 2004 when I had the honour of photographing the presentation of the Red Bull car for the Dakar 2005.
From this moment I have not stopped growing as photographer, and today I work with the best brands in the world - Red Bull, Nike, BWIN and Volkswagen. In addition I share this passion with my twin brother Jose Luis and with him I teach photography classes. At 40-years-old I feel lucky to have experienced so much thanks to my camera.
Fabiano Rodrigues, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerFabiano Rodrigues
AthleteAkira Shiroma and Fabiano Rodrigues
LocationRio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Fabiano Rodrigues
CameraHasselblad H4D
LensHC 80mm
ISO400
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
The present work is part of the exhibition RATSREPUS, a skateboard and contemporary art project by myself and Akira Shiroma in Rio. I’m a former professional skateboarder, known today as contemporary artist; Akira is a future contemporary artist, known today as professional skateboarder. Together we inspire and influence each other, working together on different projects. From my obsession with Superman, came the connection with the character Bizarro, this enemy from a parallel universe where everything is inverted, strange and pointless.
Imagine two skateboards in Bizarro's world. They move in a different ways, wearing strange and elegant costumes, and they are headless. Cidade das Artes, the monumental architectural project in Barra neighborhood, became the ideal ghost zone for the production. The videos and photos from the performance developed into a video piece, with soundtrack also composed by me, a series of collages, a zine, and a t-shirt. The camera I used for this project was a Hasselblad H4D, with 80mm f 2.8 lenses, for the best resolution.

Biography
I live and work in São Paulo. Since 2010 my photographic work has explored the position of my own body in relation to the architecture and landscape of urban centers. I prefer symbolic and modernist constructions.
A former professional skateboarder and self-taught photographer, I like to portray myself in movement, capturing the climax of maneuvers within previously planned compositions, using a remote control to shoot the camera. My performative accuracy goes sometimes in harmony, sometimes in disarray, with architectural forms, resulting in geometric images, drawn by a magnificent play of light and shadows.
I shoot mainly in black and white, making single prints. I’ve twice been the recipient of the Banco do Espírito Santo/Shopping Iguatemi Acquisition Award (2012-2013) and once the recipient of the MASP Pirelli Acquisition Award (2013).
Recent exhibitions include Deslize (Rio Art Museum – MAR, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2013-2014), Love and Hate to Lygia Clark (Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw, Poland, 2013-2014), Photo Biennial MASP (São Paulo Art Museum – MASP, São Paulo, Brazil, 2013), and Arte Contemporânea Brasileira (Estação Pinacoteca, São Paulo, Brazil, 2012). I had my first solo exhibition, AUTOCONTROLE, at LOGO gallery, in June 2014, in São Paulo.
Miguel Angel Lopez Virgen, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerMiguel Angel Lopez Virgen
AthleteJose Carmona
LocationGuadalajara, Mexico
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Miguel Angel Lopez Virgen
CameraCanon EOS 7D
Lens24-70mm
ISO160
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
This photo was taken at the invitation of my friends Joel Benitez and José Carmonathey who told me we had to go to this place away from the big city where I live. In this place there were new houses, with a park with slopes that would help to José jump to the street.
Josè was not afraid by try this trick, and I thought I had to push myself like him. When I saw the houses I thought I knew I could play with their geometry and colors, as it was certain the skater would spend time floating in front of them. So I went up to a wooden pole to give me a higher angle. I was very happy to have found the best place regardless of the sun or the fact the pole could fall.
The truth is that taking the picture was a bit difficult as the pole was moving, my feet were on a mesh and my hands could not hold onto anything, only my camera. The photo was taken with a Canon 7D, I put a 28-70mm 2.8 lens for full-frame and I used one flash, the Lumedtye of 200 watts on the right side of the skater to remove some shade. I synchronized the camera and flash with the technique of PocketWizard HyperSync approximately 1/1250.

Biography
My name is Miguel Angel Lopez Virgen and I'm from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. It was through another of my passions – skateboarding that I started taking pictures. I have never studied in a school of photography, but it’s thanks to skateboarding, my family and friends who supported me, and a love of learning new things that I’m here.
I have been a photographer for 15 years and have spent most of this time dedicated to the promotion of skateboarding in my country. I have learned many things, traveled and met amazing people. I have also given some non-profit workshops in my community. Photography has changed me as a person and I now see the world from another perspective.
Currently I continue with my personal photography projects and try to keep learning and experimenting with it. I've become so passionate about photography that I never leave the camera at home!
I hope to continue bringing different things to people and learn from everything that photography can offer. My motto remains the same - when you take a picture, feel the picture, live the picture and do not think too much about the picture.
Eisa Bakos, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerEisa Bakos
AthleteSebastian Keep
LocationCroydon Flyover, United Kingdom
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Eisa Bakos
CameraCanon 5D Mark III
LensEF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
ISO1000
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
Sebastian Keep hit me up one day and showed me a photo of a car park in Brighton and told me he wanted to go down two levels on his bike using a kicker ramp at the top and quarter landing against a wall. Bas being who he is nailed it with no problem and later told me it was just a warm up for the big one.
This gap was also situated at a car park but this time Croydon, south London on a busy main road that meant doing the gap at 7am on a Sunday. The gap still blows my mind; never have I turned up to shoot BMX and been so worried about my friend who was riding.
We had two photographers that day, myself and George Marshall. George had downstairs covered while I was up top. Once I noticed all the curves in the architec-ture there I decided to use my fisheye and get as close as I could without losing Bas in any frame of the sequence.
With something this crazy and with no test run, I wanted the risk of failure to be at a minimum. That meant no flashes, no transmitters, and holding that shutter down until it was safe to let go. I will be very surprised if I ever shoot anything so scary and in-sane again in my life.
The camera I used for this shot was a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a Canon 15mm F2.8 fisheye lens. I used a shutter speed of 1/800 to make sure I avoided the chanc-es of motion blur and minimal noise with the ISO set on 1000 and a personal favour-ite f-stop of f/5.6.

Biography
I live in a small town called Esher just outside of London. I started photography when I was around 16 years old, just taking photos of my friends while out riding in and around London.
My camera started collecting dust when I had to get a full time job and eventually it became super hard to find time and to get motivated to shoot. It wasn’t until 2014 that I decided to seize an opportunity that came to me and commit 100% into pursuing photography full-time.
Photography is my passion as well as BMX. When it comes to BMX trips abroad with a dope crew I like the fact you have no idea what sort of photos you will be shooting, as it's all mostly freestyled when going to a country you have never been to.
Nowadays, I am using most of my time working on my own magazine called 'Endless' that I started in November 2015.
Phil Pham, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerPhil Pham
AthleteTom Cat
LocationMunich, Germany
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Phil Pham
CameraNikon D800
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
Tom is an extraordinary skateboarder. His bag of tricks is just completely different than the average skateboarder in Munich. I thought about this metal tree for a long time, but it was not easy to incorporate it into a skate shot that wouldn't look boring, trick-wise.
Since the tree is missing leaves I thought it would be nice to work with color gels on the flashes. Tom had the perfect trick for the shot, a handstand pogostick.

Biography
Growing up skateboarding, I first got in touch with action sports photography through print magazines. Some photos were surreal and aesthetically really pleasing, as so many subjects were combined into one photo. You could look at them for hours on end. Especially photos in urban settings with impressive architectural backgrounds, those fascinated me. Photography is an evolving art. It will never stand still as the medium changes over time. Especially now, in the time of social media, photography tends to get real faster and just raw. Single shots are not as predominant anymore, and photo and video seem to be merging into a new world of impressionism.
Christopher Radford, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerChristopher Radford
AthleteRyan Lloyd
LocationOtapiri Gorge, New Zealand
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Christopher Radford
CameraPentax K-5
LensSMC Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8
ISO400
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
This piece originated from a sequence I shot of Ryan Lloyd a couple summers back. I'd broken my right shoulder a few weeks earlier and spent most of the afternoon lying on my stomach on top of the landing of the 90° hip.
I knew what I was after, a sequence of a rider in a perfectly symmetrical arc. I knew that the two main ingredients were a tight hip and a rider who can whip the hell out out of it. Ryan came through with his part and the original sequence I ended up with was pretty awesome and Ryan was very happy with it too. But that wasn't good enough for me, I needed to push it a little further, I just wasn't sure how.
After looking up 'parabola' online I came upon dozens of crazy diagrams explaining parabolic curves, got excited about it and simply drew a diagram over the original sequence. At the time I thought it was pretty cool but no one else did. So I forgot about it until more than a year later I stumbled upon some old graph paper at my parents’ house and had a eureka moment.
I shot the paper on a desk with my hand and the pencils. The hard part came next – I had to mask out the original sequence from the background. That done I placed it into the paper shot, added a few filters and pencil strokes which gives it the appearance of being drawn, then with a custom brush to replicate a pencil crayon added all the graph details and words. So from shooting to final realization of an idea, 17 months!

Biography
I'm an amateur photographer who divides his time equally between New Zealand and the UK. I've been lugging a camera around with me for six years now but I've been riding a BMX for well over 30 years, so that was always going to be a natural starting point for my photography.
Sometimes it takes more than just a lens attached to a camera to realize an image as seen through the prism of the mind’s eye. That's where my interest in photo realistic compositing and manipulation was born from. Combining action sports photography with manipulation is always a delicate dance, as I know only too well from my many failures at connecting with my target audience. But you should know I'm a tenacious individual, I wont quit till I've bent your world to fit my vision! Or maybe I'll just keep climbing mountains and taking pictures of sunsets.
Christopher Radford, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerChristopher Radford
AthleteRyan Lloyd
LocationQueenstown, New Zealand
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Christopher Radford
CameraPentax K-5
LensSMC Pentax-M 28mm F2.8
ISO100
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
It’s hard to explain this piece. I shot Ryan Lloyds’s epic 360 lookback a couple years ago. It was just a regular summer’s evening and Ryan was hitting the stratosphere of every lip as usual. But it was very dark and I never much cared for any of the shots.
Then earlier this year I started sifting through old files looking for new ideas and singled out this one. I loved Ryan’s clicked-in lookback but hated the overall composition of the shot. Time to play in the sandbox.
I started by masking out Ryan and his bike from the background. It can be a laborious process with busy backgrounds like this but I relish the challenge. It was during this process that the pop-up book concept crept up on me and took hold.
I started by shooting an open book from several angles before going with the finished viewpoint. I then masked out the book and created a very simple background using only the gradient tool and fibres filter. I wanted the viewer to be drawn into the book and not distracted by anything behind or around it – it's for this reason that I also kept the light source somewhat ambiguous. I'd realized the only way to make this image convincing would be to get the physics right, meaning it would have to work physically in the real world as a pop-up book. To this end I downloaded a few books on the art of said subject and even created a working scale model to get my head around it. That's the short version anyway.

Biography
I'm an amateur photographer who divides his time equally between New Zealand and the UK. I've been lugging a camera around with me for six years now but I've been riding a BMX for well over 30 years, so that was always going to be a natural starting point for my photography.
Sometimes it takes more than just a lens attached to a camera to realize an image as seen through the prism of the mind’s eye. That's where my interest in photo realistic compositing and manipulation was born from. Combining action sports photography with manipulation is always a delicate dance, as I know only too well from my many failures at connecting with my target audience. But you should know I'm a tenacious individual, I wont quit till I've bent your world to fit my vision! Or maybe I'll just keep climbing mountains and taking pictures of sunsets.
Vladimir Voronin, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerVladimir Voronin
AthleteAndrey Grebennikov
LocationRiga, Latvia
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Vladimir Voronin
CameraCanon EOS 600D
LensEF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
ISO100
F-Stop3.5
Shutter Speed1/200
About the shot
In parkour there are both physical and mental challenges to tricks. To achieve this image the athlete made the jump from a thermal tube on to an air-bridge rail. Andrey, the athlete, planned for a month. He said he needed time to overcome the fear mentally.
The difficulty of this trick is that it was necessary to jump over the precipice, over the passing trains from time to time and with that you have no room for error. It was already a difficult jump, but he also had to land on a small rail with both feet, and not miss. That requires special concentration and precise execution.
The whole day we dedicated to training and photography, and at the end of the day, by chance, we were near the desired location. I suggested Andrey go and check the jump one more time, which he did. When he said that he would attempt to land it, I began to lay out the equipment, preparing to take the picture. The resulting image was already made in my head – I just needed to take it.
All in all, everything went fine, Andrey made the jump three times. He was pleased to take this challenge. I was happy that our effort and dedication paid off in the end.

Biography
There are two things without which I can’t imagine my life. First is movement and the second is photography.
It all started when I was about 13 or 14 years old, when my friends and I started to explore an abandoned building in the area. We would play tag and other games, watch sunsets on the roof and we would sometimes set up a campfire there at night. It may sound funny, but it was then that my acquaintance with parkour and photography really began.
After all, what could be better than taking a parent’s old camera, climbing to the roof and taking a picture heroically standing over a precipice on a thin horizontal bar with a sunset as my background?
I have developed this passion to this day, turning it from a hobby to a speciality. Gradually technology updated and with it I gained skills and experience in photography. Now I'm 25, but I'm still the same 14-year-old kid who jumps on the roofs, pipes and railings and takes pictures of my friends and I.
I consider myself an extreme photographer, because my parkour skills allow me to be in the places ordinary people can’t reach. Aside from taking parkour-related pictures I love to photograph other sports, as well as portraits, landscapes, cities, architecture and animals. I’m always happy to try something new – except weddings!
Sometimes it’s really hard but I think people should do exactly what they love the most and always follow their dreams.
Rein Rijke, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerRein Rijke
AthleteElvis Nunes and Nino Jonas
LocationPedra de Lume , Cape Verde
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Rein Rijke
CameraNikon D4
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO640
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/8000
About the shot
I had been to Cape Verde a couple of times before, mostly to do some kitesurfing myself. This time I went to Cape Verde to follow Elvis Nunes, a professional kitesurfer, competing in the World Kite Tour.
But it was not the big waves that got my attention; it was the dream Elvis had to go kitesurfing inside an extinct volcano in his homeland. The moment I looked over the edge, I knew I had the chance to make a shot that was different to all my other kitesurfing photos. The whole crater was covered in salt evaporation ponds that looked like stained glass windows.
In order to get into the volcano, we had to negotiate and it took us a couple of days to get permission from the owners. In the end they allowed us inside the crater for only 30 minutes!
It was an extremely hazy day and I never thought it would be possible to take a good photo, but we were all very excited because it was something no one had done before. With a guard telling me I only had 15 minutes left, I dropped all my gear and started running with my camera to the edge of the crater. It took me ten minutes to run up and I knew I had very limited time to take the shot. When Elvis and Nino Jonas both entered the same evaporation pond, I knew this was the shot I was hoping for.

Biography
I’m a Netherlands-based adventure photographer and for the last two years I have been taking photography a bit more seriously and have started working as a freelance photographer. It’s a bit ironic in a country with no mountains, but as well as working as a photographer, I have a full time job at the Dutch Mountain Federation.
I like adventure sports and if possible I try to combine this with my passion for photography. Creating inspiring images for clients and being in places others cannot reach is something that brings a smile to my face. I like to push myself to the edge, sometimes literally, but always with my camera close at hand.
To me, there is nothing better than to spend time in the mountains or in the ocean, always in search of little adventures that give me the opportunity to come home with unique images.
Balázs Pálfi, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerBalázs Pálfi
AthleteFrançois Le Vot
LocationBudapest, Hungary
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Balázs Pálfi
CameraNikon D3
Lens50.0mm f/1.8
ISO400
F-Stop16.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
As an extreme sport photographer I usually shoot skateboarding, BMX, and car racing. I really wanted to make a series about the Red Bull Air Race too. I was therefore really glad that in 2015 the event was organized in Hungary. So I took my camera, and went to Budapest to take some photos.
I decided to shoot a sequence which could show the rapid change of direction of the airplanes. I was curious also to see how an image could demonstrate height and speed. I was also interested in how wind and smoke would behave in a sequence photo. The whole shoot was a great experience for me.
I took this photo with a Nikon D3 camera with a fixed 50 mm/ f.1.8 lens. I used f.11 F-stop to reach the right focal depth and a shutter speed of 1/1000 to freeze the motion.
Biography
My name is Balázs Pálfi. I’m a 27-year-old photographer from Hungary. I bought my first camera in 2004, when I was 16-years-old. When I finished high school I knew that I wanted to be a photographer. As I didn’t have the chance to study photography at university, I had to practice and acquire knowledge on my own.
After a lot of work and time spent practicing, slowly I got my first contracts. Now I work as a freelance photographer for online and print magazines. Mainly I take photos of athletes, shoot portraits and classical documentary photos.
As I’ve skateboarded since the age of nine, my main interest is focused on extreme sports. That’s why I’d rather choose to photograph outdoor events and dynamic photo shoots.
Roberto Zampino, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRoberto Zampino
AthleteRafael Ribas
LocationSan Vito Lo Capo, Italy
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Roberto Zampino
CameraSamsung Galaxy S6
Lens
ISO40
F-Stop1.9
Shutter Speed1/150
About the shot
I spent one month climbing in San Vito lo Capo in Sicily after the best climbing festival I have ever attended. That specific day I was at the Grotta del Cavallo, the horse cave, a spectacular overhanging wall facing the sea. I just sent a 7c when the light started getting amazing.
I was with my girlfriend trying to teach her about composition and lighting. We climbed until the very end of the cave looking out at the scene. A climber started the same route I had just sent. When he was roughly in the middle of the route the light turned perfect. The red rock lit up with the sunset which lasted for three minutes – three minutes of beauty and harmony.
I was excited but I gave my camera to my girlfriend in order to practice photography, the decision was either get the picture and possibly argue or let the situation flow and keep the peace. So I drew my mobile and shot the photo I was looking for.
Biography
I am a Sicilian photographer and filmmaker. I have been based in Italy, Cyprus and London working as a freelance photographer and commercial and photography teacher. I am specialized in travel, sport, portrait and story-telling (documentary / social photography); conveying powerful pictures embedded with my passion and commitment to the subject.
I like to consider myself an ‘out there’ nomadic photographer, expert in outdoor activities (hiking, climbing, mountaineering, trekking) with the particular talent of adapting to any situation and environment creating strong connections with the subjects of my photography .
I graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Macerata, Italy – specialising in Multimedia communication and I obtained a Master Degree (MA) in Photojournalism and Documentary photography from the London College of Communication (LCC – UAL).
I love photography and believe that it allows me to discover places and people in a very different way. I combine photography with the activities I do such as traveling, climbing and sports in general, which has allowed me to merge my passion and work in a lasting way.
Josef Šulc, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerJosef Šulc
AthleteOndřej Šléz
LocationPrague, Czech Republic
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Josef Šulc
CameraCanon 5D Mark II
LensEF 70-200mm f/4L USM
ISO3200
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
This picture was taken during the filming of ‘Slezhammer’ edit for BMX rider Ondřej Slez. Many people know about this spot but we were the first with no fear to get up and take the shot. It felt like a stairway to heaven when we were climbing up the ladder. This place is located close to the Barrandov Studios but nobody paid attention to what we were doing there. So we could fully focus on the best shot.
Ondřej is an amazing person. His imagination is limitless in all aspects of his life – BMX, tattoo or renovation of his 1967 Ford Mustang. It was one of the most inspirational experiences of my life to be part of the team working on the edit. It was great to see the creativity of the filmmakers (they used 35mm, 16mm and 8mm film).
When I saw all the gear my friends had, it seemed like we were shooting a Hollywood movie – three RED cameras, prime lenses, one 35mm film camera, six people operating the camera and all we got was a four second long shot.
But one of the most intense moments was when we got back to our car and discovered that everything had been stolen. We lost almost all the equipment – thankfully not footage, just a few shots from RED cam.

Biography
I am an action and wedding photographer from the Czech Republic. I love new technologies, places and ideas. Working with a team of the best people is the way to live this awesome life. Recently I started working as a photography lecturer for Fujifilm, which gives me the chance to share my experience with others. My inspiration is people and their freedom of movement!
The journey of many photographers starts the same. You get injured but you feel like you don't want to give up your hobby. I am no exception. Around six years back I had a serious injury while snowboarding. Without realizing it at the time, the new era of my life had begun.
After some time I got back to sport but this time as a photographer. Thanks to my knowledge I know what is expected from different tricks and how they should be executed which means I am able to capture the perfect moment and enjoy it as much.
There are unlimited options to express yourself. While taking a picture you can be relaxed and on different occasions you can experience some serious adrenaline. Photography gives you everything. I would like to pay tribute to all who were involved in developing the photography to give us the chance to snap the important moments in our lives just with one click.
Federico Modica, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerFederico Modica
AthleteMattia Felicetti
LocationTasiilaq, Greenland
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Federico Modica
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO100
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
For every adventure and sport photographer, the dream is to have a unique shot in your portfolio. After many years of climbing, ice climbing, freeriding and some other home adventures, I decided to organize an expedition to realize the shot I had in my mind for a long time – this picture.
I wanted to have a shot of the first slackline ever done on an iceberg. And there we go, me and my friends suddenly organized this expedition. We left Italy to spend 20 days in East Greenland, taking a small boat and looking for icebergs. We finally had the possibility to climb two icebergs and apart from that, to set up and walk the first highline and slackline ever done, on two different icebergs.
I chose to shoot with the best camera and lens I had in my hand in that moment; combining the colors and quality of a full frame 5D Mark III body with the infinite sharpness of a 24-70mm. The situation, the landscape, the light and the athlete did the rest!

Biography
I was born in a small village in Val di Fiemme, in the midst of the Dolomites, in 1990 – I grew up with a passion for mountain sports and became a lover of extreme adventures and hard conditions.
I started photography in 2007 when I was 17. For four years I covered football, volleyball, alpine ski and some other small assignments. As my experience, my gear and my skills grew, I got bigger and bigger jobs, specializing in outdoor photography, lifestyle and commercial shoots.
In 2010 I began participating in photo contests. I won a national prize, I've been selected into the top 10 of the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year award in two categories with four different pictures. I also came third twice at the International Photo Annual Award and have been a finalist in the Sony World Photography Awards. Since that time I started a partnership with Sony for the UNITED project.
Runner, climber, skier, surfer and of course, artist, I’m able to bring action and movement in every shot, even in studio and commercials. Since 2014 I’ve also started video and film projects but always with my own style.
Roberto Bragotto, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerRoberto Bragotto
AthleteFabio Montagner
LocationPossagno, Italy
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Roberto Bragotto
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
ISO800
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/100
About the shot
This is definitely a historical spot. It’s The Canovian Temple, a new classic church designed during the early 19th century by the renowned architect Antonia Canova. Everybody knows this place around here. It’s not a very accessible place, however, literally Holy ground.
Setting our minds to ‘patient mode’, we silently went out on our night shoot. Luck was on our side; we had one of the clearest winter skies we could have hoped for. We acted quickly before we were spotted and kicked out.
I had to create double exposure to get the result I had in mind. I wanted to capture something never seen before, something unique. I wanted a shot that would match the beauty and history of Italian art, modern skateboarding and the nature surrounding it.

Biography
I was born in a little town close to the mountains in 1980. Twenty years later I graduated from college as a graphic designer and photographer. During those years I was able to study and work with analog systems and black and white prints.
After my graduation I did some photographic and calligraphic courses and I've been working as a freelance professional photographer for eight years now. I’ve covered positions for the main snowboard magazines in Italy, and am currently working with international titles as well as extreme sports brands.
I started as a skater, but after three knee surgeries I had to quit and moved to snowboarding. I’m still riding as much as I can. Over the past five years I have dedicated my time to riding and shooting in the backcountry. I also love to shoot any kind of action sport and always stick to my style which distinguishes me.
I believe that photography is a silent and sophisticated form of sensibility, different for every one of us. A real photo should be able to tell a story, a story that stays in your mind forever. I also believe I have the Peter Pan syndrome – I’m a half hippie, half gipsy living in the Italian countryside when not traveling around the world, and still believe in dreams.
Ryan Allan, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRyan Allan
AthleteTom Karangelov
LocationMontreal, Canada
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Ryan Allan
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO320
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
This photo of Tom Karangelov was from an article I did for TransWorld Skateboarding and New Balance shoes.
The concept for the trip was to shoot everything on the iPhone 6 using only the basic extra add-ons – basically to shoot it with the tools an average person would have access to.
This alley is a Montreal hotspot for skateboarding and backs up to some seedy Montreal haunts. This day happened to be garbage day and Tom made use of all the cans in the alley. The cook from the local strip club in the background really makes the shot for me.

Biography
My name is Ryan Allan. I grew up in a small town called Grimsby in Ontario, Canada. It was during my teens in that small town I discovered the joy of photographing my friends skateboarding.
My father was a budding photographer and after ‘borrowing’ his gear and learning the ropes I found joy in the medium.
Years later I founded SBC Skateboard Magazine in Toronto, Canada and it went on to be a major player in the skateboard industry. I now live in Southern California and photograph skateboarding alongside commercial and editorial fashion and lifestyle.
Ryan Allan, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRyan Allan
AthleteLevi Brown
LocationMontreal, Canada
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Ryan Allan
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO80
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
This photo of Levi Brown was from an article I did for TransWorld Skateboarding and New Balance shoes.
The concept for the trip was to shoot everything on the iPhone 6, only using basic extra add-ons – basically to shoot it with the tools an average person would have access to.
Levi was actually supposed to be the team manager for the trip but he is so good that he also won the honor of MVP.
This spot in old Montreal is rather obscure, and when we got out of the van to look at it I really didn’t know what we were looking at. Levi saw the potential though, and got right down to business.

Biography
My name is Ryan Allan. I grew up in a small town called Grimsby in Ontario, Canada. It was during my teens in that small town I discovered the joy of photographing my friends skateboarding.
My father was a budding photographer and after ‘borrowing’ his gear and learning the ropes I found joy in the medium.
Years later I founded SBC Skateboard Magazine in Toronto, Canada and it went on to be a major player in the skateboard industry. I now live in Southern California and photograph skateboarding alongside commercial and editorial fashion and lifestyle.
Patrick Steiner, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerPatrick Steiner
AthleteThomas Feurstein
LocationEast Tyrol, Austria
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Patrick Steiner
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/4L USM
ISO100
F-Stop22.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
In 2014 some parts of Austria got tons of snow. For shooting snowboarding it was the best winter I've ever had. We used the snow to shoot all kinds of different spots. Streetrails, Wallrides, Powlines, jumps and more.
One day we decided to check out a small resort in East Tyrol. After a little scouting we found 2 nice spots to build a kicker. Especially the second spot worked out pretty well. There were many different options to shoot this jump. During the first tries the sun lit the riders from the side and it was a good light to start the session. But later this day the sun travelled behind the jump and I started shooting silhouettes. This was the time when I got the best photos of the session. To get that silhouette look I had to shoot with a shutter speed of 1/1000 and a F-stop of 22.
Biography
Growing up surrounded by mountains in a small village close to Innsbruck I quickly developed my love for mountain sports. At the age of nine I got my first snowboard, and from that day on I spent every free minute in the snow parks.
Sometimes I brought my little point and shoot camera, just to capture some of the great moments I had hanging out with my friends in the mountains.
Later I tried shooting with a friend’s DSLR and it was such a cool experience, I bought one for myself. From that day on photography was my passion and ever since I've tried to spend as much time as possible behind my cam.
Nowadays I'm based in Innsbruck and my favorite thing to shoot is still snowboarding. But as I love being outdoors I enjoy taking photos of all kinds of outdoor-sports and document the lifestyle that goes along with it.
Patrick Steiner, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerPatrick Steiner
AthleteMario Käppeli
LocationDolomites, Italy
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Patrick Steiner
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/4L USM
ISO100
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
This season was kind of strange. The winter started pretty slow and we had to wait for our first good snow days. In March we decided to go to Italy, where the snow-conditions were better than in our home resorts.
Italy didn't disappoint us; we found some nice step downs, kicker spots and some good natural hits. After we got some fresh snow over night, it was time to shoot some lines.
While the riders were hiking up I had time to check out some different angles. First I thought about focusing on the step down in the middle of the line but in the end I wanted to show the whole line and decided to go for the sequence.
I've never shot a sequence that long so I was not sure if the camera could do that many frames in a row. After some test-shots it was clear that I had to lower the picture size to medium jpg and I was ready to go. Mario did the line and after some hours on the computer we got this shot you see now.

Biography
Growing up surrounded by mountains in a small village close to Innsbruck I quickly developed my love for mountain sports. At the age of nine I got my first snowboard, and from that day on I spent every free minute in the snow parks.
Sometimes I brought my little point and shoot camera, just to capture some of the great moments I had hanging out with my friends in the mountains.
Later I tried shooting with a friend’s DSLR and it was such a cool experience, I bought one for myself. From that day on photography was my passion and ever since I've tried to spend as much time as possible behind my cam.
Nowadays I'm based in Innsbruck and my favorite thing to shoot is still snowboarding. But as I love being outdoors I enjoy taking photos of all kinds of outdoor-sports and document the lifestyle that goes along with it.
Mike Yoshida, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerMike Yoshida
AthleteForest Bailey
LocationNagano, Japan
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Mike Yoshida
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO1000
F-Stop3.5
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
This spot in particular was something we saw on the way to shoot another feature. We drove by the parking lot several times, and each day the parking lot was packed full of people. Not ideal for what we wanted to do, so we really had to plan to shoot it at the end of the day, so less people were around.
Our guide was not optimistic about shooting this location, as we were sure to get kicked out. After sessioning a spot just around the corner, we decided to give the feature a quick look to see if anyone was there. It was towards the end of the day, and luckily the parking lot was completely clear!
The crew made quick work of placing snow in the landing and prepping the in run. Just as the sun was going down we nailed this shot, cleaned up the spot, and no one knew we had even been there. Quick hit and run street spots are sometimes like getting away with burglary. It's so rewarding when you get the shot, and get out without any hassle, and without anyone knowing.

Biography
My name is Mike Yoshida. I am a photographer and grew up in Homer, Alaska. I have relocated to Bellingham, Washington and also spend quite a bit of time in California and traveling.
I started photography at a young age when a skateboarding injury left me on crutches for several months. During my healing time I realized that photography was something that I truly enjoyed.
When I fully healed up, I ended up moving to the mountains to pursue my love for the outdoors and snowboarding. This is when I realized I could fuse the two things that I loved the most: snowboarding and photography.
I moved on to spend my summers at Mt Hood shooting for the snowboard camps there, and soon after landed a gig with K2 Snowboards as a staff photographer.
I ended up working with K2 for four years, and moved on to work for Snowboarder Magazine as an associate photo editor, and nowadays I also help manage their instagram account.
Daniele Molineris, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerDaniele Molineris
AthleteGiuliano Bordoni
LocationSan Martino di Castrozza, Italy
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Daniele Molineris
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO200
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
This picture was taken in San Martino di Castrozza during the King of Dolomites contest. It was the third day of the contest and was a very bad condition day for skiing and taking pictures. We were in the Rosetta refuge waiting for the sun but it was foggy and snowy and Giuliano decided to do something different.
There is a couloir not so far from the refuge and we decided to make some pictures there. I went on top of the couloir by a not so hard way and Giuliano started the climb from the base. Due to the weather conditions the climb was not so easy; it was cold and there was so much snow on the rocks especially in the final part. I started shooting with a tele zoom lens and then with a wide angle when Giuliano was very close.
This picture was taken with a Canon Eos 1DX and a 16-35mm lens at 16mm. I used a shutter speed of 1/1250 sec to freeze the action and an aperture of f/5.0 to have the face of Giuliano completely in focus and the background and foreground blurred.

Biography
I am 36 and I live in a small town in the west Italian Alps. I started photography in 2004 when I was 24 and I began for one reason: I was an employee of a graphic designer for printed paper media and was often looking for high-res pictures to put in my work and for this reason only I decided to buy my first camera.
For me editing was not the real problem because I was already a Photoshop user, the real problem was the use of the camera. I started to study by myself by night and in my free time because I was very curious and I discovered a real passion.
After a lot of time spent with my camera and with some real clients I resigned from my then job in 2012 and started my career as a freelance, always with an eye on my other passion: outdoor sports.
Now, after four years my job works fine, I work for some of the best athletes and brands in outdoor sports and I’m very happy, seriously happy!
Miloš Štáfek, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerMiloš Štáfek
AthleteRichard Gasperotti
LocationKlášterec nad Ohří, Czech Republic
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Miloš Štáfek
CameraCanon EOS-1Ds Mark III
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO640
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
This photo was taken on the bobsled track 20km away from my house. I discovered the track when I was looking for the perfect location for a shoot. When I saw the track I immediately thought that it would be possible to ride it.
The photo was taken as part of the Kill Hill project in cooperation with freerider Richard Gasperotti. We spent two days on the track. I picked the sharpest curve. The track was pretty overgrown so we had to use a saw to clean it. I found a tree and cleared the view, pulling the other trees out of the way using ropes.
I placed two flashes facing each other and climbed the tree, about 10m high. I used a 16mm lens for the shot. The photo didn't require a whole lot of adjustments.
When I was looking for a photo for Red Bull Illume I was trying to come up with something different and unusual. At first I was going to combine two images, but I didn't like the shape. I thought of a circle. I combined four images into a single one. I cleared away the redundant people and created the eye. I was finally pleased with the outcome.

Biography
Milos is a 37 year old photographer from the Czech Republic, taking pictures of sports and landscape, trying to experiment with a camera and try a new level of image. He has not studied at photography school, he is constantly learning and improving.
Ciarán Heurteau, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerCiarán Heurteau
AthleteSven Lämmler
LocationRauma, Norway
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Ciarán Heurteau
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO500
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
We’d just done the lower section of the Rauma river in Norway and all the boys were fired up to do Fleming’s drop.
I’d always seen photos from the river’s right bank, so I ferried above the drop and went to the left side to see if there would be a good angle. When I got there I saw a ledge but not only was it super thin – with a 30m drop below – it was really narrow as well. I was by myself, with no trees at this spot to tie a rope around.
Sven, who had just won rock paper scissors to go first, was impatiently waiting to go, so I just went for it and jumped. I got myself in position, took a few test shots, tried to get as close as possible to the edge and whistled that I was ready.
Sven got totally submerged as he went over the waterfall, which can happen on such a big volume drop. I was stoked that he made it without any problems, but I was gutted that after all that effort I didn’t get the shot.
I was struggling to get back up on the bank, because the wall I’d jumped down was covered in moss, and Sven shows up out of nowhere. He tells me to wait because he’s going to jump. I got all excited again, because I knew he could do some amazing jumps. I gave another whistle to say I was ready and he does a jump that I’d never seen him do before. He later told me that the rotations he did were called a pike to branny to back tuck.

Biography
I started photography in 2010 after an accident in which I spent 12 hours deep in the New Zealand bush with a dislocated shoulder. We had just gone heli-kayaking on the Kokotai river on South Island. About half way through the run I got stuck in a hole and my shoulder popped. We didn’t manage to get it back in so two of my friends went to get rescue, and one stayed with me.
After getting winched out (yes, it was painful!) and two shots of morphine, the doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to kayak anymore, the nerve damage was too big after 12 hours of being dislocated.
I only had kayaking in my life – no degree, no jobs on the side, so I started to freak out about what life was going to be. I had saved up a bit of money, so I went and bought my first camera, started to film and take photos of my friends kayaking. A few months later, after a lot of hard work, my shoulder was back to being normal, I did the kayak Slalom World Championships in Slovenia and I’d go out shooting whenever I wasn’t training or racing.
Now filming and photography has allowed me to travel to some of the most remote places on earth, to document a sport that has been with me since I was seven.
Fabrice Wittner, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerFabrice Wittner
AthleteLeo Taillefer
LocationSan Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
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Fabrice Wittner
CameraNikon D4S
Lens17.0-35.0mm f/2.8
ISO400
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
In August 2015, the freeskier Léo Taillefer told me his new sponsor was in urgent need of photos with powder. We knew we'd never get that January winterish look during summer in France so Léo decided to go fetch some powder in Argentina. My schedule was almost full until November but it was hard to refuse such an offer.
Everything was last minute but went perfectly. Niki Salencon and the Etxart brothers, Federico and Peter hosted us before leaving for our goal: Refugio Frey. Every morning we hiked to another spot from that freeriders’ hut in Bariloche’s backcountry. We spent six days riding up there – just long enough to feel the magic of Patagonia.
Léo had noticed an almost naturally formed hip. It would have been beautiful if the landing wasn't trashed by tracks. It ruined the perfection of the spot but I decided to take the shot anyway and to figure out if it was worth it or not later on.
Back home, I was still upset with those tracks. I decided to make them disappear by pushing the contrast to an unreasonable level. A few adjustments later, I was done.

