Comfort zone? Never heard of it.

The best photos generally aren’t the ones taken at eye level. To get the perfect shot, you have to be willing to hang off the side of a mountain, sink waist high into the river, or even lie down with your face in the dirt. You’re going to get sweaty, cold, wet, and tired ¬– probably all at once too, but working in those extreme conditions is what makes getting that shot so much more worth it.

Being one with the sun

As most adventure and action sports photography is controlled by natural light, the sun can be your biggest asset or your biggest downfall. You want to get to know the sun, getting in tune with when it rises and sets, how it behaves and affects colors and shadow. This comes from many years of experience, or with a handy little app on your phone.

Plan ahead

One of the obvious ways to make your adventure photography stand out is to look for a unique location. This means a lot of planning, research, and scouting ahead of time. You should know what the weather holds, which equipment to bring, and again what your friend, the sun, is doing. For tips, check out our I Know A Spot series.

Get fit and strong – and dial your admin

If you’re shooting athletes in the outdoors, you need to be able to keep up with them. As a photographer, you’re also likely to be carrying at least 10kg more than them. You also need to be up before they wake, and you’re quite frequently the last to go to bed. It’s a tough gig so you’d better be fit, strong and super organized with your equipment and personal admin.

Persistence and patience

Things don’t always work out the way you plan and sometimes after hours of working your butt off the image you had in mind just doesn’t happen. That’s ok. It’s part of the process. The trick is to pick yourself up and start again.

Communication

Building a good relationship with your friends and athletes is how you make magic. They need to understand your vision and you should always share what you’re trying to achieve with them. Quite often, the best images in Red Bull Illume are collaborations between an athlete and photographer working together to create gravity-defying imagery.

Positive attitude

Adventure and action sports photography is a whirlwind of the unknown and it’s important to have fun and be able to laugh things off. Equipment will not work, batteries fail, shots will be missed, weather will change, and the sun will disappear behind a cloud the moment you find the perfect composition, but just remember that the greatest part of being an adventure photographer is… the adventure!

Click here to submit your best shots or start tagging your best photos and videos on Instagram with @redbullillume and #rbi21submission!

Red Bull Illume 2021 Photobook - Limited Edition

This limited-edition photobook features the top 256 images of the Image Quest 2021.
Be the first to see those inspiring images printed and order your exclusive copy now!

Buy Now

Are you photographer or kayaker?

I am not a technically skilled photographer. I’m a kayaker completely focused on kayaking and I accept that I will make mistakes and miss a lot of shots and opportunities. There is a lot I don't understand about the craft. I research and buy equipment and ultimately I am around a combination of skilled athletes and incredible whitewater fairly often which makes things a little easier for me. When I want to shoot, I try to make as few mistakes as possible. Find a frame, try to get everything in focus...

What is the most difficult thing about shooting whitewater?

Having wet hands all the time in a wet environment.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Benny Marr 2 — © Benny Marr

Talk us through your prep?

I bring my camera with me when I go to the river. I try to make sure my shit is charged and the cards are formatted but I am usually forgetting something. Kayakers are often bringing cameras down the river with them in waterproof bags which provide a bit of protection for the gear. Sometimes we are running waterfalls and the cameras take the same hits that our bodies do so we need to protect them. I love a great photo and I try to observe and learn from the elements of how other people work so I will be motivated to move around on the river more to capture something that I and the kayaker will be happy to have to post, share, or sell – or have a memory of a cool moment.

pla21 0730040737801 25589 web — © Benny Marr

Do you prefer being behind the lens or in front of it?

I am way better at whitewater kayaking than I am at whitewater photography! It is better for me, career-wise, to be in the photo than to take the photo. We can make some extra cash selling photos but I am more stoked to be in a photo in the Red Bull Illume book than to have taken a photo which made it into the book. Nice for the ego either way!

Red Bull Illume 2021 Benny Marr 6 — © Benny Marr

You’ve kayaked the Zambezi. Why’s it special?

