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Behind the Image with Craig Kolesky

published
November 1, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving

Behind the Image with Craig Kolesky

copy Craig Kolesky fave hero shot Copy

Behind the Image with Craig Kolesky

published
November 1, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving
4
 mins read
WORDS
11th Hour Racing
PHOTOS
Craig Kolesky
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Listen to Jack ...
Craig Kolesky
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I like this one because it’s a different kind of take on the classic ‘over-under’ and juxtaposes the two worlds.

‍

This split image was actually not planned — we were heading back to land but as a team we spotted the opportunity, jumped in, and got this cool shot showing off both worlds.

Craig Kolesky
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I like this one because it’s a different kind of take on the classic ‘over-under’ and juxtaposes the two worlds.

‍

This split image was actually not planned — we were heading back to land but as a team we spotted the opportunity, jumped in, and got this cool shot showing off both worlds.

I like this one because it’s a different kind of take on the classic ‘over-under’ and juxtaposes the two worlds.

‍

This split image was actually not planned — we were heading back to land but as a team we spotted the opportunity, jumped in, and got this cool shot showing off both worlds.

Walking on water? There was a bit of trickery in the angle but that adds to the allure and I feel makes you look twice at this photo. I also really like how it seems as though Zandi is standing on an endless ocean.

‍

It may sound like a cliche, but often shots that are not planned are the ones you end up liking the most. There was a tidal pool and at high tide the water was flowing over the wall. We got Zandi to walk on the edge of this wall to get an effect of her walking on water with this seemingly infinite ocean behind her. I had no housing here, so it was a quick, last-minute (and risky) decision to rest the camera on the surface of the water to get the low angle.

‍

What were your goals and hopes from this shoot? What surprised you (for the good and the bad)? Did you have a specific image or story you wanted to tell?

My goals were to portray some sense of the freedom and size of the ocean while making the most of flow and colors. The one image I was after was to make it look as though she was reaching another world, with water and bubbles making a vortex around her, and with some planning we got pretty close. Teamwork was so important in this and because 90% of the shoot was underwater, communication was key. We had some special moments!

‍

This shoot was intense and the athletes were operating at a very high level. When you’re documenting an athlete at that level, what are you looking for so you can make sure you capture that story? What’s going through your mind?

Always have a camera ready and your finger on the trigger. It’s that simple and that complicated all at the same time. You have to shoot every moment possible, sometimes when you least expect it, you can capture that magic moment.

‍

QUESTIONS
11th Hour Racing
ANSWERS
Craig Kolesky
Craig Kolesky is arguably one of the most accomplished action and adventure sports photographers in South Africa. From shooting fast cars in the middle of Cape Town to chasing after ultra runners in the wilderness, Craig has photographed a wide variety of epic sports. Craig brought decades of surf and kitesurf photography experience to our freediving shoot, and, despite all his experience, was blown away by the beauty beneath the ocean’s surface. Craig was like a kid in a candy store!
‍
We connected with Craig after the Cape Town shoot to talk through his favorite images and more.

‍

What excites you about these images?  Tell the story of how they came to light…
Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
copy Craig Kolesky carousel 1
Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
Listen to Jack ...

This image has a real timeless feel about it — the way Zandi is floating free and kind of reaching out into the unknown. What makes it even more special is that it was a last-minute idea that came together for the final image of the shoot.

‍

We had pretty much wrapped the shoot and were all swimming back to the boat. I was watching Zandi move gracefully through the water and as she surfaced she glided into this position as if to reach out. I got her to swim down again and asked her to make a lot of bubbles and to get in the same position but to reach through the vortex. I shot a few frames out of this, but this one just stood out.

Craig Kolesky
“Teamwork was so important in this and because 90% of the shoot was underwater, communication was key.”

I like this one because it’s a different kind of take on the classic ‘over-under’ and juxtaposes the two worlds.

‍

This split image was actually not planned — we were heading back to land but as a team we spotted the opportunity, jumped in, and got this cool shot showing off both worlds.

Craig Kolesky
“
T
h
e
o
c
e
a
n
w
a
s
m
y
p
a
t
h
t
o
b
e
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s
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t
o
g
r
a
p
h
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r
.
”
copy Craig Kolesky image carousel 3 Copy

Walking on water? There was a bit of trickery in the angle but that adds to the allure and I feel makes you look twice at this photo. I also really like how it seems as though Zandi is standing on an endless ocean.

‍

It may sound like a cliche, but often shots that are not planned are the ones you end up liking the most. There was a tidal pool and at high tide the water was flowing over the wall. We got Zandi to walk on the edge of this wall to get an effect of her walking on water with this seemingly infinite ocean behind her. I had no housing here, so it was a quick, last-minute (and risky) decision to rest the camera on the surface of the water to get the low angle.

‍

What were your goals and hopes from this shoot? What surprised you (for the good and the bad)? Did you have a specific image or story you wanted to tell?

My goals were to portray some sense of the freedom and size of the ocean while making the most of flow and colors. The one image I was after was to make it look as though she was reaching another world, with water and bubbles making a vortex around her, and with some planning we got pretty close. Teamwork was so important in this and because 90% of the shoot was underwater, communication was key. We had some special moments!

‍

This shoot was intense and the athletes were operating at a very high level. When you’re documenting an athlete at that level, what are you looking for so you can make sure you capture that story? What’s going through your mind?

Always have a camera ready and your finger on the trigger. It’s that simple and that complicated all at the same time. You have to shoot every moment possible, sometimes when you least expect it, you can capture that magic moment.

‍

Craig Kolesky
“Flow is the perfect rhythm when everything just connects and lines up. Where everything feels natural.”
What does ‘flow’ mean to you? What does it feel like to be in a state of flow for you?

I compare this to being in a perfect rhythm when everything just connects and lines up. Often when riding mountain bikes and you’ve been on the bike for days, you get into the state of flow where everything just feels natural.

Craig Kolesky
“My goals were to portray some sense of the freedom and size of the ocean while making the most of flow and colors.”
Craig Kolesky is arguably one of the most accomplished action and adventure sports photographers in South Africa. From shooting fast cars in the middle of Cape Town to chasing after ultra runners in the wilderness, Craig has photographed a wide variety of epic sports. Craig brought decades of surf and kitesurf photography experience to our freediving shoot, and, despite all his experience, was blown away by the beauty beneath the ocean’s surface. Craig was like a kid in a candy store!
‍
We connected with Craig after the Cape Town shoot to talk through his favorite images and more.

‍

What excites you about these images?  Tell the story of how they came to light…
copy Craig Kolesky image carousel 5 image 1 Copy
copy Craig Kolesky image carousel 5 image 2 Copy

Photography is a unique way to make a living… why have you chosen to be a photographer? What has photography taught you?

I’ve always had a creative side to me since I was young, I used to work a 9-5 job and did not feel like it was my path. Every spare moment I would be out photographing surfing or skateboarding. The ocean was my path to becoming a professional photographer.

Previously unseen
ABOUT THE PROJECT

To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.

Behind the Scenes

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