Red Bull Rampage is one of the most demanding events in mountain biking, and the pressure falls on the photographers too. Photographing red bull rampage means carrying heavy gear over steep ground and often getting one chance to catch the moment that matters.
A new documentary short from Pelican, titled Images That Last Forever: Photographing The Red Bull Rampage, follows three photographers who cover the event: Christian Pondella, Paris Gore, and Bartek Wolinski. Pelican released the film to mark its 50th anniversary.
The film draws on decades of combined experience. Each has spent years behind the lens at the event, and each describes the physical and technical toll of the job.
Single-day rides and dramatic landings are only part of the story, since capturing that motion takes its own skill. Mathieu Forget’s daredevil action photography across the globe shows how stunt imagery is built from the same risk and timing.
A career that spans the sport’s growth
Pondella, based in Mammoth Lakes, California, has shot every edition of Rampage since the first event in 2001. This year marked the 25th anniversary and a return to the original site.
In the film, Pondella says the riding looks very different from the early years. Photography, bikes, and riders have all changed, he explains, and the shift over 25 years has been dramatic.
Many of the riders now competing were not born when Pondella first photographed the event. He says he hopes the event will still be running in another 25 years, and that he plans to be there if it does.
Physical demands of photographing red bull rampage on the ridge
Paris Gore, a Red Bull photographer from Bellingham, Washington, has covered Rampage 13 times, making him one of the most experienced mountain biking photographers on the course. He calls the job physically demanding and says it requires constant movement, especially during finals, the event’s final round.
Gore describes the geography plainly. A photographer may need to cross an entire mountain to reach the next shot, and a misstep can mean a fall from a major cliff. He says he loves the work anyway.
The riders at Rampage face terrain that demands total commitment, and it is the rock itself that shapes every line. Danny MacAskill’s riding across Norway’s granite landscape offers a striking look at mountain bike mastery on harsh, natural ground.
Planning for change
Bartek Wolinski, a photographer from Poland, is attending his 12th Rampage. He says he always tries to follow the light before the action begins.
Wolinski says the work is difficult, and planning matters. He also says a plan has to bend. Photographers need to stay flexible and adjust as conditions demand, he explains.
Taken together, the three accounts show a job built on preparation and improvisation. For anyone shooting the event, the best images come from knowing the course well enough to be ready when the riders arrive.
H/T petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
Who are the photographers featured in the Red Bull Rampage documentary short?
The documentary short follows three photographers: Christian Pondella, Paris Gore, and Bartek Wolinski. Each has spent years covering the event and describes the physical and technical demands of the job.
Who released the Images That Last Forever documentary short?
Pelican released the documentary short, titled Images That Last Forever: Photographing The Red Bull Rampage. The film was released to mark Pelican’s 50th anniversary.
How many times has Paris Gore photographed Red Bull Rampage?
Paris Gore, a Red Bull photographer from Bellingham, Washington, has covered Rampage 13 times. The article describes him as one of the most experienced mountain biking photographers on the course.
Has Christian Pondella photographed every edition of Red Bull Rampage?
Yes, Christian Pondella has shot every edition of Rampage since the first event in 2001. He is based in Mammoth Lakes, California.
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