The Zambezi river is a live winding border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The river falls around 100 metres over Victoria Falls and into the Batoka Gorge. As kayakers we have all known about and planned trips to the Zambezi for years. Just to be able to travel to Africa is an incredible privilege and experience. Too often taken for granted. Sitting underneath Victoria Falls every day for a month and running some of the baddest rapids on the planet, I understand that privilege differently because I've worked hard on the skillsets required specifically to spend time beneath the falls. It is unique to paddle through a canyon or gorge like the Batoka with such easy access. River Right and River Left provide ample opportunities for a kayaker with a camera to hop out to shoot photos or film something. While there are no hippos in the classic whitewater section because they don't survive falling off Victoria Falls, there are many crocodiles who have done just that. Small baby crocs survive the plunge and grow up in the gorge adding elements of curiosity and danger to the kayaker's journey every day.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Benny Marr 9 — © Benny Marr

Steve Fisher is a big inspiration right?

Steve Fisher was the best all-around kayaker on the planet when I was growing up. His career is still very relevant and impressive. When he was in his late teens or early twenties he went to the Zambezi River to work as a guide and video/photo kayaker. He and a group of kayakers living on the Zambezi started making videos and as a kid I devoured them. It influenced how I kayak, how I navigate rivers and how I see high volume whitewater and big lines.

Scott Lindgren was also an influence?

Years after the Wicked Liquid movies by Steve Fisher and Alex Nicks were out, Steve started shooting with Scott Lindgren. Scott brought together footage from around the world for the Burning Time movies and created some really beautiful work on the Zambezi River. It was a lot higher quality than anything we had seen from the area so we could understand the river better. Steve was peaking in his skill and sendinees in the big water as well. Excellent combination. Steve’s big water style affected me for sure and Scott being willing to invest time and money into quality equipment and kayaking movies was great for the sport.

When are the perfect conditions for shooting the Zambezi?

It is always good, rain or shine.

Check out the incredible behind-the-scenes video here!

Follow Benny on Instagram and check out his website to see more of his work.

The Swiss photographer and Red Bull Illume semi-finalist, Tino Scherer, takes us through his experience of shooting three projects with the Leica SL2. Tino’s known for his sports and lifestyle photography and he gives us an insight into what it takes to capture incredible images in different situations.

Heading into the mountains

The Schilthorn is a well-known, much visited mountain in the Bernese Alps, which rises 2,970 meters above sea level. Located at its peak is the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, which Tino Scherer photographed at sunset from a helicopter. This picture was taken during a photo shoot for the Schilthornbahn AG train. Taking photographs from a helicopter demands concentration, precise planning and a steady hand – fortunately the Leica SL2’s image stabilizer helped counter the considerable shaking. It can also be cold but Tino was able to work the SL2 while wearing gloves, thanks to its design.

Out on the water with a Swiss Wakeboard Champion

In September 2019, Tino shot the Swiss wakeboard champion, Sam Lutz on Zurich’s Obersee. Perfect preparation is key for shooting action, but Tino also studied all the details for this project with great care: optimal lighting conditions at sunset, a Super Air Nautique G23, a boat that forms the perfect kind of wakeboard wave, and, of course, a boarder who can produce a spectacular trick at the perfect time. You need a lot of patience before everything comes together like it does in these pictures and a camera that does exactly what you have in mind helps a lot too. Tino is a photographer who, on principle, focuses manually, so the challenges in this case were great. He was taking pictures using a Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH. The individual function buttons of the Leica SL2 proved very useful. With one of the two function buttons on the front side, which Tino used with the detail magnification to focus manually, it was possible to focus very precisely – even with a virtually fully open aperture and a very low level of sharpness.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Tino Scherer 6 — © Tino Scherer

