Aussie photographer wins big at Red Bull Illume Image Quest
The winners of the action and adventure sports photography contest, Red Bull Illume Image Quest were recently announced in Chicago. Winners were announced across 11 categories, with Australian photographer Luke Shadbolt, awarded first place in the ‘Energy’ category. His black-and-white image, features surfer, Renan Faccini against a huge swell in Brazil, highlighting the power of nature.
© Luke Shadbolt.
German photographer, Lorenz Holder took the top spot for the second time running, winning both the 'Masterpiece by Yodobashi’ and ‘Playground’ categories. His shot of athlete Senad Grosic riding his BMX across a bridge in Germany received the most votes from the panel of respected judges. In addition to the overall title, Lorenz’s winning image also took home the coveted Athletes’ Choice Award.
Following the ceremony, the winning images were displayed on illuminated 2x2m lightboxes at the opening of the Red Bull Illume Exhibit Tour 2016. The exhibition will travel to cultural hubs and hotspots around the world for the next two years.
Athlete: Senad Grosic. Location: Gablenz, Germany. © Lorenz Holder.
Held every three years, Red Bull Illume is dedicated to action and adventure sports from around the world, showcasing the most creative and captivating photography. Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2016 is the fourth edition of the contest after 2007, 2010 and 2013.
In 2016, the contest saw 5,645 photographers from 120 countries submitting a record-breaking 34,624 images. A judging panel of 53 photo editors selected 55 finalists, 11 category winners and one overall winner.
The overall winner and the 11 category winners are:
Close Up: Denis Klero, Russia with his black and white shot of climber Rustam Gelmanov showing his chalk-covered hands in Fontainebleu, France.
Energy: Luke Shadbolt, Australia for his black and white image showing the power of nature. Surfer Renan Faccini is set against a huge swell in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Enhance: Dean Treml, New Zealand and his image of cliff diver Jonathan Paredes jumping from the 28 meter platform on the roof of the Copenhagen Opera House during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, 2013.
Lifestyle: Jody MacDonald, Canada with her mesmerising image of her brother Ken MacDonald sitting atop a train during their adventure through the Sahara Desert.
Masterpiece by Yodobashi: Lorenz Holder, Germany showing Senad Grosic ride his bike over a bridge in an autumnal Gablenz, Germany.
New Creativity: Ale Di Lullo, Italy for his fun shot of Aaron Chase riding his mountain bike on the windshield of a NYC cab.
Playground: Lorenz Holder, Germany showing BMXer Senad Grosic ride a rusted viewing platform in Senftenberg, Germany.
Sequence by Sony: Daniel Vojtêch, Czech Republic with his shot of Flying Bulls pilots Miroslav Krejci, Jan Rudzinskyi, Stanislav Cejka and Jan Tvrdic in Jaromêř, Czech Republic.
Spirit: Dean Treml, New Zealand for his image showing kayaker Josh Neilson being supported by fellow paddlers Barnaby Prees, Sam Sutton, Tim Pickering, Ben Brown, Jamie Sutton and Jaren Seiler after a bad landing off Matze’s Drop, Storulfossen, Norway.
Wings: Micky Wiswedel, South Africa with his shot of climber Jamie Smith mid-fall as he attempts a new route on Table Mountain, Cape Town.
New for 2016 was the Mobile Category which was won by Vegard Aasen, Norway for his black and white mountaineering image taken in Hakuba, Japan.
The top 275 photos can be viewed on redbullillume.com