Biography
I began my artistic journey through drawing, painting and tattooing. After six years as a professional outdoor photographer, I joined the Slack.fr team as a senior photographer and creative manager where my time is divided between developing creative content for the slackline company and traveling the world for photo projects.
During those years, I've worked with global outdoor press and brands. Today, my attachment to Slack.fr allows me to be a bit more selective with my work and definitely spend more time on personal projects.
2015 was a great year for traveling and shooting. It started in January with a trip to Japan where I witnessed and fully appreciated a two meter snow pack. In September Leo Taillefer dragged me on a freeski trip to Patagonia.
After a short stay in France, I flew to Vietnam to shoot the last part of a portrait project based on the traditions of ethnic minorities. Photography has always brought me that daily dose of inspiration and motivation I need. The focus might change but the creative process remains vital to me.
Fabrice Wittner, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerFabrice Wittner
AthleteJulien Millot and Arnaud Longobardi
LocationChamonix, France
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Fabrice Wittner
CameraNikon D4S
Lens17.0-35.0mm f/2.8
ISO2500
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/4000
About the shot
Julien Millot had this idea to come back to the Couloir de l’Ensa in Chamonix with a crazy project – to fly a wingsuit underneath a highline. It would be a technical trick but doable, from what the wingsuiters said.
We rigged the highline in the sunset and made everything ready for the morning. Wingsuiters were allowed to fly a short time early morning before leaving Chamonix sky free for paragliders during the day.
The next morning, the first lift arrived on top of the Brévent to unleash the first flying men. The ballet could start! Men walked the line while others flew under. It was madness! For the last run, Julien invited one of the top french speed riders to play and fly under his feet. Arnaud Longobardi was quite exited to rush under his highlining friend too.
The action was real quick and the sequence was definitely the best option regarding the curve Arnaud took with his wing. I was literally amazed when I released the trigger. I knew it would be a perfect shot once the sequence was made.

Biography
I began my artistic journey through drawing, painting and tattooing. After six years as a professional outdoor photographer, I joined the Slack.fr team as a senior photographer and creative manager where my time is divided between developing creative content for the slackline company and traveling the world for photo projects.
During those years, I've worked with global outdoor press and brands. Today, my attachment to Slack.fr allows me to be a bit more selective with my work and definitely spend more time on personal projects.
2015 was a great year for traveling and shooting. It started in January with a trip to Japan where I witnessed and fully appreciated a two meter snow pack. In September Leo Taillefer dragged me on a freeski trip to Patagonia.
After a short stay in France, I flew to Vietnam to shoot the last part of a portrait project based on the traditions of ethnic minorities. Photography has always brought me that daily dose of inspiration and motivation I need. The focus might change but the creative process remains vital to me.
Fabrice Wittner, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerFabrice Wittner
AthleteAndy Lewis
LocationVerrière, France
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Fabrice Wittner
CameraNikon D4S
Lens85.0mm f/1.8
ISO320
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
Every June, a huge festival gathers all the best outdoor athletes in Millau in the south of France. This has been the place to meet up with the best slackliners from all over the world for many years. It had been a couple of years since I last saw my friend Andy Lewis, and I was glad to see him after quite a long time.
One morning, Andy and some friends took me to shoot a jump from the Verrières bridge. I'd shot that bridge the year before, from the inside of the gutter, so I was looking for a new angle. The guys would jump over their open wings so I knew they were about to jump when I saw the wings hanging from the edge.
In the morning rush, we forgot the radios so I had to wait, finger on the trigger. I wanted the whole scenery in my frame but I knew it would appear pretty small so I decided to go for a sequence. From my angle, I couldn’t see Andy climbing the fence that separates the road from the gutter, I just saw him taking off and started to press the button.

Biography
I began my artistic journey through drawing, painting and tattooing. After six years as a professional outdoor photographer, I joined the Slack.fr team as a senior photographer and creative manager where my time is divided between developing creative content for the slackline company and traveling the world for photo projects.
During those years, I've worked with global outdoor press and brands. Today, my attachment to Slack.fr allows me to be a bit more selective with my work and definitely spend more time on personal projects.
2015 was a great year for traveling and shooting. It started in January with a trip to Japan where I witnessed and fully appreciated a two meter snow pack. In September Leo Taillefer dragged me on a freeski trip to Patagonia.
After a short stay in France, I flew to Vietnam to shoot the last part of a portrait project based on the traditions of ethnic minorities. Photography has always brought me that daily dose of inspiration and motivation I need. The focus might change but the creative process remains vital to me.
Samo Vidic, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerSamo Vidic
AthleteJonathan Paredes
LocationVictoria Falls, Zambia
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Samo Vidic
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO500
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/3200
About the shot
The second half of 2015 was not too good for me regarding business – I had surgery on my shoulder and I was struggling with jobs. After I got the call to ask if I could go on an assignment to shoot Orlando Duque and Jonathan Parades diving from Victoria Falls, I was highly motivated. I know both athletes and it is always fun to work with them. Besides, the location was amazing.
On the day of the main shoot we arrived at the location, which I had not seen before. There weren't a lot of angles. There were two of us taking photos and the second photographer decided to go on the right side. I was looking for a nice angle on the left. The most important aspect was to find an angle where the divers would be as far as possible in front of the waterfall as you cannot really see them with the rocks in the background.
I spoke to Orlando and Jonathan, told them what I wanted and they both told me where approximately they would fly. I was really happy with this one! You can see the height of 30m on this photo. It is really full of energy. And this was the only time that Jonathan dived from that height. No room for mistakes!

Biography
Born and raised in Bled, Slovenia, I started as an amateur photographer at the age of 17. Fascinated by what could be done with different cameras, lenses and film, I gained knowledge really fast and soon realized that this could be my dream job someday. At the age of 23 I started working as a professional photographer.
Since 2005 I have been shooting for Red Bull, traveling the world and taking photos of the world's best athletes. I am a team member of Limex Images, a Getty Images contributor, covering different sports events for them. I also work with some leading sport companies and take photos for their advertising campaigns.
My photos have appeared in the world’s most prestigious magazines, such as Outside, L’Equipe, ESPN. I am also a Canon Explorer and F-Stop Global Icon. In 2014 I was the winner of the wings category in Red Bull Illume, and am a multiple winner of the Slovenian press photo award.
Paul Bride, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerPaul Bride
AthleteMarc-Andre Leclerc
LocationBen Nevis, United Kingdom
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Paul Bride
CameraCanon EOS 5DS
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO400
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/125
About the shot
I was with climbers Paul McSorely and Marc-Andre Leclerc, the weather was getting worse and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to capture much, but their spirits were high.
“I love bad weather.” Those were Marc's exact words as we hiked by headlamp through the rain up from the car park to Ben Nevis. As dawn approached, the freezing level was dropping and the rain gradually turned to sleet then snow. But this is what Scottish winter climbing is all about – bad weather mixed with full-on conditions.
Small avalanches were pouring down the rock face and spindrift was filling my camera lens constantly. Perched on a ledge system I was spending more time clearing snow from the lens hood than shooting.
Marc was on lead, and while he moved higher up the wall Paul was being hammered by constant sluff at the belay. I down-climbed off the perch, crossed the gully and was able to capture this single image. Both climbers finished the route, a motivating force to witness.
Biography
I am a professional adventure and travel photographer residing in Squamish, BC, Canada. My photography career began back in 1995 when my girlfriend, and now wife, loaned me a point and shoot camera for a six-month solo trip through Asia. Armed with eight rolls of film I quickly realized I needed a better camera, and wanted to keep traveling.
Twenty years later I’m still on the road but now shoot for some of the top outdoor companies in North America, and I have a way better camera!
In a fast paced digital era I have stayed true to my style of shooting in natural light, creating images composed of clean lines and searching out unique locations.
Paul Bride, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerPaul Bride
AthleteJon Walsh and Michelle Kadatz
LocationBugaboo Provincial Park, Canada
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Paul Bride
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO200
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/125
About the shot
The warm sun was baking the inside of my tent, as I crawled out Jon Walsh and his partner Michelle Kadatz were already up drinking coffee and making breakfast. We were in Bugaboo National Park in British Columbia, Canada and it was shaping up to be a beautiful day.
Jon and Michelle were putting up a new route on the Pigeon Spires and I was there to photograph their progress over the next week.
I love shooting in the mountains but the weather can change at a moment’s notice and the Bugaboos are famous for bad storms.
Sitting atop a cliff I had scrambled I had a great view to capture the route, yet could also see a black sky and lightning moving in fast.
The rain started, and in an instant the storm was upon us.
Jon and Michelle hunkered down in a chimney on the wall and I scrambled back to the glacier seeking refuge under an overhang.
Everything was soaked including us. We all met up at the base of the route. We thought the day was over.
Sitting on the glacier we chatted and started to dry out, the sky was still black but the rain had stopped and high winds blew through the valley drying an exposed thin crack up the steep granite. The team still wanted to climb and decided to give the route a go. As they moved higher up the wall I got into position hoping the day wouldn’t be a total loss.
Half way up the route a beam of sunlight broke through the black sky, shining directly onto the climbers, it only lasted a few seconds. It never hurts to have a little luck on your side.

Biography
I am a professional adventure and travel photographer residing in Squamish, BC, Canada. My photography career began back in 1995 when my girlfriend, and now wife, loaned me a point and shoot camera for a six-month solo trip through Asia. Armed with eight rolls of film I quickly realized I needed a better camera, and wanted to keep traveling.
Twenty years later I’m still on the road but now shoot for some of the top outdoor companies in North America, and I have a way better camera!
In a fast paced digital era I have stayed true to my style of shooting in natural light, creating images composed of clean lines and searching out unique locations.
Viktor Lyagushkin, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerViktor Lyagushkin
AthleteIgor Azhikin
LocationTver, Russian Federation
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Viktor Lyagushkin
CameraNikon D4S
Lens16.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop9.0
Shutter Speed1/100
About the shot
It was a typical training dive. I had just got a new camera – a Nikon D4s and Subal underwater housing for it and badly wanted to see how the camera worked underwater. Most underwater pictures are taken with a wide-angle lens, so I took my trusty Nikkor 16mm/2.8 fisheye.
The nearest place with pure water is 180km away from my home, a well-known Tver quarry. I asked my friend and freediving instructor Igor Azhikin to accompany me.
The weather was wonderful, 10 below zero and bright sun. The surroundings of the quarry are very poor, so divers brought a table and other items to lessen the boredom.
So we made a hole in the ice and Igor began to dive, at first he was just swimming, then began to do yoga asanas, hanging upside down. Then he started to sit down at the table, pretending he was working. I continued to take photographs, though I started to worry about his safety. There is a lot of mud at the bottom, and it was rising with the movements of our fins and visibility was changing. Igor could see the ice hole, however, so everything was ok and we went home happy.

Biography
My name is Viktor Lyagushkin and I am based in Moscow. Everything important in my life has happened incidentally. For 20 years I’ve worked in magazines as a designer, journalist and photographer.
I became a professional photographer in 1998. It happened that our staff photographer was busy and the editorial office had to send me as photographer. It was the beginning. Then, just by chance, I began to dive and almost casually passed technical diving courses. From 2003 I started to use an underwater camera.
For me it would be ideal if the entire world was plunged into darkness, so I could paint it again, illuminating it with flashes according to my taste, and people would see the world in a new way.
I am fascinated with the moment when a person overcomes circumstances or oneself and become different.
From 2011 I have been a contributor for National Geographic Magazine. I am a Nikon ambassador and Subal Pro Team member.
Nicolas Brizin, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerNicolas Brizin
AthleteRomain Baghe
LocationDigne-les-Bains, France
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Nicolas Brizin
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens50mm
ISO400
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I really like this shot. Just after a storm in a spot called Les Terres Noires in France.
The dirt was soft and it was impossible to ride the big line. So we started small euro tables on a small kick down to the ridge.
It was the third day of the trip so I was bored of 70-200mm and 300mm shots. I wanted to be inside the action, close to the wheels, catching the spokes and dirt flying.
This is a lucky shot because if the camera setting is easy with a manual 14mm 2.8, the composition isn’t easy with the camera high. Most important was the position and the style of the rider. Romain needed three attempts and the composition was ok. Lucky, once again!

Biography
I'm a French guy who lives in Andorra. I’ve always said I'm lucky when the first shot is good. But this is normal if your first camera was the old parental Yashica from the 70s!
After working in the snowboard industry, I was chief editor for a French online MTB magazine. It was a pretty cool experience, working with the best French riders was so sweet and easy.
Now, I'm working for a bike company, in the marketing department. It's so cool to shoot just for fun and only on exciting projects. One more time, I'm lucky.
The most interesting part of a job in mountain biking photography is working with talented people. Every year, a young ripper is coming through and pushing everyone to work harder. This is what I'm trying to do, without pressure and discreetly.
The most interesting aspect of a sports picture is the action, the right action in the right place with good light. This specific moment is impossible to duplicate, the best picture is often the first one, or second, with natural attitude and the lucky time. Always lucky.
I'm so proud to be in the Red Bull Illume contest and I'm hoping you enjoy all of the amazing photos this contest highlights.
Dmitriy Tibekin, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerDmitriy Tibekin
AthleteAnton Evstifeev
LocationSaint Petersburg, Russian Federation
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Dmitriy Tibekin
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO400
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/3200
About the shot
It was my first day with Tracers Hotel crew. Before shooting that day they built a kicker near the spire and I made a couple of pictures with the wide-angled lens. Some people were watching us from the university building opposite, but we were so passionate about the process we didn't pay any attention to them.
During the break our rider was tagged in instagram; one of the observers had taken a picture of us and it was a great perspective. We sent a message to the guy who turned out to be a university student. He helped me to get into the university where I made this beautiful shot.
Biography
Photography is my way to explore the world and to show people what they cannot see. When I started to dance 16 years ago I tried various forms of self-expression in the art. I came to the photography when I started to shoot travels of my breakdance crew but it was just for fun.
Later, at the age of 18, I left my hometown, a small Siberian city called Barnaul and headed to the cultural capital of Russia. Saint-Petersburg determined my further evolution in photography but until 2013 it was still just a hobby.
That was revolutionary year for me. I’d never traveled and shot as much during one year: Finland, Germany, Ukraine, Belarus and more than 10 cities in different corners of Russia. I stopped my advertising career and concentrated on photography. The next important step was to start shooting for Red Bull, which gave me even more opportunities to fulfill my potential.
Daniel Deak Bardos, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerDaniel Deak Bardos
AthleteBrian Grubb
LocationPamukkale, Turkey
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Daniel Deak Bardos
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 35mm f/1.4L USM
ISO100
F-Stop3.2
Shutter Speed1/200
About the shot
With Red Bull athlete projects sometimes it’s almost impossible to plan your shot in advance. I saw lots of location-shots, as the Cleopatra-Pool is a well-known touristic geothermic pool in Pamukkale, Turkey. But that just gives you a first impression of what maybe is possible and what maybe makes no sense. What I noticed was a pool barely deep enough to ride on it – surrounded by a Café with lots of tables and other objects I would have to avoid in my images somehow.
First I did a lot with my water housing and with a GoPro inside the water, but in the end this was my favorite photo. I shot it from a roof almost over the pool – a perfect angle to see everything in the water and make it look a bit surreal. Even if we had to wait after each ride to have glassy water, Brian just needed a few hits to get this shot done.

Biography
I was born and live in Munich but I have a Hungarian surname in case you’re wondering. After finishing my photography education around 2001 I started working for a German snowboard magazine (MBM). Besides taking pictures of my favorite sport I learned how to edit, design and publish a print magazine. It was a great five years for sure!
Besides that I started to do my own wakeboarding magazine (Wakeboarder Europe Magazine) around 2005. But unluckily we had to stop publishing after a couple of years. Nevertheless I still had the passion for wakeboarding and really love to shoot it.
Then I moved on to a leading high-end image editing studio for almost two years. I think that improved my Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator skills considerably.
Since 2010 I have been a freelance photographer for sports, advertising and fashion. I specialize in watersports but love snow as well! My awesome long-time clients include ION (Boards&More), Rixen, TSG, Red Bull and Starelation.
Claudia Ziegler, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerClaudia Ziegler
AthleteRobert Machacek
LocationSalzburg, Austria
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Claudia Ziegler
CameraNikon D4
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO800
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
This location is almost right around the corner from me in Austria but stumbling through the thick forest to look for a good spot to shoot felt like being in a jungle on another continent. Finally standing at the edge of the opposite cliff I was so excited about this shot.
I knew that no one ever took a photo from this location, which made it as exciting as being the first person on top of a mountain. Still, I was not yet satisfied with my angle. So I made my way back to my car to grab my stash of climbing gear. I never leave home without it, you know, just in case! I fixed a rope and abseiled over a lot of loose rock. This changed the whole game and gave me a unique view of the three water-falls.

Biography
I got into photography when I got my first camera at the age of six. I started my education in photography at the Höhere Graphische, Vienna. In addition to my art-degree at the school of Friedl Kubelka I also worked for the photo agency Anzenberger.
I never imagined myself to be an outdoors and sports photographer until I started climbing myself at 22. Since then I have been in a constant quest for the most interesting light and atmospheric conditions to experience moments of beauty, drama and, above all, intensity.
Now my images are used in catalogues for international companies such as Salewa, Jack Wolfskin, Ice Peak and Edelrid, and are featured regularly in magazines throughout the world.
My chief focus in photography is outdoor sports such as climbing, skiing, canyoning, paragliding, base jumping, kayaking etc. I like to call my individual style ‘dynamic photography’ which is my way of expressing the constant tensions between the activity I am shooting, the naturalness of the environment and the originality I bring to my images.
Claudia Ziegler, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerClaudia Ziegler
AthleteBernhard Marsden
LocationTicino, Switzerland
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Claudia Ziegler
CameraNikon D4
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO400
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
Spending a few days with the Deep Canyoning Team is a special experience in itself. This team has so many different characters and they are certainly never boring. The tie that binds this team together is their love of canyoning. But not in the traditional manner; they combine canyoning with cliff diving.
Where other people would abseil, they will jump with acrobatic grace. The waterfalls in this image were at one of the last locations we visited. By now I'd already seen some really unbelievable jumps. Yet, standing on top of this jump I could just not im-agine how this could be possible. How can someone hit that little hole, especially whilst doing a back flip? It seems totally surreal to me and I told the athlete that no picture is worth getting hurt. But he simply smiled at me and told me it is not a big deal. Well I still think that it is and the achievements of those daring athletes are beyond belief.

Biography
I got into photography when I got my first camera at the age of six. I started my education in photography at the Höhere Graphische, Vienna. In addition to my art-degree at the school of Friedl Kubelka I also worked for the photo agency Anzenberger.
I never imagined myself to be an outdoors and sports photographer until I started climbing myself at 22. Since then I have been in a constant quest for the most interesting light and atmospheric conditions to experience moments of beauty, drama and, above all, intensity.
Now my images are used in catalogues for international companies such as Salewa, Jack Wolfskin, Ice Peak and Edelrid, and are featured regularly in magazines throughout the world.
My chief focus in photography is outdoor sports such as climbing, skiing, canyoning, paragliding, base jumping, kayaking etc. I like to call my individual style ‘dynamic photography’ which is my way of expressing the constant tensions between the activity I am shooting, the naturalness of the environment and the originality I bring to my images.
Russell Ord, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerRussell Ord
AthleteTaj Burrow and Mark Mathews
LocationThe Right, Australia
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Russell Ord
CameraNikon D800
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/4.0
ISO320
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
The phone always starts to ring off the hook when there is the possibility of a large swell hitting my way. This time Mark was rattling off some crazy idea about double towing at ‘The Right’, and at the same time he would shoot Taj Burrow from behind.
A few thoughts popped into my head. Firstly, Mark is absolute crazy as this may go extremely wrong, secondly, that if Mark gets the shot he is going to put a lot of photographers out of business and they will have to pick up their games, including myself.
On this day both Mark and Taj started with a couple of warm-up waves, smaller, cleaner and user-friendly. However it didn’t take long for Mark to say, “lets go this one”. I could see this dark mutant beast coming from miles away and knew it was one of the biggest waves of the day. They both let go of the rope so there was no escape; they were at the mercy of the ocean. I documented a piece of history, the wave decided not to participate – it shut down violently. Taj made it to safer ground, however Mark got the beating of his life.

Biography
I’m based in Margaret River, Western Australia with my beautiful wife Catherine and three kids Kalani, Tavian and Ayla.
I am an ex-fireman by trade, and my journey into surf photography started 15 years ago when I injured my knee surfing. Instead of sitting on the couch for three months I picked up a camera and spent the days at the beach shooting friends. That injury transformed my life, a passion for photography was born and now I love to capture the beauty of the sea.
My main focus over the past seven years has been to steer clear of the crowds, explore the rugged Western Australian coastline, swim into some of the heaviest waves imaginable and push my photographic boundaries in waves of consequence. I have moved away from capturing every single moment, and now I'm just trying to get that one moment that's challenging to me.
So that means swimming right into impact zone, my whole life revolves around that journey; what I eat, how I breathe and how I train.
Silas Stein, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerSilas Stein
AthleteMatthew Litherland
LocationUlm, Germany
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Silas Stein
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO500
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I shot this photo in January 2016 with my friends Matthew Litherland and Nicolai Blaser. We went to Ulm to shoot some photos in an old building. Luckily for us the skatepark in the building had been restored a few weeks before we arrived.
It was a Saturday evening. We had special permission to ride the skatepark after the regular opening times. We spent about four hours in the park and had the whole building to ourselves. After a few test shots I found the angle I wanted. My dude Matt aired out of the ramp and I took the photo. The first shot was already pretty good.
We had the idea that Nicolai could hold the tripod with the fixed portable flash over the ramp to create an interesting shadow on the transition and floor. I was shocked how close Matt got to the light. I used a short exposure time and full flash power. With that much flash power I could create a dark mood and take away all other light in the building.

Biography
I was born in Germany in 1994 and started photography when I was 14-years-old. I took a small compact camera from my parents and photographed everything I was interested in. When I was 17 I bought my own camera equipment and started working for a running and triathlon magazine. In 2013 I started an apprenticeship as a photographer in a photo studio in Rottweil, Germany.
In my free time I ride my downhill bike through the Black Forest in southern Germany. My interests in BMX and skateboarding started during my apprenticeship. My roommates got me motivated to start taking pictures of them. We went on small trips to local skateparks with huge success.
The fascinating thing about sport photography is that sometimes you have one chance to capture the moment in a fraction of a second, because it can't always be repeated. For me, photography is more than a job, it's my passion and I want to produce the best quality images I can.
Nathaniel Harrington, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerNathaniel Harrington
AthleteBlake Speir
LocationSebastian Inlet, FL , United States
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Nathaniel Harrington
CameraCanon EOS 70D
LensEF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
ISO200
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
It was a smaller day at Sebastian Inlet so a few of the groms were just looking for a way to have a little more fun. Because of the low tide Blake had to jump into a bit of a hole in the sand bar which was built up along the pier. All the water was pulling me around so framing the shot was a little tricky, but I knew I had to get it.
I never see this much of the pilings and it just looked so cool with all the barnacles and growth showing. When Blake jumped in his own stylish way I knew we nailed a pretty unique perspective of Sebastian Inlet. He landed in a good amount of water and we went on to have a great session.

Biography
I began shooting action sports in 2002 in Minnesota where I was born and raised. I tried sneaking my way into an Academy Snowboard camp at Wild Mountain, MN using photography as the method to get me in. It turned out that I ended up shooting more than snowboarding, and the passion was born. I continued shooting snowboarding from the age of 15 until the age of 25, and have been published in major magazines.
However travel from snowboarding led me to the ocean, where a new passion was sparked - a love for the surf and the ocean. I now live on the East Coast in Florida, travel, and endlessly document surfing and surf culture. I am primarily known as a water photographer recognized for unique angles with crisp, critical focal points. I’ll swim all day everyday if there’s enough surf to perform on.
My images can be found in features with Surfing Magazine, Surfer Magazine, Surfline, Six Magazine, Eastern Surf Magazine and many more publications.
Vegard Aasen, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerVegard Aasen
AthleteUnknown
LocationHakuba, Japan
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Vegard Aasen
CameraHUAWEI P8
Lens
ISO64
F-Stop2.0
Shutter Speed1/3200
About the shot
This winter some friends and I went to Hakuba in Japan to ski some deep powder and big mountains. The day this shot was taken was a really windy one but the snow was still really good, so we went out into the backcountry. One of my friends brought his DSLR camera, so I decided to not bring my camera because I wanted to ski instead of taking photos.
We hiked for a while, and discovered a group hiking across the ridge above us. The wind and the clouds looked amazing, so my friend took out his camera and started shooting. I hated myself for not bringing my camera. Luckily I had my mobile phone in my pocket. I could not see anything on the screen, but obviously managed to aim pretty well.
A week later, I scrolled through my phone, while waiting for sushi at a restaurant. I had completely forgotten about the shot, so I was pretty stoked when I found it. I edited it to black and white in Photoshop Express on my phone, and was really happy with the result.

Biography
I was born in 1991, and grew up surrounded by wilderness in a tiny village in western Norway. My childhood gave me a fascination for nature and wildlife that only grew stronger when I got older. As a teenager I also fell in love with skiing and climbing, and my photography was pulled in this direction. As a natural progression, I started working with videography as well. In recent years my work has been focused on skiing, climbing and other extreme sports, as well as landscapes, nature and wildlife. I now live in a small town called Sogndal not far from where I grew up, where I´m running VERI Media together with Knut-Hendrik Lajord Snitjer and Eric James Ryan.
Vegard Aasen, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerVegard Aasen
AthleteTrygg Samuel Lindkjølen
LocationSogndal, Norway
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Vegard Aasen
CameraHUAWEI P8
Lens
ISO64
F-Stop2.0
Shutter Speed1/6400
About the shot
My friends are really good skiers, way better than me. So when they are building huge BC kickers I am happy to take photos instead of killing myself trying to do tricks I don’t know how to do.
This photo is from one of this winter’s BC kicker sessions. I did not bring my camera because I was skiing on this day and not taking photos. But the Red Bull Illume mobile category popped into my head, so I went over to the kicker to take some shots.
I tried the burst function on my phone, which was surprisingly fast. Way faster than my Canon 5D Mark II, but really hard to use. The auto-focus missed all the time, and the camera did not work properly because of the low temperature.
Anyway, some of the photos turned out pretty good, including this one. I tried to get as low as possible, to get some nice, untracked snow in the foreground. I edited it to black and white in Photoshop Express, and was pretty happy with the result.

Biography
I was born in 1991, and grew up surrounded by wilderness in a tiny village in western Norway. My childhood gave me a fascination for nature and wildlife that only grew stronger when I got older. As a teenager I also fell in love with skiing and climbing, and my photography was pulled in this direction. As a natural progression, I started working with videography as well. In recent years my work has been focused on skiing, climbing and other extreme sports, as well as landscapes, nature and wildlife. I now live in a small town called Sogndal not far from where I grew up, where I´m running VERI Media together with Knut-Hendrik Lajord Snitjer and Eric James Ryan.
Dave Trumpore, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerDave Trumpore
AthleteMark Weir
LocationNovato, CA, United States
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Dave Trumpore
CameraNikon D7100
Lens17.0-55.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
This is one of those images that was never really intended or planned, but rather one that just sort of happened while working towards totally different types of shots. It’s what I believe makes the best lifestyle images – those candid, natural moments that can't be repeated or replicated.
On this day I was actually on a commercial assignment to shoot mountain biking around the San Fransisco Bay Area. It was late January and we were searching for a place not too far from home that looked like summer and we chose a private ranch in Novato.
Mark Weir, pictured, would be our guide as he knew the property inside out. As a bonus he had just built up this old 4x4 rock crawler as a side project to shuttle us about in. Mark's enthusiasm for fun and adventure is both one of a kind and contagious, and I wanted to capture that spirit while shooting between takes. I've always loved the fly on wall style of photojournalism and the close-up, realistic 50mm perspective so approached these candid moments with that aesthetic in mind. To be honest I don't think Mark even knew I was shooting this photo.
In the end I chose the black and white processing for its timeless qualities and to keep the viewer from being distracted by the bright colored bikes in the background. I wanted the viewer to be focused on one thing – that sense of excitement and enthusiasm for an adventure about to unfold.

Biography
Photographer, world traveler and mountain biker for life. A former racer, Dave has recently turned his attention to photography and travel to document the sports top athletes in some stunning locations. His work is regularly published in all major cycling magazines and websites, and he has a client list made up of the who's who of the MTB industry. When not traveling in search of fresh trails and memorable images, he can be found riding his bike or skiing somewhere in beautiful Vermont.
Dave Trumpore, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerDave Trumpore
AthleteBrandon Turman
LocationWhistler, BC, Canada
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Dave Trumpore
CameraNikon D7100
Lens17.0-55.0 mm f/2.8
ISO1000
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Each sport takes on a certain visual aesthetic that defines it. In mountain biking, nothing has defined the sport more than the moody, foggy, deep in the woods photos from North America's Pacific North West, more specifically the North Shore of Vancouver and Whistler. In the late 1990s and early 2000s the photos and style of trails inspired an entire generation of riders, trail builders and photographers.
Growing up in Vermont and later living in Colorado, images like this one had simply never been more than a daydream. So when the opportunity arose to actually shoot and ride in Whistler, it was a dream come true.
Still, nature is fickle and many variables need to align in order to get that one perfect shot. On this day luck seemed to be on my side. I was covering a product launch for a client and a foggy day was quickly being burned off by the rising sun. Knowing my window of opportunity was small, myself and Brandon Turman had to hustle not to miss that golden opportunity where it's not too dark, not too bright, and the feeling and mood I was after was perfectly presented.
This is the type of photo I daydreamed about as a kid in Vermont; so much of the reason I shot it was personal. I shoot a lot riding in beautiful landscapes these days, but no amount of high ridge lines, sunrises, or backlit dust can compare to the classic shots from the Pacific North West. To me, images like this are timeless. Images like this are mountain biking.

Biography
Photographer, world traveler and mountain biker for life. A former racer, Dave has recently turned his attention to photography and travel to document the sports top athletes in some stunning locations. His work is regularly published in all major cycling magazines and websites, and he has a client list made up of the who's who of the MTB industry. When not traveling in search of fresh trails and memorable images, he can be found riding his bike or skiing somewhere in beautiful Vermont.
Emily Ibarra, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerEmily Ibarra
AthleteJason Paul
LocationUmm al-Quwain, United Arab Emirates
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Emily Ibarra
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO200
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
While in Dubai we heard about these abandoned planes out in the desert. We went out to scout it and saw the potential it had for some images. The next day we got up super early to get to this spot before sunrise. Driving an hour to get there and imagining this beautiful light over the desert. Unfortunately, this day was completely overcast and it stayed foggy for hours. We had to laugh because, getting up that early had been pointless. Towards the afternoon the fog started to burn off and we began to shoot.
This was the last shot of the day. Jason Paul, the Red Bull Athlete in this photo actually did two other tricks off the front of the plane before we shot this one, which were more difficult and challenging moves. However, that doesn't always register in a photograph. In the end, I think it’s the feeling of Jason and the plane being together that makes it so special, as opposed to this plane just being an obstacle for him to do tricks off of. I shot this with a Canon 5d Mach II with a 70-200mm lens.

Biography
I am a freelance photographer living out of my suitcase and camera bag. I’m rarely in the same place for more than a week or two.
I grew up in San Jose, California and have been based out of San Francisco and Los Angeles in the past. Photography was just something we did. As a kid, if we got bored we would run outside, dress up, and take photos of each other. It is what we did for fun, it’s still what I do for fun.
In college I started assisting commercial photographers in the Bay Area and I was applying what I was learning to my friends, who were all musicians. Through platforms on social media more people began to see the images we were creating and more bands began to hit me up for shoots and I found myself touring the USA documenting bands. It was amazing.
I believe a quarter life crisis made me feel like I needed to settle down in one place and be ‘successful’ and I ended up in LA. But really it was just a means for a new introduction into the parkour and freerunning world. It wasn't long until I was back living life on the road in search of the next destination and location to play with. The need to settle down is long gone.
Pally Learmond, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerPally Learmond
AthleteTom Leitner
LocationHaines, AK, United States
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Pally Learmond
CameraNikon D4
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/2.8
ISO250
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
This photo was taken during my first ever photo shoot in Alaska. Before leaving for the trip I had of course seen the amazing movies and photos from up there, but tried not to hype it too much in my head.
As soon as the helicopter lifts of the ground for the first time, however, and you get up close and personal with the mountains there, you realise that every cliché used to describe the place is true.
Terrible weather was an on-going problem during our trip, and ten days in a row without skiing was not uncommon. This also meant the snow conditions when it did clear were all time.
In this image, with sluff billowing all around him on another early ‘zero to hero’ morning in Haines, German freseskier Tom Leitner was a vision of style and calm in the face of the wall of snow chasing him down the mountain. It was an absolute pleasure to watch and photograph him gracefully surfing spines and sluff from my shooting position in the helicopter. I decided to photograph the final air in this line somewhat more cropped in to show to some extent the intensity and energy forces all around the skier.
The image was shot with the Nikon D4 blazing away at 10 frames per second with the 70-200mm 2.8 giving me a good option of focal lengths which I was able to change at will and refocus throughout the action. Settings were 1/1600 at f/10.

Biography
I am a British photographer who now calls Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains in Austria my home. I’ve had a strong interest in photography since my teenage years, but it wasn’t until a badly broken leg halted my improbable attempts at becoming a professional freeskier that I decided to finally give up on that dream and study photography properly.
I returned to the mountains and lived in an old military ambulance when I began shooting with friends who went on to pick up sponsors. I have been shooting professionally since 2006.
These days I almost exclusively concentrate on shooting freeskiing action and the surrounding lifestyle and environment. This keeps me on the road for at least six months of the year, working with the biggest brands, athletes and film production companies in the sport. Even after 10 years, the prospect of new locations and the ever-evolving nature of the sport still keeps it fresh and exciting for me.
Frank Kretschmann, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerFrank Kretschmann
AthleteAlexander Megos and Roger Schaeli
LocationLauterbrunnen, Switzerland
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Frank Kretschmann
CameraOlympus E-M5
Lens24.0mm
ISO200
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
Our goal was to climb The Fly in Lauterbrunnen in the best style possible – free, in one push from the ground. Climbing photos are often taken after the climb is completed, but for me, as an expedition photographer, I felt the most fitting style was ‘realtime’, capturing the moments as they occurred, with no photos shot afterwards – a difficult mission.
We needed an extremely strong climber, so I asked Alex Megos. For him this journey was into an unknown realm – his first big wall. His ability would be crucial for the hard onsights.
Our tactic was simple: to move as fast as possible, climbing ground-up in two teams and fixing rope up to our portaledges, then to see what happens. I initially tried to climb behind Alex, carrying a small photo setup in my backpack. This created a challenge for me, as I was always below Alex and therefore unable to take good photos. So we switched the teams on several pitches, enabling me to arrive at the belay first and shoot the leaders doing a hard lead from above.
This photo was taken while Alex was returning after his first attempt on the crux pitch (8c). Having run out of water, we were all totally f*cked. It was clear that if he didn’t succeed the next go we would have to go down, as there was another 100m of unknown terrain above. I shot this while rappelling down from the top of this pitch, which shows how overhung it is. Alex succeeded on his next go, and carried on to free the entire route, that same day!

Biography
For 10 years I have worked as a professional photographer in the field of action sports, outdoors, fashion and people photography. My passion is climbing and I’ve traveled a lot around the world, so it made sense to combine everything together: climbing, traveling, photography – and make a living out of it.
As a climber I’m fascinated by all disciplines of the sport and have climbed and photographed all over Europe and the Alps, Morocco, Asia, Peru and of course the big walls of Yosemite. The location that has the biggest place in my heart is my home crag, Germany’s Frankenjura.
My goal is to tell individual stories in the most professional way. However, ultimately the key to success for every shot is to be at the right place, at the right time and with the right people. I like to make the people around me feel relaxed and comfortable, then wait for those special moments. For me photography is not about using expensive gear or complex techniques, it’s about capturing the real moments and emotions. Ideally, the subjects don’t even realize that they are being shot. Finding these moments – delving deeper into people’s true selves, that is my goal.
Frank Kretschmann, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerFrank Kretschmann
AthleteMayan Smith Gobat and Ben Rueck
LocationPiedra Riscada, Brazil
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Frank Kretschmann
CameraNikon D800
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/80
About the shot
This shows Mayan and Ben waking up in the fields of Sao Jose do Divino with the biggest monolith in Brazil ‘Piedra Riscada' in the background, a few days after climbing the route 'Place of Happiness' (5.12d, 18 pitches).
This striking route was first opened by Stefan Glowacz in 2009, and was the main goal for Mayan and Ben’s journey to Brazil in 2014. I was part of the team as a filmmaker and photographer.
After the climb we spent the last days of our journey exploring and shooting the Brazilian lifestyle and scenery. My wish was to find a beautiful place to capture a night time-lapse with the huge monolith in the background. We found this quiet hill in the midst of farmland after spending the entire day driving our nice VW camper on rough dirt roads.
It was wonderful to enjoy this stunning view the whole cloudless night. Hanging the portaledge on the side of the van was a totally spontaneous idea which arose because we suddenly found ourselves in a field full of cows with no tent and had just enjoyed several beautiful days sleeping in the ledge on the wall. We weren't ready to part with it yet.
In the end I spent hours arranging this entire shot for night time-lapses and photos. However, on waking up in the early morning, I was blown away by the beauty and the soft dawn light. This shot was taken in the spur of the moment and finally the magical qualities of this shot made me choose it instead of my nighttime picture.