Europe’s oldest cheeses

Tino Scherer then found himself in his home-country, Switzerland, where he photographed every one of Sbrinz’s 26 cheese types. The traditional Sbrinz hard cheese (AOP) is among the oldest cheeses in Europe. It is made by hand using traditional methods, primarily in the cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden and Lucerne. The number of locations, the diversity of the landscapes, the different light conditions, the moods and even the motifs, were enormous. He took on these specific challenges using the universal Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. He was also able to capture razor-sharp, low-noise images with the Leica SL2’s high light sensitivity of 800-1600 ISO and was even able to produce cropped, different format images in post because of the camera’s sensor. In contrast to high-speed action, this shoot was all about capturing the slowness of cheese production and the individuals who dedicate their lives to it.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Tino Scherer 9 — © Tino Scherer

Whether you’re shooting portraits or action, on the move or indoors, the Leica SL2 is the perfect tool for the job. It’s one of the most advanced professional photography systems on the market and helps photographers them to capture award winning and incredible action shots.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Ydwer van der Heide 4

What happened with the accident?

I went foil surfing with two good friends in my hometown. It was a nice and slightly warm day during the winter with small waves and I was pretty relaxed and chilled. I took off on a wave and after a couple meters I fell and hit the bottom with my head. I could feel all my energy flow out of my body and for a second I thought I’d lose consciousness but I saw the light through the surface. I could only think, ‘keep your breath’. I stayed calm and heard my friends yelling my name. I couldn’t move my arms or legs and wasn’t able to turn around. At least I knew they spotted me.
I fractured my C6 and C7 vertebrae. In the hospital they repaired it and put screws in my neck from top to bottom to fix it. Because of the swelling I lost function and feeling up to C3 but after testing, the injury turned out to be incomplete. Paralyzed from the chest down, I had a long road of recovery ahead.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Ydwer van der Heide 5 — © Ydwer van der Heide

How has it changed your life?

Obviously it changed my life a lot. From an all year round traveling photographer and adventure enthusiast my life was suddenly back to basics. I was in bed, only allowed to sit in a wheelchair for a certain amount of time a day. I couldn’t feed myself and felt so many strange sensations in my body. In the beginning I couldn’t find the right way to lie in bed comfortably and I couldn’t explain to the nurses where to put my legs. Nothing felt right and it didn’t feel like my body. I completely lost my independence and freedom, something that was extremely important to me.
But slowly everything got easier. I was able to eat with a fork fixed to my hand, the time I spent in a wheelchair became longer. My life slowed down and it sounds a cliché but you start to appreciate different and smaller things. Suddenly that bit of sunshine on my face, that usually was so obvious meant a lot to me. I could really enjoy those little moments.

SI202105090456 news c Jarno Schurgers Red Bull Content Pool — © Jarno Schurgers / Red Bull Content Pool

When did your girlfriend persuade you to do Wings for Life?

After being in a wheelchair for four months. I knew the event and was involved as a photographer several times. I instantly said yes and wanted to roll 1km in my wheelchair. I impressed myself on that day by doubling this distance. Because my Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is incomplete I’ve been lucky to gain some function in my legs, making it possible to walk a little bit with a walker. As I like to push myself I set a new goal for this year’s run. It’s a ballsy one but I think it’s possible. I want to cover a distance of 100 meters by foot and I know it won’t be easy. I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to join me on the 8th of May. It’s very important to raise money for the research of SCI. Because it is such a complex system and even 1% improvement can make a huge difference in our case. I think it’s also important to create awareness that you shouldn’t take life for granted and let people realize that with the right mindset and will you can reach incredible goals.

Check out this video to see Ydwer talking about his goal in this year's Wings for Life World Run.

How do you manage to stay optimistic?

