13/12/2021
Behind the Lens – Part 70
The 34th edition of the Rick Tomlinson Portfolio Calendar is now available. Order online https://www.rick-tomlinson.com/shop?tag=calendars
I have always written a “Photographers Note” on the wall calendars with information about the picture and camera settings, but there is a limited amount of space to write. In the run up to Christmas and the New Year we can look at some of the 2022 images and share some of the back-story to the pictures, and say thanks to those involved. Here the thanks go to Alex Thomson and the crew of Hugo Boss
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The January picture in the Portfolio Calendar features the IMOCA 60 Hugo Boss, my note on the calendar reads:
This shot of the IMOCA60 Hugo Boss was taken as Alex Thomson was leaving the UK for the start of the Vendée Globe in France.
There was no wind in the Solent so I followed him out past The Needles, going further and further out into the Channel.
I was on my own in the RIB and thinking “how far do I go”? Eventually off Weymouth Bay, at the point I was about to turn back, the breeze filled in and Hugo Boss lit up, both in speed and in the beautiful evening light.
It was a long ride home but I knew I had something special.
Nikon D810 70-200mm lens at 130mm 1/1250 sec .3 ISO800.
A bit more to the story:
“I was alone in the RIB” - it was mid- October and the days were drawing in, it was grey, cold and damp but the forecast said it would improve.
For hours I followed Hugo Boss waiting for the wind. This was my last opportunity to shoot Hugo Boss, I wasn't going to give up easily. There was also some security and comfort as my colleague Mark Lloyd was also alone in a RIB too.
When the breeze finally came Hugo Boss was suddenly doing 25 knots and we struggled to keep up. Driving the RIB, holding a position and shooting at the same time is not easy. To get the best reflections in the topsides you had to let go of the wheel and throttle and get as low down in the rib as possible, still doing 25 knots! We sort of took turns to get in the best position until the light faded and it was time for the long ride, upwind, back to Cowes. Off Lymimgton Mark peeled off and with a wave we both knew we had experienced something special. The last hour home was in the pitch black night.
The 2022 Calendar is available to order at https://www.rick-tomlinson.com/shop?tag=calendars