In the top 20 of the prestigious Mirabaud sailing photo contest there were four representatives of Russia. Our representation can only be compared to the French one in terms of number, but France is a recognized yachting power. itBoat asked Russian finalists of Mirabaud about sailing photo in general and about the winning photo in particular.
Was the choice for the competition difficult or obvious?
Marina Semenova: Difficult. Many, many good strong pictures were taken this year and it made the task very difficult. It was difficult to single out one.
The photo was taken in December 2016 in Dubai during the world premiere of the new Melges 40, where I was the official (sole) photographer. At the top of the mast is Italian athlete Marco Carpinello against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, the highest structure in the world (828 meters).
Dmitry Sharomov: The choice for the competition is always difficult, especially when you can provide only one shot. At first I wanted to send to Mirabaud another shot, which I liked very much, also taken from Pangaea during the Pole2Pole expedition. I made it in a 10-point storm. Imagine: 30 meters waves and a flying albatross in the background. His only downside was that the yacht did not hit the frame. I sent it to the jury, and they said: no, without the boat is not good.
By the way, if you take a closer look, you will see that there is a little bird in this shot too.
Elena Otekina: Choosing was easy thanks to my Facebook. I sent that photo to the contest, which scored the most likes and comments on my page, it was also one of my favorite photos this season, but the opinion of readers helped to make a quick choice.
Anton Makhanov: The choice was obvious. Lena Razina helped to make it (Russian sailing photographer, entered the top 80 of Mirabaud 2017, but did not make it to the top 20 - itBoat), for which she thanks a lot.
How many attempts were made to get that same frame?
Marina Semyonova: Two. I was waiting for the moment when our boat took the right point for shooting, so I could combine the mast with the athlete and the Burj Khalifa tower. Click, click, and it's done. In general, I don't like shooting objects, I prefer to wait for shots.
Dmytro Sharomov: I was filming from the mast: I climbed up the paint and sat there for an hour and a half or two, constantly filming. When he saw the iceberg, he asked the ship's crew to change course to take the photo.
If you look closely, you can see this defect in the right corner of the photo, but here it is not critical.
Elena Otekina: I was so fascinated by the design of the sails of the Sorcha (the one with the dial) that I must have made a few dozen frames of her crossing with other boats - white on the white side of the boat.black, blue on black, black on black but red in Provezza's suits best reflected the drama of the moment when the two yachts barely separated at the next crossing.
This light yacht, ripping the black fabric of time, was for me the embodiment of the uniqueness and beauty of every moment in a race that will disappear forever if it is not captured.
Anton Makhanov: It was a catamaran capsule, there were no second attempts, I was the only photographer who looked that way, except for Lena, but she was too close, and I had to make a series of shots, one of which got into the competition.
What is more important - photo or processing?
Marina Semenova: In a sailing photo - 100% photo!
True, in our time, when we shoot everything on digital cameras, a little correction is necessary. Often the camera gives out that itself considers necessary and it not always corresponds to a reality. I make the correction of the pictures.
Elena Otekina: I think that the most important photo is to be in the right place at the right time and have time to capture the «moment.
Anton Makhanov: Most important and always photo. Photography is an ideal moment stopped by photographer and his camera, if this moment is not there, no processing will make it appear.
The main quality of the sailing photographer
Marina Semenova: Reaction and survivability =)
Elena Otekina: Patience and endurance, and of course a great love of sailing.
Anton Makhanov: The main quality?) Waterproofness and boundless love for sailing, yachts and sea.
Three masthav things in your arsenal (except the camera).
Marina Semenova: Protective camera case, sunscreen and something delicious =).
Dmitry Sharomov: Nice warm sleeping bag, waterproof bag and a large black garbage bag. Such, you know, dense, for construction rubbish. Waterproof bag I ordered from a company in St. Petersburg, which makes RIBs. You can even dive with it, you can't get water in. A simpler and more affordable way to protect things and equipment from water is a regular garbage bag. I often use it.
Elena Otekina: Waterproof yacht suit, sunglasses and a big roll of toilet paper, but not for what you can think about, but to clean the lens from sea salt.
Anton Makhanov: Nepromokanets, boots and a smile.
The picture you're thinking about: Too bad «it's not mine.»
Marina Semyonova: It's hard to say so, I probably think so not about photography, but about shooting, the opportunity to shoot: I would really like to shoot the Rolex Middle Sea Race or Volvo Ocean Race from a helicopter, when the boats in the open sea, the ocean alone with the elements!
Elena Otekina: Helicopter images of Spanish photographer Ainhoa Sanchez from the recent launch of the Volvo Ocean Race. I really wanted to be able to shoot the start of VOR from the air too!
Anton Makhanov: A lot of talented photographers, both Russian and foreign, they all have good beautiful photos. Every time I see a good photo, a successful shot, I ask myself how I took it, but without regret that it is not mine, the phrase «is still»not the same, rather: how great she «/ he did it! Well done!».
And so many shots like Lena Razina, Andrey Sheremetyev, Ian Roman is just a great photographer from Britain. Look at any of the competition shots - you can say for sure about any of them: a chic «work. I'd love to be there too!»
Your advice to the person who wants to shoot the sail.
Marina Semyonova: Practice, understanding what happens on water and most importantly to watch and learn from the masters of sailing photography.
Dmitry Sharomov: First you should go on a yacht. Evaluate, whether it is a case for you. Even I may get seasick after a long break on board. And you can't take much notice of it. Get ready for permanent fixing of the equipment, and as a result - for additional expenses. No waterproof cover will protect you completely from water: too many different holes and holes. Last time after the expedition I took the camera to repair, I was counted at 15 thousand.
It is always necessary to hold on something on the move, otherwise you risk not only technique, but also a head. I once crossed Gibraltar on a 35-metre yacht. There was a long wave that didn't seem to be dangerous. I was in the cockpit, filming flying fish overboard. Nikon gave me a powerful 200-500mm telephoto lens, naturally under my responsibility that I wouldn't break it. Suddenly the yacht tilted heavily and I flew across the width of the cockpit to the other board. By some miracle I managed not to hit any of the winches or break the lens, but trying to hold on to the deck, broke my finger.
Elena Otekina: Shoot as many different regattas as possible in different classes of yachts.
Anton Makhanov: The advice is simple: go sailing, go yachting, take part in races, we have a wonderful city (Anton Makhanov's native city is Saint-Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia). ItBoat), where there are many opportunities to start doing it for less money than abroad, and we have a lot of competitions, from May to October every week something is held. Both professional and amateur. First, fall in love with the sail, it is good to take pictures of what you love with all your heart much easier.
