Total Warrior – Leeds

This is the 4th year I have photographed this great event, for the past 3 I have been on this obstacle (The Human BBQ). As you may have seen on my website, one of my images was on the front cover of Obstacle Race magazine with a shot from this event in 2017 on this very obstacle.  Issue #22 for those of you keen to check it out!

With this obstacle you see it all and this year was no exception, with the marshals doing a great job of keeping the BBQ flames nice and high throughout the day. This meant the competitors had to give it their all to make the jump into the very muddy water beyond. For some reason each year you seem to get lots of people doing the same thing over this, and this year I don’t know why but it was different with people also diving and doing belly flops as they leapt the flames which made for some very interesting photos where I was able to freeze them in mid-air.

As usual I was going to end up very wet and muddy from the splashes of people as they landed in the water, and boy did I. Almost everyone managed to get me in some way shape or form, some even came over and gave me a hug as they didn’t think I was muddy enough.  Thanks guys – I’ll get my own back next year!

To see more pictures from this event head over to our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

Equestrian – Belton House International Horse Trials

This is one of the largest horse trials in the country. On the first day, I was given the opportunity to cover two dressage arenas that would have events running throughout the day. The weather was fantastic, and I was able to capture Belton House within many of the images which gave them a great backdrop. It is truly amazing how both rider and horse are in sync with each other and the style and poise of these international competitors is fantastic.

On Day two, I was asked to cover a section of the cross-country course which had a series of three jumps.  Looking at the way these were set out I was able to get a nice low spot, so I didn’t move much, ensuring I wasn’t noticed by the horses at all. With the competitors being of such a high standard the images proved to be majestic - seeing the horses bodies stretched out and front legs tucked tightly in as they completed each jump.

Day three, I was covering the cross-country again but on a different part of the course. This time it was a double jump with the second jump down into water – these shots are always spectacular as the horses splash through the water. I was able to get the competitors almost head on as they jumped and was also able to capture them from the side as they went over a second jump featuring a large stump.

This second jump started me thinking of how I could try and get better angles without being noticed and also without disturbing the horses. A remote rig would be ideal but I haven’t seen anything which would do what I need it to do. So, only one thing for it!  Time to get creative.  Watch this space as I will be posting images from The Rig when I have designed and built it.

To see more images from the day head over to our FaceBook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

Tough Mudder – Northampton 5k

This event was a little different to the usual Tough Mudder events as it was based around a 5k run in an urban environment and was split over two days to ensure as many people as possible could participate. Being a 5k event it encouraged people that may not ordinarily do this sort of thing to try it out as it was more of a fun event to give them a taste of what taking on a Tough Mudder event would involve.

I covered all aspects of the event from teamwork right through to the finish line.  The highlight for me on Day One was photographing the competitors trying to climb a 5m metre high wall which wasn’t easy as they had to work as a team to scale the wall. This gave me the chance to capture all kinds of fun images. With the sun shining this couldn’t have been better for them or me, everyone was in good spirts and with it being a Friday evening everybody was ready to end the working week and start a fun weekend.

Day Two, I covered the finish area.  I got myself a good position to capture the competitors just before the finish line enabling me to photograph them in different ways as they approached. From jumping to stopping to pose for the camera the competitors really gave it their all and the photos show the great atmosphere of the event.  For many people it was their first event and what a way to be able to remember the day and their achievement – by striking a pose for the camera.

To see more photos from this event head over to our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

RatRace – Dirty Weekend

What a difference 12 months makes.

As many of you know, in September last year I made the decision to make Reflective Photography my full-time career.  I had been attending events like this at the weekend alongside my day job and I felt that the time was right to focus on these amazing events.  The pride I feel being able to capture the emotions of people who take part in these events – many of them for the first time with limited preparation – is immense and something I was so excited to be able to commit to fully.

Last year it was raining (ok it was hammering it down!)  and this year we had wonderful sunshine – if that wasn’t a sign that this was where I should be, I don’t know what is.

As usual with this event it was full of fun and laughter for both me and the participants.  I was photographing the racers as they came down “The Big One” and what a show they put on for me. Lots of splashes and funny faces pulled as they hurtled down the massive slide with water going everywhere – and yes, they were aiming for me as usual!  Not a problem saves me going to the gym 😊

There was everyone there from Superman (who not only did the event but also ran 169 miles from Essex and back all for charity), to The OCR Wrongens which i seem to capture everywhere i go, Baywatch Boys, Where’s Wally’s and yes even some friendly Vikings.  This event is a sure-fire winner and puts a smile on my face every time.   You are all crazy and I can’t wait to see what next year brings at Dirty Weekend. 

To See more pics from this weekend head over to our facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

The Major - Bramham Park

The Major - Bramham Park

Travelled up to Bramham Park again for another fantastic event from the major ocr . These are always very wet, muddy and loads of fun.

As always, I was posted to the wettest, muddiest obstacle which was 1.5km from the start, really should start wearing my FitBit to these things – may earn myself an extra slice of cake!  After a little walk I found the swamp/boggy area (home for the next few hours) and scouted for a good location to shoot from. I had to climb down an overgrown bank to the edge of the water just up from the swamp area although this was very soft under foot I figured it may be ok for the day. I got my kit out and camera settings sorted ready for the competitors to come through.

