You were around in 2007 right?
“I did the first year and won the New Creativity category. I shot with a remote flash. You can’t control it – it was just a friend swimming with it but it ended up being a perfect angle. Red Bull Illume was incredible, the favorite thing I’ve ever been a part of. You sent us to Aspen and I’d never seen snow before and I was freaking out on that. I’d just turned 21. I was still pretty young and really excited about everything.”
Then what?
“I didn’t enter in 2010 as it felt like I didn’t have any photos I was proud of. But in 2013, the one that made it was the Kelly Slater shot from the US Open. People really love that photo.”
What is it about the contest that’s unique?
“I’ve emailed our staff photographers and contributors a couple of times and told them, ‘you guys should enter!’ It’s a good experience. It’s awesome that Red Bull supports photographers and gives them this platform. Usually it’s the athletes who always get the credit. They deserve it but it’s cool to see photographers get the recognition too. I love the competition, what it stands for and what it's done for action sports photographers.”
What about the other images?
“Just looking at the collection of photos is pretty inspiring. It just makes you want to step your game up and come up with creative ideas and execute them. When you see them all together it’s really inspiring.”
So what are going to enter this time?
“I’m still not sure. I got some of my best lineup photos I’ve ever taken recently. I was two miles away almost in downtown San Francisco with a 500mm lens. I got a few photos I’m really stoked on but not sure they’re necessarily award winning. The level’s so high now.”
Any advice?
“A lot of the judges are coming from different backgrounds. You might shoot something which in the surfing world would be considered normal and not creative and for someone in another sport, they’re amazed. I didn’t realize [my 2007 shot] was such a good photo. So it’s definitely worth entering a few more than you think. It’s the only award I’ve ever won and there’s not many out there. If you can win an award for anything, it’s awesome.”
Check out the gallery below and Jimmy's Instagram feed for more of his work.
The world's greatest action and adventure sports photography contest is back and better than before with the addition of a new mobile category. Download the Ultimate Guide to Red Bull Illume here and mark March 31, 2016 on your calendars! That's when submissions close.
Visit the Red Bull Illume Facebook page for regular updates and check out Instagram for more visual action.
The Illume Effect: Jimmy Wilson
With his shot of Kelly Slater about to enter the water, Surfing magazine’s Jimmy Wilson nailed one of the 2013 Red Bull Illume’s most iconic images. He tells us why he’s instructed all his photographers at the magazine to enter this year’s contest in our continuing Illume Effect series.

© Jimmy Wilson / Red Bull Illume