I’m very positive minded and although some days are tough I try to explore a whole new way of life. I appreciate other things and focus on what I’m still able to do and not so much on what I can’t.
In order to stay away from negative feelings, I started doing a lot of meditation. It taught me that those feelings have a place and that I’m allowed to feel bad sometimes. But it also taught me to turn those feelings into something positive. If I have a bad day it usually is because a couple of things are not working out. Talking about it or doing something helps me a lot. Accepting that it is like this at the moment but tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities works for me. I always like pushing myself and setting goals, that definitely didn’t change. I just have to find my new margins to keep those goals realistic.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Ydwer van der Heide 7 — © Ydwer van der Heide

Do you still take photographs?

I can’t handle the camera as before so I went back to the basics and realized why I actually liked taking photos. It wasn’t about that photo in the end but it was more about the whole process. It was about being out there and letting go. It became some sort of meditation to me. I started taking photos with my tablet resting on my lap and I just took photos of the people around me. At some point I started using an old Leica M9. For me it really helped to have a camera with minimal functions. I did a pre focus on my subject and set the timer. I pressed the button and had 12 seconds to take a deep breath and get the camera in front of me and get the shot. Sometimes I just fell forward, I was totally out of focus or didn’t have the right settings. But funny enough these are my best photos so far. They were interesting in movement, color or composition and actually told my story. Obviously I’m striving to get better but if you put those photos in a timeline they tell a great story on its own. I’m very fortunate with what my body can do and I think I will never forget why I actually love photography.

Has your relationship with photography changed?

I look differently at photography and photographers. Where I always tried to get that perfect shot in the past it’s more about the moment now. I think my photography is better now than it was before. If I could have the same knowledge without this experience it would be insane, but that’s just not how it works. I’m also working on my first coffee table photo book. It’s been a beautiful process so far and I love to give something to people that they can touch, feel and smell in this fast and digital world. I started digging through all my hard drives and realized how incredible my journey has been so far, the amount of adventures I’ve been on traveling around the world with friends.

Run for those who can't!

On May 8, 2022, the start signal will sound for the 9th annual edition of the Wings for Life World Run. You run, walk or roll with thousands of people around the world at the exact same time. The unique race has a moving finish line in the form of a Catcher Car, which begins its pursuit 30 minutes after the start, passing runners and wheelchair users one after the other until the race is over. And you'll be doing all that running not only for yourself but for a good cause. 100% of your entry fee goes into spinal cord research and will help to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Participants have the option of running together in large groups at one of the seven Flagship Runs or anywhere they want with the help of the Wings for Life World Run App. Due to its unique Audio Experience, virtual participation has become a veritable live experience. Personalities inform, motivate and entertain participants throughout their run and thus make the Wings for Life World Run unique and engaging. All information and how to register at wingsforlifeworldrun.com.

Want to support the good cause? Sign up now and run for those who can't at the Wings for Life World Run 2022!

SI201905050791 news c Lukasz Nazdraczew for Wings for Life World Run — © Lukas Nazdraczew / Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull Illume 2021 Exhibition Hangar 7

The goal of Red Bull Illume is to shine a light on the unsung heroes behind the lens, and the Global Exhibit Tour is one of the ways we bring these incredible images to the world. It’s an exhibition where everyone gets to see the winning images lit up in full grandeur. Seriously, it just feels different when you see the shots illuminated on 2x2 meter light-boxes. But what does it take to bring an exhibition like this together?

Well, we made a video showing you the entire process, from setting up the lightboxes inside the extraordinary Hangar-7 to running and capturing the exhibition’s grand open-ing night. Luckily, we had the Lenovo Yoga 9i PC, because it can switch between PC, tablet, and tent mode, we could check the layouts wherever and whenever we needed.

With all the images lit up and ready to inspire, it was time for our guests (and the event photographer) to arrive! Every event photographer can tell you that the most important thing to have when capturing a live event is a powerful set up that lets you upload and edit on-the-go. The Lenovo Yoga 9i PC has got improved color accuracy and ultra-vivid visuals, so our event photographer could edit and share as the action unfolds.

Partnering up with a brand that believes in empowering creatives, like Lenovo, is important. This isn’t just because their computers are amazing, but truly because they’re innovating computing technology that enables a more inclusive and inspired world.