There were two BMF instructors on hand to help (torture) the competitors along the obstacle and after having a chat with them I figured they were going to make photographing this rather fun.  Yes Sir, Sarge!

As I was so close to the beginning of the race when the competitors started coming they came thick and fast. It wasn’t long before one of the BMF guys were in the muddy water with the competitors shouting at them to go under the foam bars. This made my job a lot easier as they were covered from head to toe in thick muddy water and they really made a meal of the whole thing.

As the day went on I was so engrossed with capturing the images that it took me a while to realise that either the water level around me was rising or I was starting to sink.  Looking around I saw that my kit bags where sort of floating. Luckily, I had put them on large plastic sheets which had folded around them so the camera bags were still dry, so up the bank they went. However, it was far too late for me as water/mud was all over me (standard) so back into the swamp I went.

Have a look over on our Facebook page for some of the great images from this event.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

RatRace - Mens Health Survival Of The Fittest

I covered both Cardiff and Nottingham this year. It was my first time at Cardiff Mens Health and the event and the location didn't disappoint, Both Cardiff and Nottingham are one day events with competitors running around areas of the cities with lots of obstacles thrown in for good measure.  

At both events, by complete chance, I ended up covering what they call the washing machine which is a large wooden structure with four doors on both sides and a machine pumping huge amounts of foam into it.  think back to your student days when you added too much washing powder at the local laundrette and you will get the idea.

This obstacle produced a lot of fun and laughter for the competitors. This for me was just too much to hold back from and I got stuck in with bubbles up to my chest and was soaked to the skin, but this enabled me to get some fantastic photos of the competitor as they tried to find their way through the bubbles and out the other side.  Let's face it if I hadn't jumped in by the end I would have been pushed in.  The photographer is never safe for long...

Some of these fun images will be posted on our Facebook page, so pop over and have a look.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

Something a little different.

A friend of mine is a mechanic and gave me a call to say that he had a car in he thought I may be interested in.  The owner was happy to give me the opportunity to photograph his pride and joy - a pristine Sierra Cosworth after it had been extensively detailed ready for a show.

The client was happy for us to do what we wanted to get some interesting shots, so I took the opportunity to use small flashes to get some close-up mood shots of the whole car picking out various unique details on the vehicle. Then it was off outside and we used two cars for some "on the road" driving shots which had me in the boot of my car with a driver and the Cosworth being driven by the mechanic.

The whole shoot was a big success and both myself and the client were really happy with the images produced.

Have a look on our Facebook page for a few of the images.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

Next.. Total Warrior Edinburgh

After a long drive and picking up another photographer on route we finally arrived at the static caravan that was going to be our base for the weekend. As you can imagine in the dark, late at night it was difficult to tell one caravan from the next - after getting our kit out of the car we thought we had found the right caravan only to find it locked. After trying both doors I thought it wise to check the text for the caravan number just in case. Yep it was the wrong caravan!  Luckily it was empty and we hadn't scared our weekend neighbours. We managed to find the right caravan and off to bed we went.

Next day I managed to get my hands on a 16mm fisheye lens for the whole event as I had the perfect obstacle to use it on, time to get up close and personal.  This was the first time I had the chance to use this lens and I am hoping it won't be the last.

All the competitors were loads of fun and were happy with me being that close to them which helped produce some fantastic images all weekend.

In the evening, we were pleased to see a beautiful sunset appearing, so with cameras in hand we set off to the beach to try and photograph it before it was too dark.

For some images from this event have a look at our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

RatRace - Coast 2 Coast

EPIC....

This event is exactly that - 105 miles over 2 days.

First there was an nine and a half hour drive from Newark to Fort William at the edge of Loch Ness to a hotel and a very well deserved pint with a fellow photographer.

The next day I was up and raring to go at 04.30 for a two hour sunny drive north to Cawdor Castle which is only 7 miles from the start of the event. I shot images here last year and found all the competitors very fresh faced and full of positivity which helped get some fun/cheeky (you know who you are!) images so I was hoping for the same again. The day didn't disappoint as they were all up for having some fun striking poses for the camera as they ran past the castle.

Then it was off for a four and a half hour drive down to the Glen Coe Hotel to the finish line and yes some of the competitors manage to complete this epic 105 mile event in just 1 day...

I managed to arrive half an hour before the first competitors started to cross the Loch in the kayaks.  They looked understandably very tired, but still gave a smile as they ran , yes ran past me to the finish.

Day 2 and I was up early again to get to the road section to cover the participants on their bikes. I managed to get myself into position low down in a ditch to get the best reactions from the competitors as they came past with the mountains as a backdrop.  Those of you that have seen me at past events know how I love to jump out to surprise you all with the camera.  Too much "You've Been Framed" as a kid I guess.

Sure enough being this low down, I got the reactions I was hoping for and people loved posing as they rode past to help me produce some great images for them to cherish of their great adventure in the Scottish Highlands. 

For a few images of this event go over to my Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/reflectivephotograph/

Watch out for me next time - look low!