This photo was taken at a freestyle kayaking competition in Wausau, Wisconsin. The kayaking course is an engineered course on the Wisconsin River. The flow of water is controlled by a dam and spillway, and the amount of water flowing through the course can be increased or decreased, depending on the skill level of the competition.
The course is very “photographer friendly.” The course flows from north to south, and the spectators (and photographers) can walk or sit anywhere along the east bank, as long as you don’t interfere with the view of the rescue team. Photographing is best before noon, when the view is to the sunny side of the kayaker.
In this photo, the kayaker had just been upside down with her head underwater. While under the water, her helmet filled with water, and when she righted herself, the water drained out of her helmet.
I have not entered this in PJ international exhibitions, so I was wondering how you think it will fare. I took the photo with my 70-200mm zoom lens at 190mm. The settings were f:8, ISO 200, at 1/800 sec in bright sunlight.
7 comments posted
Dr Isaac Vaisman
Gerald, it is indeed an interesting image and action not normally seen, but I think it would depend on the mood of the judge. Even though it is peak of action, the fact that the face is completely covered by the pouring water out of the helmet may degrade the image. To me is a great image as I said before. It is sharp. Posted: 04/08/2025 12:31:15
Gerald Emmerich Jr
I think you're right. It would probably be better with more of the face in view. I'll have to try it in an international exhibition. As always, acceptance or not depends on the mood of the judges. Posted: 04/08/2025 19:52:53
Tom Kredo
Hi Gerald,
I'm in agreement with Isaac, I think the lack of a face is going to make an acceptance hard to get. Posted: 04/13/2025 22:24:45
Andre Magarao
Hey Gerald
I don't think showing the athlete's face is an absolute must in every shot. But what bothers me the most is that you shot this with a fairly long lenses in an angle that's too much top down. The athlete got compressed with the water that's "too close" behind him/her and there is no separation. If you were lower on the water level there would be more background and probably make the shot more 3D alike.
If you really kayaking, check Chris Korbulic on Instagram. He shoots white water kayaking more but you will see that when he is in this situation that he can't be on the water level puts the kayaker in the bottom third (or fourth, or fifth) of the shot so the shot has more depth. Posted: 04/14/2025 03:21:43
Ronald Davis
Hi Gerald. At first response to this photo like others have said, no face. However the photo is different to the standard we are conditioned to judge. The fact is her/his face is completely covered gives this photo it's point of difference which may act in your favour in a competition. The choice of sports kayaking also works in your favor as frequently competitors are covered with water, judges hopefully realise this and water becomes a compliment to the photo, it is a tumultuous uprising burst of water from the depths of danger. All other aspects of the photo are fine, cropping, focus, exposure etc. I once saw a cricket photo win a competition with a lady cricketers face completely covered by her hair, she was completely anonymous. But beware photographic judging is very fickle your photo maybe completely rejected for the obvious reason, no face. Posted: 04/14/2025 23:32:37
Bruce Benson
For me the fact that the water is hiding the face makes the image. I know that normally seeing the face is essential, but just like my image this month does not have the ball in it, I think that other factors make the image. I have several similar images with water covering the face of moose that hae done well in exhibitions so feel this one would also do just fine. Bruce Posted: 04/15/2025 20:26:13
Don James
I agree with you, Bruce. The water hiding the face makes the image and tells a story. It provides a sense of wonder for the person looking at the image...that must have been a very tough course the kayaker was going through. You shared the details the kayaker was upside down. Harrowing to say the least. I agree with Andre about potentially exploring a shot lower to the ground, but realize in these situations, that may not be possible. Posted: 04/17/2025 14:50:28