Biography
For 10 years I have worked as a professional photographer in the field of action sports, outdoors, fashion and people photography. My passion is climbing and I’ve traveled a lot around the world, so it made sense to combine everything together: climbing, traveling, photography – and make a living out of it.
As a climber I’m fascinated by all disciplines of the sport and have climbed and photographed all over Europe and the Alps, Morocco, Asia, Peru and of course the big walls of Yosemite. The location that has the biggest place in my heart is my home crag, Germany’s Frankenjura.
My goal is to tell individual stories in the most professional way. However, ultimately the key to success for every shot is to be at the right place, at the right time and with the right people. I like to make the people around me feel relaxed and comfortable, then wait for those special moments. For me photography is not about using expensive gear or complex techniques, it’s about capturing the real moments and emotions. Ideally, the subjects don’t even realize that they are being shot. Finding these moments – delving deeper into people’s true selves, that is my goal.
Ale Di Lullo, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerAle Di Lullo
AthleteAaron Chase
LocationBrooklyn, NY, United States
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Ale Di Lullo
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO640
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
I’d been working on shots through transparent surfaces for a few years but it was during a long drive across Europe that I had this idea. I was forcing myself to think of new angles and nothing really came to mind. But when I said to myself that the best ideas are the simplest ones, that usually you have the answer in front of you, I realized the shot was actually in front of me. It was right there, where most people spend a lot of time everyday – cars!
Nobody had done an extreme sport shot from inside the car having the rider riding on the windshield. I understood that a shot like this had to be made in an iconic spot and the spot had to be in a city so it was clear that New York City with all its bridges was the place. And what could have been better than a NYC cab to shoot from?
Choosing Aaron Chase as the rider was natural. He has been a friend for a long time and happened to be a pioneer of street riding in our sport and is almost a local in New York. It took us one year of preparation, one full day of work, involved a few people and a bit of money. But I kept shooting, all the while fearing I would break the windscreen, and 12 attempts later I nailed this shot.
Biography
I was born and raised at Lake Garda, Italy and have been passionate about outdoor and extreme sports since a young age.
After an education in classical arts finished with a design and graphic communication degree, I had the chance to become a photographer for what in those days was an emerging sport – freeride mountain bike. It was already my passion and lifestyle.
In more than a decade in this business I've been shooting every aspect of the sport in many different parts of the world; from the competitions to the adventure and lifestyle around it, and with the best athletes around from every discipline. My work has been displayed in almost every mountain bike magazine on the planet, with quite a few covers too. For several years I’ve also been shooting for some of the coolest brands in the industry on specific assignments and documenting races and contests around the world.
Ale Di Lullo, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerAle Di Lullo
AthleteAndreu Lacondeguy, Ace Hayden and Franz Grossmann
LocationJonkershoek Nature Reserve, South Africa
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Ale Di Lullo
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO125
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/13
About the shot
It was the end of a long week of exploring trails in South Africa chasing summer, sunsets and perfect trails. We were looking for action downhill terrain to push the lim-its and explore with some of the best riders in the world. The area was a huge valley about three hours north of Cape Town that used to be a jungle but was now a desert-looking canyon with some patches of forest that had survived recent fires.
There was excitement in the car about what we’d find and a bit of fear in case we didn’t make it in time before sunset; everyone in the truck was in the same mood – stoked and excited and with the feeling that the best ride of the trip was just minutes away.
I realized how perfect that moment was and I put all the effort needed to have a 1/13th of a second panning shot. It wasn't easy on an African truck on a bumpy dirt road but when the sun was in the right spot I got the moment, and the crew eventual-ly had the last epic sunset ride of the African trip.

Biography
I was born and raised at Lake Garda, Italy and have been passionate about outdoor and extreme sports since a young age.
After an education in classical arts finished with a design and graphic communication degree, I had the chance to become a photographer for what in those days was an emerging sport – freeride mountain bike. It was already my passion and lifestyle.
In more than a decade in this business I've been shooting every aspect of the sport in many different parts of the world; from the competitions to the adventure and lifestyle around it, and with the best athletes around from every discipline. My work has been displayed in almost every mountain bike magazine on the planet, with quite a few covers too. For several years I’ve also been shooting for some of the coolest brands in the industry on specific assignments and documenting races and contests around the world.
Ale Di Lullo, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerAle Di Lullo
AthleteArik Swan
LocationSanta Cruz, CA, United States
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Ale Di Lullo
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO160
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
In 2014 I went to an event called Cruzfest, a mountain bike and MX week-long jam session over huge jumps on private land in the Santa Cruz redwood forest in California.
There was a mini-race going on and all the dogs were going crazy running together with the bikes and everything was loud and there was a lot of partying and good times going on.
Coming from a mountain bike background all that noise from the engines and the barking dogs was a bit unusual and intimidating for me. But when the race was done and everything was fading and my cameras were already in the backpack I saw this geared-up badass dude riding with this cute little dog that seemed to have been stolen from a Hollywood mansion, I realized I had to get the camera out again.
Biography
I was born and raised at Lake Garda, Italy and have been passionate about outdoor and extreme sports since a young age.
After an education in classical arts finished with a design and graphic communication degree, I had the chance to become a photographer for what in those days was an emerging sport – freeride mountain bike. It was already my passion and lifestyle.
In more than a decade in this business I've been shooting every aspect of the sport in many different parts of the world; from the competitions to the adventure and lifestyle around it, and with the best athletes around from every discipline. My work has been displayed in almost every mountain bike magazine on the planet, with quite a few covers too. For several years I’ve also been shooting for some of the coolest brands in the industry on specific assignments and documenting races and contests around the world.
Ale Di Lullo, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerAle Di Lullo
AthleteBrandon Semenuk
LocationLes Deux Alpes , France
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Ale Di Lullo
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO50
F-Stop20.0
Shutter Speed1/13
About the shot
Shooting the same event for three years in a row sometimes pushes your creativity. After three years shooting Crankworx in Les Deux Alpes on the same slopestyle course I tried to push it by analyzing how I’d been photographing the event. I discovered I’d been shooting with a lot of lenses from several viewpoints but I'd never been into the wooden bridge that was the first obstacle on the course.
After figuring out how to make it into the jump I started to play with panning and slow shutter speeds to catch the riders while they were jumping above me. I had a lot of attempts as it was practice time and it was the first feature on the course, but I have to be honest – I was looking for a single sharp shot, which at 1/13th of a second with a fisheye is already a challenging one – especially not knowing when the riders are coming!
But the fact that I was shooting in sequence mode and thanks to a touch of luck I managed to get six sharp frames exactly when Brandon Semenuk did this downside 360. I realized right when I got it that the single shot was great but going through the shots I understood that the sequence was something new and unique.

Biography
I was born and raised at Lake Garda, Italy and have been passionate about outdoor and extreme sports since a young age.
After an education in classical arts finished with a design and graphic communication degree, I had the chance to become a photographer for what in those days was an emerging sport – freeride mountain bike. It was already my passion and lifestyle.
In more than a decade in this business I've been shooting every aspect of the sport in many different parts of the world; from the competitions to the adventure and lifestyle around it, and with the best athletes around from every discipline. My work has been displayed in almost every mountain bike magazine on the planet, with quite a few covers too. For several years I’ve also been shooting for some of the coolest brands in the industry on specific assignments and documenting races and contests around the world.
Felix Wölk, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerFelix Wölk
AthleteJochen Schweizer and Franz Mayr
LocationZermatt, Switzerland
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Felix Wölk
CameraNikon D3
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I made this shot with a team of experienced pilots. We took off with our paragliders from the Rothorn summit above Zermatt, Switzerland. The west faces of the huge mountains release thermals until the evening there, so we were looking forward to getting good light conditions while still flying in altitudes of 4000 m.
We did a four hour flight together to explore the conditions and the scenery. Then we found this glacier. It was free from dangerous turbulences and there was a westerly thermal wind. So, we could stay in position without losing altitude.
I did this shot from a tandem paraglider. To get the synchro flying and the gliders’ shadows in this frame we needed a couple of tries – and a lot of radio communication! At about 8.30pm the sun was low enough to let the shadows fall into the picture. When I released the shutter of my good old D3 I knew I had something that doesn't come around every day in a photographer's life. For me, this photograph is outdoor poetry.

Biography
I was born and raised in the city of Munich, Germany. As soon as I finished school I wanted nothing else but to become a hang and paragliding pilot. So I started working as a bicycle messenger in the wintertime and took all the money to fly in summer. I used to live in a VW bus in the summer (I still have it!) and drove from one competition to another.
I did outdoor photography in my youth. With freeflight photography it became professional. I fixed huge camera mounts on my hang glider to capture my personal adventures as a pilot. Suddenly I had a front page in Germany's biggest freeflight magazine. This was when I noticed I could really make a job out of the thing I loved to do. Nowadays I'm specialized in air to air photography. I still love the bird’s-eye view, it still makes me feel humble to discover the planet from above.
For my photographs, I'm looking for sceneries that put the pilot and his wing in places that look threatening (some of them are!). It gives an interesting contrast to the peaceful looking paraglider. And the more exciting it is to shoot, the more fun it generally is.
Simon Bischoff, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerSimon Bischoff
AthleteAndrea Hah
LocationTasman Peninsula, Australia
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Simon Bischoff
CameraSony Alpha A7S
LensFE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
ISO250
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/160
About the shot
A few years back when I was climbing full time I began to try the Ewbank route on the Totem Pole. The route had only had one free ascent and was climbed in three separate pitches all on separate days. I wanted to link all the pitches into one hard and sustained pitch that went the full length of the totem pole. Unfortunately, during my attempts I developed tendonitis, and had to stop climbing.
Since then I have been inspired to photograph somebody climbing the route in one massive pitch. I new it would make a spectacular photo. Unfortunately the route is notorious for being hard and quite bold, so I found it difficult to find a keen subject. Earlier this year I invited some of Australia’s best rock climbers, Lee Cossey and Andrea Hah, down to try the route and make a film of the ascent.
Andrea was unsure about the route due to its intimidating nature. She found the courage after a couple of days of consideration. This Photo was of her first attempt just before she fell off, after climbing through the crux. She climbed it clean the next day, making her the first female to do so.

Biography
Simon is a professional photographer and film maker who began climbing in high school whilst living in Canberra. His passion for documenting his adventures and wild landscapes has seen him emerge as one of Australia’s best climbing photographers. Simon has just recently published his first book with Gerry Narkowicz which is a chronicle of Tasmanian climbing history. He has also made a feature film about a winter ascent of Blade Ridge which toured internationally with the BANFF film festival. Simon is also one of Tasmania’s top climbers and in 2018, he made the first ascent of The Hour Glass (30), the hardest traditional rock climb Tasmania.
Scott Serfas, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerScott Serfas
AthleteThomas Genon
LocationRetallack, Canada
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Scott Serfas
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO2500
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
In the remote forests of British Columbia lies Retallack Lodge, a cat-skiing operation in the winter and a mountain bike haven in the summer. I was there to shoot during the making of Brandon Semenuk's ‘Rad Company’ movie with himself, Yannick Granieri and Thomas Genon.
On the last day of shooting I was able to convince the riders to hit this one particular jump so I could work a few angles instead of concentrating on a full line of five or six jumps. It had rained a few days prior to the shoot so some of the mud hadn't dried up yet. I found a clear puddle that I could use to incorporate the reflection of the riders.
I set my camera to 1000/sec at f5.0 and ISO 2500 then rested the bottom of it right on top of the water as I lay in the mud. Both Yannick and Brandon hit the jump several times while Thomas just rolled up the take off, shaking his head and looking worried. I knew he was planning something special, so I just had to be patient and wait for it. When Thomas decided to go for it he didn't give us any warning, but from his body language I could tell he was committed to the jump. I shot a sequence and everyone cheered as he rode away. I packed up and that was the end of the shoot.

Biography
I was born in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada where the only things that separated me from the North Pole were a stained wooden fence and some crushed rock. At the age of 16, I was ‘abducted’ from high school by an unsuspecting cult organization and forced to ski moguls and lame tricks off Lemmings Leap under the 7th heaven chairlift – the original stimulus for my interest in airtime photography.
Home was a friend’s Volkswagen that we would park underground, below the conference centre. There we would take power from the last stall of the third floor to heat the ’73 Westfalia. I subsisted on leftover food from the Rendezvous restaurant atop Blackcomb Mountain and wore clothing left in the lost and found. During the early 1990s I acquired my first camera when a drunk French-Canadian freestyle skier, being pursued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stashed it along with twenty rolls of unexposed Fuji Provia and a half bottle of Rye Whiskey in stall number three of the Garfinkle's washroom. My destiny was sealed.
In 1998, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, recruited me as a staff photographer. Now, 18 years later, I still work for them among many other brands and publications. I have had thousands of action sports photos published worldwide including more than 100 covers.
Scott Serfas, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerScott Serfas
AthleteDrew Bezanson
LocationTruro, Canada
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Scott Serfas
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO200
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Drew Bezansen had a dream. He wanted to build a huge BMX park at the back of his friend’s property in his hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia using only wood and ship-ping containers.
They started by clearing trees and levelling the dirt. It took months to prepare and build all the features because it rained so hard every day that the mud made it im-possible to move material around. Finally, we got our shooting window, which was only a couple of hours each day during a week in August. We could only shoot after the morning showers let up and just before the evening rain started again.
We plugged away slowly that week creating more and more shots, saving this flat drop, the biggest of the entire set up, until the very last day. He had a few tricks in mind he was going to do but hadn't made up his mind about doing a backflip yet. The stakes were high and nothing of this size with a flat take off had ever been flipped before. Something in his head triggered and he yelled lets do it before being lifted on top by a crane. I was ready, shaking a bit, knowing I was only getting one chance for the shot, land or slam. My favorite part of the shot is the expression on his face in the landing frames.

Biography
I was born in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada where the only things that separated me from the North Pole were a stained wooden fence and some crushed rock. At the age of 16, I was ‘abducted’ from high school by an unsuspecting cult organization and forced to ski moguls and lame tricks off Lemmings Leap under the 7th heaven chairlift – the original stimulus for my interest in airtime photography.
Home was a friend’s Volkswagen that we would park underground, below the conference centre. There we would take power from the last stall of the third floor to heat the ’73 Westfalia. I subsisted on leftover food from the Rendezvous restaurant atop Blackcomb Mountain and wore clothing left in the lost and found. During the early 1990s I acquired my first camera when a drunk French-Canadian freestyle skier, being pursued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stashed it along with twenty rolls of unexposed Fuji Provia and a half bottle of Rye Whiskey in stall number three of the Garfinkle's washroom. My destiny was sealed.
In 1998, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, recruited me as a staff photographer. Now, 18 years later, I still work for them among many other brands and publications. I have had thousands of action sports photos published worldwide including more than 100 covers.
Scott Serfas, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerScott Serfas
AthleteDrew Bezanson
LocationTruro, Canada
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Scott Serfas
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
LensEF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
ISO400
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
It had been a struggle shooting with Drew Bezanson in his hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia for his ‘Uncontainable’ movie project. It rained and rained for weeks, delaying the shoot for almost a month.
His idea was to build a bunch of ramps on shipping containers with potential for huge air but the highlight of the set-up was this 30ft, flat take off drop into a steep wooden landing. He practiced into an air bag for a week before actually trying it for real into the wooden landing.
When it came time to go I'm pretty sure Drew was nervous. All of us watching were definitely nervous. I set up two cameras, one shooting colour on the clean and paint-ed front-side of the obstacle, and this one on remote camera with a 15mm fisheye lens shooting black and white with all the leftover equipment and wood hiding in the foreground of my shot.
He started by successfully strait airing the jump then slowly working his way up to harder and harder tricks. Here I captured him doing a 360 X-Up halfway though the jump. Moments before it started to rain again, ending the shoot for the day.

Biography
I was born in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada where the only things that separated me from the North Pole were a stained wooden fence and some crushed rock. At the age of 16, I was ‘abducted’ from high school by an unsuspecting cult organization and forced to ski moguls and lame tricks off Lemmings Leap under the 7th heaven chairlift – the original stimulus for my interest in airtime photography.
Home was a friend’s Volkswagen that we would park underground, below the conference centre. There we would take power from the last stall of the third floor to heat the ’73 Westfalia. I subsisted on leftover food from the Rendezvous restaurant atop Blackcomb Mountain and wore clothing left in the lost and found. During the early 1990s I acquired my first camera when a drunk French-Canadian freestyle skier, being pursued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stashed it along with twenty rolls of unexposed Fuji Provia and a half bottle of Rye Whiskey in stall number three of the Garfinkle's washroom. My destiny was sealed.
In 1998, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, recruited me as a staff photographer. Now, 18 years later, I still work for them among many other brands and publications. I have had thousands of action sports photos published worldwide including more than 100 covers.
Denis Klero, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerDenis Klero
AthleteRustam Gelmanov
LocationFontainebleau, France
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Denis Klero
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 50mm f/1.2L USM
ISO160
F-Stop16.0
Shutter Speed1/160
About the shot
In 2014, I got the brief to update the profile of Rustam Gelmanov. We decided to do the shoot in Fontainebleau, France, a well-known bouldering venue. I had the idea for this image in my head beforehand and it turned out exactly as I imagined.
The main instruments in rock climbing are your hands and arms. It was a deal – we’d shoot a close-up of his hands. With the help of two medium soft box sets on both sides I focused on the hands and fingers, their owner hiding in the shade. I wanted the viewer to see more than just the hands of the athlete.
In this picture color is not important, the contrast is. This is why the photo is in black and white. Curiously, the frame was shot in the lobby of the hotel where we were staying.

Biography
My journey to photography was an unusual one. I was not interested in photography as a child and how I came into it is quite mundane. During the last years of university I started doing web-design and sometimes, to implement my ideas and unable to rely on stock libraries, I was forced to pick up a camera myself. Essentially, it was out of desperation. My first digital camera was a compact, not a DSLR, but its capabilities were enough for me. I soon found photography to my liking and the career as a web designer soon ended.
Krasnoyarsk City is quite small by Russian standards and it ceased to satisfy my needs as a photographer so I moved to the capital, Moscow. Thanks to my athlete friends in Krasnoyarsk, I became interested in shooting extreme sports.
Since 2007 I've been working with Red Bull, which helps me to improve my skills not only in action sports, but photography in general. In recent years I have traveled around the world covering many events. A highlight? That has to be a BASE jump project on Everest with the athlete Valery Rozov which I shot for Red Bull. To this day I do not think of photography as work – it’s my passion and my life.
Denis Klero, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerDenis Klero
AthleteAnton Evstifeev
LocationMoscow, Russian Federation
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Denis Klero
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 50mm f/1.2L USM
ISO50
F-Stop3.2
Shutter Speed1/160
About the shot
The main idea of this photo is to show people a perspective that is not available in real life. Clear floors are common, but I wanted to show a standing athlete and bike on sand from a different angle, using the glass.
Choosing to shoot a BMX from underneath seemed to be the most interesting exam-ple. I thought that the texture of sand, tread wheels and shoes would be interesting in itself. It’s also interesting to see the reaction of the audience, as it seems people do not have any preconceived reference points for this perspective. Making the photo black-and-white enhances the feel.
The challenge of this operation was to find a suitable window size of sufficient strength. I had to buy the biggest and thickest glass in stock available! This proved to be 25mm thick acrylic glass. Another problem was how to set up the light so that the devices were not reflected in the glass. But in the end everything turned out as I im-agined.

Biography
My journey to photography was an unusual one. I was not interested in photography as a child and how I came into it is quite mundane. During the last years of university I started doing web-design and sometimes, to implement my ideas and unable to rely on stock libraries, I was forced to pick up a camera myself. Essentially, it was out of desperation. My first digital camera was a compact, not a DSLR, but its capabilities were enough for me. I soon found photography to my liking and the career as a web designer soon ended.
Krasnoyarsk City is quite small by Russian standards and it ceased to satisfy my needs as a photographer so I moved to the capital, Moscow. Thanks to my athlete friends in Krasnoyarsk, I became interested in shooting extreme sports.
Since 2007 I've been working with Red Bull, which helps me to improve my skills not only in action sports, but photography in general. In recent years I have traveled around the world covering many events. A highlight? That has to be a BASE jump project on Everest with the athlete Valery Rozov which I shot for Red Bull. To this day I do not think of photography as work – it’s my passion and my life.
Markus Braumann, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerMarkus Braumann
AthleteLukas Häusler
LocationOldenburg, Germany
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Markus Braumann
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 50mm f/1.2L USM
ISO400
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
In summer 2014 I went on just another short trip with the SI BMX crew to ride some spots and get a handful of images for some printed advertisements.
The guys wanted to ride this sketchy spot in Oldenburg, but I actually wasn’t happy with this location in the beginning. Altogether the whole area looked kind of rough and boring, without any highlights around.
Luckily I could get a nice point of view to shoot this sequence. Shortly before the rain came down, the sky with those big clouds gave the image a beautiful and dramatic touch. Besides, this shot reminds me that it is always worth it to find a solution and get the camera out of your bag. Of course the photo also shows of this sick move by Lukas. Just a sequence of a 50/50 grind wouldn’t give it the dramatic vibe. Thanks bro!

Biography
I’m Markus Braumann, 31 years old and raised and living in Berlin. It was a difficult decision for me to spend a huge amount of money on my first DSLR and some equipment.
My first intention after buying a camera was to get shots and impressions for my sponsors of my weekly trips as a BMX pro. Since day one with my own amateur photo equipment I felt that my money was spent well.
I was so excited about the new possibilities. I was hungry for more and better lenses and other equipment. While problems with an injury of my back became more annoying, the passion for the photography became bigger and bigger. People gave me positive feedback, I earned the first bugs with my new hobby and my motivation to change my focus from doing professional sports to being a photographer was stable.
Since day one I love shooting BMX, but as a freelancer I still try to go many different directions with my camera to make new experiences.
Sebastian Wahlhuetter, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerSebastian Wahlhuetter
AthleteAndrea Maruna
LocationVienna, Austria
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Sebastian Wahlhuetter
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO100
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
This shot is part of an editorial series about urban climbing in Vienna. The intention was to place a spotlight on urban climbing in the Austrian capital, and to show how such a climb can look. The sequence format was a logical tool to present such an urban adventure to the wider public.
For the shot, pro-climber Andrea Maruna took on the arch route ‘Mama’ at the Danube Channel in the centre of Vienna. Alongside the climbing line I also wanted to show the face of the athlete to highlight not only the athletic achievement but also the protagonist herself. I worked with natural light for this shot to include the shadow of the climber below the arc as an additional conceptual feature.
I enjoy working on the interface between architecture and urban ad-ventures and projects like this one are a welcome opportunity to ex-plore new ways to be creative and to realize my own ideas.

Biography
I am a professional photographer based in the urban jungle of Vienna, but you’re more likely to find me in the wild outdoors of the world. My photographic origins date way back to an analog era at the turn of the millennium. I have always been drawn to action and out-door adventures of all kinds and found that photography was the best way to keep me in the heart of this fascinating lifestyle.
I have intensively studied the technical and conceptual dimensions of photography and am self taught as well as in various professional educational programs. After working as a freelance photographer be-side my job as post-doctoral research fellow, I finally decided to quit my academic career and follow my passion full time.
My anthropologic background allows me to get a different angle on my projects and proves to be a useful tool for profound editorial sto-ries for different clients. Besides commercial shootings, reportage work is also one of my favorite fields of photography. A personal photographic long-term project is the exploration of urban adventures and the adaption of the public spaces through adventure sports.
Justa Jeskova, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerJusta Jeskova
AthleteSteve Storey
LocationWhistler, Canada
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Justa Jeskova
CameraCanon EOS 7D
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO1600
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
A stormy, dark fall day in Whistler had us house-bound for most of the morning. The weather started to clear and Steve and myself headed up behind our house to a feature he had built, but never shot.
It turned out to be too dark to shoot that feature but while on our way out a bit of cloud cleared allowing just enough light to shoot another spot nearby. We only had one chance to shoot it as the next storm moved in right after I took this. It was all we ended up needing and we rode out in a downpour back to our house.

Biography
I remember the exact moment I fell in love with photography as if it had happened yesterday. It was on a bike trip in Norway in 1997. At the time, it wasn’t just love there was also frustration. Frustration with the fact I couldn’t figure out photography, which isn’t all that different from a new love.
I only had an old point and shoot camera with no zoom and next to no experience. Seeing these beautiful rugged mountains, waterfalls, and fjords while not being able to capture them the way I saw it drove me nuts but also started a new journey.
Originally from Slovakia, I have been living in Whistler, BC since 2001 and it is here in these mountains and valleys I do most of my work. I met my partner here, Steve Storey, who is in most of my action and adventure photos as an athlete. We make a great team and work together on our travel and adventure projects. It’s where some of my favorite images have been created. Mountain biking has always been my niche but more recently I’ve been mixing it up with editorial, lifestyle, and commercial photography.
Mark Watson, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerMark Watson
AthleteFrancois Silvestri
LocationZion National Park, UT, United States
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Mark Watson
CameraNikon D750
Lens14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8
ISO1600
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
I flew half way around the world from Australia to Utah and then drove through the night in a massive rain-storm to arrive at Zion national park at 5am to quickly grab two hours sleep in the passenger seat of my hire car prior to this shoot.
I had seen some impressive photos of the Zion slot canyons from some fellow photographer friends and I quickly developed an obsession with wanting to get to Utah to shoot ‘the slots’ myself. But I knew it would all be about the light and just hoped we would score some deep within the canyon.
There is no commercial guiding allowed in these canyons and so I fortunately used some magazine contacts to put me in touch with the local canyoneering community, who in turn put me in touch with some visiting French canyoneers who were tackling Pine Creek Canyon.
I only met visiting French canyoneer Francois Silvestri a day before this photo and he allowed me to abseil into a deep natural pool before him (which happened to have a snake swimming in it) so that I could swim to a submerged ledge, allowing me to photograph his rappel and offer some scale to the image.
Pictured here is the resulting image of Francois descending into 'The Cathedral' of Zion’s Pine creek canyon.

Biography
I’m an Australian adventure photographer (and occasional journalist). It’s not as glamorous as it seems although chances are if you drop me an email you’ll get an out of office auto reply that says I’m heli-skiing in New Zealand or trekking in Patagonia.
I’m one of seven Nikon Ambassadors in Australia, am sponsored by Elinchrom and Lowepro and regularly travel to all corners of the world photographing with Nitro Circus.
I like to claim that all I do is ‘press a button’ but actually it’s the challenge to create impactful imagery that really drives me. I photograph cool people, in cool places, doing cool things but it’s not always as exhilarating as it seems and I spend half my life suffering behind athletes.
In my downtime I enjoy surfing and mountain biking along Sydney’s Northern beaches and can be spied drinking café lattes on the beachfront when I should be editing photos.
William Struntz, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerWilliam Struntz
AthleteAlli Penovich
LocationSan Salvador Island, Bahamas
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William Struntz
CameraSony NEX-7
LensE 16mm F2.8
ISO200
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
While photographing a freediving trip for Riffe International to the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, we had a unique weather window that opened up good diving conditions to a very exposed point on the southern side of the island.
This point is unique in that it has a large, deep sand bar that lies in about 45-60ft of water but then plunges into extremely deep water just beyond the sand's edge, which made for the alien look of this particular image.
We had been diving hard all day but when the sun broke through the clouds I convinced Alli to jump back in with me to see if we could capture something special. Alli is an extremely graceful diver and as the sun broke through the clouds, she glided effortlessly above the sandbank and I was able to capture the moment.
Due to the strenuous nature of freediving photography I use a mirrorless Sony Nex-7 camera system with a fisheye adapter because its small size means a much reduced drag profile and therefore less effort to swim it up and down through the water column while holding my breath.
It's not uncommon for me to make in excess of 50 dives to deeper than 60ft during the course of a day, so the drag reduction is critical to my ability to photograph these amazing athletes.

Biography
I'm an accidental photographer really. I was supposed to finish my Master's degree in Marine biology then go on to a doctorate program but somewhere along the way my little hobby of snapping photos of my friends morphed into pursuing photography as a career – God cracked open the door, then I kicked it open you could say.
I started submitting slides to the photo editors at Surfing, Surfer, and TransWorld. Probably in large part because I was relentless in my phone calls and attempts to improve – and there were not many others doing the same from the East Coast circa 2000 – they took the time to help me. I am forever indebted to Larry ‘Flame’ Moore, Peter Taras, Richard ‘Mez’ Meseroll and Jason Murray for giving me a chance to prove myself.
My talent and creativity as a photographer has since taken me all over the globe and I’ve produced photo shoots in over 40 countries. My work has been commissioned by the likes of Surfing Magazine, NBC, CNN, Globe International, CBS, ABC and Fox.
I like to get knee-deep into my craft, whether that’s shooting an epic surf image or capturing the adventures on a spearfishing trip, I hope to captivate my audiences with every beautiful shot. I seek to capture images that inspire the viewer and help them see a perspective that might be new to them or put them in the place of the athlete to give them a better understanding or enjoyment of that moment.
Greg Mionske, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerGreg Mionske
AthletePete Takeda
LocationHildale, UT, United States
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Greg Mionske
CameraNikon D800
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO320
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
My throat went dry and my heart rate spiked as I lowered over the edge, my feet dangling in 200 meters of air. I would not typically have this reaction, but I had spent the last two years living a soft life in Brooklyn, NY. My prior eight years of alpine, ice, and big wall experience was lying dormant somewhere deep down inside of me. Lowering over this edge was my Spring thaw.
I continued to rappel the slick sandstone face, my hands and feet quickly remembering what they should do. I came to a rest a couple meters above Pete and tied off.
Pete inched towards me. His breath was heavy. He looked miserable as he twisted, contorted, and employed every trick in the book to make upwards progress. This image was made with roughly four meters left in the pitch. Unfortunately, in off-width climbing, the proximity of the finish means nothing. Every last move is physical and exhausting.
Pete made the last four meters, though not without struggle and he arrived at the anchor in a battered state, dry-heaving and gasping for breath. I look at the image now and love how simply pain and struggle is conveyed through his squinted eyes, open mouth and curled hand. This photograph also ended up running in Alpinist which was really special to me since I had spent a lot of time in college thumbing through that magazine thinking about how cool it would be to one day have a photograph printed on those pages.

Biography
It is somewhat of a miracle that I ever fell in love with photography. I have one too many childhood memories of forcing a smile as my mother fumbled with her SLR snapping family photographs. As it turns out, my mother’s inefficiencies behind the camera failed to deter me and I now realize she had this desire to capture these moments in an everlasting medium.
By 2008 I was partway through a journalism degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder. CU did not offer photojournalism degrees, but I was able to take a number of classes from the adjunct professor and New York Times photojournalist, Kevin Moloney. At 20, he had a profound impact on my life.
I spent the first couple years of my career tackling any job I could get. I shot apartment interiors, covered 5k races, and photographed way too many 12-hour-long dance competitions. Perhaps more important than this slew of crappy assignments was my time spent assisting for a local photographer, Jamie Kripke who was more than generous with his time, patience and guidance.
Today, I focus primarily on commercial and editorial photography in the world of adventure and active lifestyle and have been fortunate to create images for brands such as The North Face, Red Bull and Adidas.
Anthony Favennec, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerAnthony Favennec
AthleteSylvan Masson
LocationMorlaix, France
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Anthony Favennec
CameraXiaomi Mi 3
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/1400
About the shot
Winter, rain, Brittany - these are inseparable. Sylvan was back from the Ukraine, where he was under contract with the Kiev National Circus but had to move again a few days later for another trip. He asked me for some help to shape a track, two minutes away from my house, and the weather was perfect to take some great black and white pictures.
Sylvan has a great style, for me FMX is so photogenic, it’s a kind of alliance between the man and the motorcycle. I shot this photo with my Xiaomi Mi3, I'm really amazed with the picture quality of this one.
The shot doesn’t show it, but to obtain the perfect angle for the picture I had to deal with a billy goat named Brad who charged me from my right side! The result is the perfect representation of northern Brittany's ambiance at this time of year.

Biography
I was born in Morlaix, France, in 1990. My interest in photography started with my family, my father especially, and grew when I started riding BMX at 14. As a teenager, I spent a lot of time riding and traveling with my friends to find riding spots along the Atlantic coast of France. I was lucky enough to share both of these passions with my friends, and as they became better at riding BMX, my photography evolved as well. This lead to my work being published in a magazine for the first time when I was 16.
At 21, I graduated from photography school, and after working in a few studios, I decided to pursue filmmaking and photography as an independent. Today I am dedicated to film and photography as a creative vision as well as a profession and lifestyle.
I'm in my element when I shoot sports, especially biking, motorsports, and surface water sports like surfing or wake-boarding. I try to remain close to my BMX origins, partly because it offers endless opportunities to be creative, but also because this sport is the starting point of my passion for capturing life on film.
Anthony Favennec, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerAnthony Favennec
AthleteAnthony Favennec
LocationMorlaix, France
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Anthony Favennec
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Lens10mm
ISO640
F-Stop14.0
Shutter Speed1/20
About the shot
I was looking to improve a black and white photo I took few years ago with the same setup. That was during the only sunny day of winter 2015 in Brittany; the kind of day that allows you to ride your BMX without the need for an indoor skatepark.
I taped my camera on the rear pegs of my bike with a lot of gaffer tape and a radio trigger mounted on it. To operate my camera remotely, I took the trigger in my left hand to shoot at the right time.
I had set up my camera, a Canon EOS 40D with a Sigma 10mm f2,8 on 1/50 to get that nice curved motion blur of the street. I’m really in love with that kind of light – the springtime evenings have the best warm lights.

Biography
I was born in Morlaix, France, in 1990. My interest in photography started with my family, my father especially, and grew when I started riding BMX at 14. As a teenager, I spent a lot of time riding and traveling with my friends to find riding spots along the Atlantic coast of France. I was lucky enough to share both of these passions with my friends, and as they became better at riding BMX, my photography evolved as well. This lead to my work being published in a magazine for the first time when I was 16.
At 21, I graduated from photography school, and after working in a few studios, I decided to pursue filmmaking and photography as an independent. Today I am dedicated to film and photography as a creative vision as well as a profession and lifestyle.
I'm in my element when I shoot sports, especially biking, motorsports, and surface water sports like surfing or wake-boarding. I try to remain close to my BMX origins, partly because it offers endless opportunities to be creative, but also because this sport is the starting point of my passion for capturing life on film.
Kirsten Quist, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerKirsten Quist
AthleteHalley Coxson
LocationEdmonton, Canada
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Kirsten Quist
CameraNikon D610
Lens14.0-24.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
On one of the coldest days this past winter, I joined hundreds of other undeterred Canadians gathering at a park in Edmonton, Alberta to view ice sculptures and to enjoy some winter activities. When I first heard about this event I knew there would be amazing photo opportunities and I was excited to bundle up and shoot some winter fun.
I arrived around 4pm, which offered some great lighting since the sun set around 4:45pm. Walking through the luminous structures of an ice castle, I was inspired by the craftsmanship and beauty. I came across Halley, an avid white water kayaker and sledge hockey team member with the Paralympic Sports Association. She was in charge of tending to the fire pit for the winter enthusiasts. I loved the way both blue and ash covered icicles framed her as well as the contrast of fire and ice. I immediately asked her if I could take some photos.
My biggest challenge here was the near -30C temperature. I was using my Nikon D610 and Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 set-up and the cold was affecting both my automatic focus and memory cards. Neither would work. Luckily, after some rudimentary heating techniques (AKA body heat), both started functioning so that I could take this photo. After experimenting with different angles and compositions I decided on a straight on photo at 14mm to capture the full structure of ice surrounding the fire pit.