Find out what it looks like to set up a Red Bull Illume Exhibit Tour in our latest video and definitely make sure you find a tour stop closest to you! The exhibition in Hangar-7 in Salzburg, Austria will be on display until May 8, 2022.

Jordan Manoukian is an adventure sports film maker based in Chamonix, France. He follows mountain athletes all over the world, shooting commercials, running, paragliding, and getting involved in all things alpine. ‘Out of Frame’ is his first movie, aimed at showing what it takes to get one shot, following Mathis Dumas and the athletes on their journey to the heart of the Mont Blanc massif. Want to know what you need to be an adventure and action sports photographer that stands out? Jordan Manoukian’s got a pretty damn good idea.

Why did you create your film “Out of Frame”?

The purpose of this movie is to show the process of taking one photo in the high mountains. It shows the behind the scenes of an extreme photographer and daily life of Mathis Dumas, an athlete, high mountain guide and outdoor photographer.

"Through social media, we’ve seen a lot of outstanding photos around the world, but we have also lost the ability of really looking at them."

What inspired you to make the movie?

I’ve always been inspired by people who take photos in the mountains. That’s maybe why I’m doing this job today. Managing the shoot, getting in position in tricky places and following athletes into the action. I really wanted to show a behind the scenes of mountain photography and dedicated this movie to the shadow people of our industry that push outdoors, showing the beauty of our mountains with a camera in hand, photographers, athletes, filmmakers, and contents creators. Mathis and me had this idea of opening a new high-line in Mont Blanc massif and capturing a unique photo to show the whole process, from organization/logistics to getting the shot. Through social media, we’ve seen a lot of outstanding photos around the world, but we have also lost the ability of really looking at them, searching for details and appreciating their value. I guess this film shows how hard it is to only take one shot.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Jordan Manoukian 4 — "I define myself more as a filmmaker." © Jordan Manoukian

What do you enjoy most about taking pictures high in the air and, in general, about outdoor photography?

Photography is about sharing and catching perfect moments. Taking pictures in high mountains is thrilling, you have this whole technical aspect of being up there and checking the itinerary. Then, you need to direct athletes and focus on the subject you want to shoot.

What is it like to produce your own movie? How is it different from action sports photography?

I define myself more as a filmmaker, I feel like you can share more emotions through the medium of film. I come from commercial productions and action sports photography, I usually receive a brief from a client and go and shoot that. You can’t really do 100% what you want when clients are involved and that’s normal because you need to respect their needs. Producing your own movie is totally the opposite because it’s a personal project, you start from scratch, creating the whole story, everything is possible.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Jordan Manoukian 12 — Sharing and catching the perfect moments is what it's all about. © Jordan Manoukian

"Doing personal projects you are passionate about is a great way to develop your own identity."

What does a photographer need nowadays to stand out from the crowd?

When it comes to mountain photography, the new generation needs to be versatile and creative to be able to stand out from the crowd. They need to be able to move as fast as the athletes in several sports and be able to master new technologies. Photographers always need to be on the run, capable of creating quality content in a short time period without disturbing the athlete.

What are your favorite locations for your photo projects?

I live in Chamonix, France, so my backyard is already pretty awesome to explore and take photos in. Nature at my home is astonishing, the whole valley is vertical with the best viewpoints for mountaineers and photographers. You can find pretty much all types of landscapes and playgrounds. I usually love going to South America, like Chile, Peru or Bolivia. You can find a real energy that is difficult to recreate elsewhere, meeting locals and taking the time to appreciate the moment.

You can watch the official "Out of Frame" trailer here!

Follow Jordan @jordan_manoukian for more mind blowing images and visit his website to see his other projects!

You were the youngest finalist in the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2010, how did that impact your career?

