Adventure and action sports photographer Krystle Wright may have only picked up a camera about three years ago, but her passion for fine imagery and sport have taken her a long way.

After attending Queensland College of Art for a Bachelor’s degree in Photography Krystle realized the best way to learn was out in the field. 

Her adventures have taken her from her home country of Australia to China and Indonesia photographing everything from adventure sports to travel and life. She is currently working on a project shooting Ocean Swimming going underwater to get the best angle.

Krystle is not only one of our Awesome ExplorerGirls, but also an ExplorerGirls Ambassador. We talk with her more about what it takes to get the best image, close calls, essential equipment and travel.


EXP/G: How long have you been shooting?

Krystle: Only 3 years
 
EXP/G: What got you interested in Adventure/action sports?

Krystle: I've always been obsessed/passionate about sports for as long as I can remember. I just love all types of sport though with an extra soft spot for the extreme/alternative. I guess I’m attracted to the thrill of it, the adventure, & especially the challenge of capturing 'that moment' in a single shot.

EXP/G: What is your favorite shot you've taken so far? Why?

Krystle: It’s hard to choose a single shot as I have a few favourites. One of them would have to be a shot I took in Samoa last year. It became stormy & I was playing around with a new lens. I guess its one of those shots that was an accident but I am incredibly stoked with the outcome. Droplets were sticking to my port & luckily they didn't blur out the surfer (who happens to be my partner) instead it added to the shot & helped capture the atmosphere. Its just one of those unique shots that stands on its own.

EXP/G: Have you had any scary or close calls while shooting?

Krystle: At a recent Bondi Bowl O Rama, I was shooting skateboarding under scaffolding through a tiny gap on level with the platform of the bowl & somehow a skateboard managed to flick out my way giving me a solid egg-shaped bruise on my forehead.

In China last year on a rock climbing trip, on our day off we decided to go riding & unfortunately I lost my balance in a rocky section & came off into a 2m ditch where on impact, I chomped off my front tooth. Though, thankfully my camera & lenses weren't damaged as I'd been riding with them in a small backpack. Those two probably take the cream of the crop.
 
EXP/G: How did you learn to shoot? Did you attend University? Has education helped?
 
Krystle: I was totally clueless after school & how to approach photography. I presumed that going to University was the right thing to do & I enrolled with the Queensland College of Art (Griffith) in Brisbane to do a Bachelor in Photography. I remember learning about the shutter & aperture and thought 'How the hell am I going to remember this?' haha. Uni was great for learning the technicalities of photography & the camera though I probably could've done it a lot cheaper. Education did help to a certain extent though for me, I’m more so a practical learner so I found I learnt more about photography & how to develop my style from other photographers working in the field.

Uni can be quite expensive & you definitely don't need a degree to be a good photographer. In fact I've hardly mentioned that I have a degree as employers (Magazines/Newpapers, .etc) judge you on your folio as it all comes down to how well you take a photo.

EXP/G: Where is the most exciting place you have traveled to take photos?

Krystle: Traveling to the Mentawais was awesome. I did a two month trip through Indonesia and because we were doing things budget style, we took a ferry to the Mentawais & landed in a port we didn't know. Somehow we managed to find someone to take us to HT's in a dugout canoe. The water was lapping at the edges while we sat cross-legged in this tiny boat thinking it could sink at any moment. It took about 4 hours & we did it again the next day getting to Macaroni's.

So many things happened on this trip including camping in the jungle with crazy malaria mosquitos, taking a 2 hour motorbike trip through the jungle to get some lunch & sitting in a tiny rubber dinghy then getting a bit nervous when you see a 3m croc roll off the bank back into the water.

EXP/G: What's the best event you have covered?

Krystle: I was lucky enough to score accreditation to State of Origin at Suncorp stadium. Im a bit of a footy nut & absolutely love Origin. Suncorp Stadium has the BEST atmosphere by far when it’s a full house. Everyone gets into the game & it was such a fun night! (Plus Qld won that game!)
 
EXP/G: Any plans for future travel or events?

Krystle: Oooo plenty! Im always researching new stories & athletes to shoot. My next trip is to Fiji in October to go photograph ocean swimming which I’m incredibly excited about. A few other destinations coming up in the near future include Nepal, Tasmania, Java though sometimes you never know what can pop up at the last minute. I do have one Major project coming up early next year but I'll keep that one under wraps for now.

EXP/G: What is your most essential piece of photo equipment for adventure and action sports.

Krystle: Thats a hard one. I gotta admit that I absolutely love shooting on the Canon 5D. It’s not a quick camera but with the 1:1 ratio, its a beautiful camera to shoot with. The speed of the Mark II N would be great but all you have to do is be more selective with your shots.
 
EXP/G: You take quite a few photos underwater. Any advice for aspiring photographers who want to get underwater, too?
 
Krystle: The biggest thing I could recommend is knowing your body limits. I guess this applies to shooting a lot of sports but especially with water shooting, you need a solid swimming fitness otherwise you can get yourself into danger.

The best accessory would be fins for sure. Some swim with long fins but most photographers will wear similar fins to the bodyboarders. They're easy to swim with & generate power for when you need to get yourself out of situations.

Also, having a good knowledge of water conditions especially when it comes to beach/reef breaks. There are times when no matter how fit you are, there's no point getting into the water if there's a massive sweep as you'll spend your whole time swimming against it & getting no shots. 

Perhaps the best way to start off is playing around in safe small conditions & building your way up. Shooting in the water is so much fun & you’re guaranteed to get unique shots everytime as water never breaks the same way twice. I do highly recommend it as you'll have an absolute ball.

EXP/G: What do you do to keep fit for shooting action and adventure?

Krystle: I use to train in athletics quite full on until my photography took over. Athletics definitely gave me a solid base for my fitness though to maintain it these days I tend to do a range of things including a bit of riding, rock climbing, yoga, running & whatever else I can get my hands on to.

Depending on what range of sports I have coming up to shoot, I will try to train for it such as building my swim fitness for water shooting or doing some endurance work if I know I need to do a lot of trekking.

EXP/G: Shooting in such harsh environments with cold weather, wet and mud what is your tip for getting the best shot?

Krystle: You actually tend to forget where you are sometimes as you become addicted to getting the shot. You do put your body on the line but that's when the adventure starts! I guess the best tip is to be best prepared for the environment but get ready to get dirty/muddy/wet!!!

EXP/G: If you weren't a photographer - what else in the world would you be?

Krystle: Oh heck I have no clue to be honest. There really isn't a plan B, I just love photography too much. I have a pretty short attention span so you could be guaranteed that I wouldn't be in an office.
 
EXP/G: Where's your favorite place in world?

Krystle: I probably couldn't answer that yet as there's so much more traveling to do though I'll have to admit that Bora Bora is on the all time list. But, as long as I’m in the bush or near the ocean, I’m happy.

You can learn more about Krystle by reading her blogs at her ExplorerGirls Profile page and www.wrightphoto.com.au

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Courtney Crow

Images:  © Krystle Wright