Biography
I got my first camera when I was ten. As an enthusiastic beginner I remember taking photos of nearly everything around me (whether or not it made a good photo). One day a photo I posted on an online art community was made ‘featured daily photo’ on their page. That validation got me hooked.
I started taking photos of things I loved – adventure, animals, nature, and gradually I grew in skill and confidence. I offered photography for horse shows, rodeos, and other local events. More recently, I’ve been focusing on travel and nature photography. In the past few years I’ve been published in several magazines, and I’ve won and placed in various national and international photography competitions.
Although I’m not currently working as a full time photographer, that’s my goal. I’d love to spend my days using my creativity and documenting this beautiful world. After recent travels to India and a photo safari to the Arctic, my desire to pursue professional photography has only grown.
John Webster, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerJohn Webster
AthleteConnor Herdt
LocationHard Creek Falls, ID, United States
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John Webster
CameraCanon EOS 7D
LensEF 50mm f/1.8 II
ISO500
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
Connor Herdt (pictured here) and the rest of the crew that descended the manky 50ft Hard Creek Falls avoided bushwhacking as much as they could to get in and out of Hard Creek canyon.
There is no trail around this waterfall, just bush and fallen trees. The solution to a quicker route back above the waterfall was to walk on logs – logs that were high above the waterfall. If Connor were to have fallen off this log in particular, he would have slid down a steep incline, eventually falling off a cliff, and landed in shallow water. The mission to simply run the waterfall was an eight mile round trip hike.
This shot was a last minute decision. It was only after I saw Connor approach the log that I knew this was going to make a good image. I was on the other side of the river, shooting on a plateau by the waterfall and I quickly changed over to my 50 prime. I only took a couple frames of him.
After he was safely over to the other side, I looked back at the images and knew that it was definitely a unique frame and a one-of-a-kind moment. This spot in general really doesn't see many people throughout the seasons, so it is definitely special in that regard as well.

Biography
I am John Webster, a born and raised Idahoan and a professional visual story teller. Since my parents gave me my first camera, I have loved to tell stories through the medium of photography.
If there is anything that I have learned in the past few years, it is that the people who encompass extreme sports are some of the most interesting individuals in the world. The talent, devotion, and positivity that drive this diverse genre of athleticism is what makes me want to capture it all.
I love being in deep canyons kayaking with my friends as well as being in the mountains riding fresh powder. I love the relaxed sensation after having a great day of shredding. To be in solitude is one of the best experiences I think anyone can have. I also think the power of an image is one that can move mountains and that is why I love to shoot. On to the next venture!
John Webster, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerJohn Webster
AthleteBen Marr
LocationEagle Creek, OR, United States
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John Webster
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 75-300mm f/4-5.6
ISO2000
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
The two-mile hike into Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge makes for a spectacular scene. Day hikers were passing the crew of mostly kayakers, carrying their boats on their shoulders, and asking the usual questions: “You really going to paddle off that?”
Punchbowl’s entrance (top of frame) has a unique hole-like feature that can send some into having a terrible line. Having such a stylish tuck is hard to achieve, let alone a good line. Ben demonstrates both.
There have been a lot of images throughout kayaking history at Punchbowl. The angle at the lookout on the popular hiking trail is hard to beat: showing not only the height of the drop, but also the notorious entrance. I knew that zooming into the waterfall would help highlight Ben’s powerful form. But most of the credit of this image goes towards Ben’s control and style. Without that, it would just be another Punchbowl shot.

Biography
I am John Webster, a born and raised Idahoan and a professional visual story teller. Since my parents gave me my first camera, I have loved to tell stories through the medium of photography.
If there is anything that I have learned in the past few years, it is that the people who encompass extreme sports are some of the most interesting individuals in the world. The talent, devotion, and positivity that drive this diverse genre of athleticism is what makes me want to capture it all.
I love being in deep canyons kayaking with my friends as well as being in the mountains riding fresh powder. I love the relaxed sensation after having a great day of shredding. To be in solitude is one of the best experiences I think anyone can have. I also think the power of an image is one that can move mountains and that is why I love to shoot. On to the next venture!
Markus Berger, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerMarkus Berger
AthleteViki Gómez
LocationLuxembourg, Luxembourg
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Markus Berger
CameraNikon D810
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
For my latest shoot for my personal project series ‘Beneath the surface’ I visited BMX flatland legend Viki Gomez in his hometown of Luxembourg. Two of my friends supported me on this shoot - photographer Rutger Pauw and filmmaker Matty Lambert.
The project started over a year ago and since then I have captured different sports and top athletes with only UV light, using special adapters from Broncolor.
I came up with the concept of having Viki pull a trick on his bike while surrounded by soap bubbles. Soap Bubbles are not fixed in form, color or lifespan and are in a way unpredictable. I thought this went hand in hand with Viki’s general mind-set and approach to his sport and character.
Viki organized a really cool, industrial looking location and thanks to the people there we had total freedom. A challenge was the darkness that is required when you are shooting only UV light. We setup a Broncolor HMI light with a Para 88 to have a really soft ambient light, giving Viki just enough sight to perform one of his most difficult tricks, and for me to pre-set my focus accordingly.
To overpower this light we had to use the UV lights at almost full power but with still enough flash duration so the action could be nicely frozen.
Timing was also crucial because as the bubbles started to vanish they created an exploding cloud of soap particles in the air and those covered Viki completely so he was not visible anymore.
Finally after two days of setting up, testing, shooting, bubbling and spinning we were able to capture the shot and the result exceeded our expectations by far.
Biography
I am based in Fuschl am See, Austria, and I work internationally. I have more than 15 years experience of working with big brands in advertising and editorial projects. I have been organizing and shooting projects all over the world. Photography is my passion and I put my heart into every single project. I like to have fun and be amongst people that share a positive vibe. My photography is focused on editorial and commercial and is always driven by creativity. For me photography is all about moments and being able to capture the essence in a frame. I started shooting professionally in 2005 and since then had quite a ride. My background is a professional sports career in Basketball, studies in digital media and assisting reknowned photographers. I strive to evolve and come up with new concepts and tell interesting stories.
Markus Berger, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerMarkus Berger
AthleteRudolf Hauser
LocationRjukan, Norway
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Markus Berger
CameraLeica S (Typ 006)
LensSummarit-S 35mm CS
ISO800
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/60
About the shot
Last year I went on my first ice-climbing trip to Norway. Actually at that time the ice festival in Rjukan was taking place and basically all the climbers gathered in a youth hostel and stayed there for about a week.
It was such a cool vibe in there, so many different characters all with the same passion made it really feel like a family gathering. A lot of things happened in this youth hostel, especially in the mornings when everybody started preparing for their own adventures.
In this picture I found Rudi Hauser preparing his ice tools in the cellar of the. It was super dark but also such a nice scenario that reflected where the heroic action actually begins. I only had a medium format camera at hand so I was very limited with ISO speeds but I still wanted to capture this pure moment. So I just pushed the sensor and went on a really slow shutter speed leaning on the railing to stabilize as much as possible. That’s it, that’s all, and I got my magic moment.

Biography
I am based in Fuschl am See, Austria, and I work internationally. I have more than 15 years experience of working with big brands in advertising and editorial projects. I have been organizing and shooting projects all over the world. Photography is my passion and I put my heart into every single project. I like to have fun and be amongst people that share a positive vibe. My photography is focused on editorial and commercial and is always driven by creativity. For me photography is all about moments and being able to capture the essence in a frame. I started shooting professionally in 2005 and since then had quite a ride. My background is a professional sports career in Basketball, studies in digital media and assisting reknowned photographers. I strive to evolve and come up with new concepts and tell interesting stories.
Markus Berger, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerMarkus Berger
AthletePhilipp Schuster
LocationVienna, Austria
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Markus Berger
CameraNikon D810
Lens50.0mm f/1.4
ISO1600
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
At the end of last summer I shot another part of my UV project series ‘Beneath the Surface’. This time it was none other than Philipp Schuster from Vienna, Austria joining me to capture skateboarding in a different light.
Philipp is a photographer himself and an Austrian skateboarding legend. That made it quite easy for me to convince him. We also involved street artist Christian Tanzer who came up with the graphic idea and the execution of it as well.
A few weeks before the shoot I went to Vienna to check some skate spots with Philipp - eventually we ended up choosing a DIY spot that was designed and built by skaters themselves.
The day before the shoot I spray painted the whole area light grey so we would have a clean canvas for the shoot, and for Christian to place his graphic ideas.
Communication problems on the shoot day meant we ended up in three different locations in Vienna at the same time. However this incident gave me the opportunity to buy more colors, which in the end were crucial for finishing the graphic off.
When the sun dropped we started shooting and after a few attempts we got the shot we wanted. Every time it is a special moment when the UV lights flash for the first time and you see the entire image illuminated for the first time.
It was such a cool experience to see something evolve out of nothing, just by three guys working together for a day. It definitely makes you feel alive and satisfied at the end and for sure this is quality time spent you’ll never regret.

Biography
I am based in Fuschl am See, Austria, and I work internationally. I have more than 15 years experience of working with big brands in advertising and editorial projects. I have been organizing and shooting projects all over the world. Photography is my passion and I put my heart into every single project. I like to have fun and be amongst people that share a positive vibe. My photography is focused on editorial and commercial and is always driven by creativity. For me photography is all about moments and being able to capture the essence in a frame. I started shooting professionally in 2005 and since then had quite a ride. My background is a professional sports career in Basketball, studies in digital media and assisting reknowned photographers. I strive to evolve and come up with new concepts and tell interesting stories.
Markus Berger, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerMarkus Berger
AthleteDavid Colturi
LocationLa Rochelle, France
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Markus Berger
CameraNikon D810
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO640
F-Stop9.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Last year I was invited to take pictures at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in La Rochelle, France. We had two days of pre-shoot and as usual I wanted to use the time of the pre-shoot to do something creative.
I tried all kinds of different angles and perspectives and also at some point started playing around with my mobile. I really liked the reflection on the black screen and the super blurry environment around, as I had to to pull focus on the distant action.
I took several different angles with it but liked the clean centred, composed version most as it appears very clean and simple. The black and white conversion adds to the image as it narrows the appearance down to contrast and lines and that helps focus on the action more easily. And that’s what it was supposed to be after all - an action shot.

Biography
I am based in Fuschl am See, Austria, and I work internationally. I have more than 15 years experience of working with big brands in advertising and editorial projects. I have been organizing and shooting projects all over the world. Photography is my passion and I put my heart into every single project. I like to have fun and be amongst people that share a positive vibe. My photography is focused on editorial and commercial and is always driven by creativity. For me photography is all about moments and being able to capture the essence in a frame. I started shooting professionally in 2005 and since then had quite a ride. My background is a professional sports career in Basketball, studies in digital media and assisting reknowned photographers. I strive to evolve and come up with new concepts and tell interesting stories.
Pedro Esteves, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerPedro Esteves
AthleteUnknown
LocationPraia do Norte, Portugal
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Pedro Esteves
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 300mm f/4L IS USM
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
I specialize in landscape photography but also enjoy photographing sports.
I decided to go to Nazare in Portugal to photograph a bodyboard competition, as Nazare is well known for its big waves. I was hoping I could take some images of the athletes in the air or riding some big waves.
I arrived early in the morning and this was one of the first images I took that day. I just hoped I had taken the photograph in the right moment and that the focus was on the right spot.
To capture this image I used a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM. I used a high shutter speed to freeze the action.

Biography
My name is Pedro Esteves and I was born in Portugal in the year of 1976. In 2008 with a master’s degree in marketing management I started studying photography at the Portuguese Institute of Photography.
In 2010 I did a curricular internship with the photographer António Pedrosa. Then, in 2011 I took a workshop – master class of assembly and curator of photographic exhibitions.
In April 2012 I was invited to present my portfolio within the framework of ‘Chats about photography’, a presentations cycle organised by IPF and Fnac.
I specialize in landscape photography and I love the outdoors and the contact with nature.
Over the last years I have been awarded and distinguished in several photography competitions, both national and international.
Oskar Enander, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerOskar Enander
AthleteEric Hjorleifson
LocationSentry Lodge, Canada
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Oskar Enander
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO2500
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
This image was captured during a project called Afterglow. We did the whole shoot in four weeks and only shot at night using big studio lights with colored gels, far out in the backcountry.
The riders were wearing special LED light suits. I was not allowed to use any flashes so I had to push the camera with high ISO and slower shutter speeds than I normally use. It was for sure my most challenging shoot ever from a technical standpoint. Eric, who is pictured, and the other athletes did an amazing job navigating the steep terrain in the hard light conditions.

Biography
I’m based out of Engelberg in Switzerland, but I grew up in Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. I started shooting professionally in 2002 when I moved to Switzerland and I’ve kept going since.
The main part of my work is winter-based, however I still love the mountains in the summer. Shooting biking, hiking and trail running is something I really like.
I work with numerous magazines worldwide as well as some of the main outdoor brands in the industry including Patagonia, Peak Performance, Atomic Skis, DPS Skis to name a few. Some of my career highlights have been three times Powder Magazine Photo of the Year, Red Bull Illume finalist 2010, IF3 ‘Best European Ski Photographer 2013’ and WSSF Pro Photographer Showdown finalist in 2013.
Oskar Enander, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerOskar Enander
AthleteJohan Jonsson
LocationEngelberg, Switzerland
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Oskar Enander
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO100
F-Stop10.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
The day started off with a clear blue sky and a lot of fresh snow. After a few hours the wind picked up and changed the snow conditions pretty drastically.
Me and Johan were out hiking, but shortly after this image was captured we decided it was time to turn around and get back to the slopes as we felt it could be too dangerous to keep on going.
It was a bit challenging to find focus in this image because the wind kicked up a lot of snow between Johan and me, so for most of the time I could not even see him. On top of that my fingers were so cold that I had a hard time feeling the shutter button. I captured this frame in between the strong wind gusts when it was a bit calmer, and after I put my hand in my armpit for a minute to get some temperature back!

Biography
I’m based out of Engelberg in Switzerland, but I grew up in Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. I started shooting professionally in 2002 when I moved to Switzerland and I’ve kept going since.
The main part of my work is winter-based, however I still love the mountains in the summer. Shooting biking, hiking and trail running is something I really like.
I work with numerous magazines worldwide as well as some of the main outdoor brands in the industry including Patagonia, Peak Performance, Atomic Skis, DPS Skis to name a few. Some of my career highlights have been three times Powder Magazine Photo of the Year, Red Bull Illume finalist 2010, IF3 ‘Best European Ski Photographer 2013’ and WSSF Pro Photographer Showdown finalist in 2013.
Vernon Deck, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerVernon Deck
AthleteIker Fernandez
LocationSt. Moritz, Switzerland
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Vernon Deck
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO250
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I spent eight days in the Engadin Valley in the Swiss Alps with two different crews. One crew was after night time powder shots and the other just wanted to go riding and maybe shoot something. This shot was obviously with the second crew!
Iker Fenandez and Michi Albin last shot together over 10 years ago, so it was really nice to shoot with them in Michi's back yard.
The snow was pretty windblown up high so we started looking around for pockets of soft snow on the back of a ridge. We found a couple of good spots, but I talked the boys into building this one as the background was just so amazing. I really wanted to shoot backlit so the snow trail would light up.
They both jumped three times until Michi's binding broke on a hard landing. Iker has such a lazy style and you can see he's just enjoying himself up there. This is a very classic snowboarding image, the trick is timeless, the style gold and the landscape beautiful!

Biography
I was born in Motueka, a tiny beach town on the northern tip of South Island, New Zealand. During my teens I backpacked around Australia for two years and it was during this time that I got my first camera and the passion for imagery was awakened.
Moving to Switzerland at 22 I discovered snowboarding and ended up mixing my two passions. Three or four years later I managed to make this my full time occupation although I don’t really see it as a job most of the time.
I spend winters chasing the snow with the Volcom team riders and in summer I'm on my 36ft sailboat, with the goal being to sail around the world in the next 10 years.
Roberto Alegria, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRoberto Alegria
AthleteIbon Mariño
LocationLanda, Spain
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Roberto Alegria
CameraSamsung Galaxy S4
Lens
ISO50
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
I always wanted to take skateboard pictures on a foggy day so one winter day we woke up early in the morning to take some pictures in the woods near a lake.
After an amazing session Ibon Marino broke the board and we decided to take this beautiful picture of the silhouette.
“Broken wood back to the woods,” he said.

Biography
I'm a Spanish photographer based in Barcelona. I’ve been passionate about photography since I was a child. Photography has always been one of my main hobbies, the other being skateboarding.
In 2005, I managed to link both of my passions and became a professional photographer, shooting advertisements for brands such as Red Bull, Volcom, Quiksilver, Carhartt, Wesc, Rusty, Braun and Nike as well as skate magazines.
I believe that my work brings something different to skateboard photography because I focus on photography composition, techniques and lighting rather than on skate tricks.
Today, I consider myself not only a skate photographer, but I am also developing more cinematic photography because it has infinite possibilities.
Roberto Alegria, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRoberto Alegria
AthleteErik J. Pettersson
LocationBarcelona, Spain
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Roberto Alegria
CameraSamsung Galaxy S4
Lens
ISO50
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/1900
About the shot
After a full day skating around Barcelona but with no good pictures in my pocket, I didn't want to go home without having one last try.
We finally made it to a massive plaza facing the sea. I was inspired by this marble sculpture and asked Erik to do a stylish trick. I took out my phone and after a couple of tries he landed it.
Eventually I got home with a great photo to end the day.

Biography
I'm a Spanish photographer based in Barcelona. I’ve been passionate about photography since I was a child. Photography has always been one of my main hobbies, the other being skateboarding.
In 2005, I managed to link both of my passions and became a professional photographer, shooting advertisements for brands such as Red Bull, Volcom, Quiksilver, Carhartt, Wesc, Rusty, Braun and Nike as well as skate magazines.
I believe that my work brings something different to skateboard photography because I focus on photography composition, techniques and lighting rather than on skate tricks.
Today, I consider myself not only a skate photographer, but I am also developing more cinematic photography because it has infinite possibilities.
Leroy Bellet, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerLeroy Bellet
AthleteScott Dennis
LocationSouth coast of New South Wales, Australia
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Leroy Bellet
CameraNikon D810
Lens16.0mm f/2.8
ISO400
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
This image was captured while surfing in a mid-morning barrel behind Scott Dennis on the South Coast of NSW, Australia. It was taken on a DSLR with a fisheye lens, to show all of the action and peripheral beauty, as well as bring out the details in the roof of the wave that are rarely captured from inside.
In the image, the surfer is trying to adjust his center of gravity to retain balance and avoid wiping out. Feeling these raw, natural instincts is what makes surfing dangerous waves attractive. The technique used to capture it is known as the 'double tow’, which is essentially when a photographer is towed into the wave by a jet ski behind the surfer, riding a surfboard themselves.
It gives a unique, dramatic and beautiful perspective on the way surfers ride the barrel. I think this way of documenting barrel-riding can be appreciated by anyone because it really engages the audience in the moment.
The magnitude and perfect shape of this Australian reef-break adds a touch of raw beauty, but at the same time, increases the consequences. To capture this image it took four months, three hospital visits and two broken boards – persistence paid off!

Biography
I'm a high school student and freelance Australian surf photographer, focused on documenting ocean-orientated action, adventure, abstract, interactions and people.
Not knowing whether I will roll out of bed and into a regular High School day or some of the most raw, dangerous and beautiful situations mother nature has to offer is what keeps me on my toes. I reckon drowning in paperwork would be the worst way to go.
My theory is that to capture the essence of action sports, you have to be in the thick of the action.
Fred Mortagne, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerFred Mortagne
AthleteKarsten Kleppan
LocationBarcelona, Spain
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Fred Mortagne
CameraLeica M Monochrom
LensApo-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH
ISO400
F-Stop4.8
Shutter Speed1/1500
About the shot
I went on a random and unplanned personal mission to Barcelona. All I knew is that I wanted to shoot skateboarding pictures. I heard that Karsten Kleppan was in town. He was a newcomer from Norway. I asked if I could join him and his friends one day. I was very impressed. So I proposed that we meet up.
I had some ideas for skate spots. He was down and excited, even after reminding him that my photographic style was not so much about the new hot trick. Amongst various ideas, I knew we had to go to the Forum area, which has very modern architecture. I had never been there before. We scouted around and I spotted a lot of cool scenry. On the way to those huge solar panels, we tried to shoot a basic picture but we got kicked out by security. So we kept on going, until we got here.
This epic architecture just exploded in my face, and I instantly wanted to shoot a picture here. We were alone which was great, but we knew the security guard could come our way anytime. I quickly found this angle and asked Karsten to be quick and effective. Karsten walked to the position I told him, I got my camera out and very quickly set up. He did a bunch of kickflips, then we quickly packed up. We didn’t skate away, we walked. Seconds afterwards, the security guard showed up, but he couldn’t say anything. We acted like tourists. I knew we shot a great and strong photograph. You can feel the force and intensity of Karsten’s kickflips. It’s a basic trick, but it looks so damn good.

Biography
I’m a self-taught french director and photographer, with the focus of my work being mostly around skateboarding. My graphical and geometrical photography is almost exclusively shot in black and white, and focuses more on the aesthetics and style of the sport, rather than the performance, while also playing around a lot with architecture.
Spending so much time out in the streets, I keep a curious eye for other interesting things of life happening, and am always ready to capture those unique moments. My pictures are a feast of lines and angles, and my specific compositions – blending the skateboarders into their environment – make this skateboarding photography accessible to non-skateboarders.
This is the third time my work has been recognized by Red Bull Illume. In total I’ve had seven finalist images in the 2007 and 2010 contests. My first retrospective book was published in the fall of 2016.
Max Lowe, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerMax Lowe
AthleteLaura Yale
LocationHokkaido, Japan
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Max Lowe
CameraNikon D750
Lens14.0-24.0mm f/2.8
ISO50
F-Stop3.2
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
We awoke early after our first night in the tiny lodge and bathhouse in central Hokkaido that we would call home for the next 10 days. We felt complete cultural alienation, but engulfed in our element; winter in its purest form.
We had flown into Sapporo the day before and driven through the night as massive snowflakes the size of nickels shrouded the world beyond our little Toyota Van’s headlights. Snow continued to fall as we set out from the trail head on our first tour of what would be a three-week trip in the modern Mecca of powder skiing - the north island if Japan.
Unaware that there was a track set no more than a quarter mile away, we bushwhacked through dense bamboo, and had to cross a handful of shallow tributaries, steaming and unfrozen because of the hydrothermal water being shouldered fourth by the ancient roots of a volcano below us.
Almost any day of skiing for your average individual would never include walking through a river in the midst of a frozen and remote wilderness, but is was precisely why we had gone there, and what made it the amazing and unique experience that it was.
In capturing this image I wanted to convey the wild nature of having to cross a river to get to the days ski objectives, helping to define just how wild the landscape we traversed indeed was.

Biography
I was taken into the wilderness and packed along on adventures across the globe before I could even walk. From my home in the mountains of Montana to Antarctica, Nepal and Mongolia I have witnessed some extraordinary moments, wildlife, people and places.
Since the first photos I ever shot when I was traversing the Super Inca Trail at 15-years-old, I was hooked on the unique perspective a camera gives you to interpret the world as you see it. Since then I have been lucky enough to have more experiences in far flung corners of our planet that I ever could have imagined, and its with amazement that my camera has led me through all this.
I am captivated by the story - a single image can encapsulate a lifetime. But I don’t seek out the single image per say, more a collection of images from each of my experiences that represent my own footsteps on this planet, and through them the world as I illuminate it through my lens.
Luke Shadbolt, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerLuke Shadbolt
AthleteRenan Faccini
LocationRio De Janeiro, Brazil
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Luke Shadbolt
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO160
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I was traveling with a group of Brazilian bodyboarders shooting a feature for Le Boogie Bodyboarding Magazine, as well as stills for a book project. Having their local knowledge proved invaluable, with the minimal swell and chaotic city traffic in Rio we really only had a chance to look at one or two different options for waves before the winds would come up.
Jaotinga became our favorite option. With rarely more than a handful of other riders around, we had the break almost to ourselves. At each end of the beach were sheer cliffs that would refract the swell causing crossed-over peaks, perfect for bodyboarding.
The swell seemed to line up directly into this small crevice in the southern cliff and plumes of spray would catapult out at varying angles. Shooting from down the beach trying to capture some of these abstract formations I didn't even notice Renan (pictured) in the shot until afterwards. It’s got a kind of duality to the meaning; it could be seen as a salute to the power and randomness of the ocean, or it could be seen as a mocking attempt at some kind of manipulated sorcery, showing man’s unending quest to control nature.

Biography
I’m a professional photographer and creative director from Australia, focusing on action sports, travel, lifestyle and fashion industries, particularly in relation to water.
I grew up around the ocean and was interested in image-making and story-telling from a young age. After studying a Bachelor of Visual Communication at Newcastle University, I worked as a freelance graphic designer and creative director for several years with some of Australia’s largest surf brands, before shifting my focus to photography.
In my short career in surf photography, I have been awarded the Nikon/Surfing Australia Surf Photo of the Year (2014), as well as being recognized as the Bodyboarding Photographer of the Year by both Le Boogie Bodyboarding Magazine and Riptide Bodyboarding Magazine (2014). I have recently worked on creative campaigns for brands including Audi Australia, Veuve Clicquot, Samsung and Lancome, as well as continuing to freelance for surfing publications.
I enjoy wide open spaces, getting outside of my comfort zone, the ocean, surfing, art, basketball, animals, new challenges, jokes and heated debates. What best defines my style and work ethic? An ability to illustrate a grand idea on a minimal and intimate scale, coupled with an adventurous and perpetually self-critical nature.
Luke Shadbolt, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerLuke Shadbolt
AthletePierre Louis-Costes
LocationNazaré, Portugal
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Luke Shadbolt
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM 1.4x
ISO320
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
It is rare you get the opportunity to shoot from a cliff directly above a surf break, es-pecially from a height of around 200 meters. This is looking back towards the town of Nazare, an area which is more well known for the gigantic peaks on the other side of the headland that are frequently in contention for the biggest wave of the year awards.
Shooting from above gives a unique perspective of being able to see the distance covered when performing these aerial maneuvers. From when Pierre Louis-Costes hits the lip, to where he is eyeing off his landing spot, you can see he has covered a lot of ground.
It also offers a detailed angle of the contorted positions bodyboarders must place on their bodies in order to execute these moves. Pierre is a finely tuned athlete, but even still I remember watching this all unfold and thinking he might have put himself in an awkward position when he landed.

Biography
I’m a professional photographer and creative director from Australia, focusing on action sports, travel, lifestyle and fashion industries, particularly in relation to water.
I grew up around the ocean and was interested in image-making and story-telling from a young age. After studying a Bachelor of Visual Communication at Newcastle University, I worked as a freelance graphic designer and creative director for several years with some of Australia’s largest surf brands, before shifting my focus to photography.
In my short career in surf photography, I have been awarded the Nikon/Surfing Australia Surf Photo of the Year (2014), as well as being recognized as the Bodyboarding Photographer of the Year by both Le Boogie Bodyboarding Magazine and Riptide Bodyboarding Magazine (2014). I have recently worked on creative campaigns for brands including Audi Australia, Veuve Clicquot, Samsung and Lancome, as well as continuing to freelance for surfing publications.
I enjoy wide open spaces, getting outside of my comfort zone, the ocean, surfing, art, basketball, animals, new challenges, jokes and heated debates. What best defines my style and work ethic? An ability to illustrate a grand idea on a minimal and intimate scale, coupled with an adventurous and perpetually self-critical nature.
Corey Wilson, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerCorey Wilson
AthleteMick Fanning
LocationNorth Shore of O'ahu, HI, United States
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Corey Wilson
CameraNikon D4
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/2.8
ISO400
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/6400
About the shot
This was the final day of the Pipeline Masters on the north shore of Oahu. Mick was in first place in the rankings, wearing the yellow jersey and was going for the world title. Early that morning Mick got the terrible news that his brother had passed away. This is the last thing I had ever expected because Mick had already had the worst year ever – shark attack, divorce and now this.
After a very sad morning on the north shore when he got the news he still wanted to surf the rest of the event and go for the world title. That is what his brother would have wanted. This photo was in his first heat of the morning against Kelly Slater and John John Florence, the two hardest opponents to surf against at Pipeline. Mick ended up winning the heat with this wave. He came out of the barrel and looked in the sky to his brother. When I got out of the water and looked at my images I had tears in my eyes after seeing this photo.

Biography
I am from Santa Cruz, CA. I started photography about eight years ago when I was in high school and I fell in love with shooting photos, deciding to make a career out of it.
After graduating I really wanted to learn as much as I could about photography. I enrolled in Brooks Photography Institute in Santa Barbara. It was a three-year program and I walked away with a Bachelors Degree in Professional Photography. It was the best thing for my career.
I currently live in Newport Beach, CA and I travel the world all year round, working as a staff photographer for Surfing Magazine, Rip Curl, and freelancing for other companies. I’m constantly on the road going on surf trips and fashion shoots etc.
I hope to continue with photography for the rest of my life. I couldn't be more stoked to turn my passion into a career. With all the new technology coming out year by year it lets us create new types of images, and endless amounts of creativity.
Jeff Zielinski, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerJeff Zielinski
AthleteAndrew Jackson
LocationLos Angeles, CA, United States
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Jeff Zielinski
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
This image was shot for a feature article for RideBMX magazine, titled One Moment In BMX. The idea was simple, have a group of photographers shoot a photo at the exact same time, 1:00pm PST on a specified Sunday. My friend Andrew Jackson proposed this hop into a gutted escalator at an abandoned mall and I couldn't have dreamed of a better idea.
Getting into the mall was a fun little adventure. We lugged our bikes and all my gear – three bags, stands, and more, up a wall, across a small gap with a three-story drop, and then we shimmied on our butts across a ledge against a fence under barbed wire over the same gap. When we finally we reached the entrance it was a hole someone smashed through the stucco wall not much larger than a skateboard.
Once we got inside I was surprised how empty it was. It was completely gutted. I wanted to look around for a bit, but I knew time was limited so we just got down to business. I hustled back and forth for a while setting up my lights, metering, readjusting, tweaking, and finally, setting up a video camera. Once everything was dialed I think we might have had 10 minutes or so to spare so before the appointed time to shoot the photo.

Biography
You know you truly love doing something if you’re willing to get up early, stay up late, spend tons of money, and keep trying at it after countless failures. I began dusting myself off and trying again with BMX over 20 years ago, and photography followed shortly after.
When you boil them down, they’re inherently the same – you have a tool that you can operate by yourself, and once you learn how to use it, you can manipulate it and ap-ply your own style to it. I’ve always considered myself to be extremely lucky to turn the marriage of my two labors of love into what I do everyday for a living.
The staff position I’ve held at RideBMX magazine for the last 15 years has enabled me to travel the world, meet countless amazing people, and photograph a lot of in-credible BMX riding. The constant demands and unpredictability of the day-to-day grind of a BMX photographer has forced me to continuously hone my skills and con-stantly refine my style as a photographer and prepare me for any situation or subject matter.
Jeff Zielinski, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerJeff Zielinski
AthleteDakota Roche
LocationMexico City, Mexico
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Jeff Zielinski
CameraCanon EOS-1Ds Mark III
LensEF 40mm f/2.8 STM
ISO160
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
This photo of Dakota Roche was shot in Mexico City on a trip with the Vans BMX team while filming for their first BMX DVD, Illustrated. Being the first video for a com-pany as respected as Vans, the team set the bar super high for this project and eve-ryone was trying to capture their best riding possible.
With that in mind, crashes, mental breakdowns, and epically long trick battles were inevitable. After putting in a lot of time trying to film a combo trick at this spot, getting close to pulling it a few times, and then crashing, Dakota had to take a break to deal with the stress and frustration that was overwhelming him at that moment.
When it comes to action photos, we’re all accustomed to seeing the rider in all their glory at the peak moment of action. But it’s also important to capture the process leading up to those pivotal moments, where the story and emotion are center stage as opposed to awe inspiring action.

Biography
You know you truly love doing something if you’re willing to get up early, stay up late, spend tons of money, and keep trying at it after countless failures. I began dusting myself off and trying again with BMX over 20 years ago, and photography followed shortly after.
When you boil them down, they’re inherently the same – you have a tool that you can operate by yourself, and once you learn how to use it, you can manipulate it and ap-ply your own style to it. I’ve always considered myself to be extremely lucky to turn the marriage of my two labors of love into what I do everyday for a living.
The staff position I’ve held at RideBMX magazine for the last 15 years has enabled me to travel the world, meet countless amazing people, and photograph a lot of in-credible BMX riding. The constant demands and unpredictability of the day-to-day grind of a BMX photographer has forced me to continuously hone my skills and con-stantly refine my style as a photographer and prepare me for any situation or subject matter.
Hugo Silva, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerHugo Silva
AthleteDaniel Serra, João Soares and Luis Madeira
LocationAlentejo, Portugal
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Hugo Silva
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO4000
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/160
About the shot
It was through photographs of my friend, rider and explorer João Soares that I knew about ‘Full Pipe’, it showed great potential and some challenges.
The access to the full pipe was not easy; we had to walk through the forest to a vertical descent, here the only support was a ladder that did not give assurances that it was safe, and a rope that we used to lower the photographic equipment and bikes.
After some adrenaline, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing, the FULL PIPE in the middle of nowhere – a huge mouth seemed to have the will to swallow us and we weren't able to see the end of it!
I, Daniel Serra, João Soares and Luis Madeira started our path. That's when I felt the need to take the picture I had in mind, using the unique natural light that lurked into the tunnel, creating a silhouette, marking the beginning of this adventure.

Biography
I was born in Lisbon in 1980, Portugal, which is where I live today. In 2003 I started my photographic career in action sports and later became a freelancer.
My career in photography developed through action sports, reportage and lifestyle. My work can be found in different brands and publications.
In 2014 I joined Red Bull Photography. My portfolio is very wide and incorporates different areas, which makes me privileged in the photography universe. I want to take my work to a bigger dimension, with new challenges and international goals.
What fascinates me in action sports is to see how athletes can turn an ordinary place into somewhere truly memorable.
Victor Sukhorukov, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerVictor Sukhorukov
AthleteSemen Lazarev
LocationSaint Petersburg, Russian Federation
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Victor Sukhorukov
CameraDJI Phantom 3
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
One frozen foggy morning we decided to shoot BASE jumpers parachuting from the 40m high lighthouse that sits in the waterways of the Gulf of Finland. It was an unusual frost and the Gulf of Finland was covered in ice earlier than usual. A magical fog was all around us but it was so thick that we were afraid we would not find the lighthouse. However, soon the lighthouse tower appeared on the horizon.
Four BASE jumpers climbed onto an open platform outside the lantern room. I took only a quadrocopter drone from my equipment. We synchronized with the BASE jumpers by phone. I looked up from the ground to see the drone indicate an error with the compass. Not paying attention to it, I decided to lift it up anyhow. The battery then reached optimal temperature and it started jolting because the engine was frozen!
Then the BASE jumpers started to parachute from the top of the lighthouse and I began to shoot in burst mode. Only one photo from the huge number of images was in high quality. It shows Semen Lazarev making his jump.

Biography
I was born in 1989 and currently live in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I’ve been working as a full-time photographer since 2010.
I once sold my digital camera and bought a Nikon film camera, a decision that changed my approach to photography – I realized that using a film camera doesn’t give you the opportunity to make a mistake and you should appreciate every moment in your life, and also be able to catch it. Obviously I bought a digital camera later, but the habit to take the right shot at the right time will stay with me forever.
I’m keen on urban exploration. There's something about walking on the rooftops and in subway tunnels – you rarely get bored.
In 2013 I left work in a large telecommunication company and decided to dedicate my life to professional photography. For the last four years I've been working as a professional photojournalist for different Russian news agencies.
The genre of war photography has caught my mind and camera recently. In 2013 and 2014 I was working on a photo report of the Ukrainian revolution. Several times I’ve been in hot spots in the Donbass region of Ukraine. In 2014 and 2015 I covered the armed conflict in Syria.
Ismael Ibañez Ruiz, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerIsmael Ibañez Ruiz
Athlete
LocationBurgos, Spain
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Ismael Ibañez Ruiz
CameraNikon D800
Lens55mm f/3.5 AI Micro
ISO100
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
As a child I liked to play with the Playmobil my parents bought me. Then when I was a teenager I started riding BMX, which became my passion during those years.
I thought it would be nice and also funny putting together those two things in a photo; bringing together my childhood, adolescence and my present.
I looked in the cellar for my old toys, but couldn’t find them so I bought some on the internet to be able to recreate this typical scheme of dirt. For the location I thought of a place with a nice sunset and trees, that it should be as similar as possible to the place where I used to ride with my friends when I was younger. I bought the clay in a flower shop, made the heaps and gave them a dirt shape, then I put the toys and lighted up the scheme with some flashes to make a more dramatic image.