I was a 19-year-old kid, so that happened pretty much at the start of my path as a photographer. I‘d say most of all it gave me some kind of confirmation that chances were quite good that I was doing something right.Mostly it gave me confidence and motivated me to keep going.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Silvano Zeiter 1 — © Silvano Zeiter

What kind of projects do you work on the most? Any criteria these projects need to fulfill?

I mostly work with clients in sports and fashion with preferably lots of creative freedom. I want to be able to stand behind my work with/for them, as well as behind the clients’ philosophy.
The process of working on a project is just as important to me as the actual outcome of the work. Therefore, having fun and inspiring people around me is crucial to me.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Silvano Zeiter 3 — © Silvano Zeiter

What project are you the proudest of and why?

That would be my latest project called ‘Poly’ for sure. It’s a body of work that consists of three flip books, three Polyscopes, a curated collection of exhibited prints and an audiovisual excerpt from the feature film Chroma with Severin van der Meer. Part of the excerpt was a finalist in Photo Story category of the Image Quest 2021.
Having worked on ‘Poly’ for the past two years, it has by far been my most consuming and devoted project yet and I‘m forever thankful to all the dedicated people who helped “Poly” come to life.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Silvano Zeiter 7 — © Silvano Zeiter

Tell us a little bit more about the exhibition

Poly, the exhibition, opened its doors in early November at the Chroma Premiere Weekend at the Riders Hotel in Laax, Switzerland. It was an opportunity attendants could experience the whole body of work in full and basically what all the work led up to. The books, the Polyscopes and the movie were on display together with a collection of 16 curated prints. The prints were supposed to give the spectator an opportunity to halt and internalize the matter statically in opposition to the fast and animated nature of the books, the Polyscopes or the movie. By integrating the photos in the film, we wanted to not only add another layer of media to the movie, but also put them in opposition to traditional film, based media and thus potentially reveal the advantages and disadvantages of both still and moving images. It was very important to me that I was able to have the photos printed and on a wall as that’s where they ultimately belong.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Silvano Zeiter 6 — © Silvano Zeiter

How do you capture the energy and action in your images?

I‘ve been shooting follow- and lead-cam with snowboarders almost my whole career. I think it‘s a good tool to show the dynamics and motion of the seemingly simple moves like a turn, a butter or an ollie which also makes it somewhat relatable to most people. It gets you to angles that just wouldn‘t be possible when shooting static. Through the years, my shutter speeds got longer, which allowed me to pull the spectators into the action even more and make them feel part of it themselves.
Of course, as you have to be close to each other at high speeds it comes with a certain risk. You have to focus on the terrain, your riding, your buddy‘s riding and handling the camera all at once. A high level of mutual trust between the photographer and the rider is crucial.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Silvano Zeiter 2 — © Silvano Zeiter

What do you need to consider when shooting adventure and action sports?

Safety of course is an important aspect that‘s to be taken seriously. Being respectful and appreciative to be given the opportunity and the trust by nature and the people around you to do what you do is just as essential to me.

What’s the dream shot you want to nail?

I can‘t say there is one. If there was, I‘d just go out and do it. But seriously, in order to keep the drive and motivation to keep creating and push my work and myself forward, I try to stay openminded and tap every source of inspiration. I try to go with the drift of things and to look at creating as a process with many layers. This way I trust that “dream shots” will pop up along the way without having to look too hard for them.

What advice would you give to up-and-coming photographers?

I think Colin Wiseman wisely nailed it when he said that just simply being nice went a long way. Frankly, nobody wants to work with assholes, so just not acting like one will pay off. I personally would add authenticity as being just as important to this.

For more inspiration follow Silvano on Instagram @silvanozeiter or check out his website!

Red Bull Illume 2021 Gallery high above 1

The Red Bull Illume Exhibition is returning to Salzburg, Austria! The winning images from the Image Quest 2021 will all be on display from today until May 8, 2022, inside the extraordinary Hangar-7, the famous home to historic aircraft and Formula 1 cars. However, this isn’t the first time the iconic venue has hosted a tour stop, because it’s already welcomed fans to find inspiration for many editions.

