On the shortlist
The photo below has been shortlisted for the photo competition at Kendal Mountain Festival. It's in the top 10, which will be printed up big and displayed in the Brewery Arts Centre, the hub of the festival. The photo shows ace kayaker Callum Anderson in the falls of Glen Nevis, near Fort William in Scotland – the UK's Outdoor Capital.
Getting this shot did not require any extreme wilderness skills: it's actually taken from a bridge where the road crosses the river just below the falls. This gave me a nice stable platform to shoot from and put me at eye-level with the top of the falls. I think one of the things which makes this shot work is the "comin' right at ya" feel.
Callum actually made five runs down these falls before we moved on to another location, but I'm pleased to report this shot was taken on the first run.
For those who are interested, here's some technical info. The camera was a Nikon D7000 and the focal length 66mm (equivalent to 100mm on full-frame). Exposure mode was Manual, ISO rating 400, aperture f/9.0 and shutter speed 1/1000 sec.
Of all this data, it's the last item I want to emphasise. The fast shutter speed doesn't just freeze any motion of Callum in his kayak, but also all that white water. Even at 1/500 I think the definition in the water would have started to soften, and the shot would lose something.
One other thing. I've got my subject right on the centre line of the image. I knew instinctively this was the right way to go with this shot. But then you all know what I think about the "Rule" of Thirds don't you? If not, see this entry.
UPDATE: It didn't win.
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