Biography
I’m a photographer from Burgos, a town situated in the north of Spain. Some years ago I discovered an incredible world named photography. All my life has been about BMX riding and when I took up photography I tried to create a new vision of the Spanish BMX scene.
I shoot for different brands such as Fly Bikes, G-Shock, Arnette, Dickies or Pirate as well as for bike magazines like Wallride Magazine, Ride BMX Magazine, DIG BMX or Freedom BMX.
All my inspiration comes from traveling, friends, colors, sensations, smells and bikes. I love taking photos in strange places like derelict skate parks with lots of old cement and ‘agro’ textures. I’m also passionate about the mountains – the interplay of colors and light there is amazing!
Håvard Myklebust, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerHåvard Myklebust
AthleteLeif Hoggen
LocationKolåstinden, Norway
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Håvard Myklebust
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
At Easter this year, conditions were optimal for a ski touring trip to Mt.Kolåstinden (1,432m) with soft spring snow and spring-like temperatures. It was no ordinary ski trip however. I've gone to Kolåstinden many times before, but never with someone of Leif's age – he’s 86! – and not least on wooden skis that must be 70 years old.
The idea was to capture the trip for Leif that day, and I therefore took pictures all the way to the top of the 1,000m climb and 5km tour. I saw this angle when I turned around after passing a narrow passage, and thought it portrayed the relatively tough ski trip among the jagged peaks pretty well.
The dramatic scenes in the background made a great scene while Leif was illuminated by the sun as an actor in the foreground. We can observe very well how gear and clothing has changed over the years! I think the image leaves the viewer puzzled: that guy must have been on some adventures. And those skis must have seen some action. It leaves you asking, will I be able to ski at that age?

Biography
I live in a small village called Volda in the western part of Norway. I started to photograph eight years ago when I got my first SLR camera. My obsession grew rapidly and eventually evolved to become more than just a hobby after winning several photography competitions and getting published in magazines.
I used the money for new equipment for better quality and greater choice of lenses. As the years have passed I have steadily developed in my field: nature and all-season mountain sports. In the beginning it was mainly general nature images and touring photos of my friends hiking and ski-touring, but eventually I started to develop my own unique images of nature and action shots such as steep descents or airy climbs above the fjords. Nowadays, I work as a building engineer, but I use all my free time on freelance photography.
Colin Adair, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerColin Adair
AthleteEric Jackson
LocationRevelstoke, Canada
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Colin Adair
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 35mm f/2
ISO800
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
After several challenging months of unseasonal weather in British Columbia, the conditions had finally lined up for some classic BC backcountry shooting. The first part of this day was spent waiting for the clouds and fog to lift and visibility to improve so we could explore further into the backcountry. With the day quickly disappearing we found an area of huge pillows and features tucked away in an alpine bowl below some huge cliffs.
Eric Jackson hiked up and began scoping out the terrain immediately as the light was starting to fade. He quickly found a good take off and landing and began to hit the jump once the cameras were set up. With light dying quickly he hit the jump and hiked back up as fast as he could.
As the photographer I was also scrambling to find the best angles and make sure to get the best shot. This angle was definitely one of my favorites but I wasn’t sure if it would translate properly and with the darkness setting in I got a couple shots and moved to another spot. What I love about this photo is that is shows how big the jump is that Eric was hitting but also sets the scene showing the surroundings and landscape. I think the viewer gets a good sense of the location, time of day and that classic BC winter feeling.

Biography
As a kid growing up in Eastern Canada, I started snowboarding at the time when a lot of ski hills did not allow snowboarders. The early days of the sport were all about being loud and rebellious. The magazines and imagery surrounding snowboarding showcased a lifestyle full of attitude and adventure. I was hooked.
The glossy photos of perfect conditions and sunny days from Western Canada and USA burned into my mind: ‘Move West Young Man’. I counted the days. Eventually I made my way to Whistler, BC and worked nights so I could snowboard and start shooting photos. After a few years of trial and error shooting 35mm film on some questionable gear, some success came my way. I started working with and shooting for Snowboard Canada Magazine. A few years later I became photo editor which allowed me to shoot full time and travel. It was also an amazing experience to work with and learn from the photography legends in Canada while searching out new photographic talent at the same time.
In 2008 my dream job came along, shooting full time for DC Shoes Inc as their snowboard team photographer. I worked with riders like Devun Walsh, Iikka Backstrom, and Travis Rice, traveling all over the world chasing the best conditions. In 2016 my photography career took me in a new direction away from the mountains, but after almost 15 years as a snowboard photographer I make time to get to the mountains and shoot as much as possible.
James Colbeck, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerJames Colbeck
AthleteUnknown
LocationChamonix Mont-Blanc, France
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James Colbeck
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO32
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/5700
About the shot

The image was taken of Mont Blanc late afternoon at a quiet vantage point from the Aiguille du Midi station.
I began with several panoramas which included tourists in the immediate vicinity but luckily I managed to find a clear moment to take what I thought would be a great view of Mont Blanc with Chamonix below.
About half-way through the panorama I heard a huge roar and almost stumbled. When I regained my balance a wingsuiter was around 100 feet below me, travelling between the glacier and the rocks below. Checking the panorama later in the day I was astounded to see I had captured the adventurer mid-flight. I captured several other shots of the athlete, but none in the setting of Mont Blanc.

Biography
Having received a kidney transplant following a short illness in 2007, I decided that life should be best spent doing things I enjoy. I promised myself that within a year I would get back to skiing! Less than a year later I met my now wife, a doctor and ski instructor.
With her help, I am now back skiing and enjoying life! We have since been across the world promoting organ donation with Transplant Sport UK, to places like Australia, Sweden and Argentina.
My main passion is being active, whether that be running, skiing, riding or driving. Being in a place to take in the beautiful scenery and pursue these activities is what inspires me to take more and more pictures, and I am so thankful to my donor that I am still here to do so!
I always strive to frame a photo and give it context, a story, and make sure the elements, whatever they be, work in the photo’s favour. I hope you enjoy my pictures and my story.
Rasmus Kaessmann, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerRasmus Kaessmann
AthleteMarian Hund
LocationBernina Pass, Switzerland
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Rasmus Kaessmann
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO200
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
This image shows Snowkiter Marian Hund going big at the Bernina Pass, Switzerland.
It's a three-and-a-half hour drive from where I live to the Bernina Pass in Switzerland. Marian, living in Hamburg at the moment, was only down in the mountains for a couple of days. The wind-forecast wasn't good, as it looked like we'd only have maybe one or two hours in the morning. We decided to give it a chance anyway and drove down there.
When we arrived there was wind, but it was already slowing down. Marian got his Kite going, I packed my equipment and started hiking with my Splitboard. I found the spot and set up the flashes. Marian did the jump four times, four shots, bang! Got it! Right after the forth shot the wind completely stopped, but we had the shot we came for!

Biography
My name is Rasmus Kaessmann, I was born in 1979, and I’m one of those photographers who have turned their hobby into their profession.
After many years in Berlin I recently moved back to the Bavarian mountains with my wife and two kids. It’s where I grew up and where I started taking pictures of friends while rock-climbing and snowboarding.
The springboard into my profession was doing four years of freelance photo assisting. My work has vastly expanded from pure sport photography. You can see this from my list of clients which includes brands like Audi, Sony, Stihl, Opel, Vattenfall, Reebok, Red Bull, Uniroyal, Rütli-Wear - a social project fashion-label from Berlin - Neukölln, and many more. Lately, I received a bronze award at the CCA Awards with an image of the rowing Red Bull athletes, the Sieber brothers.
I also work for different magazines like the ADAC travel magazine, Playboy, Men's Health, Women’s Health and Stern magazine amongst others.
Rasmus Kaessmann, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerRasmus Kaessmann
AthleteJochen Mesle
LocationSilvretta Montafon, Austria
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Rasmus Kaessmann
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO250
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
Every year at least once I head out with the El Flamingo film crew to shoot with freeskiers Jochen Mesle, Max Kroneck and Julian Zenzmair. In the season 2014/2015 the Flamingos spent most of their time in Montafon, working on the freeski series ‘You and the Fools’ for Epic TV. So I went down there to spend a few days with the guys hiking and trying to find the best spots for some great freeride shots.
The location was a one-and-a-half hour hike on the splitboard and touring skis from the highest point of the Silvretta Montafon skiing resort. Up there we found this cliff with amazing scenery. I placed myself right below it with my 14mm super-wide-angle lens as Jochen Mesle was going big doing a Cork 7 down that cliff! Couldn’t really have gotten any better I guess!

Biography
My name is Rasmus Kaessmann, I was born in 1979, and I’m one of those photographers who have turned their hobby into their profession.
After many years in Berlin I recently moved back to the Bavarian mountains with my wife and two kids. It’s where I grew up and where I started taking pictures of friends while rock-climbing and snowboarding.
The springboard into my profession was doing four years of freelance photo assisting. My work has vastly expanded from pure sport photography. You can see this from my list of clients which includes brands like Audi, Sony, Stihl, Opel, Vattenfall, Reebok, Red Bull, Uniroyal, Rütli-Wear - a social project fashion-label from Berlin - Neukölln, and many more. Lately, I received a bronze award at the CCA Awards with an image of the rowing Red Bull athletes, the Sieber brothers.
I also work for different magazines like the ADAC travel magazine, Playboy, Men's Health, Women’s Health and Stern magazine amongst others.
Klaus Thymann, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerKlaus Thymann
AthleteGuillaume Nery
LocationTulum, Mexico
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Klaus Thymann
CameraHasselblad H4D-60
LensHCD 28
ISO400
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1
About the shot
These images were shot on location, underwater in a cenote, or sinkhole. This was inside El Pit, part of Sistema Dos Ojos, a structure of underwater caves in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
The model is Guillaume Nery, a champion freediver. He would dive to 30 meters deep whilst I was 50 meters inside the cave with my camera. We did a lot of research ahead of the shoot and customized gear to get the flash equipment to work there. It looks like sunlight, but the sun very rarely hits the water, it is nearly always completely dark.
The shoot itself was completed over four days and a total of 24 dives were made. It is a composite image but it is all real, there are no additional or fake components. Originally shot for Johnnie Walker Blue Label the concept was to capture a moment of exploration for ‘rare depth and character’ that reflected the quality of the drink.

Biography
As an artist working with lens-based media I regularly undertake projects that challenge me both as a photographer and director.
My work is often influenced by concepts that include mapping, narration, exploration and science. Building on past experiences and a passion for the environment led me to set up Project Pressure, a UK-based charity that documents the world’s retreating glaciers. It combines science, art and education to depict the repercussions of climate change.
A significant body of my work is 'Hybrids', which was produced over a period of four years when I mapped peculiar hybrid cultures around the planet, such as Snow Polo in St. Moritz, Gay Rodeo in LA, Underwater Striptease in Chile and Underground Gardening in Tokyo.
I have been fortunate enough to receive grants from Arts Council England, Danish Arts Council, Getty Images, Hasselblad and The Queen of Denmark amongst others. In 1996 I was the youngest ever winner of the Scandinavian Kodak Gold Award, and in 2013 I was the recipient of the Sony World Photography Award in fashion.
I have lectured at Oxford University, The Photographers' Gallery and at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design. And I have been featured in the BBC, Wired, the Guardian, the New York Times, National Geographic, Vice, Creative Review and more.
Francisco David Rodríguez Benítez, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerFrancisco David Rodríguez Benítez
AthleteUnknown
LocationFuerteventura, Spain
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Francisco David Rodríguez Benítez
CameraNikon D3100
Lens18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 GII AF-S DX NIKKOR
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
I took this photo during a family trip in Fuerteventura, one of the wonderful Canary Islands. It was a sunny day in Sotavento Beach, well known for holding the windsurfing world championships. The wind was so strong so there were many kitesurfers enjoying the good conditions.
I did not have a telephoto lens so I could not take good pictures of the riders. I realized that there weren't big waves so I decided to get into the water with my little camera, a Nikon D3100 with a cheap lens. The wind blew hard on the surface of the water and I wanted to take a photo of the water surface moved by the wind. Then I tried to compose a picture with an out of focus kitesurfer in the background of the frame, trying to give prominence to the water texture. This is the result.

Biography
My name is David Rodriguez and I am a Spanish amateur photographer based in paradise, Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands.
Currently I'm finishing my degree in architecture and I'm starting to do some work as a freelance photographer. Since I was a teenager photography has been important to me. I took the trouble to spend my money on cameras and because of that, my role among my friends has been to keep the memories of our youth.
I think there are two facts that influence my way of photography; my studies of architecture and the amazing landscape of my island, Gran Canaria, which is one of the most spectacular in the world.
After studying architecture my passion for photography evolved and I spent some time learning the basics and honing my technique. Now I love to walk with my camera and discover amazing places to capture. I think that my photography reflects geometry and the relationship between man and nature.
Mark Welagen, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerMark Welagen
AthleteUnknown
LocationWijk aan Zee, Netherlands
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Mark Welagen
CameraMamiya RB67
LensMamiya Sekor C 1
ISO400
F-Stop16.0
Shutter Speed1
About the shot
With this shot I wanted to show how the surfer feels when he gets washed out the ice cold North Sea after a couple of hours of surf-ing. I wanted a shot with a bit of movement in it, so I had to pick a moment where I can shoot with slow shutter speeds.
In winter when the surf is good in Holland the weather is mostly bad. So when the time was right I went to the beach with my Ma-miya RB67 and a 65 mm lens and my flash light, and I waited for some surfers showing up from their session.
I had a small timeframe because the sun sets quickly in winter. But the surfer in this shot showed up pretty fast, I took the shot and I knew that it was first time right, so I packed my bag and went home to develop my film. I was quite content with the image after I had made a scan, but there was something missing. So I made a print in the darkroom and exposed the print a little during development by turning on the lights for a split second, a technique called solarisation. Afterwards I folded the image – don’t know why but it felt good – scanned the image and there it is.

Biography
I live in a village near Amsterdam in the north of Holland, close to the North Sea and dunes; places I love to wander around.
I have always been interested in photography, but never that stoked on shooting. But when I went on a trip for several months I started shooting more and more. Back in Holland I saved up some money to buy a DSLR, and started shooting more often at my sur-roundings like the beach and became more interested in surf pho-tography.
After a while I wanted a bit more of a challenge. So I went to the Photo Academy in Amsterdam, and started to shoot film again. Shooting film gives me a lot more opportunities to experiment with developing and printing. Nowadays I only shoot film and I use all kinds of cameras from 35mm to medium and large format. At this moment I am working on a book that represents the persistence of the North Sea surfer who has to endure the ice-cold North Sea to wait for the perfect wave.
Alexander Papis, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerAlexander Papis
AthleteSage Kotsenburg
LocationLivigno, Italy
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Alexander Papis
CameraNikon D3S
Lens24.0mm f/3.5
ISO200
F-Stop9.5
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I got invited to this special event, the Suzuki Nine Knights in Livigno as one of four photographers to shoot and present my work in a photo contest. I was very exited because this is an invitational event for the best skiers and snowboarders in the world. And to shoot and get to know them was a kind of privilege for me.
It was a great challenge to get a shot for all of the four categories but at the end I won two of the four categories – not with this shot – which totally blew my mind, never expecting my shots to win, as the other photographers had submitted great photos too.
This particular shot shows Sage Kotsenburg, the Olympic gold medalist. I used a 24mm tilt shift lens from Nikon which I had to borrow from another photographer to be able to get the foreground and the background into focus. It was one of the toughest shots to take because it was really hard to get the sharpness right. The riders were all jumping differently and it took a couple of tries to get the shot.

Biography
I grew up in Vienna and still live there. I first got in touch with photography at the age of 10 when my father bought me my first camera. It was a Polaroid so I could see instantly how my photo turned out, and I was fascinated by the way the photo developed by itself. This fascination has kept growing ever since then.
I got my first SLR camera, started shooting with friends who were skateboarding and snowboarding and slowly got into the business but not yet thinking of a career in photography. Then I started shooting for the company Powderstorm, which accompanied all the big snowboard events in Austria and I had to get my trade certificate to be able to legally write invoices. That was in 2001 and my career as a freelance photographer began!
Over the past 15 years I’ve always tried to be as creative as possible and to let my passion and work speak for myself. I’ve generated good relationships with clients like Völkl Snowboards, SP-United, Sport Scheck and many more who appreciate my style of work. I am very thankful for this kind of life and I hope to continue like this for a long time – traveling, shooting and evolving!
Alexander Papis, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerAlexander Papis
AthleteFredrik Evensen
LocationArabba, Italy
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Alexander Papis
CameraNikon D3S
Lens16.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I have been shooting with the pirate crew a couple of years now. Those trips are always a guarantee for producing great footage of really talented snowboarders, in this case Fredrik Evensen. We were looking for natural features on that trip as the snow was piling up – more than two meters in a couple of days – and it kept snow-ing and snowing. We found a spot close to Arabba in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy.
There where a lot of boulder rocks lying around but just a few of them had doable in-runs and landings. Fred found this one and stomped this backie on the first try. It wasn’t easy to shoot in those conditions because my lens caught a lot of snow due to the heavy snowfall but it turned out to be one of the best shots of this trip. The lens I used was a 16mm fisheye paired with my Nikon D3s.

Biography
I grew up in Vienna and still live there. I first got in touch with photography at the age of 10 when my father bought me my first camera. It was a Polaroid so I could see instantly how my photo turned out, and I was fascinated by the way the photo developed by itself. This fascination has kept growing ever since then.
I got my first SLR camera, started shooting with friends who were skateboarding and snowboarding and slowly got into the business but not yet thinking of a career in photography. Then I started shooting for the company Powderstorm, which accompanied all the big snowboard events in Austria and I had to get my trade certificate to be able to legally write invoices. That was in 2001 and my career as a freelance photographer began!
Over the past 15 years I’ve always tried to be as creative as possible and to let my passion and work speak for myself. I’ve generated good relationships with clients like Völkl Snowboards, SP-United, Sport Scheck and many more who appreciate my style of work. I am very thankful for this kind of life and I hope to continue like this for a long time – traveling, shooting and evolving!
Jonathan Mehring, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerJonathan Mehring
AthleteThaynan Costa, Justin Brock, Bobby Worrest, Marius Syvanen and Daryl Angel
LocationAlaska, United States
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Jonathan Mehring
CameraNikon D800E
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/4.0
ISO400
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Alaska has always called to me, something about its vastness and a sense of danger and adventure about it. I'd been trying to get a crew together for a skate mission there for a while, and finally got everything in line to make it happen this past year. We hit Juneau, flew to Fairbanks, rented a van, and drove to Anchorage.
We found spots in each urban area but something about a hill-bombing photo in the middle of nowhere really speaks volumes about where we were and the freedom that skating can bring you. It was between Fairbanks and Anchorage where we found this perfect straightaway with epic blue and green Alaskan scenery that just screamed, ‘Stop the van and bomb this hill!’
I set up at the top with a 70-200mm lens and signaled everyone to go. Zooming with them, I was able to get a few shots to choose from as they picked up speed and descended through the landscape.
Biography
I am a photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. I began taking photos of my friends skateboarding in high school. During this time I found my passion for photography and enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University to further my skills. While focusing more on artistic photography that came with classwork, I continued to shoot my friends skating and submit the photos to magazines. Soon I was published in both Slap and Thrasher and within a year I was asked to move to Philadelphia to shoot for Slap full time.
After several years of shooting with professional skateboarders I landed at Skateboarder Magazine where I began to do travel stories around the globe in unexpected places. These trips included the Trans Siberian Railway, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, motor biking through Vietnam, the Brazilian Amazon by boat, and visiting India’s Kumbh Mela Festival, always with a crew of skateboarders looking for the ever-elusive skate spot.
All the work producing these trips paid off more than I could have imagined with the release of my first book, Skate the World – Photographing One World of Skateboarding, was published by National Geographic. I continue to work as a freelance photographer in NYC, focusing on skateboarding locally and abroad, as well as shooting commercial lifestyle jobs and other documentary projects.
Jonathan Mehring, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerJonathan Mehring
AthleteRyan Lay
LocationNew York City, NY, United States
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Jonathan Mehring
CameraNikon D800E
Lens50.0mm f/1.4
ISO1250
F-Stop3.2
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
Lower Manhattan is full of massive buildings with Roman style marble columns. Most of them can't be skated for more than a minute, but this building is on a pretty quiet street, and not only is there no security, but it's not really considered a skate spot.
Ryan Lay, who lived in the city for a while, saw it differently, and invited me to shoot his ollie-to-triple-acid-drop one afternoon. Not only was it a big ollie over the rail onto the marble slab, but if he were to stick and fall over the edge it would have been a bad situation.
Sketchy as it was, Ryan managed to nail it several times before eventually getting the boot by cops. The young man on the right thought his attempts were impressive and posted up to shoot it on his cellphone. He ended up being a nice compositional element to the image in the end. We never got the chance to see his angle.

Biography
I am a photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. I began taking photos of my friends skateboarding in high school. During this time I found my passion for photography and enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University to further my skills. While focusing more on artistic photography that came with classwork, I continued to shoot my friends skating and submit the photos to magazines. Soon I was published in both Slap and Thrasher and within a year I was asked to move to Philadelphia to shoot for Slap full time.
After several years of shooting with professional skateboarders I landed at Skateboarder Magazine where I began to do travel stories around the globe in unexpected places. These trips included the Trans Siberian Railway, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, motor biking through Vietnam, the Brazilian Amazon by boat, and visiting India’s Kumbh Mela Festival, always with a crew of skateboarders looking for the ever-elusive skate spot.
All the work producing these trips paid off more than I could have imagined with the release of my first book, Skate the World – Photographing One World of Skateboarding, was published by National Geographic. I continue to work as a freelance photographer in NYC, focusing on skateboarding locally and abroad, as well as shooting commercial lifestyle jobs and other documentary projects.
Jonathan Mehring, Category finalist 2016: Wings
Category finalist 2016Wings
PhotographerJonathan Mehring
AthleteAaron "Jaws" Homoki
LocationBoise, ID, United States
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Jonathan Mehring
CameraNikon D800E
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
There is nothing like looking for spots with Aaron ‘Jaws’ Homoki. If skaters view the world differently than everyone else, then Jaws views it differently from nearly every skater as well.
The whole crew was in the van looking out the windows for spots. Jaws was in there too, but instead of looking at street level, he was looking up! He’s always on the lookout for a second storey drop spot – his specialty. This one, in Boise, Idaho while on tour with the Tumyeto crew, was no different.
There was a shout from the back of the van: “Guys, guys! A second story drop!” We lurched to a halt and everyone looked around for the spot. After a few seconds we realized what he was talking about. He ran up to check it out and it was perfect. No cracks or rough ground impeding his runway.
After making sure the filmer and I had our angles set and our cameras ready he went for it, not wanting to try anymore times than necessary. The impact could be felt with each attempt and I kept wondering how many tries he could take. Luckily after five or six attempts he rolled away clean and we were on our way.

Biography
I am a photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. I began taking photos of my friends skateboarding in high school. During this time I found my passion for photography and enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University to further my skills. While focusing more on artistic photography that came with classwork, I continued to shoot my friends skating and submit the photos to magazines. Soon I was published in both Slap and Thrasher and within a year I was asked to move to Philadelphia to shoot for Slap full time.
After several years of shooting with professional skateboarders I landed at Skateboarder Magazine where I began to do travel stories around the globe in unexpected places. These trips included the Trans Siberian Railway, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, motor biking through Vietnam, the Brazilian Amazon by boat, and visiting India’s Kumbh Mela Festival, always with a crew of skateboarders looking for the ever-elusive skate spot.
All the work producing these trips paid off more than I could have imagined with the release of my first book, Skate the World – Photographing One World of Skateboarding, was published by National Geographic. I continue to work as a freelance photographer in NYC, focusing on skateboarding locally and abroad, as well as shooting commercial lifestyle jobs and other documentary projects.
Marcos Ferro, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerMarcos Ferro
AthleteGerardo Moreno
LocationLa Malintzin, Mexico
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Marcos Ferro
CameraNikon D800E
Lens14.0mm f/2.8
ISO100
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/50
About the shot
I was shooting for a sports watch brand and the goal was to show the speed of long-board downhill and integrate the watch somehow. Ironically, we were running against time, because my son was due to be born at any moment.
I always like to plan the photo in my head before shooting with the camera so I spent some time sketching possible angles. Because the final result would be big two meter prints, it was important to get the best image quality possible. So mounting a small action camera was not an option.
We used a pick up truck as the shooting vehicle. We were six guys and the athlete that day: one stayed in the lower part of the road to ensure no cars came. The second guy drove, another one was on the roof holding a strobe, the forth one held another speed light coming out of the passenger seat window. The fifth guy was riding a bike alongside the athlete with a third speed light. Me? I was wearing a harness and tied sitting on the Bull Bar of the Frontier!
It was a bit sketchy driving behind Gerardo at 60 km/h; his position was too low for the driver to see him. If he suddenly fell there was a big risk we’d drive over him! I exposed to the shaded parts of the road, setting the camera between 1/40s to 1/60s. The idea of using flashes was more to freeze the subject and avoid getting any extra blur on the athlete than achieve a ‘studio’ look. The shot worked out really well and my son, Tiago was born three days later.

Biography
I was born in Argentina in 1982, grew up in Patagonia and then moved to Mexico where I’ve been based since 2004. Since a kid, I was always close to the adventure world; mountain biking everyday to school and later when I discovered rock climbing.
At about 15, I began experimenting with a borrowed camera while I got serious with adventure sports. In 1999, aged 19, I participated in my first adventure race and later focused on trail running (and ultra distance races), something that not only became good training, but also a good opportunity to take my camera to the most remote places. Since then, mostly self-taught and working as a photo assistant, I started my career as an adventure and action photographer.
My professional career began in 2005. During those years, I’ve photographed nu-merous adventure races, expeditions, different sports and journeys in remote places. I’ve contributed to the editorial market working with National Geographic Traveller, Runner's World, Trail Runner, Bike, the New York Times and Climbing among others. I’ve also collaborated with Red Bull, Discovery Channel, Speedo, Petzl and Mexico’s tourism board.
I was a semi-finalist at Red Bull Illume 2010 and in 2014 was selected by Red Bull to be one of 75 photographers featured in redbullphotography.com.
Jason Halayko, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerJason Halayko
AthleteKonta “Gonta” Suzuki and Hitoshi Takahashi
LocationSRAM PARK, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
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Jason Halayko
CameraApple iPhone 6s
Lens
ISO25
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
Having shot FMX for nearly ten years, it can be challenging to find new and interesting angles. While shooting at my friend Daice’s training area in Seto, Japan, I noticed I could actually crawl into and underneath the ramp set up that day. Important to note is this is something you would never be able to do at an event, for obvious safety reasons, and you get a LOT of dirt thrown at you each time someone jumps, so it’s not all that pleasant a shooting spot.
Once I was under the ramp though, I noticed I could use its unique lines (designed and built by Daice himself) to frame the riders as they were at the peak of their trick. After a few runs I was getting the hang of where to pre focus, and when the riders Gonta and Hitoshi came together I was able to get them both framed really well in the shot.
What I like best about this shot is, even though it was shot on an iPhone, it is still a unique FMX photo, shot from an angle I’m pretty sure I have never seen before.

Biography
It has been over 25 years since my humble beginnings in high school photography 101, but I still love photography and all the adventures it has brought into my life over the years. Now a full time professional photographer based in Tokyo, Japan, I shoot everything from DJs and breakdancers to BMX, skateboarding and even E-Sports. For me variety is the spice of life and I love meeting so many amazing people in the whole spectrum of athletes and performers killing it today. Thank you everyone, always!
Geoff Holman, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerGeoff Holman
AthleteAdam Benson, Sean Mirus and John Holman
LocationBritish Columbia, Canada
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Geoff Holman
CameraCanon EOS 5DS R
LensEF 11-24mm f/4L USM
ISO100
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
I was on assignment shooting a new ski touring operation in the Kootenay region of British Columbia. I had packed far too much camera gear on this trip and my touring setup was less than optimal. I ended up with a pretty nasty blister on the heel of my foot but the three days we spent exploring this terrain were just magical. The snow was light, dry and deep. The old growth larch had a thick covering of frost that looked like icing. Cloud level was just below our elevation rolling in and out just like the ocean tide and the crisp air was full of big fat crystals. The conditions for shooting couldn't have been more perfect.

The moment I captured in this image was just after our party had reached the top. We were getting organized, talking and joking and then we were starting to look at all the possibilities for the untouched powder lines below. That feeling of anticipation for the run to come mixed with the satisfaction of getting there under my own power is something that I have thought of many times after returning home from this trip. And it is something that know I am going to have to repeat.

Biography
As a kid I had a hard time focusing. Growing up with dyslexia made reading challenging for me so most of my time in school was spent day-dreaming and drawing. I struggled with low self-esteem and always felt like the slowest kid in the classroom. My parents realized this and made what was a radical move at that time and pulled me out of public school and started homeschooling.
Being homeschooled was a fresh start for me. It gave me the time and opportunity to take my passion for art and do something with it in a practical way. Before long I was mentoring with an accomplished landscape artist Roger D Arndt. I learned color theory, composition and what it would take to survive as a full time artist. This turned out to be the most important education I could have asked for and really shaped me as the artist and photographer I am today.
Becoming a sports photographer happened as a natural progression for me. I had no real aspiration at the time to shoot these types of photos. But growing up in British Columbia I was surrounded by epic landscapes and people who were excited about getting out and experiencing them. My close group of friends and I have a passion for skiing and mountain biking, we starting experimenting with different photo set-ups on our adventures and that is how this addiction to getting the shot started and why I love experiencing the outdoors through the lens today.
Haruki "Harookz" Noguchi, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerHaruki "Harookz" Noguchi
AthleteDavid Van Hoesen, Curtis Robinson, Matty Miles
LocationRoberts Creek, Canada
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Haruki "Harookz" Noguchi
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
ISO1000
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed2
About the shot
As an action sports photographer, I’m naturally drawn to capturing ‘peak-action’ moments. It took some time during the early years of my career before realizing that my passion for mountain biking was more than just the action. The intricate little moments that took place before and after the actual riding played an equally important role in why I devoted my life to bikes.
It was a classic summer day where we took full advantage of extended daylight hours. A lengthy grind to the peak followed by a ‘soul-shred’ descent with the boys helped us re-visit all of the reasons why we started mountain biking in the first place. As darkness approached, we reminisced the day’s highlights over ice cold beers in a cabin nestled on the coast of British Columbia.
I stepped away from the cabin to take in the full scene and what I saw struck me immediately. There it was: best friends, bikes, and good times with no obligations, an organic moment and a feeling I strive to fill my life with.

Biography
My photographic journey started years before I owned a camera. During my high school years, I endured the classroom grind by daydreaming while fixating on the glossy photographs in action sports magazines. The images resonated powerfully, motivating me to poach my mom’s point-n-shoot camera to document my own adventures in the mountains. Through a self-taught trial and error method that burned many rolls of film, I was able to establish a career doing what I love.
The never-ending learning process of taking photographs fascinates me. It’s an obsession seeking magical unexpected moments, all the while deciphering the light to capture a certain feeling in a single frame.
I feel very fortunate to call the coast of British Columbia home with a vast backyard that has far more than I’ll ever be able to capture. I’ve recently started photographing the world of fly fishing which continues to keep me awake at night. I will forever gravitate towards the path in life that allows me to play in the mountains and sleep under the stars as much as possible.
Simone Mondino, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerSimone Mondino
AthleteAlex "Geims" Luciano
LocationCol de Vars, France
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Simone Mondino
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO32
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
I usually take an iPhone picture before I shoot with my Nikon D4S or D800 so I can organize every detail and be happy with the final composition.
Sometimes the first shot with my iPhone is so nice that it's really hard to copy with my camera because the rider was in the correct position, the light was great etc. When I find a spot like this it's easy to play with the longboarders.
I used my iPhone 6 and I just retouched the saturation a little during the editing, nothing else. Lucky day!

Biography
I'm a self-taught freelance photographer, was born in 1988 and currently live in Fossano, Italy.

I love to photograph longboard in particular. With this sport you can mix incredible landscapes and the amazing energy that this action sport provides. My favorite combo is when there are bad weather conditions, riders and sick road. This is perfect!
In 2012 I began to photograph this sport following the Italian leg of the Sector9 EURoK Summer Tour. I can say that this has been my training. I photographed the Women’s World Champion Elena Corrigall and other international riders during their trip. I think in that moment my love for this sport and the lifestyle around it was born. Freedom, happiness, friendships and really sick landscapes, this is longboard for me!
Now I'm here in my awesome country and I think there are some of the best spots that I ever saw. I'm a little bit lucky because I live so close to the Alps.
I've been published in some international skateboarding magazines such as HeelSideMag, Crvis3r Skateboarding and Concrete Wave. Finally I do what I love – great landscapes, action sports and photography. What else is there to say?
Fernando Marmolejo, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerFernando Marmolejo
AthleteJoan Pere
LocationBarcelona , Spain
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Fernando Marmolejo
CameraNikon D700
Lens16.0mm f/2.8
ISO320
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
This was at the Barcelona dubjam in 2013. The day started with rain and at first it looked like the event was going to be suspended. Meanwhile, Joan had a morning fail. He was going at speed, about three meters off the ground when he fell down. He recovered within minutes to be ready for the jam, and was in third position when the tragedy happened.
All morning I was shooting with my Nikkor 35 mm F2.0 but for that spot, I decided to use the Fisheye Nikkor 16 mm F2.8.
Another gap to jump this time, and Joan was on fire. All the photographers were aware that he was about to do something special because he’s always pulling a surprise out of the box. He took a run and I prepared to make a sequence, it was all very quick and very improvised, and I did not have time to assemble flashes. He was the first, so nobody could make tests before, but then something went wrong. Joan touched the rail with the front wheel and quickly released the handlebar. TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC-TAC. I stopped shooting just before he hit the ground.
It was so dramatic, like slow-mo. Joan received a strong blow to the head. We called an ambulance and they quickly took him to hospital. He spent a few days in a coma then started riding the day after he came out, as if nothing had happened. Crazy life!

Biography
Seville, southern Spain. Here I met my passion for MTB and photography. In Leogang, Austria, after a fall doing downhill training, I had to spend the next five days in a bikepark with my collarbone broken, shooting photos with my friend’s compact camera using the left hand. That, in 2007, was my first photography experience.
After the injury I switched to BMX, and in a year I had bought a Nikon D40 and a short while later a few flashes and a few triggers. I was trying to copy the greatest BMX photographers. I learned many things from the wonderful world of photography by myself, just shooting and shooting. But I focused on BMX.
Over the last four years I started to turn my passion into a profession. Currently I shoot anything that moves fast or high, whether two or four wheels. I love action sports. This passion I hope will take me all over the world!
Roman Neimann, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerRoman Neimann
AthleteJoosep Nilk
LocationViljandi, Estonia
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Roman Neimann
CameraCanon EOS 6D
LensEF 50mm f/1.4 USM
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/320
About the shot
The location for this photo was built a year ago by my good friend. When I first saw this place it looked amazing. The problem was, there are not a lot of riders who are able to ride these kinds of trails. But the guy in the picture, Joosep Nilk, was one of them.
I called him and he was super stoked about the idea. So the next week I drove to the place and slept in my van for a few hours. Jossep came straight from a competition he competed in the day before, bringing a friend with him to help with the shot.
But these guys came straight from the party so they were pretty tired! For this shot I knew we needed morning sun with some haze or smoke, and those tired friends were responsible for the bonfire and the smoke we needed.
We set everything up then started the session. It went ok at first but took a long time to get the correct shot and the angle I wanted, and the guardians of the bonfire became even more tired. Eventually they just fell asleep which was really funny! At the end though, we managed to pull it off. Not with the first sunlight of the day, not with the perfect smoke but still enough to make it look good.

Biography
I started filming road trips with my friends about 15 years ago using a VHS camera I borrowed from my dad. I got really into it, then started to take photos with a camera that also belonged to my dad. I was also snowboarding a lot back then and knew the local riders so came up with the idea to make a snow movie.
During filming I also had the opportunity to take some photos and sent them to an action sports photo competition – somehow I won! After that I shot film and photos. I made snow movies for five or six years then slowly started getting into more serious business – shooting TV commercials, music videos and brand marketing videos.
There have always been times in my life when I have shot more photos than filmed and vice versa, but I have never taken photos as a professional as it has always been a hobby. Perhaps this was because I thought filming was cooler, with a bigger crew, bigger budgets, and I received many awards for best music videos and commercials.
Photography has always been more for myself. I am alone with the camera and the subject. That is totally different from shooting a commercial. And I think that’s why I love it so much. About three years ago I started a movie project entitled ‘LoveLifeMovie’. During this shoot I also took many photos and that was the first time my pictures appeared in a skiing magazine. It definitely pushed me to take more photos and that’s the reason I’m taking part in this mega photo competition!
Roman Neimann, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerRoman Neimann
AthleteDeyvid Oprja
LocationRaudalen, Norway
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Roman Neimann
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Lens70-200mm
ISO100
F-Stop3.5
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
We had been skiing in mountains that were only accessible by hiking around a lake for a week. One morning during breakfast we started talking about how to take a shortcut, and skip an hour of hiking in the woods. I remembered Deyvid bought inflatable SUPs and I asked him to bring them out so we could try to make it to the other side.
It turned out to be a really cool experience. SUPing on the lake, hiking a mountain – it was kind of an adventure. I really wanted to capture the experience in a photo. So we went to a lake the next day and staged that scene, luckily it was sunny and warm again.
We waited until the evening to get some good light. Deyvid got himself ready and as soon as the light was low enough we started our mission to capture that perfect moment.