The exhibition is the perfect way to honor the hard work and dedication of these photographers and is a fantastic showcase of their talent. It features the 56 finalist images on innovative 2x2 meter lightboxes provided by the German based manufacturer CCS Fabric Frame. The outstanding quality truly presents the images the way in which they should be enjoyed.

The Red Bull Illume Exhibition is not only a great idea for a day out but is also an opportunity to visit Hangar-7 and enjoy the dynamic architecture. It truly is a fascinating space and creates a unique atmosphere, constructed with lots of glass so you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Alps - the perfect backdrop for the world’s greatest adventure and action sports images. The entire experience provides a window into the world of these photographers and the lengths they are willing to go to get the perfect shot. It is free to visit and is open daily from March 10 until May 8, 2022, during Hangar-7’s usual opening hours of 9AM to 10PM.

Red Bull Illume Exhibition Hangar 7 Carolin Unrath Andreas Mu llner

The two category winners, Carolin Unrath and Markus Berger, attended the Hangar-7 Red Bull Illume Exhibition opening. “For me, and also for Andi, it is an amazing experience. I was completely overwhelmed, I'm still processing it and seeing this exhibition for the first time is a very unique moment.”, says Carolin Unrath, winner of the Lifestyle by COOPH category.

Markus Berger, who won the Playground by WhiteWall category, says: “To see my shot printed in the exhibition and illuminated at night feels amazing. The colors and the size... it is really cool! Also, to see my photo between all the other photos and the great work is awesome and I feel really grateful to be part of this.”

Their images have been selected out of 41,447 entries submitted to last year’s Red Bull Illume Image Quest, from which 56 finalists were selected by an international judging panel of 53 photo and industry experts. Will Saunders, an American photographer, earned the Overall Winner prize for his shot of climber, Jake Talley, striking a pose while taking a lead fall on a spectacular rock tower in Indian Creek, Utah.

Red Bull Illume Exhibition Hangar 7 Markus Berger Dominik Hernler

This is just one of the stops of the Indoor Exhibition that is touring Europe, so keep your eyes peeled and calendars open because the best adventure and action sports images will also visit countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy! To stay up to date with all the tour stops and get your fix of awe-inspiring adventure and action sports photography check out the exhibition page and follow @redbullillume on your favorite social media platform.

This type of infrared photography is implemented with a specially converted camera and special filter to create a look that is strongly reminiscent of Kodak's Aerochrome analog film. Due to their chemical composition, plants reflect wavelengths in the infrared range that are invisible to humans and are rendered red due to a filter. Non-organic objects, such as buildings, retain their natural colors.

“As an action sports photographer, it is my goal to find creative ways to showcase athletes. Through the intense red color, I want to draw attention to the importance of balancing nature and urban spaces,” explains the Austrian photographer. “The first infrared images I stumbled across were by Richard Mosse in 2018. I was fascinated by his idea and the creative implementation, but I didn't really understand the technical background. When the COVID pandemic started and I was trapped in my apartment in Innsbruck for weeks, I became more involved with the topic of black and white infrared photography and learned the technical background to make extraordinary landscape photography.”

Out of boredom, Marco decided to take apart his old DSLR to remove the blocking filter that sits in front of the sensor in order to make the camera sensitive to infrared light. In black and white infrared photography, filters are used in front of the lens to block light visible to the human eye in the range below about 780 nanometers (nm), allowing only infrared light to pass through to the sensor. Because of the chlorophyll in plants, infrared light is strongly reflected and allows the leaves to appear snow white in black and white photography.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Marco Dullnig 4 — © Marco Dullnig / Red Bull Illume

Red Bull Illume 2021 Marco Dullnig 9 — © Marco Dullnig

The problem with this DSLR was that the focal plane changed due to the lack of a blocking filter and consistently sharp images seemed almost impossible. Marco needed a mirrorless camera. “After a successful conversion and the first black and white landscape shots, I experimented with false color photography where infrared light is mixed with visible light to create colored images. I still had the images of Richard Mosse in the back of my mind and tried to achieve the style that he used. There is a lot of editing work in False Color photography, because you have to swap the blue and red color channels to get an effect similar to Kodak Aerochrome,” he explains.

