Summer is here, and we’re certain that many of the bold image-makers in our creative community are gearing up to hit the road and embark on some epic explorations these holidays. Of course, our quests are always better when documented. That’s why we have gathered three of our favourite professional photographers together to share their insights into how you can shoot truly epic adventure photography on your next escapade into the outdoors.
CRAIG KOLESKY AKA @CRAIGKOLESKY
Craig Kolesky is a world-renowned action and adventure photographer, best known for being one of Red Bull’s elite professional image-makers. He is also a Nikon Ambassador, and has longstanding relationships with other popular brands like Elinchrom and f-stop. If you’re keen to up your adventure photography game, there’s no one better to learn from than Craig!
If you’re curious and would like to learn more about the wild world of action photography, check out our podcast recording with Craig on Orms Air: The Orms Podcast where we dove into Craig’s nitty-gritty insights into his creative process, as well as some of the unseen technicalities that go on behind the scenes in the intense, fast-paced world of action and sports photography.
What is it about the outdoors and adventurous activities that inspire you to take out your camera and make an image?
Different locations at any time of year can change so much. When out shooting outdoors you need work on composition by using colour, layers and finding an image that just has that special feeling to it.
What in your opinion are the essential compositional ingredients that come together to form a truly epic adventure image?
Epic outdoor images are all about timing, composition, light, and also a lot of luck. Preparation and planning is also key factors to any shoot shoot we do outdoors.
What are your top 5 tips for shooting inspiring action, travel or adventure photography?
- Research, know before you go. Make notes while traveling of locations and how that location looks at certain times.
- Always have your camera ready.
- When traveling or shooting any project, start shooting from the beginning. You never know what what will happen so start documenting from the start.
- Have a rough plan, but stay flexible.
- Know your gear, and where the gear is packed. Have a system in your pack so you don’t waste time looking for cards, batteries, etc.
What gear from your own kit bag do you recommend for capturing epic adventure images?
If I have to travel light, hike or move fast, my go-to lenses would be the Nikon 70-200 2.8 and Nikon 24-70 2.8 each on a body so the I don’t have to change lenses in bad weather conditions. I have recently been shooting mostly on the Nikon Z mirrorless system. Sometimes when out shooting less is more.
James Hughes AKA @CABIN_FEVER_CPT & @ZIMBO_WITH_A_DRONE
Digital creator James Hughes and his partner Kirsty are on a mission to hunt down the uniquest and most picturesque stays in and around the Cape. If you’re looking for a scenic getaway spot that’s ripe with incredible photo opportunities, James has got you covered over at @cabin_fever_cpt.
In addition to exploring the cabins of the Western Cape, James also shoots absolutely awesome images with his DJI Mavic Air 2S over on @zimbo_with_a_drone. Check out his Instagram profile for some aerial photography inspiration!
What originally drew you to exploring cabins and documenting your explorations?
Our absolute love of travel! With the pandemic and the strict travel restrictions we had to start exploring our own backyard. Our friends and family kept asking us where we had stayed and for recommendations, and that’s how @cabin_fever_cpt was born. It’s been an epic year exploring, and we really had no idea how many hidden gems are out there!
What in your opinion are the essential compositional ingredients that come together to form a truly epic adventure image?
The win for us is when someone looks at one of our images and says, “I NEED to go there!” It’s all about capturing the unique elements of the getaway that makes people want to instantly go online and book their stay too. Good lighting and shooting in golden hour really helps too!
Can you please share your top 5 cabins to visit in and around Cape Town?
- Solace Cabins, Rawsonville
- The Riverstone House, Wolseley
- Treedom Villas, Wilderness
- Alto Organic Retreat, Tulbagh
- Gite, Franschhoek
What gear from your own kit bag do you recommend for shooting adventure photography?
- DJI Air 2S Drone (for epic aerial shots)
- Canon EOS RP with a 24mm-105mm lens (for interior and lifestyle shots)
- DJI Pocket 2 (for filming interiors)
Chris Joubert AKA @THATCAPETOWNKID
While multi-talented photographer and videographer Chris Joubert can create magnificent images in just about any scenario, we are simply blown away by how poignantly he captures the spirit of adventure in his awe-inspiring outdoor photography. Chris shares insights into what it takes to create breathtaking adventure images below.
You can join Chris on his next exploration by following him on Instagram over at @thatcapetownkid.
What is it about the outdoors and adventurous activities that inspire you to take out your camera and make an image?
I’m constantly aware of my surroundings when moving through nature on an adventure. Everywhere you look there is something new to see and take in. It is something that is forever changing with seasons, light, and weather. I want to capture the way I see the outdoors to freeze a moment in time or to give a new perspective to something that has been captured or seen before. I want to show the viewer how I saw the scene through my eyes.
What in your opinion are the essential compositional ingredients that come together to form a truly epic adventure image?
For me, I like to create something unique about a subject that has probably been photographed or seen before. If this means shooting it at a unique time of day to have interesting lighting and shadows, possibly putting someone in the frame to show scale, shooting it with a drone to give it a new perspective, or simply utilizing interesting foreground to make the viewer have to look twice to understand the image or realize what the image is of. It often helps to research a place you will be shooting and make sure you don’t shoot any angles that have been shot before. This will help you be creative.
What are your top 5 tips for shooting inspiring action, travel or adventure photography?
- Light, light, light. Make sure you understand where the sun is and get your timing right for the spot you have chosen. Places transform within seconds when the light changes.
- Move around with your camera to different areas. Don’t just pick a spot and zoom in and out. As you move you will find a new perspective.
- Be willing to push yourself physically to get to an area that isn’t normally accessed in order to get that unique angle.
- Use foreground to create layers in your image.
- Put a subject in your frame to make the viewer’s eyes move around. Albeit a human, animal, a tree, a rock, or whatever stands out in the frame.
What gear from your own kit bag do you recommend for capturing epic adventure images?
It might be a controversial statement, but the best camera is the one you have on you. Travel light so that your gear doesn’t stop you from getting to areas you need to in order to get that magical shot. My best photos have been from a week or even month-long trip with a Sony A7iii and a 24-70mm f2.8 Sigma Art cycling through South East Asia or hiking across the Drakensberg.