Biography
I started filming road trips with my friends about 15 years ago using a VHS camera I borrowed from my dad. I got really into it, then started to take photos with a camera that also belonged to my dad. I was also snowboarding a lot back then and knew the local riders so came up with the idea to make a snow movie.
During filming I also had the opportunity to take some photos and sent them to an action sports photo competition – somehow I won! After that I shot film and photos. I made snow movies for five or six years then slowly started getting into more serious business – shooting TV commercials, music videos and brand marketing videos.
There have always been times in my life when I have shot more photos than filmed and vice versa, but I have never taken photos as a professional as it has always been a hobby. Perhaps this was because I thought filming was cooler, with a bigger crew, bigger budgets, and I received many awards for best music videos and commercials.
Photography has always been more for myself. I am alone with the camera and the subject. That is totally different from shooting a commercial. And I think that’s why I love it so much. About three years ago I started a movie project entitled ‘LoveLifeMovie’. During this shoot I also took many photos and that was the first time my pictures appeared in a skiing magazine. It definitely pushed me to take more photos and that’s the reason I’m taking part in this mega photo competition!
Olaf Pignataro, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerOlaf Pignataro
AthleteAnthony Perrin, Simone Barraco and Courage Adams
LocationBenidorm, Spain
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Olaf Pignataro
CameraNikon D3
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
In the last few years there have been new buildings, streets and neighbourhoods springing up in Spain, and therefore new spots to ride BMX. However, everybody is still riding the same spots in Barcelona, without exploring the rest of the country.
With this in mine, Anthony Perrin, Simone Barraco, Courage Adams and I decided to cross the Iberian Peninsula, from North to South and East to West, looking for something peculiar, never ridden before.
We found ourselves in Benidorm, also known as the Miami of the Mediterranean Sea due to its skyscrapers. We were interested in riding the curved walls and banks between the promenade and the sandy beach, but I quickly became interested in the coloured pattern of the promenade itself.
To get the shot that I wanted, I asked to a local woman, who was walking out of one of the overlooking skyscrapers, if she would give me access to her balcony. The request at first surprised her, but she was so kind to let me use the balcony for a few minutes, just in time to capture Anthony's barspin while the three of them were looking around for something to ride.

Biography
My name is Olaf Pignataro, I was born in France, and later moved to Germany and Italy. I now live in London, UK. As a teenager I skated all the time, switching to BMX later in my twenties. On those two small wheels I wasn't progressing that much. I was helping a couple of friends with a BMX zine and I began spending more time taking photos of other riders than riding myself. After a while, I completely gave up my ambitions in BMX riding and focused on my photography career.
I feel comfortable shooting all kinds of sports, no matter if it’s board sports or motorsports, aerobatics or sailing. But in all these years I have remained committed to BMX because, photographically speaking, it offers endless variables.
Thanks to my job, I have had the opportunity to travel the world and work with the most amazing athletes around. I have had the chance to get to know their personalities and witness their successes and defeats and the joy and pain that come with any sport.
Maksim Kalanep, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerMaksim Kalanep
AthleteChris Jones
LocationLondon, United Kingdom
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Maksim Kalanep
CameraNikon D810
Lens35.0mm f/1.8
ISO400
F-Stop2.0
Shutter Speed1/5000
About the shot
This is Chris Jones after a fall at the Haggerston Park BMX track during Skateboarding Day in London, 2015
BMX track is not a typical terrain for riding your skateboard. It is a rough surface, full of sand and very dusty. Large soft wheels are required just to be able to ride on it. Slam City Skates, who with the help of Nike SB organized the event in 2015, knew that and provided boards with appropriate wheels on the day.
Races around the track were on everyone’s minds that day. It was lots of fun with massive clouds of dust in the air and limited vision, so it was not a big surprise that a number of slams and collisions took place on the track. No one got injured though.
Chris Jones was one of the riders who had some bad luck, but with slams being a regular part of a skateboarder's life, after several seconds of doubt, he was up and ready for another try.

Biography
I'm originally from a very small town in Latvia called Ventspils, but now I live and work as a professional freelance photographer in London, UK.
My journey as a photographer started when I was already filming my friends skateboarding on my parents’ camera and was about to go to university to pursue a career in filming. Right at the start of my first course, on top of all our regular subjects, we got a class in traditional black and white photography. I got so excited and into it, especially shooting on film and developing everything in the darkroom, that I changed my mind and switched to a photography course and eventually graduated as a photographer.
I never stopped filming, but in my head I decided that I wanted to be a professional photographer and earn my living that way and leave filming as a hobby. So to fulfil that dream I moved to London and spent two years working as a studio assistant getting experience, knowledge and saving for the equipment to be able to work as a freelancer.
Nowadays I shoot skateboarding and non-skateboarding events and campaigns both in the UK and in Europe. I'm happy where I am and can't wait to see where photography will take me next.
Stefan Madej, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerStefan Madej
AthleteAndrzej Mecherzyński-Wiktor
LocationWarsaw, Poland
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Stefan Madej
CameraNikon D800
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO200
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
I captured my friend Andrzej Mecherzyński-Wiktor in this picture during his indoor climbing training in January 2015. This specific moment shows Andrzej struggling to pass a really difficult boulder wall, putting all his effort into clinging to the overhanging wall by few fingers. Andrzej is one of the most awarded Polish climbers in history, and current Polish bouldering champion.
My intention was to emphasize the power, strength of the body, as well as commitment of the performer. For extra expression I chose black and white colors along with a minimalistic ‘theatrical’ backdrop and contrasting lighting. This brought focus to the model and his body tension.
Rock climbing has become one of the trendiest sports in Poland during the past decade. It's becoming a mainstream discipline and a more and more popular point of interest for amateurs as well as professionals. This picture was later purchased by a Warsaw Mazda car dealership for a commercial advert.

Biography
My story of becoming a photographer started only few years ago, but it has its roots in my childhood. When I was 12, my parents took me on a trip. It wasn't just a regular family weekend, but something completely different from what a random Polish kid in the 1990s could experience. We went rock climbing. I instantly fell in love with this amazing sport and since then I had devoted every moment of my life to practicing climbing and traveling for climbing. This activity became my passion, and finally, my profession. Now it is my life.
In high school and college I had been poking around Poland, and later Europe, in search of interesting natural climbing areas. Most of them are located in national parks, or other extraordinarily beautiful places. Each time I visited magnificent mountains to climb I admired the background as well. I developed a need to capture those stunning moments, where sport, challenge and adventure meet the beauty of natural landscapes. I wanted to shoot my friends doing their life records, as well as capturing the magnificent views from the unique climbers’ perspective.
Right now I'm a professional climber. I work as a climbing teacher and coach. I'm based in Warsaw, Poland. I also work as a freelance photographer, mostly engaged in shooting climbing-related subjects. Combining my beloved hobby with my sport gives me satisfaction. Being a climbing pro, and a climbing community insider, is an opportunity for me to capture the most unique moments during training for this amazing sport.
Sulejman Omerbašić, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerSulejman Omerbašić
AthleteJason Paul
LocationSarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
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Sulejman Omerbašić
CameraNikon D800
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO800
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Jason Paul, a free runner from Germany was in Sarajevo for two days to film a short movie for Red Bull. I was called to be part of the production team as a stills photographer providing pictures for Red Bull Content Pool. The idea for the movie and pictures was to shoot Jason on the roofs of Sarajevo, and to emphasize the multi religion aspect of the city.
The weather was not on our side and for the whole two days it was raining. The roofs were very slippery for Jason to perform. On the last day of shooting the amount of rain had decreased and for half an hour the rain stopped and the roofs had partially dried. Jason decided to jump between a four-story-building in the centre of Sarajevo.
For the whole time my goal was capture a good sequence of Jason's jump. I wanted to freeze him in action, and to see his graciousness in every part of his performance. I also wanted to capture the church towers and mosque minarets in the picture. So I used 16-35 lens at 16mm on full frame body on Nikon D800 at 1/1000sec to freeze Jason in air. I have used f-stop f5 and ISO 800 since it was very dark and cloudy day.

Biography
I live in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I fell in love with photography when I was in elementary school. My father was a photo enthusiast and he showed me how to work with cameras.
Soon after, I started chasing cats and pigeons around house for a good shot with a zoom lens. For me the results where fantastic, for example, capturing a bird in a moment of flight was something beyond my expectations. So photography and visual arts have become my true passion.
In my 20s I got my first assignments and my hobby slowly turned to my profession. I was able to buy better photo equipment and started to work for a magazine as a photographer.
Since then I have been working with major news and photo agencies in the world covering major events mostly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently I work as photo editor in a Bosnian weekly newspaper but I try to make time for other interesting assignments in Bosnia and abroad. Photography has taken me to beautiful places and made me meet very interesting people for which I am truly grateful and I consider this the biggest award in my photographic career.
Tim Korbmacher, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerTim Korbmacher
AthleteBoogie
LocationDuisburg, Germany
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Tim Korbmacher
CameraCanon EOS 7D
LensEF 50mm f/1.4 USM
ISO160
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
This beautiful spot is located in a big cultural area called ‘Rheinpark’ in Duisburg, Germany. Really close by is a big skate park where we did a shoot for the German BMX Rider Magazine.
Following the skate park session we decided to explore the whole area to find new spots we could ride and shoot. Our search was really successful and we found a nice bank spot under a historical railroad bridge. After I set up all my gear I turned around and suddenly saw the exact perspective you see in this picture.

It looked so clean and the first thing I thought was if it would be possible to hop over the rail and dive down the grass bank. I told the riders my vision and asked who would be down for it. Most of them where really stoked but unfortunately it wasn’t possible because the green was too wet and all the riders had no brakes on their bikes.
Unfortunately on the next day the trip was over and everyone went back home. First it was a little frustrating but there was also Andy, a good friend of mine better known as ‘Boogie bad kid’. He was our local spot guide during the trip. He promised to try the jump when conditions were better. Two months later we met again and had the chance to finish the idea. The shot only took a few minutes and we both were really stoked on how it turned out.

Biography
I was born and raised in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany and now live in Düsseldorf. My story of being a photographer matches those of many other guys sharing my passion. I’ve been addicted to skate and snowboarding most of my life. Through my job I’ve had the chance to meet and contact many different photographers who have inspired me greatly.
Growing older, I had to face the negative aspects of these sports and with my health in mind I decided to become more professional behind the camera. Pushing the trigger doesn’t hurt at all – at least most of the time.
So I started to take photos back in 2008 with a digital SLR and I’m gaining more and more experience with the analogue medium format and 35mm cameras. It’s so much fun to go out with friends and all the other guys I meet to see new spots, nice places and then to capture my point of view with the camera. That’s what I like.
In 2012 I became a freelance photographer mainly focused on action sports, as well as many other fields. I’m working as a senior photographer and editor in chief at the German BMX Rider Magazine and I’m a member of the staff pro team at f-stop Gear.
Eric Parker, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerEric Parker
AthleteAniol Serrasolses
LocationDjúpivogur, Iceland
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Eric Parker
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO2000
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/4000
About the shot
In June of 2015, Red Bull athlete, Aniol Serrasolses, Todd and Brendan Wells, and I traveled to Iceland in search of perfect waterfalls. We met some kind and genuine locals, who gave us information on some waterfalls which had never been kayaked before. They told us to climb the Keldua river valley in Eastern Iceland and see them for ourselves. We drove as far as roads would take us and set up camp for the night.
Early the next morning we set off on foot up valley with kayaks on our shoulders. After several kilometers, we walked to the canyon edge and discovered this breathtaking set of waterfalls. Surrounded by iconic Icelandic tundra, wild herds of caribou, and a sanctuary of turquoise water, it was clear that we had found exactly what we were looking for.
Aniol is one of the most talented kayakers in the world and we were incredibly lucky to have had a perfect water level. Aniol fired up the falls first and had a very clean line. I get really excited about photos that display nature's raw power and beauty. I find the best action photos come when conditions line up and you have the best athletes at your disposal. This photo is a perfect example of both.

Biography
At the age of 16 I was introduced to whitewater kayaking. The power of the river, the international kayaking community, and exploration quickly became the focal point of my life. As I learned about rivers, I realized how little we as humans know about these incredibly beautiful and sacred places. I soon became overwhelmed with the urge to document these mesmerizing landscapes: canyons, waterfalls, and pristine waterways around the world. Naturally, photography became the medium for me to share my experiences and document nature’s wonders.
Now after eight years, hundreds of rivers, and 24 countries, my passion continues to prosper just as much as it did when I took my first strokes on the rivers and captured my first images.
When I am not on the river or in the mountains, I can be found working on various commercial, editorial and conservation projects. I hope to continue on this journey and promote environmental stewardship and protection of our planet’s most precious resource, water.
Eric Parker, Category finalist 2016: Spirit
Category finalist 2016Spirit
PhotographerEric Parker
AthleteTodd Wells, Brendan Wells and Galen Volckhausen
LocationLittle White Salmon River, WA, United States
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Eric Parker
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO800
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
I am very lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful and motivated group of friends. We are constantly coming together and planning the next big adventure. So when a rare snow storm deposited 30 centimeters of fresh snow on our favorite local river, we had to go kayak!
The ride to the river was similar to the hundreds of shuttles we had done before. Feelings of excitement at leaving our responsibilities and the stresses of everyday life, and escaping to our whitewater oasis floated through our minds. When we arrived at the put in, we all broke out in laughter at the sight of growing layers of snow, which consumed the vibrant Pacific northwest vegetation.
The harsh reality came when we stepped out of the car and attempted to put on our frozen gear. Our body temperatures and motivation quickly dwindled. I hadn’t planned on taking this photo, but as we fought to find motivation to go kayaking, I knew there was an image and story to be told. I quickly pulled out my Canon 5D Mark III and quietly captured this image, hoping to catch this candid moment. We proceeded to get on the river, warm up, and have one of the most spectacular and memorable days of my life.

Biography
At the age of 16 I was introduced to whitewater kayaking. The power of the river, the international kayaking community, and exploration quickly became the focal point of my life. As I learned about rivers, I realized how little we as humans know about these incredibly beautiful and sacred places. I soon became overwhelmed with the urge to document these mesmerizing landscapes: canyons, waterfalls, and pristine waterways around the world. Naturally, photography became the medium for me to share my experiences and document nature’s wonders.
Now after eight years, hundreds of rivers, and 24 countries, my passion continues to prosper just as much as it did when I took my first strokes on the rivers and captured my first images.
When I am not on the river or in the mountains, I can be found working on various commercial, editorial and conservation projects. I hope to continue on this journey and promote environmental stewardship and protection of our planet’s most precious resource, water.
Ray Demski, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerRay Demski
AthleteAlex Luger and Hanno Schluge
LocationOlsen, Lyngen fjörd, Norway
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Ray Demski
CameraNokia Lumia 1020
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/75
About the shot
Sometimes unplanned is the best plan.
We´d spent many late nights enduring harsh cold shooting conditions which reached temperatures down to -37 Celsius, waiting hours on end around the ice falls for the perfect aurora to show up. Finally it did and our mission to shoot ice climbing at night under the Aurora Borealis at Lyngen Fjord in Arctic Norway was complete!
However climbers Alex and Hanno had seen something, a spectacular new line. At their first free moment, they were off.
I joined them to photograph the first ascent of Stuorraniibi, WI6, M7, six pitches of clean climbing on the ice and rock of the “Oksen” near Lyngseidet along the Lyngen Fjord. It was gnarly watching them send as I worked my way up a neighboring snow chute for better angles.
Along with my trusty Nikon D800 set up, Nokia had given me their latest phone, the Nokia Lumia 1020 to try out in different conditions, this image is one I shot with the phone.

Biography
Growing up in the mountains of western Canada, the outdoors have always felt like home.
Thanks to my crazy adventurous parents, even by the age of four I had been to a long list of far-flung places.
At fourteen I moved with my family onto a sailboat, none of us having a clue about sailing. Together we spent almost seven years sailing around the globe, exploration was my education.
During the sailing voyage I picked up a camera and began photographing the people and places along the way - I’ve been addicted ever since.
Going pro in 2007, as a lifelong athlete and explorer, I gravitated to action and adventure photography.
These days I split my time between commercial work and expeditions to intense places with amazing people.
When not shooting I get outside and enjoy the sports I love.
Since 2013 I call Munich, Germany home, but most days I can be found on the move.
Ray Demski, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerRay Demski
AthleteAlex Luger, Hanno Schluge and Heli Putz
LocationLyngen Fjörd, Norway
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Ray Demski
CameraNikon D4
Lens35.0mm f/1.4
ISO5000
F-Stop2.0
Shutter Speed1/100
About the shot
My idea for the trip was to photograph ice climbing at night under the Aurora Borealis. With an awesome crew we stayed two weeks in the Lyngen Fjord, Arctic Norway, in cooperation with Red Bull Photography.
We spent late nights enduring harsh cold shooting conditions reaching temperatures down to -37 Celsius and waiting hours on end around the ice falls for the perfect aurora to show up. Focused on getting the shots we lived in tents. Eating mainly freeze-dried expedition food, we quickly began to crave something different!
Near the end of our trip on our way to the cliffs we spotted a small fisherman’s shed. The local fishermen with faces etched by the fjord, showed us their catch of the day and we made off with three big fish that felt like ten kilos for the price of a beer in Norway.
That evening after climbing, huddled around our fire near the cliffs, we grilled what I am sure is some of the tastiest fish any of us has ever eaten and by far the best meal of the trip!
I used a Nikon D4 camera at 5000 ISO, shutter speed of 1/100th, with a 35mm f/1.4 lens stopped down to f/2 to capture the scene.

Biography
Growing up in the mountains of western Canada, the outdoors have always felt like home.
Thanks to my crazy adventurous parents, even by the age of four I had been to a long list of far-flung places.
At fourteen I moved with my family onto a sailboat, none of us having a clue about sailing. Together we spent almost seven years sailing around the globe, exploration was my education.
During the sailing voyage I picked up a camera and began photographing the people and places along the way - I’ve been addicted ever since.
Going pro in 2007, as a lifelong athlete and explorer, I gravitated to action and adventure photography.
These days I split my time between commercial work and expeditions to intense places with amazing people.
When not shooting I get outside and enjoy the sports I love.
Since 2013 I call Munich, Germany home, but most days I can be found on the move.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteSenad Grosic
LocationSenftenberg, Germany
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Lorenz Holder
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO500
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
I shot this unique location a couple months before this action shoot as a landscape picture because I just liked the whole structure and the way it was integrated into the landscape. It’s a viewing platform made of steel that has rusted over the years. You can walk up the stairs to enjoy the view over the lakes that surround the area.
I knew somehow, that there was the potential for it to be a location for an action photo. My first idea was to shoot snowboarding in it, but that was just impossible because of the limited space. I almost gave up on the idea, but then I bumped into Senad Grosic in Berlin one day and we talked a bit about spots and stuff. I showed him the landscape picture and he told me that we need to go back there to see what’s possible.
So Senad and I took a road trip and drove all the way to Senftenberg. We discussed and fine-tuned a plan that would look rad on photo. Senad had the idea to be dressed all white to give it more contrast, because I didn’t want to use flashes to keep the structure as evenly lit as possible. The angle is almost the same angle I chose for the landscape picture. It’s actually an architectural picture with the spice of action sports in it.
Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteCedric Romanens
LocationLaax, Switzerland
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Lorenz Holder
CameraDJI Phantom 3
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/125
About the shot
I always wanted to shoot an action sports picture with a drone, so I looked for a very unique location. I found a swimming platform in a Swiss alpine lake that was crystal clear, where you could see all the rocks and the formations through the water.
I drove from Munich to Laax and met up with the skateboarder Cedric Romanens and explained him what I had in mind. He was pretty surprised when I told him where the shooting location would be. For this shot timing was everything because the whole shot is created by Cedric’s shadow and that had to be in the right spot and the right angle to be symmetric – not too long or too short.
Luckily there was a kiosk where you could rent small boats to cruise the lake, so it was easy to get Cedric to the platform. It was not too easy to get the right timing, because the drone camera had a little delay and skateboarding is a very fast sport to shoot. Also the battery life of the drone limits the amount of tries. But after a couple of minutes I pretty much knew when I had to trigger the camera to get the right moment. Luckily Cedric is an awesome skateboarder so he made it a bit easier for me to get the shot. I like the feeling that you don’t really understand the picture when you see it the first time, but once you’ve understood what’s going on – the picture works the way I was hoping.

Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteMax Horn
LocationMurnauer Moos, Germany
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Lorenz Holder
CameraSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Lens24-70mm f/1.8-2.8
ISO250
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
I was taking a walk to scout spots for a landscape picture and as I was walking through the swamp area around Murnauer Moos, I found this unique spring-bowl with crystal clear water and awesome colors. I thought that the bird’s-eye view must look incredible so I went back to the car and switched my large-format-camera for my drone and went back.
The result was stunning and after I looked at this picture several times I just couldn’t hold back the thought of getting an action sport picture here. It was late in the season and the snow down in the valley was rare. But when I drove on that day to the spot, the landscape was beautifully covered in snow.
However, the closer I got the less snow was on the fields. When I finally got there, it was a big shock: no snow, just wet grass.
I talked to the snowboarder Max Horn and we discussed what we could do and he just made the call, trying it out without snow, just pulling in with the winch on wet grass. It sounded strange, but maybe it could work?
I think we had like three tries before the grass got dry and it became impossible to get enough speed. But we managed to get it all together on the last try. The image came out differently to what I expected, but with no snow around I think it makes the photo even more special.

Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteSenad Grosic
LocationGablenz, Germany
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Lorenz Holder
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO500
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
Senad and I were on the way to a different location early in the morning, when we passed this scenic spot. We saw a sign from the street and I had some pictures in mind that I’d seen from this bridge on the internet. When we got there the sun was just above the trees and it was lighting up the full color-spectrum of the autumn leaves in a very soft way.
One thing that was a little annoying was that the lake was covered with leaves which had fallen from trees, so the reflection of the bridge in the lake was just not there. But sometimes you just need a bit of luck – I had been on a fishing trip some days before and still had my fishing-boots and a net in the car. So got the stuff and tried to clean the lake by hand. It took a while until it was almost perfectly clean – at least where it was relevant for the picture. Luckily the sun was still very soft, so we had good light for the shot.
I’d chosen a very low camera position to get an almost perfect mirrored scene on the water surface. The bridge looked like a perfect circle and the light was still very good. When Senad was on the bridge, it took us two or three tries to get the shot. There was also no more time for another try because the wind came up and the perfect reflection on the water was gone.
We jumped back to the car and drove towards our originally planned spot. It was an awesome feeling to have shot this picture with more or less pure luck. Without the sign next to the road, we would have passed one of the nicest photo scenes.
Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteElias Elhardt
LocationStuben, Austria
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Lorenz Holder
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
ISO640
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
The Arlberg region is a huge playground for snowboarders, you can build jumps and ride powder pretty much the whole winter. A week before our shoot, the region was hit by heavy snowfall for a couple of days, but unfortunately it got super warm in the immediate days afterwards. But what looked really bad at the beginning was actually not bad at all.
The powdery snow melted so fast that the meltwater started to create crazy structures in the snowfields. I've never seen anything like this. We built a step-up jump where I had quite a lot of problems to find a good angle to shoot from, and sometimes it just doesn’t work.
However, the in-run of that jump went through this unique looking scene. I asked Elias if he could sacrifice one time hitting the main jump and just go for a method air over one of the small bumps in the snowfield right next to the in-run. He was up for it and hiked up a bit higher and just went for an extreme nice method air. I was really happy to have caught this natural phenomenon with Elias making it even more special.

Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Lorenz Holder, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerLorenz Holder
AthleteConny Mirbach
LocationRiem, Germany
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Lorenz Holder
CameraDJI Phantom 3
Lens
ISO100
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1200
About the shot
I never really found out what this place actually is. It’s just a garden with small hills, where concrete tracks find their way through it in a random way. One part of that garden is like a hilly playground made out of plastic. It was built for a garden-fair close to the Munich fairgrounds.
Anyways, I thought this could look really good from a bird’s-eye perspective if a skateboarder could do a kickflip and the sun would make the trick visible with the skater’s shadow.
I found the spot via Google Earth – a new tool for spot scouting when shooting with a drone! It’s a funny thing to see something from space that looks weird and think it could be your next shoot location.
I showed my idea to Conny and he was stoked to give this a try. The plastic ground was pretty horrible to skate on – it was the same material basketball courts are made of – but Conny is a hell of a skater and so he was still able to fire some flips even on that terrain.
Biography
I grew up in Munich, close to the Bavarian mountains, and it is those mountains that have always played a major role in my life. Being outside with my friends was always the thing that motivated me most, be it as a snowboarder back in the days or nowadays as a photographer.
I've never studied or learned photography but I was so impressed and fascinated, how one single image can describe a whole scene, a whole day or even a whole trip. This power of an image caught me straight away and passion became profession. I've finished my university for being a teacher and then went all in - All I wanted to do, is to shoot and create.
The biggest influence on my style of shooting comes from outside the action sport scene. I love to get impressed by creative work from landscape-, architecture- and fine-art-photography. But for me, this was always a little bit too boring to shoot, so I tried to combine those genres with action sport and that's where I found my true love for what I'm doing. Walking through life with open eyes and seeing possibilities.
Tim Kemple, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerTim Kemple
AthleteRahel Schelb
LocationSouth, Iceland
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Tim Kemple
CameraNikon D800
Lens24.0 mm f/1.4
ISO1600
F-Stop1.6
Shutter Speed6.0
About the shot
In March 2015 I traveled with professional climbers Rahel Schelb and Klemen Premrl to explore the possibility of climbing inside the glaciers and on the icebergs found along the southern coast of Iceland. Having only seen pictures on the internet of possible ice caves and floating icebergs in the ice lagoon, we spent a week exploring and pushing the limits of traditional ice climbing.
During one day of exploring we discovered a giant iceberg that had broken off from the glacier. We spent hours watching the ice before we decided it was safe to climb. As the sun went down we noticed that the Northern Lights were visible, so we used our three headlamps to illuminate the climb as well as the shape and color of the iceberg from the inside. With this little bit of light Rahel climbed the face while I snapped photos from below.

Biography
I’ve spent most of the last seven years of my life living out of the back of a car, surfing couches, at base camps, in dusty camp grounds in not-so-glamorous hotel rooms.
Fifteen years ago, right after picking up my first camera, I wrote in my journal that I was "perpetually stoked, penniless and loving every minute of it". I’m 35 now, I have a few more grey hairs, but if you distill it down not much has changed. I love the mountains, I love the energy of the city, I love meeting passionate people and I love capturing a story in a single photograph.
I’ve shot commercially on six continents in over thirty countries. Some of my clients include Ram, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Chevy, The North Face, Columbia Sportswear, and Phase One. In addition to my photography work, I created a film production company called Camp4 Collective in 2010 to better share the stories from the far corners of the globe that we so often find ourselves in.
Tim Kemple, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerTim Kemple
AthleteUnknown
LocationMount Huntington, AK, United States
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Tim Kemple
CameraPhase One IQ250
LensSchneider LS 75-150mm f/4.0-5.6
ISO200
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
Mount Huntington in Alaska may not have the altitude of nearby Denali, but it more than makes up for it in steepness and technical difficulty. In all directions the peak climbs 2,000m in less than 2km. This dramatic climb from the glacier below creates some of the most technical and difficult climbs in the entire Alaska range.
The peak was first climbed via the Northwest Ridge, aka The French Ridge, in the 1960s and while experienced climbers climb it a couple of times a year, I've nev-er seen an image that captured the exposed nature of the peak. It has been a dream photograph of mine since I first laid eyes on it in a magazine as a child.
While working with the National Park Service in 2014 I was lucky enough to ex-plore the entire range over several days while shooting from a helicopter. To capture this image I was an on an aerial flight in the afternoon. Wearing a har-ness for safety, the helicopter circled the climbers on the peak and I opened the door, leaned out, and snapped this shot.

Biography
I’ve spent most of the last seven years of my life living out of the back of a car, surfing couches, at base camps, in dusty camp grounds in not-so-glamorous hotel rooms.
Fifteen years ago, right after picking up my first camera, I wrote in my journal that I was "perpetually stoked, penniless and loving every minute of it". I’m 35 now, I have a few more grey hairs, but if you distill it down not much has changed. I love the mountains, I love the energy of the city, I love meeting passionate people and I love capturing a story in a single photograph.
I’ve shot commercially on six continents in over thirty countries. Some of my clients include Ram, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Chevy, The North Face, Columbia Sportswear, and Phase One. In addition to my photography work, I created a film production company called Camp4 Collective in 2010 to better share the stories from the far corners of the globe that we so often find ourselves in.
Claudio Casanova, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerClaudio Casanova
AthleteDeniz Cinek
LocationOberiberg, Switzerland
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Claudio Casanova
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO800
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
With two friends, Deniz Cinek and Thomas Kälin, I set out into great conditions to Oberiberg, Switzerland. We used a snowy soccer field as our spot because it is easily reachable by car and also ensures access to electricity, which is great if you work with electronic equipment! The location is just right for the realization of my creative projects. I also captured my Red Bull Illume Close-Up finalist photo of a snowboarder seen through a glass ball at this location.
I was often asked whether the glass ball was a drop of water. That question led me to the idea to try to capture a photo with a water drop. We again created the same ramp as then, about two meters high. The only difference was that this time I photographed with a wide-angle lens from the bottom. I placed a wooden box with a glass lid on the ramp, which I created for this purpose in the workshop to protect the camera. Using a pipette, we distributed water drops on the glass pane. In order to evaluate the photos on the spot, my camera was connected directly to my laptop. That way I did not have to repeatedly take the camera out of the box. Deniz pulled different stunts over the camera. At the end, we captured this backside 180° Japan Grab. The drops distort Deniz into different poses and simultaneously we see the jump as a whole image.

Biography
On April 12th in 1985 I was born in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The pre-alpine area around the famous monastery village is known as a winter sports paradise nationwide. The first ski tows are practically in front of my doorstep and therefore it was easy to have already be inspired by snow sports as a teenager. I apprehended the basis for my snowboard skills from skiing when I was a child. However, snowboarding became the true passion during my youth.
I found my second passion through my job as a carpenter. I documented my finished work photographically and thereby discovered my joy and my talent for photography. Both passions can be linked perfectly and since I was able to get a few good shots in my early days, I became more and more enthusiastic for the creative art form.
Even though my free time next to my full commitment as a carpenter is scarce, I use every free minute to be in the mountains with my snowboard and photo equipment to work on my projects.
In 2009, I won 3rd place in a Swiss Youth Photography Award and was then able to reap laurels for a photo for the first time. At the same time, I presented two photos in the context of a local youth development project called ‘Young Art in Einsiedeln’. I was a finalist at the Sony World Photography Awards 2010 and my snowboard photo was chosen among the best ten photos in the category ‘Sport Amateur’.
These awards, along with the versatile positive feedback, motivated me to invest additional time and money into photography.
In 2014, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, gives me the ‘Photo Annual 2014 Cover’.
In 2013 and 2016 I exhibited a photo at Red Bull Illume as a finalist. After the events in Hong Kong and Chicago, the photos toured around the world since 2013 till now as an Outdoor and Indoor exhibition.
And since then, I had many of my snowboard action sports photos published worldwide.
Claudio Casanova, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerClaudio Casanova
AthleteMike Knobel
LocationHoch-Ybrig, Switzerland
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Claudio Casanova
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO640
F-Stop13.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
On the 23rd of February, 2014 the time finally came: for the first time that season we had top weather and snow conditions in Hoch-Ybrig Switzerland, our home resort. The conditions were ideal to establish the largest and most legendary backcountry kicker in this region.
Accompanying me that day were the snowboarders: Mike Knobel, Deniz Cinek and Philipp Schicker. Since we had built this spot in previous years, we knew exactly how to calculate the distance from the take-off to the landing. To build the jump, we shov-elled snow for around four hours.
For this photo I chose my Canon 5D Mark III with a matching Canon 70-200 2.8 L telephoto lens. I put the shutter speed to 1/2500 in order to capture and freeze the energy of the perfect moment. Combined with a large aperture of 13, the sun's rays are perfectly reproduced in backlight.
Thanks to a superb leap, Mike Knobel earned the best photo of the session. Philipp Schicker unfortunately had less luck – for him it was not only the first backcountry session of the season, but also his last, since he sadly injured his foot.
He was taken back to the valley in the dark and in the deep snow on Deniz’s back. Sometimes good and bad luck lay within each other’s proximity; a year earlier my photo of Philip at the same spot earned the cover of TransWorld’s photo issue.

Biography
On April 12th in 1985 I was born in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The pre-alpine area around the famous monastery village is known as a winter sports paradise nationwide. The first ski tows are practically in front of my doorstep and therefore it was easy to have already be inspired by snow sports as a teenager. I apprehended the basis for my snowboard skills from skiing when I was a child. However, snowboarding became the true passion during my youth.
I found my second passion through my job as a carpenter. I documented my finished work photographically and thereby discovered my joy and my talent for photography. Both passions can be linked perfectly and since I was able to get a few good shots in my early days, I became more and more enthusiastic for the creative art form.
Even though my free time next to my full commitment as a carpenter is scarce, I use every free minute to be in the mountains with my snowboard and photo equipment to work on my projects.
In 2009, I won 3rd place in a Swiss Youth Photography Award and was then able to reap laurels for a photo for the first time. At the same time, I presented two photos in the context of a local youth development project called ‘Young Art in Einsiedeln’. I was a finalist at the Sony World Photography Awards 2010 and my snowboard photo was chosen among the best ten photos in the category ‘Sport Amateur’.
These awards, along with the versatile positive feedback, motivated me to invest additional time and money into photography.
In 2014, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, gives me the ‘Photo Annual 2014 Cover’.
In 2013 and 2016 I exhibited a photo at Red Bull Illume as a finalist. After the events in Hong Kong and Chicago, the photos toured around the world since 2013 till now as an Outdoor and Indoor exhibition.
And since then, I had many of my snowboard action sports photos published worldwide.
Claudio Casanova, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerClaudio Casanova
AthletePhilipp Schicker
LocationHoch-Ybrig, Switzerland
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Claudio Casanova
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO100
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
It was just a couple of weeks before the end of the season. Philipp Schicker and I saw the weather forecast for the next day – it was going to be good. That night, it snowed almost 30cm and we knew it would be the last good powder day.
I had already taken a lot of action shots that season and I finally wanted to take some lifestyle shots as well. Philipp was the only motivated rider left at that time. At first, the fog was thick and the visibility terrible. We were afraid that the powder snow would turn to slush before the weather turned better and that we would have to call everything off. However, after a couple of coffees, the fog luckily left and the sky turned blue.
It was time to take action. We could not believe our eyes. The mountain was covered in powder without a single groomed slope. We had to hurry because the sun was pretty warm. After a long hike, we arrived at one of our favorite spots. We got a lot of great shots.
From there back into civilization, we came across a lonely camper in the middle of nowhere. We were surprised at the sight and thought that it would be different to shoot and as a result got a bunch of good shots. This camper has been in the ski area for 20 years. It reminded us of the one in the legendary film, Into the Wild.

Biography
On April 12th in 1985 I was born in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The pre-alpine area around the famous monastery village is known as a winter sports paradise nationwide. The first ski tows are practically in front of my doorstep and therefore it was easy to have already be inspired by snow sports as a teenager. I apprehended the basis for my snowboard skills from skiing when I was a child. However, snowboarding became the true passion during my youth.
I found my second passion through my job as a carpenter. I documented my finished work photographically and thereby discovered my joy and my talent for photography. Both passions can be linked perfectly and since I was able to get a few good shots in my early days, I became more and more enthusiastic for the creative art form.
Even though my free time next to my full commitment as a carpenter is scarce, I use every free minute to be in the mountains with my snowboard and photo equipment to work on my projects.
In 2009, I won 3rd place in a Swiss Youth Photography Award and was then able to reap laurels for a photo for the first time. At the same time, I presented two photos in the context of a local youth development project called ‘Young Art in Einsiedeln’. I was a finalist at the Sony World Photography Awards 2010 and my snowboard photo was chosen among the best ten photos in the category ‘Sport Amateur’.
These awards, along with the versatile positive feedback, motivated me to invest additional time and money into photography.
In 2014, the world’s largest and most prestigious snowboard magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, gives me the ‘Photo Annual 2014 Cover’.
In 2013 and 2016 I exhibited a photo at Red Bull Illume as a finalist. After the events in Hong Kong and Chicago, the photos toured around the world since 2013 till now as an Outdoor and Indoor exhibition.
And since then, I had many of my snowboard action sports photos published worldwide.
Daniel Roos, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerDaniel Roos
AthleteBryan Regnier
LocationNevşehir, Turkey
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Daniel Roos
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO100
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/800
About the shot
This photo was taken in the stunning Turkish town of Göreme during the product shoot for the German bike company YT-Industries. After shooting at various spots for a couple of days, we found this special rock formation just around the corner of our basecamp.
It was pretty easy to convince our athlete Bryan Regnier to ride down the wall, but finding the perfect spot to take pictures from wasn’t easy at all. (The vertical chalk-walls weren’t appealing to take a walk on, let alone ride!)
Bryan could only go 2/3 of the way down the track before he had to jump sideways onto a platform, before the straight line would have led him into a 7m drop and a flat landing. He decided to just go for it, his comment was: “Don’t think – just ride!” At the end of the day it took us three tries until we captured this image.