Due to the large amount of editing work and the necessary manipulation of the color channels, Marco was looking for other solutions to achieve the Aerochrome effect without resorting to the hard-to-find analog film. With the help of fellow photographer, Esben Zøllner Olesen, he came across the IR Chrome filter from Kolari Vision. With this filter, he was able to create the effect he wanted, without manipulating the image.
“The final step in getting this project where I wanted was buying a new mirrorless camera and getting it converted, professionally. With all the set up complete, my idea of photographing action athletes in the urban Innsbruck environment was born!”

Red Bull Illume 2021 Marco Dullnig 2 — © Marco Dullnig

Find out more about Marco’s work here or follow him on Instagram @marcodullnig

These athletes supported the Innvisible project:

Thomas Öhler, @tom_oehler
Stefan Dollinger, @stefan_x_dollinger
Peter Kaiser, @peterkaiser
Michael Strobl & Marius Nürnberger, @upstreamsurfing

What does Bernhard Spöttel look for in a camera? Well, as a videographer and photographer for over 20 years his portfolio includes a vast range of work including aerial photography, portraiture as well as athletes and events for Red Bull; so for him, the Leica SL2-S is great because it’s like two cameras in one.

You’ve been in the photography business for over 20 years. How did you actually get into it?
I discovered my father’s black and white laboratory, when I was 13, and that was when my passion was first stirred. I established myself as a freelance photographer when I was 23. Shortly afterwards, I was able to win Red Bull as one of my most important clients. Nowadays, the range of my photographic work is very broad: from stills taken in the studio to commercials, editorials, aerial photography, automobiles, portraits and sports.

That certainly is a broad palette. What equipment do you use?
For assignments in the studio, where higher resolution is important, I use a Leica S3. For editorial assignments, and depending upon the demands, I use either my Leica M10 or an SL2. The SL2 is also my choice when I am working on action photography, as then I need a very fast autofocus.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Leica 3 — © Bernhard Spöttel

Any photographer knows that a camera not only needs to fill all the specs, but also withstand whatever the shoot throws at it - and if you’re into adventure and action sports photography you know that things can, quite literally, be thrown at you.

You’ve tried out quite a few things, then. How did the camera deal with the outdoor setting?
The camera has an extremely robust construction and is very well protected against dust and sprays of water; so it can be recommended for a diversity of action shoots. The results during twilight were also very satisfactory and fulfilled all my expectations.

Red Bull Illume 2021 Leica 6 — Photographer and videographer Bernhard Spöttel reviewed the Leica SL2-S.

How was the SL2-S as a film camera?
I must say that the SL2-S is really good for filming. When using it, I noticed that the pictures taken with the SL2-S can be very well adapted to the results of the cine cameras. In this area, I consider that the SL2-S is far superior to the SL2. The reproduction of skin tones and the sharpness are especially pleasant. I was also very positively surprised by the results of the high-speed images. Sometimes, you can already get very good results at 180 fps.

In your opinion, what is the most special thing about this camera?
The great thing about the SL2-S is the possibility to attach such a large diversity of lenses, including the strong M lenses; but you can use all kinds of lenses. That’s particularly important for filming, where the combination of camera, sensor and lens is much more decisive than it is for photographing; because, when taking pictures, you can take individual images and change them significantly afterwards and also rescue them, if necessary. With filming, that’s not so easy. Because the lights move through the image, you need to define in advance what kind of look you want to have. What makes the camera stand out? It’s the combination: the new sensor; the speed gained as a result; and, above all, the pictures that it produces, whether photographs or video.

Discover more about the Leica SL2-S and its versatile features here.