Biography
I was born and raised in a small wine village in southwest Germany. When I was about 12 years old, skateboarding and taking photos with my dad’s Canon reflex cam were about my biggest passions in life. I was sure that either I’d become a pro skateboarder or a pro photographer. Needless to say, my skate-career didn’t go far. My favorite sports changed over the years but the photography has stayed!
Finally, at 27, I decided to learn photography as a profession. My time as a trainee was characterized with lots of food and fashion photography. Still, having a sports mindset I gravitated towards shooting pictures of all different extreme-sport genres when I was unleashed onto the world.
I am really happy to say that I earn my money with the best job on earth; who else gets the chance to work with interesting people all over the world at the most beautiful places you could imagine? And capture these moments for good!
Markus Rohrbacher, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerMarkus Rohrbacher
AthleteArthur Longo, Gjermund Braaten and Ludwig Biltoft
LocationKitzsteinhorn, Austria
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Markus Rohrbacher
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
Lens10-17mm
ISO100
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
Nitro Snowboards came up with the idea to let a group of riders jump through a cloud of helium balloons. Besides organizing enough balloons, helium and covering material for storing the filled balloons, we also had to find the right location.
After some brainstorming we came up with Kitzsteinhorn, where they built us a special gap-kicker. A bowl in the middle allowed us to hide the balloons and the crew who had to lift them.
The hardest part of this project was finding the right timing to lift the balloons and have the snowboarders jump through them simultaneously. After each try we needed to fill up new balloons and get the whole crew ready again, taking almost an hour of preparation each time. The next challenge was the weather. Conditions are always unpredictable on glaciers and often we had to wait for the sun to come out or for the wind to decrease or change direction. Unfortunately, this caused us a couple of failed attempts where balloons just flew in the wrong direction or the athletes lost control when they got hit by a gust of wind.
After a couple of tries and analyzing the timing and perspectives, we were able to get the right moment and all the effort we put in paid off.

Biography
I am a self-taught freelance photographer based in the centre of the Alps in Austria. After graduating as an architect I decided to take a year off and focused on action photography, primarily snowboarding. The mountains in front of my house gave me first hand experiences and allowed me to spend every day in the snow with my friends, which resulted in a quick progression of my photographic skills.
In 2011 I turned my interest in photography into a professional career. As a staff photographer at Nitro Snowboards I was assigned to shoot their athletes and to accompany them on their journeys around the world. Photography gives me the chance to travel around the globe and my goal is to capture the sport by documenting landscapes, surroundings, or structures in which the athletes find their playground.
Beside the sport, I always try to discover new genres of photography to keep my work challenging and to enhance my skills.
Cristian Traila, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerCristian Traila
AthletePablo Senen
LocationMadrid, Spain
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Cristian Traila
CameraSony Alpha A6000
LensE 60mm f/2.8
ISO320
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I had this place in mind for some time, a good friend Jaime showed it to me while we were searching for new spots to shoot a BMX video. One day I was out riding with Pablo, Jaime and some friends, we passed near this spot and decided to check it out one more time.

The area is quite big and strange, nobody has done a trick on it. Pablo decided to give it a try, luckily for me I always have my camera nearby for occasions like this. In the end everything turned out all right, nobody was hurt and I got the shot I waited so long to get.
For the shot I used a Sony a6000 with a Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens and a shutter speed of 1/1250 to get a crisp image because the subject was moving fast.

Biography
I was born in a small village near Bucharest, Romania. When I was 20 I came to Madrid on vacation, loved the culture, people, food and weather so much, I decided to live here for a while. Ten years have passed since then and here I am, still living in Madrid.
Since I was little I've been amazed with bicycles and photography, then one day I discovered BMX riding and everything changed. After a couple of years I started shooting video and taking photos of my friends; it felt natural from the beginning. My favorite subjects are extreme sports and lifestyle.
I’m so grateful for everything, looking back at all the adventures I’ve had, friends I've made and places I've seen thanks to my passion for photography and bikes. Currently I'm working for a photography and film studio in Madrid as a filmmaker and photographer. I can't wait to see what the future brings.
Stef Candé, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerStef Candé
AthleteBryan Regnier
LocationLanzarote, Spain
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Stef Candé
CameraSony Alpha A7R
Lens50mm Summicron f/2.0
ISO320
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
Last year I was lucky enough to be invited by Lanzarote Island Tourism for a weeklong trip to that beautiful small island. I actually knew the place, as I already had been there for holidays and working trips. Compared to Tenerife, its bigger sister, it does not have a terrific elevation, 671m at the highest point, compared to the incredible 3,718m of Pico del Teide in Tenerife.
So I knew it would be a short but intense trip, wandering in canyons, looking for the perfect line. Strangely enough, it worked beyond our expectations, and we managed to shoot spectacular pictures every single day of our stay.
This one was absolutely lucky. I was on a rest day, and I just followed the rest of the team, as they had to gather some more video footage of volcanic runs. I always carry a small but powerful camera and a compact 50mm on these occasions as you never know what could happen, and it’s better to be ready for it.
I noticed a dead tree that would make the perfect foreground in my picture, and I knew there would be enough dust trailing behind the rider to make it look like a snowboarding shot. I did not even tell anyone I was ready to shoot, I just captured what was happening. And this is it, one of my all time favorite pictures.

Biography
My name is Stef Candé, I’ve been a photographer for more than 20 years now. I started working in the nineties for a French climbing magazine, and then the editor started new magazines about skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, etc… So I worked with talented and motivated people at the perfect moment of the sports press. Then I worked for the riders’ sponsors, shooting catalogues and ads, most of the time outdoor. Now I’m a commercial photographer shooting a wide array of different stuff, from industry to corporate.
Jeremiah Watt, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerJeremiah Watt
AthletePamela Shanti Pack
LocationIndian Creek, UT, United States
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Jeremiah Watt
CameraNikon D800
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO500
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/125
About the shot
The North Six Shooter is a sliver of sandstone in Indian Creek, Utah. Two classic rock routes adorn its east face – Liquid Sky and Lightning Bolt Cracks. Lightning Bolt is an all-time classic on most desert rats’ bucket list of desert towers. Liquid Sky is its infamous brother widely known for its suffocating squeeze in a roof and sustained off width climbing.
Pamela Shanti Pack is an off-width aficionado who’s made her mark putting up wide first ascents. The standard path on Liquid Sky entails a tight squeeze up the inside of the tower avoiding the Bombay style roof that juts over space a few hundred feet above the jumbled talus cone and a thousand feet over the desert floor. Pamela wanted to change that. Enrolling Scott Turpin’s help for rope work and logistics Pamela headed south.
My hope in documenting the attempt was to catch her somewhere in the slot, upside down, with the desert floor in the distance. Unfortunately, lines didn’t work for what I had in mind. As I was hanging above with Pamela struggling below I pulled into the wide crack looking for possibilities. As she pulled into the roof there was a moment where I could make out a face and eyes. I pushed the shutter hoping for the best. This image was one of the few that came through.

Biography
In the late 90s, after a college internship gone awry, I turned to photography as an educational possibility. Years later, after life in a van, following the seasons for rock and snow, my camera and I reconnected. Many cameras later, I still love an eclectic crew and a wild endeavor. Currently based in Salt Lake City, UT, my hope is to create an authentic story and character driven imagery that places the viewer in the midst of the experience.
Jeremiah Watt, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerJeremiah Watt
AthletePatrick Kingsbury
LocationIndian Creek, UT, United States
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Jeremiah Watt
CameraNikon D810
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/3200
About the shot
Pat Kingsbury spends his time working for new ascents on rock wherever he can find it. Often, in the spring and fall, he can be found on the sandstone splitters of Indian Creek, Utah. Here he is digging deep on a redpoint attempt of his new 5.13 tips crack ‘Stemcell’.
The standard Indian Creek crack line is a vertical splitter, varying slightly, top to bottom. Pat had a different vision. Stemcell connects two crack systems with a stemming corner, a wild roof and thin face climbing.
I was immediately drawn to Pat’s struggle moving from the crimpers and roof back into the thin crux below the anchors. With a fixed line I shot as he floated the lower moves, reached out and clipped the first of two bolts on the face. As he pulled from the crimpers, straining, I focused on the eye, hoping that this would be the send. Screaming, he hit the finger lock, pulled through and pushed for a sloping ‘gaston’ hold above and right. He missed. This shot is the closest he’s come to sealing the deal.

Biography
In the late 90s, after a college internship gone awry, I turned to photography as an educational possibility. Years later, after life in a van, following the seasons for rock and snow, my camera and I reconnected. Many cameras later, I still love an eclectic crew and a wild endeavor. Currently based in Salt Lake City, UT, my hope is to create an authentic story and character driven imagery that places the viewer in the midst of the experience.
Jeremiah Watt, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerJeremiah Watt
AthleteRob Pizem
LocationZion National Park, UT, United States
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Jeremiah Watt
CameraNikon D800
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO1000
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
Rob Pizem has an eye for solid routes, so when he called with an especially wild line in mind, I was intrigued. What might lie in store this time? Meeting in the Zion visitor center parking lot, we plotted. Apparently, this line was deep inside the mother stone, with a wide crack behind the climber and the face of the canyon wall.
Hoping the sun would be high enough to illuminate the dark chasm, I wanted to hold off on departing. A leisurely morning and a long hike found us above a black hole (twice the size of a body), rimmed with shrubs and small aspen, a crack flowing out to the canyon wall.
Roping up, I rappelled into the unknown with zero expectation. After dropping through darkness I slid into a wild chasm, wider at the top, pinching to a few feet at the bottom. A few hundred feet behind, light poured through a crack in the canyon wall illuminating the back wall.
At first, the ray of light was less pronounced on the climbers’ left. While we waited it began to focus and strengthen. Hoping it would become a solid band I could frame Rob in, we waited. As it hit the left side of the back wall it focused into the ray seen in the photo and Rob headed up. A few moments later he and the light crossed paths. I hammered on the shutter working at balancing exposures and hoping for a usable frame. A few minutes later it was gone, the phenomena lasted but a few minutes and we were lucky enough to bathe in it.
Wild light and the finest groveling deep inside the mother stone on another First Free Ascent with Rob Pizem, ‘Datura’, 5.12, Zion National Park, Utah.

Biography
In the late 90s, after a college internship gone awry, I turned to photography as an educational possibility. Years later, after life in a van, following the seasons for rock and snow, my camera and I reconnected. Many cameras later, I still love an eclectic crew and a wild endeavor. Currently based in Salt Lake City, UT, my hope is to create an authentic story and character driven imagery that places the viewer in the midst of the experience.
Jeremiah Watt, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerJeremiah Watt
AthleteScott Adamson
LocationZion National Park, UT, United States
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Jeremiah Watt
CameraNikon D810
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/4.0
ISO1000
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Scott Adamson is an alpine climber crafting mixed ice and rock routes throughout the world on some of our wildest peaks. He’s long suspected that Zion National Park held wild ice flows in deep, sandstone slots. Scouring maps and watching temperatures he had an idea a deep slot on the outer reaches of the park would deliver. On the first exploratory venture the ice was there but thin and not fully in. Waiting and watching, he crossed his fingers and planned for a rematch.
Andrew Burr has a photo of thick ice, in deep desert sandstone. I’ve wanted both that shot and that experience ever since seeing it. Scott and I had connected on earlier projects and I was amped when we talked through this. There was nothing guaranteed. There may be ice, there may not.
We drove out late in the evening, bivied on a shop floor and hoped for the best. This shot tells of the ice. It was huge, one the coolest spaces I’ve ever encountered – crisp desert air, sweeping pines and solid sandstone with flowing ice for hundreds of feet. We shot and climbed for two days. This frame is the first ascent of Divine Intervention, WI6. On a repeat trip a few days later it was all over. A light rain and rising temps had washed it all away. What had been six hundred foot ice flows were once again dark water streaks flowing down into the deep.

Biography
In the late 90s, after a college internship gone awry, I turned to photography as an educational possibility. Years later, after life in a van, following the seasons for rock and snow, my camera and I reconnected. Many cameras later, I still love an eclectic crew and a wild endeavor. Currently based in Salt Lake City, UT, my hope is to create an authentic story and character driven imagery that places the viewer in the midst of the experience.
Will Wissman, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerWill Wissman
AthleteSam Cohen
LocationHaines, AK, United States
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Will Wissman
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO100
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
Sheltered by some of the highest coastal mountains in the world, Haines, Alaska is where the road ends and the ocean and mountains collide.
It is that special locale where the world's best skiers and snowboarders migrate every spring searching for those fleeting moments when a dark cold winter gives way to a magical playground.
Access is provided by helicopter but success is determined by the strength of the team and there is no substitute for experience. The strategy is simple – start small and finish big.
Fortunately, we had all day to work up to this special moment in time as we stood on the adjacent ridgeline waiting for the light to fill.
It wasn't until two hours prior to sunset that Mother Nature revealed her perfect canvas, a massive wall of razor sharp striations from top to bottom through and through. The contrast between the brilliant beams of light and the dark troughs was mesmerizing, luring skier Sam Cohen to dance with danger. It's no wonder this descent is called ‘Sexy Spines’.

Biography
I grew up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Born from a tattoo artist and an artisan consignment shop owner, I never did quite fit in with the normal crowd. Let’s just say, the other kids’ parents didn’t seem to appreciate art like we did.
I moved to Alta in 1995 to follow my childhood passion of skiing powder snow. I ended up getting on the snowmaking crew, which to this day has been my favorite job. I got to roll around in the mountains all night and watch the most amazing sunrises.
After that first year I bought an old Minolta camera with a blazing four frames per second shutter from a buddy and started shooting my friends. My photography has grown along with the arsenal of equipment but the premise has always remained the same.
Sophie Zander, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerSophie Zander
AthleteCarl Werner R∅per, Øyvind Starheim Nilsen and Simon Brian Hansen
LocationLofoten Islands, Norway
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Sophie Zander
CameraCanon EOS 7D Mark II
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO640
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
This photo was shot on a foggy summer day in Unstad, Norway. My dad and I decided to go to Lofoten on our yearly father daughter trip. He enjoys landscape photography and I enjoy extreme sports photography so Lofoten was the perfect destination.
I was expecting beautiful light, big waves and nice colors, but unfortunately the forecast wasn't working in our favour. When I was standing on the beach I could barely see anything because of the fog, the waves were small and there were only rookies in the water. Just my luck. Then these three surfers showed up and turned my luck around!

Biography
I was born in 1993 and raised in the northern suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden. Photography has always been a part of my life. My dad and his best friend used to have a darkroom and a small studio, so I grew up around cameras.
I started taking pictures back in 2009 when my dad gave me his old Canon EOS 10D. In the beginning it was a way for me to hang out with my dad and it was during this time I discovered the joy of photography.
When I started to photograph surfing it felt like home. I fell in love with it immediately. I love everything about it – the people, the smells, the sound of the waves, the environment, everything. I checked the forecast as often as I could, I didn’t want to miss a single opportunity.
I prefer shooting extreme sports, concerts and portraits. Photography has taken me to amazing places over the years and I still have a lot of places to see. I have met so many people and made new friends through this interest. And maybe most importantly, I found something I was good at.
Teddy Morellec, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerTeddy Morellec
AthleteThibaud Delas and Pierre Delacrose
LocationParis, France
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Teddy Morellec
CameraApple iPhone 6
Lens
ISO32
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I was with my crew, La Clef, and we had to shoot an advert for an electronics brand. We called Thibaud, a BMX rider, and Pierre, a skater. We were in Paris near my flat, and lucky for us, the weather was really great, so after we finished filming the advert, we started a photo session.
I knew that there was a mobile category this year for the Red Bull Illume so I took most of my pictures on this day with my iPhone. As the sun was going down I thought about a spot at the AccorHotels Arena where I could take a good picture.
Unfortunately there was a show on there and every access was closed. It was looking like the day’s shooting was going to end on a disappointing note, but while we were going back to the metro I noticed the shadows that the sunset made on the ground and took this last iPhone shot.

Biography
I was born in 1987 and grew up in a Parisian suburb. In my teenage years, whether through movies or still pictures, I loved capturing the moment. At this time I used to borrow my granddad’s camera, until I could buy my own DSLR.
Passionate about skateboarding and music, I naturally started shooting them. After I tried different styles of photography, the love remained for event photography and sports.
In 2010 I started shooting for Red Bull and at many sports events and music festivals. I developed my inspirations by traveling with athletes and covering sporting events around the world.
In 2013 I created my company based in Paris, La Clef Production, which gathers photographs and videographers. Together we exchange and develop our skills. We can work on bigger projects with the support of the many brands we’re working for.
Teddy Morellec, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerTeddy Morellec
AthleteDiego Fiorese
LocationCopenhagen, Denmark
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Teddy Morellec
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO1000
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
I was in Copenhagen for a few days to film a dance competition. When I arrived at the airport there was a big advertisement for this place. I immediately searched the address of ‘Superkilen’, which is a kilometre-long urban park situated just north of Copenhagen’s city center.
Lucky for me the flat I was staying in was really near this area so I asked my friend Diego Fiorese, a really good skater from Brazil living in Copenhagen, for a session there.
On the day of my flight we met there and started shooting at this place with these long lines and I asked him to do a trick at the top of this little hill. After trying some angles I felt this one was good and he did a switch heel flip drop in with a really high pop first try.
In this picture I removed some trees in the background and made a high contrast black and white to make a clear picture with just Diego against these black and white lines.
For me it symbolizes my vision of life – you can take many routes to achieve your goals, but you just have to drop in.

Biography
I was born in 1987 and grew up in a Parisian suburb. In my teenage years, whether through movies or still pictures, I loved capturing the moment. At this time I used to borrow my granddad’s camera, until I could buy my own DSLR.
Passionate about skateboarding and music, I naturally started shooting them. After I tried different styles of photography, the love remained for event photography and sports.
In 2010 I started shooting for Red Bull and at many sports events and music festivals. I developed my inspirations by traveling with athletes and covering sporting events around the world.
In 2013 I created my company based in Paris, La Clef Production, which gathers photographs and videographers. Together we exchange and develop our skills. We can work on bigger projects with the support of the many brands we’re working for.
Grant Gunderson, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerGrant Gunderson
AthleteDane Tudor
LocationPark City Powder Cats, UT, United States
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Grant Gunderson
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO100
F-Stop6.3
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
This was the first shoot that I had done with Dane Tudor and I knew that he was just getting back from a gnarly leg injury. We had been mostly skiing powder that day at Park City Powder cats when Dane noticed this spot would be perfect for a jump. Although a bit surprised that he was ready to take some air so soon after his injury, I was stoked to see what he had in mind.
We spent a bit of time prepping the jump. While doing so I noticed that it was going to be back lit nicely. This got me thinking it might create a really cool shadow in the foreground if Dane was able to get close to silhouetting himself in front of the jump.
So I framed up an angle that I thought might put him pretty close to being directly between the sun and me. Luckily I guessed pretty close, and we nailed this shot on the first take. Dane said the air felt really good and we ended up sessioning the kicker for a while. But none of the other shots where quite as cool as the first angle.

Biography
One of the outdoor industry’s most published photographers, Grant founded The Ski Journal where he served as Photo Editor for over six years. In addition to curating his passion for the mountains, he has shot for every major snow sports, bike and outdoor publication worldwide including National Geographic Adventure, ESPN, Outside, Playboy, Skiing, Red Bulletin, Aka Skidor, and Kootenay Mountain Culture. He currently serves as a Senior Photographer for Powder Magazine and is Photo Emeritus of The Ski Journal. From Iceland to Patagonia, Grant routinely produces unique deep powder imagery and authentically documents the lifestyle and culture of mountain sports. Beyond his editorial work, Grant’s work is featured in ongoing marketing campaigns with top outdoor brands. He skis close to 200 days a year and when he is not on snow you can find him on his bike or trekking throughout North America and beyond.
Grant Gunderson, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerGrant Gunderson
AthleteAdam Ü
LocationNozawa Onsen, Japan
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Grant Gunderson
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO100
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Every winter I return to Japan with the same crew. Over the years it has morphed into basically being a friends’ ski trip, but one that I always know will produce some cool deep powder imagery. Each year that we have been to the land of the rising sun, we are treated to what amounts to the deepest powder day of our lives. With Japan constantly delivering bottomless snow, we have gotten pretty spoiled.
We are used to coming back with a few images of the deepest turns of the season, so it takes quite a bit to get us really excited about a powder image. However on this trip we were unexpectedly treated to what was perhaps the best light we had seen.
After a morning of storm skiing, we noticed the sky starting to brighten as the storm let up. So we opted to take a short ski tour to a zone that we knew had some great ski runs through some pretty amazing looking old tress. As luck would have it, the sun started to pop threw the tail end of the snow as the last snow flakes were falling. After snapping this shot, we sessioned a few more amazing laps of great skiing before we headed down for some après sake.

Biography
One of the outdoor industry’s most published photographers, Grant founded The Ski Journal where he served as Photo Editor for over six years. In addition to curating his passion for the mountains, he has shot for every major snow sports, bike and outdoor publication worldwide including National Geographic Adventure, ESPN, Outside, Playboy, Skiing, Red Bulletin, Aka Skidor, and Kootenay Mountain Culture. He currently serves as a Senior Photographer for Powder Magazine and is Photo Emeritus of The Ski Journal. From Iceland to Patagonia, Grant routinely produces unique deep powder imagery and authentically documents the lifestyle and culture of mountain sports. Beyond his editorial work, Grant’s work is featured in ongoing marketing campaigns with top outdoor brands. He skis close to 200 days a year and when he is not on snow you can find him on his bike or trekking throughout North America and beyond.
Grant Gunderson, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerGrant Gunderson
AthleteFrançois Bailly-Maître
LocationGrindelwald, Switzerland
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Grant Gunderson
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO3200
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
I am on the road most of winter, so summer is my time off to play. Last summer I was offered an opportunity to ride in Switzerland with a crew of great riders.
The first thing one notices riding in Europe versus North America is the amount of vertical one gets in a single trail, allowing for everything from amazing fast-flow high alpine single track to technical trails in the forest.
The day I took this image started with us riding a high alpine trail in six inches of fresh snow and bluebird skies with the Eiger as our backdrop. As we descended the mountain the trail changed from snow to perfect loam as we entered the trees, to fun technical roots as we got closer to the bottom. Riding with an athlete of François’s caliber is pretty amazing to watch, especially as he seems to effortlessly float over the technical sections.
I really wanted to create an image of him flowing through areas where most riders would slow to a crawl. We ended up finding the perfect spot toward the bottom of the trail with a very lush blanket of moss that reminded me of the riding at home – not to mention that the fall color signaling the ski season was just around the corner.

Biography
One of the outdoor industry’s most published photographers, Grant founded The Ski Journal where he served as Photo Editor for over six years. In addition to curating his passion for the mountains, he has shot for every major snow sports, bike and outdoor publication worldwide including National Geographic Adventure, ESPN, Outside, Playboy, Skiing, Red Bulletin, Aka Skidor, and Kootenay Mountain Culture. He currently serves as a Senior Photographer for Powder Magazine and is Photo Emeritus of The Ski Journal. From Iceland to Patagonia, Grant routinely produces unique deep powder imagery and authentically documents the lifestyle and culture of mountain sports. Beyond his editorial work, Grant’s work is featured in ongoing marketing campaigns with top outdoor brands. He skis close to 200 days a year and when he is not on snow you can find him on his bike or trekking throughout North America and beyond.
Tatyana Emelina, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerTatyana Emelina
AthleteNo
LocationNovosibirsk, Russian Federation
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Tatyana Emelina
CameraApple iPhone 5s
Lens
ISO64
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/30
About the shot
Sometimes it happens that you take a good photo. You just see the right moment without any long preparations, take your camera, and shoot a photo. Magic of the moment!
One day my friends and I went to my friend's open-air gym for dry tooling. We spent a lot of time climbing and were a little bit tired. It was winter and we felt cold, so we decided to drink some tea.
We went back into the house, and while our host made tea, I saw a ‘picture’. Of course, at first the picture was only in my mind. I saw the passion that was a part of our everyday life. It is when you do not separate your hobby from your life. It is about how passionate your life becomes in such a moment. The photo was taken with iPhone 5S. Feel the moment.

Biography
I'm just simple Russian girl. My name is Tatyana. I live in Novosibirsk, Siberia. One day I got a camera and since then I have been trying to capture every moment of the world. I try to feel and share the beauty of every day, to capture every shade of meaning hidden in the ‘now’ we live in.
Every day we do many things and can see a lot. We have different emotions and we try to solve as many problems as we can. Taking photos is my way to capture every moment. I like taking photos of the emotions people have in their everyday lives; the emotions that help you better understand someone just by looking at his or her photo. I am not a professional photographer, but photography is definitely a part of my life.
A new stage of my development as a photographer began when I started climbing and going to mountains. I like to take photos of people when they climb to the top doing their best to reach the goal. It is not easy to be a sport photographer and you must be ready at any moment. I find this genre very interesting now.
Maksim Balakhovskii, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerMaksim Balakhovskii
AthleteGigi Rüf
LocationKulusuk, Greenland
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Maksim Balakhovskii
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO100
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/640
About the shot
I’ve been working in Greenland as a heliguide since 2005. This is one of the most beautiful places where our company Helipro organizes heliskiing programs. It’s a land of open water, fjords, huge icebergs, icecaps and of course the local Inuits.
Seeing these icebergs all the time, I dreamed about shooting somebody riding on one. On May 2014 we got the chance to organize it. We invited our old friend Gigi Rüf, who had already joined us on different trips to Chile and Patagonia.
For a few days we went scouting, searching for the right iceberg. It had to be solid, big, and even better if it was wedged on the sea floor. Finally we found one, pretty close to the island where we were staying. Our heli pilot said that he could bring us close to this iceberg, but he was afraid to land on it. So we organized a boat from the closest Inuit village, Kulusuk. We tried to find access to the iceberg with the boat, but it was impossible with all the ice in the bay. We checked with the pilot again and he agreed to try. First I shot from the closest island, but I didn’t like the angle, so I jumped in the heli and asked if Gigi could do a couple more tries. He wore a life vest under his jacket and for sure we had some safety backup plans! Still, it was a pretty risky event. Finally, I got the shot I’d been dreaming about all these years. Later, in August 2014 TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine published this photo on its cover. That was another dream come true.

Biography
I was born in Kamchatka, in the far east of Russia. I was one of the first snowboarders there and after a while I created the Kamchatka Snowboard Association with some friends. This organization literally changed the life for many young and modern people on our peninsula. We organized many different events, contests, filmed the first Russian snowboard video – ‘White Trails’, and did photo shoots with local professional photographers.
With incredibly beautiful Kamchatka’s nature and with these shoots, I started to think about having my own camera. We also started to organize the first heliski and heliboarding riding for ourselves and for our friends on our local volcanoes from 1995.
This activity later formed the basis of what I do today – as a heliski guide with my company Helipro. From 2002 we have organized many trips into all the major places where heliskiing exists around the world.
I had my camera from the first trip and it helps to create a new format of heliski trips. Now our clients return home not only with great feelings but also a bunch of professional photos and videos. Our company has worked with most of the major film studios and companies like Brainfarm, Pirates Movie Production, Red Bull, Burton and Yes Snowboards. I really love to shoot sport, nature, travel, timelapses, panoramas, and 360s.
Aaron Zwaal, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerAaron Zwaal
AthleteMark Vos
LocationBarcelona, Spain
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Aaron Zwaal
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
LensEF 28mm f/1.8 USM
ISO400
F-Stop5.0
Shutter Speed1/20
About the shot
The WeAreOrangeJuice guys brought me along to shoot pictures in May 2013, for their first official trip and we went to Barcelona, Spain the BMX Mecca of Europe.
We met up with the locals and one of the guys was doing a lot of those carves and Mark Vos thought it really looked fun and wanted to learn it. After a bit of practice he seemed to have the basics down and really enjoyed the hell out of it.
After a day of riding, chilling, clipping and shooting photos we ended up at the Barce-lona Museum of Contemporary Art, a world famous skate spot. After chilling a bit, Mark decided to take advantage of the smooth, flat ground and hauled ass to carve and slide across the floor and it just looked so fun.
I used a shutter speed of 1/20th of a second and panned along with a wide-angle lens to really show the speed and fun he was having. After black and white conver-sion and some contrast tweaks the image was finished and we were stoked at both ends!

Biography
I’m a 25-year-old action sports photographer from Nijmegen, the Netherlands with a keen interest in light and analog film techniques. I graduated as a media-designer, studying photography and afterwards had the choice between choosing a driver's license and a camera. I chose the latter! So far it’s been an amazing decision.
I first started shooting my local BMX friends on vacations. I’ve been shooting serious-ly since 2008. I broke my elbow at the end of that year and kind of slowed down with riding and took on the filming and shooting aspect of it.
Fast forward to now and I am still enjoying it as much as I did when I got my first DSLR, except now on a way more serious and wider level, with way more traveling. These days I’m shooting with a Canon 5D Mark II, a strobist setup, Hasselblad, large format and various 35mm cameras
Alexandre Ferreira, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerAlexandre Ferreira
AthleteRaquel Miranda Coutinho
LocationSerra do Cipó National Park, Brazil
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Alexandre Ferreira
CameraHuawei Nexus 6P
Lens
ISO60
F-Stop2.0
Shutter Speed1/300
About the shot
One of our favourite places in Serra do Cipó National Park is Congonhas waterfall. Alongside the beautiful view and the refreshing water we can do some deep water soloing around the lake. The shot shows my lovely wife Raquel climbing an unnamed psicobloc graded around V3.
To try to get the best shot I could of my wife climbing, the first thing I did was watch another friend climbing the same route. This way I could see the moves and I tried to identify when the climber would be in a good position for the shot.
Then I got myself into a position where I could frame the climber and still get the entire waterfall. I was standing at the very end of a rock. Any wrong move and I could have fallen in the water with my brand new Nexus 6P. I then asked my wife to start climbing, waited for the moment just at the end of the roof and took some shots. Later I selected the best one and did some minor editing with the SnapSeed app.

Biography
My name is Alexandre but most people call me by my short name Xande. I started taking pictures not so long ago. I decided to start taking pictures so I could capture climbing. I'm not a very good climber but I love the sport. I wanted to be able to share with the world all the good things that were leading me to spend entire days at climbing crags. That led me into photography.
As a photographer, I try to capture the emotion and beauty of outdoor sports. My goal is to catch breathtaking images showing nature, effort, exposure and the achievements of those dedicated athletes.
My passion for climbing led me to take it as my main focus but photography is an endless universe and I'm always open for new possibilities.
John Gibson, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerJohn Gibson
AthleteBrandon Semenuk
LocationSechelt, Canada
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John Gibson
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 50mm f/1.4 USM
ISO1000
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1600
About the shot
Usually when we are doing a film shoot we decide if the feature we are going to capture will look best early in the morning or within the last hour of the day. That seems to be when the light is the best and when we go for it.
We’d spent the morning shooting the Junkyard Segment for Brandon Semenuk’s movie Rad Company and the cameras had been put away and we were all thinking about lunch. I was walking around the course trying to figure out what time of day the light would be best to shoot a sequence of both the logging truck step-up and the boner log. The problem was that neither feature got good light at the same time because the truck jump was tucked in tight against the trees and the boner log was out in the open.
Suddenly I realized that the best time to shoot both features was now – in the middle of the day when the clouds covered the sun and diffused the light. Brandon was walking around the course looking at the jumps and I took a test photo from the photo location that seemed best and I showed him we could get both features in the same shot. He liked the idea and grabbed his bike and rode the line twice and this sequence is the shot we got – at 12:28 in the afternoon.

Biography
I’m from Alberta, Canada. In 1987 after graduating from a photography program in Edmonton at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology I moved to Calgary and began a nine-year career as a photographer at the Calgary Sun newspaper. In 1988 I landed an assignment shooting the Winter Olympics for the Canada Olympic Association.
After that I spent the next nine years shooting news and sports in the Calgary area. During that time I was also a wire service freelance photographer for Agence France Presse (AFP). When the sport of mountain biking began to take shape in the 80s a few mountain bike publications began to appear and my girlfriend handed me an early copy of Bike magazine and said, “you should get some photos like this”. After that I began to bring a camera on mountain bike rides.
During a holiday to California in 1994 I phoned David Reddick – photo editor at Bike magazine and asked him if he would look at my portfolio of cycling photos and after that he asked me to start contributing photos to the magazine. At that time very few photographers were taking pictures of mountain biking – it was still a very small sport. In 1995, I began to shoot photos for the Kona Mountain Bike Company as their full time photographer. In 1996 I started my own business and began to shoot the sport of mountain biking full time. Twenty years later I am still doing the same thing – taking photos of people riding their bikes. The world of photography has changed drastically in my lifetime but many things have remained exactly the same.
Zakary Noyle, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerZakary Noyle
AthleteShinpei Horiguchi
LocationPipeline, HI, United States
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Zakary Noyle
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO400
F-Stop11.0
Shutter Speed1/1000
About the shot
Pipeline is my favorite wave to photograph in the world, especially around sunset. The colors are constantly changing as the wave is illuminated from behind with the setting sun. On this day the swell was very large and dangerous. I wanted to align myself closer than any other photographer out there, as I had a wider lens than everyone else.
I knew I could get into the barrel of the wave and reach the surfer. But I had to do it while looking through my lens to focus and compose the image I wanted. Shooting directly into the sun is a bit tricky, because you need to get the correct exposure and focus the camera at the same time.
And then this wave approached with Shinpei riding it. It was easily the best wave that day – a bit deeper than all the others. As it hit the first reef at, the wave began to barrel and throw over into the barrel. I held my ground and looked through my viewfinder at this amazing view.

Biography
I was born in Hawaii in 1985 and have been in and around the ocean all my life. My father is a commercial photographer who helped me find my love and passion for shooting in the ocean. Working as a staff photographer for Surfer Magazine for the past five years has allowed me to travel to many exotic locations such as Tahiti, Rapa Nui and Indonesia to name just a few.
Being in the water is my specialty, shooting mainly heavy and large waves with shallow reefs. I have a passion to show people a world they have never seen before, from a perspective that is almost inconceivable. I try to bring the viewers into my images and make them feel as if they’re right there alongside me in the world's most famous surf breaks.
The thing I really love about surf photography is that you can never recreate the exact same wave. If you are not in the right position or have the right exposure as it comes in, there is no option to reshoot like in other sports. You need to be prepared, aware and know what image you want to capture.
Zakary Noyle, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerZakary Noyle
AthleteMason Ho
LocationOahu, HI, United States
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Zakary Noyle
CameraApple iPhone 6s
Lens
ISO25
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/3700
About the shot
My father always told me that the best camera you can have, is the one you have with you. This really stuck with me and made me utilize what I had in hand at any given moment. On this particular day I wanted to go bodysurfing, but I hate not having a camera on me. So I took my iPhone, threw it in a water housing and put it in my pocket.
The sand bar at Ehukai Beach Park was exceptionally clean and a few surfers were out enjoying the small barrels coming in. Mason Ho caught a wave, so I pulled my iPhone out and fired off some frames! It’s truly amazing how technology has and continues to advance. The iPhone had an 8MP sensor, which is the same size as my first DSLR 20D camera! Never allow yourself to be limited by your equipment or imagination.

Biography
I was born in Hawaii in 1985 and have been in and around the ocean all my life. My father is a commercial photographer who helped me find my love and passion for shooting in the ocean. Working as a staff photographer for Surfer Magazine for the past five years has allowed me to travel to many exotic locations such as Tahiti, Rapa Nui and Indonesia to name just a few.
Being in the water is my specialty, shooting mainly heavy and large waves with shallow reefs. I have a passion to show people a world they have never seen before, from a perspective that is almost inconceivable. I try to bring the viewers into my images and make them feel as if they’re right there alongside me in the world's most famous surf breaks.
The thing I really love about surf photography is that you can never recreate the exact same wave. If you are not in the right position or have the right exposure as it comes in, there is no option to reshoot like in other sports. You need to be prepared, aware and know what image you want to capture.
Paris Gore, Category finalist 2016: Sequence
Category finalist 2016Sequence
PhotographerParis Gore
AthleteCam Zink
LocationVirgin, UT, United States
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Paris Gore
CameraNikon D4
Lens24.0-70.0mm f/2.8
ISO800
F-Stop14.0
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
Anticipation of Cam Zink flipping a massive drop at the 2013 Red Bull Rampage to land the world record brought huge attention around the world. Only hitting the drop once the day before in practice, Cam didn’t have much room for error on this 78ft drop.
During the first run of finals, Kyle Strait came down the mountain just before Zink and no handed the drop. My second camera body was actually in my lap while I perched up on the ridgeline. As he cleaned the landing, I stood up to cheer and slowly watched the horror of my Nikon D3 body tumbling down the cliff. Knowing that I only had a few minutes to scramble down to my camera, I made a quick decision to grab it and shoot Zink’s flip from a bit lower. With minutes to spare, I set up in position and waited for Zink to come charging down.
Leading up to the event, Cam had a lot on his plate to say the least. His wife Amanda was to be due with their first born child almost any day, not to mention a massive hematoma on his leg that resulted in a few last minute emergency room visits to have it drained. Still barely able to walk, much less flip a 78ft drop; Zink’s mental ability to stay focused and determined is what makes him such an incredible athlete.
The build crew had put together a custom ramp for Cam to flip off of which would help him get the rotation needed to stick this clean. Zink is so calculated and knew perfectly this was going to work. Cam is always the guy at Rampage that everyone has their eye on for going big, and always leaves people wondering what’s next?

Biography
With an uncanny eye for capturing the natural, uninhibited stories that shine from his subjects, professional photographer Paris Gore has dedicated himself to documenting mountain bike action and culture for the past 10 years. Taking his talents learned in the bike world, Paris has now translated his vision into the broader industry of sports, automotive campaigns and more. Based in Bellingham, Washington, Paris graduated from the world-class Commercial Photography Program at Seattle Central and has pursued his passion of photographing life behind handlebars and the world beyond.
First as a rider, then a photographer, Paris has long studied the interplay of movement, light and landscape in the mountains. From behind the lens, he translates those stories for his audience through images crisp with authenticity. His work is routinely featured in major publications and powered commercial campaigns for companies all around the world.
Bruno Long, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerBruno Long
AthleteCarlo Travarelli
LocationSalt Lake City, UT, United States
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Bruno Long
CameraNikon D3S
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO1250
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/2000
About the shot
Anyone I’ve shot over the years knows that I have an affinity for climbing trees to get new angles for a shot, but this mostly happens in the summer, for obvious reasons! However, when I saw this tree while competing in the 2014 Ski City Shootout, I knew I had to at least try and climb it.
It took me over an hour of very sketchy climbing (in downhill ski boots) to make it to the right spot. Somehow, I hadn't disturbed any snow on the branches of one side of the tree. I was just as nervous about making sure we captured the shot as I was about trying to climb back down the branches to safer ground.
After talking it over many times and more than a few snowball throws, Carlo nailed the spot and we ended up winning the entire competition. It was, and continues to be, one of my all-time favorite images.
It took me over an hour of very sketchy climbing (in downhill ski boots) to make it to the right spot. Somehow, I hadn't disturbed any snow on the branches of one side of the tree. I was just as nervous about making sure we captured the shot as I was about trying to climb back down the branches to safer ground.
After talking it over many times and more than a few snowball throws, Carlo nailed the spot and we ended up winning the entire competition. It was, and continues to be, one of my all-time favorite images.

Biography
Bruno Long is a professional adventure sports photographer, specializing in mountain biking, skiing and trail running. He is especially interested in self-powered adventures, earning his own turns, and running (albeit not always fast) the same trails that he shoots. He likes to be a part of the adventure, injecting himself into the thick of it, whether it’s a remote backcountry line, a long hike-a-bike, or a strenuous ultra run. Whatever the case may be, Bruno is always searching for amazing light, dramatic shadows, incredible contrast, and all the in-between moments that make action sports so unique.
Felix Rioux, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerFelix Rioux
AthleteTatum Monod
LocationHokkaido Island, Japan
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Felix Rioux
CameraNikon D750
Lens300.0mm f/4.0
ISO1000
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
This was our first and only bluebird day of our trip in Niseko. Our guide had arranged snowmobiles to go in the backcountry, but the whole process took too long. The snow was pretty much baked once we got on top, except for this small zone across from our drop off.
The sun was casting really beautiful shadows through the trees on the opposite slope. I wanted to find the right balance between the open space, the single tree and its shadow. I found a great vantage point, so Tatum did a 30 minute hike up to save the day. She skied down exactly where she needed to and nailed the shot with a really big smile on her face.

Biography
I was born in Montreal, Canada, studied architecture and cinema and started my professional photography career shooting for skate companies in the mid nineties. In 2000, I opened the first retail shop with two business partners selling exclusively freeski gear, D-Structure Proshop.
Working in the freeski scene both as a photographer and entrepreneur, I fell in love with the sport and created another unique project, the International Freeski Film Festival, iF3. It has since become an international brand and traveled to four continents.
I have now left the festival to focus 100% of my time on my first passion: photography. After specializing in skiing for the past 15 years, I’ve branched out to many other sports, the tourism industry, studio and commercial work.
Color, dynamism and authenticity are what I look for in an image. Over the years, traveling has taught me to pay attention to the bigger picture. When shooting action, I try to look at the landscape and how my subject fits within it.
Fred Pompermayer, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerFred Pompermayer
AthleteKai Lenny
LocationPeahi, HI, United States
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Fred Pompermayer
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
ISO160
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
This shot was taken on one of the biggest and best days at Jaws in Maui, January 2016. Kai Lenny is a true waterman and stayed in the water all day long, exploring different boards and taking the waves to the next level. On this shot he was stand up paddling.
When he approached this wave, it was astonishing to see. I knew I was in good spot. I was using a jet ski as Kai approached during the critical moment. I kept my eye on the viewfinder and kept shooting until the last moment. Then it seemed he disappeared into a massive washing machine.
After following big wave surfing for more then a decade, this El Nino 2016 season has been the most exciting winter we had in the North Pacific. Our typical winters will give us only a couple of large swells, but we have had so many XXL swells, almost every week! Big wave surfing has been pushed to its most extreme limits and Kai Lenny is one of the exceptional leaders in the pack.

Biography
I have been shooting big wave surfing and action shots for more than a decade. I was born in Brazil. From a very young age I was transfixed by the ocean and waves. I majored in architecture at college; afterwards I travelled the world taking photos as my hobby and surfing as much as I could.
While I was working as an architect in Brazil I realized that sitting at a desk, designing buildings was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I felt like I was wasting my days, so I quit my job and put my mind to cultivating my career incorporating my two passions, photography and surfing.
I live in Los Angeles where I can catch a quick flight to most places – most of the time it’s last minute to catch the swells – and where I can surf year round.
Dave Lehl, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerDave Lehl
AthleteSage Kotsenburg
LocationVail Pass, CO, United States
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Dave Lehl
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens15mm
ISO320
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
I had an idea for a series of photographs incorporating light trails coming off snowboarders’ boards a while back. I'd done a couple already when TransWorld SNOWboarding asked me to come up with one for the cover of the photo annual.
By this time it was already late April and the snow was getting scarce. I reached out to a few riders but being the end of the season, they were just too exhausted. It was late May and looking too late. In a last ditch effort, I emailed Bobby Meeks (then the team manager for Nike Snowboarding), and he said he'd reach out to his riders. Within an hour I had an email from Sage Kotsenberg. I was ecstatic!
When we met, we were shocked to find there was no snow to be seen. So much had melted the 8-10ft stump was now more like 15ft. Sage is a pro though, and wasn't fazed. After a couple warm up hits, he started blasting over it. The action was so fast that I was having a hard time catching the exact moment his hand was hitting the stump.
It was almost too dark to see and Sage wasn't sure how many more attempts he had left in him. Luckily as the sky was showing its last signs of life, Sage launched a perfect one and I caught the moment. Transworld never did use the shot on the cover, but Transworld Japan ran it on the cover of their photo annual, so it was worth it! I owe a big thanks to Sage Kotsenberg, Mike Carter, Skye Mitchell, Andy Orley, and Chad Otterstrom for their help in making it happen!

Biography
I am an action adventure lifestyle photographer. I grew up riding bicycles, motorcycles, skateboards, and going camping with my family. Team sports and rules never appealed to us. I've been shooting professionally since 1998 when I graduated from college and started shooting model portfolios. I assisted professionally for six years with a plan of moving to New York, but ended up spending a season in Summit County, Colorado, where I quickly found that I was better at capturing action than beauty! I shot snowboarding exclusively for seven years, traveling the globe forever chasing snowstorms, until I decided to branch out into action in general. Nowadays I love shooting skateboarding, motorcycling, running, and the lifestyle that surrounds our odd obsessions.
I'm really more attracted to conceptual action photography these days. When I shoot, I try to think of a new way of capturing the action, something that hasn't been done before. I've gotten tired of only shooting what's there; instead I try to think outside of the box and think, "what COULD be there?" I also really enjoy teaming up with athletes who like to take the extra time and effort to work with me on my concepts, even though we might not be getting the standard 'banger'. It takes a bit of a leap of faith to put your trust in someone who isn't shooting the standard shots, and I definitely appreciate that.
Thinh "Little Shao" Souvannarath, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerThinh "Little Shao" Souvannarath
AthleteNavid Savino and Adnan ‘Lil Amok’ Dushaku
LocationDüsseldorf, Germany
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Thinh "Little Shao" Souvannarath
CameraNIKON D750
Lens85.0mm f/1.4
ISO3200
F-Stop1.4
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
In February 2016 in Düsseldorf, after a B-boy contest I went for a tour of the city with Lil Amok and Navid from Flying Steps. It was a very cold winter night and I really didn't expect them to be down for creating something, but in my mind I wanted to make a connection between these two dancers.
The goal was to make something strong with dynamic shapes showing how technical they could be. They are used to this kind of construction but as a creative person I didn't want to reproduce something that they already did so we went through all the possibilities and poses they already knew and from that I made some changes. I wanted to align the strong lines of the hands, body and legs. Thankfully we were under a bridge providing us with light so we could see. I was shooting with a Nikon D750 with an 85mm f1.4 lens.

Biography
My real name is Thinh Souvannarath but I’m known as ‘Little Shao’ which is actually my nickname as a breakdancer. I'm 33-years-old and live in France. I've spent all my childhood in the worst suburbs of Paris but that's where I discovered the hip-hop culture.
I started B-boying and getting into hip-hop when I was 14-years-old in 1997 and this passion brought me to photography later in 2004 because I wanted to show to the world my vision of this culture. The main reason was that I couldn't find any pictures that represented what I saw. I wanted to show my parents and everyone else how beautiful this culture was and how gifted we were because at the beginning no one really respected us.
Using community platforms and social media was my way to share my work and reach a mainstream audience, which had no clue about what this culture was about. Before long, artists and events from all around the world started to ask me to work with them.
From a passion it turned into a full time job in 2012 when I decided to quit my job as a business analyst in a bank. Today I work as a freelance photographer and have the chance to travel the world doing what I love, meeting artists around the world, working with huge brands and big companies and having new projects everyday.
I still can't believe it but I would say that my B-boy mentality got me where I am today.
Seth de Roulet, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerSeth de Roulet
AthleteEithan Osborne
LocationOuter Banks, NC, United States
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Seth de Roulet
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO500
F-Stop4.0
Shutter Speed1/5000
About the shot
I was sure this one was going to end in collision but somehow we managed to miss each other by inches. Hurricane Gonzalo had given us three days of waves, so by the end of the trip I was really trying to push the limit by getting underneath Eithan.
I used an over under port to create the above and below effect. Eithan is one of the top junior surfers in the world so I knew I could trust him to hold his line and not come down on top of me.

Biography
I am a Californian originally from the great state of New York. I am a world traveler and adventure enthusiast who loves nothing more than to watch the sunrise from the cold clutches of the Pacific Ocean.
I fell in love with photography as a young child and have pursued it as a career with surfing as my main focus. I was trained at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California under the guidance of early surf photographer Bill Robbins. I currently work for Surfing Magazine and other international publications to bring the best quality surf photography to audiences around the globe.
I am a lover of all things family and I can’t wait to share my knowledge and passion for the ocean with my son, Oliver.
Stuart Gibson, Category finalist 2016: Close Up
Category finalist 2016Close Up
PhotographerStuart Gibson
AthleteBeau Pilgrim
LocationNamotu Island, Fiji
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Stuart Gibson
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark IV
LensEF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
ISO250
F-Stop9.0
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
I woke up to a classic Fijian day, postcard perfection conditions – overhead fun waves and blue sky. But it’s the dead glassy water that has me so excited! Underwater surf photography is my passion, I’ve shot so much it can be hard to get yourself and camera into a unique position.
For this shot I wanted to shoot as close as possible to the surfer but directly underneath with a 16mm fisheye lens. To get this angle on reef breaks, you have to totally breathe out – if you have air in your lungs you just rise back up and the wave or surfer hits you. Then you have to dive to the bottom and lie on the reef for 10 or 15 seconds. You have to kick down really early so you don’t mess up the surface of the water and ruin your silky smooth glassy conditions on top.
There isn’t much room for error out at Wilkes Passage, it’s really shallow and the wave breaks in different spots every set, so you don’t really know if you’re in the right place or you’re about to get a serious back scratch, Fiji style!
Everything lined up perfectly for this shot and Beau screamed straight over me. When a surfer passes directly over you they are moving so much faster then usual, you just see them coming in the corner of your eye then do your best to compose the image and hold on tight. I always know when I’ve shot something great because it feels good straight after and we both knew we had something special. I like that feeling!

Biography
I was born in Tasmania in 1983, I got serious about photography around 2003, although I’ve always loved cameras and filming. It wasn’t until I borrowed a friends Canon EOS 5 that I fell in love with still photography, the quality amazed me! Shooting on 35mm slide film was a great and expensive test to learn the skills to become a photographer.
I specialise in action shots from the water. Surfing and kiteboarding are my passions, aerial stills and video are also a big part of my workload since 2013.
Tom Hawkins, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerTom Hawkins
AthleteForrest Minchinton
LocationTabanan, Indonesia
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Tom Hawkins
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO100
F-Stop14.0
Shutter Speed1/20
About the shot
Sometimes the journey to the waves is more fun than surfing itself. One morning after waking up before sunrise and striking out at a nearby surf spot, we decided to drive down the empty beach to see if there was anything worthwhile over the next headland.
The low tide and early morning light made perfect reflections as Forrest pulled long wheelies down the empty sand highway. With his single fin tucked in the racks and his reflection mirrored in the sand, I told him to stop for a second as I rode ahead and pulled out my camera. With a quick whistle to tell him I was ready, he popped the front wheel up once again and came cruising by as I fired off a few slow shutter frames.
I gave a quick look at the shots I had just taken and saw that this one was pretty much tack sharp, so I packed the camera away and jumped on my bike to catch up with Forrest who had continued his wheelie off into the distance.

Biography
After being born and raised in the Middle East, I needed a change of scenery from the desert and decided that tropical jungles would be more up my ally. I packed up and moved to Bali at the age of 19, where I found employment working under surf photographer Dustin Humphrey. For the better part of three years I traveled around the islands via motorcycle in search of waves, building my surf and motorcycle portfolio and gaining a lay of the land.
After branching out by myself, I became an RVCA Advocate living the brand, shooting surf and the adventures it brought around the world. My work has brought me to five of the seven continents and I have been published in Japan, Australia, Europe, the States, Brazil and Indonesia.
Most of the year you’ll find me riding my motorcycle and traveling around Southeast Asia with good friends Ellis Ericson and Jason Salisbury constantly in search of adventure, waves and good times.
Francisco Taranto Junior, Category finalist 2016: Playground
Category finalist 2016Playground
PhotographerFrancisco Taranto Junior
AthleteJames Pearson
LocationSakarya, Turkey
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Francisco Taranto Junior
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
LensEF 28mm f/1.8 USM
ISO100
F-Stop3.5
Shutter Speed1/50
About the shot
In 2013, I travelled with James Pearson, Caroline Ciavaldini and my family in Greece, Turkey and Italy. I loved this climbing road-trip and more particularly these days in Sakarkaya, Turkey. It was there that James discovered a piece of rock that was close enough to perfection to be further investigated – a large, steep wall, split by a crack. The result is this new line – the first ascent of Cobra Crackinette, E8 7a on this wall. It is now, as far as we know, Turkey’s hardest trad route. It’s an amazing line that strangely climbs more like a face than a crack.
When James worked the movements of his project, I noticed the most beautiful movements and light. Afterwards we agreed to go back on the same route the day after just after sunset. I was on a rock, in front. When I saw the scene, I immediately loved it and I was sure there would be a great image. Everything was very harmoni-ous: the landscape, the rock and the climber.

Biography
I was born in the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro and as a teenager I discovered two passions that I will never give up – climbing and photography. In 2002, I took part in my first big wall experience as a photographer.
That kicked it off! I left the realm of photo-journalism in order to do reports on the mountainous world. After 26 years in Rio, it was time to go to France. Since 2011, I’ve been working with my wife, Sandra Ducasse, as a photographer and filmmaker specializing in climbing.
Jussi Grznar, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerJussi Grznar
AthleteAdam Chuntz
LocationWhistler, Canada
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Jussi Grznar
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
ISO200
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/2500
About the shot
After a few seasons of photographing snowboarding in Whistler I realized that to stay motivated and focused sometimes I needed to get up there for fun, without a client or assignment, just to have a good time.
This photograph was taken during one of those days. Adam and I went up there and just rode lines all day – just because. I remember Adam straight-lined this hill and did just one awesome turn. As soon as he got to the bottom he was like, ‘f*ck yeah, that was so fun I am going to do it again’. To me, that represents the essence of snowboarding in its simplest form.

Biography
It all started back in the former Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) at the age of three when my dad strapped skis on my feet and pushed me down the local hill. Since then, I pretty much skied every winter until I was about 17-years-old, when I got my first snowboard. I would park cars at luxurious hotels in the summer and coach snowboarding in the winter.
After finishing college I moved to NYC to embark on a hotel management in-ternship. That’s when I used to steal my roommate’s camera and shoot ran-dom photos around the city. Halfway through the internship I went to TGR’s ‘High Life’ premiere. The movie just blew my mind, so two weeks later I packed my stuff and moved to Whistler, BC.
After the first season in Whistler, I joined a few of my buddies on their surf trip down to Mexico. With the first camera I’d ever owned, a Canon 350D and one lens, I documented the trip and sent a few photos to Mat Rendek, the editor of Boardlife. He loved the photos and we ended up getting a 12-page story pub-lished from that trip. That was the beginning of it all.
Nowadays, residing in Vancouver, Canada, I’ve worked for a number of great clients, crews and magazines all over the world and I’ll be chasing that ‘next great photo’ for the rest of my life.
Nicolas Armer, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerNicolas Armer
AthleteOliver Ross
LocationNeubeuern, Germany
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Nicolas Armer
CameraNikon D800
Lens70.0-200.0mm f/4.0
ISO160
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/1250
About the shot
It was a sunny afternoon in March 2015 when I took this shot of German slackliner Oliver Ross in the Wolf's Gorge in Neubeuern, Germany.
I already had a pretty cool shoot with slackliners Lukas Irmler and Julian Mittermaier, both known worldwide and respected for their highlining skills. In the late afternoon, when the sun was already pretty low, Oliver joined the session.
He was moving super concentrated and I was really amazed by how far he managed to walk on his first try. Lukas and Julian told me that Oliver had just started slacklining 1 1/2 years ago from that day - and now he nearly sent a 113m long highline onsight. That's some mad progress.
While Oliver made his way across the line, the last bits of evening sunlight really lit him and the line up in a sweet way. I immediately thought of a photo where everything except the line and Oliver would be blacked out - to give it a kind of poetic touch.
A man on his journey, the eyes and mind focussed on his dream, no looking back, just a man dancing through life.
It's these moments that I love so much when shooting outdoor-sports. You go out to meet some cool guys and take some sweet shots - but at the end of the day you'll go home with some simple but true life lessons learned.
Don't look back, don't be afraid to fail, if you fall get back up, never take your eyes of your dream.

Biography
Hi, my name is Nicolas Armer and I'm a 27-year-old outdoor photographer from Germany.
Being outdoors has always played a major role in my life. Whenever I'm in nature my mind and body seem to relax. All the rush and stress from everyday life simply vanishes.
Pretty soon after I started my career as a photographer I realized that shooting nature and outdoor-activities was the thing I want to do.
I'm more than grateful to have a passion that allows me to travel, meet new people, go on unforgettable adventures and earn some money at the same time.
My favorite things to shoot are: kayaking, highlining, snowboarding or skiing, flyfishing, landscapes and nature.
In Germany I'm also working as a photojournalist, which led to publications in the Washington Post, New York Times, The Guardian, Stern, Sydney Morning Herald, SFChronicle, The Wall Street Journal and much more.
The perfect day for me would look like this. Waking up in a tent on a mountain on the Lofoten Islands at night. Cooking breakfast with the crew before shooting the night sky and some highlining during sunrise. After that, hiking back to the car to shoot some kayaking and fishing near the beautiful town of Reine. To end the day we'd gather around a campfire with some beers and grilled fish while enjoying the sunset.
Michael Burnett, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerMichael Burnett
AthleteJohn Fitzgerald
LocationKansas City, MO, United States
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Michael Burnett
CameraNikon D4
Lens35.0mm f/2.0
ISO200
F-Stop5.6
Shutter Speed1/125
About the shot
This was the last day of the trip and John "Big John" Fitzgerald had been skating like a maniac for the entire two weeks. He's the kind of guy who tries a trick until his body completely gives out, his board is destroyed, or often both.
We were at the last spot before heading home and I glanced over to see him inspecting the sole of his shoe. "I think that's a sign it might be time to go home," I laughed as he peeked at me through the orifice. He laughed too and shook his head before throwing his shoes away and hobbling into the car barefoot.
I shot this with a Nikon D4 with a 35mm lens – my walk-around rig while I'm on these trips. It's a simple snapshot, really. But if you know Big John, it sums him up to a T – often battered and worn out, but always with a spark, ready for the next battle.

Biography
My name is Michael Burnett and I live in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. I became interested in photography as a teenager, staring at skateboard magazines – a hard-to-find commodity in the small Texas town I grew up in.
As a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder I started making my own homemade skate 'zine, taking photos and writing about my friends and our adventures. After graduating with a journalism degree I was lucky enough to get my dream job – a staff photographer for Thrasher magazine. Seventeen years later and I'm the editor at large of this storied publication, still shooting photos and constantly stoked to be out skateboarding with some of the best in the world.
It took me quite awhile to get my technical skills down (this was in the film era mind you,) but soon after I realized I also needed to pay attention to the more subtle moments that happened while I was out chasing around the rad. Inspired by street photographers like Robert Frank and my friends Ed Templeton and Fred Mortagne, I appreciate a funny reaction, epic composition or impromptu portrait just as much as the biggest air or handrail.
Jody MacDonald, Category finalist 2016: Lifestyle
Category finalist 2016Lifestyle
PhotographerJody MacDonald
AthleteKen MacDonald
LocationChoum, Mauritania
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Jody MacDonald
CameraLeica X-U (Typ 113)
Lens23.0mm f/1.7
ISO100
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
When I was young I used to look through National Geographic magazines and dream of adventures like this; train hopping through the Sahara on one of the world’s longest trains. I had dreamt of the oceans of sand, the loud noises of the train, the cold, the wind, the scorching sun, the unknown smells and sounds of the desert and the discomfort that goes with it. So when I was asked to dream up and photograph a trip in harsh conditions, a 700 kilometer journey through the Sahara desert in Mauritania came to mind.
After weeks of planning, our journey began in the capital of Nouakchott, from there my brother and I moved north through the interior to board the Mauritania Railway. Our risky rail journey started from the iron-mining center of Zouérat in the Sahara, and snaked through the barren desert toward the port of Nouadhibou on the Atlantic. We wanted to get to the coast to try to find some unexplored surf breaks and capture the spirit of adventure and exploration through this incredible landscape. Having only a few minutes to hop on the train in the middle of the night, we spent 15 long hours slithering through the desert on the three kilometer train that transports approximately 84 tons of iron ore across a country crippled by terrorism, slavery, and poverty.
I photographed this image with Leica’s new X-U all weather camera with a fixed 23mm lens. I used a shutter speed of 1/500 to stop the motion of the train and an f-stop of 7.1 at ISO 100.
Biography
I am a documentary and adventure sport photographer. I grew up in Saudi Arabia and it instilled in me a penchant for adventure and interest in different cultures. I began taking photography classes in university while I was majoring in Outdoor Recreation. I quickly fell in love with the medium as it allowed me to combine my two passions of art and outdoor sports in a very creative way. From that moment on, I would take my camera with me on all my outdoor adventures and my love for photography grew.
In 2004 I began sailing around the world and my photography progressed as I traveled and adventured in different countries. For almost a decade I have called a 60ft catamaran my home as I’ve sailed to the wildest corners of the planet on a global kiteboarding, paragliding and surfing expedition that’s taken me to over 60 countries. This experience has provided me with an incredible platform to pursue my passion for photography in unique and inspiring environments.
Today, I live in the mountain town of Sun Valley, Idaho and work as a freelance photographer. I am currently a Nat Geo Creative photographer and some of my current clients include National Geographic, Patagonia, Leica and Ford.
Sterling Lorence, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerSterling Lorence
AthleteBrandon Semenuk
LocationKamloops, Canada
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Sterling Lorence
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO500
F-Stop4.5
Shutter Speed1/4000
About the shot
In freeride mountain biking, getting to build your own custom trail down a landscape is the ultimate form of expression. That is what Brandon Semenuk did for his movie project 'Rad Company'. He invited fellow local riders Graham Agassiz and Matt Miles to help him choose and build a dream track in Kamloops, British Columbia.

One of the more creative builds they made was this deep berm corner that exited into a step down air. It was located near the bottom of their line and the riders passed through at full speed. It was fascinating to watch and listen to them explode out of the berm in air across the terrain.
I had been shooting from various angles, and as the day aged and the track was getting dusty, the sunset really started to play up the drama of the dust trail and the shapes in the terrain. My favorite moments in photography are these fleeting ones where the light starts to add such drama to the composition of the land, and intensifies the actions of the rider.
Hot summer days in Kamloops often end up dusty. It was the perfect timing to help express the speed, energy, trajectory and style of his airtime. It felt like a jet fighter buzzing the tower.

Biography
I grew up on Vancouver's North Shore and continue to live here with my wife and two daughters. Mountain biking in the moody forests of the North Shore inspired me to become a photographer and I have been lucky to call it my career for more than twenty years. I feel fortunate to have been able to shoot the evolution of freeride mountain biking alongside some of the sport's greatest athletes, for the most progressive brands, in locations all over the planet. My motivation as a photographer is similar to that of why I chose to ride. The trails that exist on our planet will take you to incredible places with breath-taking scenery and striking light. They will take a lifetime to discover, session, and photograph. I find photography at an incredible place these days, for the digital evolution has made it more accessible and successful for more people. Furthermore, action sports are blossoming across the world and as a result, we are seeing such incredibly progressive accomplishments in the photographic arts and it leaves me constantly inspired and stoked to keep trying out new techniques and ideas.
Sterling Lorence, Category finalist 2016: Energy
Category finalist 2016Energy
PhotographerSterling Lorence
AthleteMatt Miles
LocationUtah, United States
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Sterling Lorence
CameraCanon EOS-1D X
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO10000
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/320
About the shot
In the summer of 2015, I had the opportunity to work with Sweetgrass Productions on 'Darklight', which was a short film on riding at night. They hired me to help co-produce and photograph the shoot which involved scouting out the best accessible terrain that would illuminate well with our lighting in dramatic ways, be accessible for the crew and most importantly be amazing for the riders to shred.
The goal in this project was to be as colorful as possible, in a meaningful way. The grey soil in this part of Utah responded well to cyan and magenta light and it offered us an opportunity to separate Matty's dust trail from the spine. It took most of the night to tune the angles of light so we could keep the slope blue and not have the magenta appear until his roost dust trail exploded behind him.
Photographically, this entire shoot was challenging for me as I had to shoot in a cinematic lighting scenario. It is not as bright as using strobes and it can make it hard to stop the riders. Fortunately, today’s cameras can handle low light well and I resorted to always being on tripod and having a set of fast prime lenses on set that offer better access to shutter speed while keeping ISO lower.
The lighting crew were always checking in with me and trying to pump in as much light as possible. To the naked eye, it appeared amazingly bright, but once you combine the fast paced action of mountain biking, it was a constant challenge.

Biography
I grew up on Vancouver's North Shore and continue to live here with my wife and two daughters. Mountain biking in the moody forests of the North Shore inspired me to become a photographer and I have been lucky to call it my career for more than twenty years. I feel fortunate to have been able to shoot the evolution of freeride mountain biking alongside some of the sport's greatest athletes, for the most progressive brands, in locations all over the planet. My motivation as a photographer is similar to that of why I chose to ride. The trails that exist on our planet will take you to incredible places with breath-taking scenery and striking light. They will take a lifetime to discover, session, and photograph. I find photography at an incredible place these days, for the digital evolution has made it more accessible and successful for more people. Furthermore, action sports are blossoming across the world and as a result, we are seeing such incredibly progressive accomplishments in the photographic arts and it leaves me constantly inspired and stoked to keep trying out new techniques and ideas.
Sterling Lorence, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerSterling Lorence
AthleteGraham Agassiz
LocationBig Water, UT, United States
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Sterling Lorence
CameraCanon EOS 5DS
LensEF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
ISO12800
F-Stop2.8
Shutter Speed1/400
About the shot
In the summer of 2015, I had the opportunity to work with Sweetgrass Productions on 'Darklight', which was a short film on riding at night. They hired me to help co-produce and photograph the shoot which involved scouting out the best accessible terrain that would illuminate well with our lighting in dramatic ways, be accessible for the crew and most importantly be amazing for the riders to shred.
We spent countless days scouting out the best terrain features in this Utah basin and a steep ridge of spines that led into a perfect hip lip caught our eye. We thought it would be amazing to shred down then blast off this lower spine. It offered a great scenario where we could cross light the spines then contrast that with the landing bowl in the foreground.
Photographically, this entire shoot was challenging for me because I had to shoot in a cinematic lighting scenario. It is not as bright as using strobes and it can make it hard to stop the riders. Fortunately, today’s cameras can handle low light better and I resorted to always being on tripod and having a set of fast prime lenses on set that offered better access to shutter speed while keeping ISO lower. The lighting crew were always checking in with me and trying to pump in as much light as possible. To the naked eye, it appeared amazingly bright, but once you combine the fast paced action of mountain biking, it was a constant challenge to stop the action.

Biography
I grew up on Vancouver's North Shore and continue to live here with my wife and two daughters. Mountain biking in the moody forests of the North Shore inspired me to become a photographer and I have been lucky to call it my career for more than twenty years. I feel fortunate to have been able to shoot the evolution of freeride mountain biking alongside some of the sport's greatest athletes, for the most progressive brands, in locations all over the planet. My motivation as a photographer is similar to that of why I chose to ride. The trails that exist on our planet will take you to incredible places with breath-taking scenery and striking light. They will take a lifetime to discover, session, and photograph. I find photography at an incredible place these days, for the digital evolution has made it more accessible and successful for more people. Furthermore, action sports are blossoming across the world and as a result, we are seeing such incredibly progressive accomplishments in the photographic arts and it leaves me constantly inspired and stoked to keep trying out new techniques and ideas.
Skip Brown, Category finalist 2016: Mobile
Category finalist 2016Mobile
PhotographerSkip Brown
AthleteChristopher Brown
LocationPotomac, MD, United States
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Skip Brown
CameraApple iPhone 5s
Lens
ISO32
F-Stop2.2
Shutter Speed1/470
About the shot
There’s a favorite quiet spot of mine where the Chesapeake and Ohio canal widens as it runs alongside the larger Potomac River about ten miles upstream of Washington DC.
Overlooking the calm water is a rocky ledge next to a large stand of sugar maple trees that turn the brightest orange and yellow colors for a few days every fall. The quiet water is a nice contrast to the whitewater that I’m usually surrounded by, and I love shooting here during the brief time that the colors are so brilliant.
I asked my nine-year-old son Christopher to paddle one of our stand up paddle boards to the spot while I ran there along a trail. I yelled some directions but basically he just paddled back and forth while I shot photos with my iPhone 5s. I use real DSLR cameras of course, but I love shooting with my phone because it’s the only camera that I always have with me, regardless if I’m going for a run, a paddle, a ski, kiteboarding, or whatever.

Biography
I’m a long time freelance photographer based in the Washington DC area. I’m a former professional kayaker and competitive hang glider pilot, as well as an avid sailor, kite boarder, mountain biker and a pioneer of whitewater SUP.
I regularly paddle and surf the Class V whitewater and world-class standing waves at Great Falls on the Potomac River just minutes from my house in Cabin John, Maryland. I’ve never been content just being an observer so I’m a bit obsessive about getting good at a lot of sports.
I shoot a wide variety of editorial work from outdoor adventure sports and travel, food and portraits, as well as local corporate and advertising jobs. I’m married with three school age children and currently represented by NG Creative.
Paulo Macedo, Category finalist 2016: New Creativity
Category finalist 2016New Creativity
PhotographerPaulo Macedo
AthleteAndre Genovesi
LocationCosta Mesa, CA, United States
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Paulo Macedo
CameraCanon EOS-1D Mark III
LensEF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
ISO250
F-Stop7.1
Shutter Speed1/250
About the shot
One day Andre called me to go to his house to skate on his mini ramp. It was the first time I had gone there and when I saw the ramp in his backyard had a view to the street I thought of this photo immediately. I asked what he thought about the idea and he told me another photographer had tried to take the picture and it had not worked.
I went home with the idea stuck in my mind and kept thinking of ways to make it work. I called Andre to ask if he had a ladder, he said yes and I asked him if he wanted to shoot the picture the next day.
He accepted the idea and I took his ladder across the street and leaned against the side of a traffic sign waiting for cars to pass so I could get the best shot.
I set up my flashes to illuminate the ramp and the skateboarder and this was the result we got. It’s one of my favorite photos.

Biography
The art of photography gives me freedom to express all that I see through my camera. We have to do what we like, and believe in what we do so I decided to be a photographer. My father was a photographer and he was my influence. He used to take photos of my brothers and me during our childhood.
I decided to show the world that everyone thinks differently and everyone is different. Photography was the best way to show that we can make art through our eyes as if our eyes were paintbrushes and our camera paint. We can paint our pictures using our ideas and our cameras.
Alex Buisse, Category finalist 2016: Masterpiece
Category finalist 2016Masterpiece
PhotographerAlex Buisse
AthleteMich Kemeter
LocationVerdon Gorge, France
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Alex Buisse
CameraNikon D4
Lens16.0-35.0mm f/4.0
ISO800
F-Stop8.0
Shutter Speed1/500
About the shot
I had been shooting with Mich Kemeter in the Verdon Gorge for three days already and we had gotten some solid climbing, BASE jumping and highlining images already. The weather forecast was calling for mediocre conditions in the next few days and Mich wasn’t sure they would be good enough for him to freesolo anything. I was very tempted to call it a shoot and drive back to Chamonix to catch the tail end of the ski season but Mich pleaded with me to wait another day.
Unexpectedly, the gray skies cleared and conditions soon became perfect for climbing. Mich had already rehearsed the last pitch of Marches du Temps, which even though it only gets 6a , is quite tricky and technical. The biggest problem, though, is the exposure, as it’s a 300m straight drop to the canyon floor. By luck, a highline had been set up right above the route, so I was able to use a pulley to suspend myself over thin air and get a really unique angle, looking straight down on Mich while still being nicely separated from the wall.
Mich was lowered by his girlfriend Karine, got to the next belay and slipped out of his harness which was promptly pulled up. He was committed to climbing out, ropeless. I held my breath and kept on shooting as he climbed smoothly and efficiently, taking no more than two or three minutes for the entire pitch. As he reached the top, he was greeted by hugs and kisses from an understandably worried Karine!

Biography
Alex Buisse walks the walk when it comes to capturing adventure and lifestyle imagery. He lives, breathes and takes active part in the variety of assignments and personal projects he undertakes. His expedition photography has led him around the world and the mountains are where Alex is most comfortable, and where he thrives as both an image maker and an alpinist.
He has sailed an expedition yacht around Cape Horn, spent four days climbing a granite spire alone, named three mountains in Greenland, photographed the Rio Olympics, skied to the North Pole, climbed high on K2, trekked through the wilderness of Tierra del Fuego and kayaked with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, among many other adventures.
Alex is an alumnus of both the Eddie Adams and the Conflict Photography Workshops. He is based out of Chamonix.
Benoît Jeannet, Category finalist 2016: Enhance
Category finalist 2016Enhance
PhotographerBenoît Jeannet
AthleteMalik Jeannet
LocationLa Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
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Benoît Jeannet

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