If you’re the kinda person who’s always stopping to take piccies while you’re out on an adventure — trying to capture the moment in the most beautiful manner you can — then you’re gonna want to enter this competition. We’ve managed to bag four copies of Dan Bailey‘s awesome new book Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography (RRP £21.99) — and you could be the lucky winner of one of them!
“Your backpack isn’t as light as it could be; it rarely is. Your ultramodern outdoor gear doesn’t weigh very much, but all that metal and glass definitely pulls on the shoulder straps. You’re OK with it though, because you simply cannot imagine heading off on an adventure without your camera.”
[Bailey 2015, p.2]
Basically, if you identify with this statement, you’re going to just love this book…
Whether you’re already a pro, you’re aspiring to be one or you’re simply a passionate amateur, Dan’s book will teach you pretty much everything you need to know about the art of action and adventure photography. From choosing the right gear, to the benefits of RAW and JPEG, to getting over the limitations of tricky light and anticipating that magic moment, Dan’s book will leave you desperate to grab your camera and run out the door.
From the first sentence, you just know this is a professional talking — and a professional with a passion for his work. I don’t know many people who are both crazy talented at photography, and are also able to pen a seriously gripping book. Trust me, Dan Bailey is one of those few.
Dan has been working as a pro adventure photographer for 18 years — so he’s had a while to refine a system that works for him. After all, carrying your gear and shooting while you’re hiking, climbing mountains, riding your bike, skiing in deep powder, or exploring remote places in the world is not the easiest of skills. But Dan’s mastered the art, and the quality of his images, as well as the publications (Outside Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, The New York Times, etc.) in which his imagery appears, are all testament to that.
Anyways, without further ado, here’s what you need to do to win yourself a copy…
To win…
This competition is now closed. The winners, chosen at random, are Kate Owen, Glen Smale, Berno and Gary Crocker. Congratulations, hope you enjoy the book!
Here’s a link, if you want to have a sneaky peek inside Dan’s book.
All photography courtesy of Dan Bailey
The sun was just setting outside the bothy. We were tired, hungry and sore after a full days hike through the Black Mountains but happy. This was my first time spending the night in a bothy. The boys started gathering firewood while we set about turning the bothy into our home for the night and getting some food on the go. Our exhaustion only made the food cooked on the jetboil all the tastier and the warmth of the fire all the more cosy. An evening of card games, whiskey, homemade sloe gin, and lots of laughs followed before the 4 of us managed to squeeze into the tiny sleeping area upstairs only meant for 3. We awoke after a surprisingly comfortable night’s sleep to beautiful views of the mountains surrounding our little bothy in the valley by a stream. Everything was so still and calm, completely void of the distractions that cloud every day life. This was when I got out my Polaroid camera and took a few snaps for my wall. I wanted to remember this moment. It wasn’t an adrenaline frenzy of an adventure by any means, but sometimes the best adventures are the ones that deepen friendships, and the emotions you felt then linger on for years. Every time I look at my Polaroids from that trip, it’s always the shots of the bothy that I look back on with most affection and warmth.
Thanks for that lush story LJ – love the piccie on our Pinterest wall too! Here’s to many more friendship-building adventures 🙂
I took the picture during a canoeing trip at the border of Namibia/South Africa – my first canoeing-adventure ever, to be precise. I went there with a group of people with and without disabilities, which was just absolutely unique. I’ve been on quite a few inclusive trips, but none like this. Such an adventure and people looking out for each other in a way I have rarely encountered since. Absolutely stunning views, wild camping, cooking food on bonfires, falling into streams of wild water (and almost losing my only pair of shoes that way) and being secured by someone on “leopard-watch” by night – to me it doesn’t get more adventurous really 🙂
And yet there where hours of almost silent rowing and just enjoying impeccable views, moments of serenity in the evening and every now and then a moment completely alone. All of this is captured in this one shot, taken right after the landing at shore. Behind me the usual business and noise of setting up the camp. But absolute peace on the picture. Up until today it is hanging as a huge print in my room, always reminding me of the world to be explored, encouraging me to think out of the box and promising the adventures yet awaiting me!
Thanks for sharing Luise, that does sound absolutely amazing – what an experience! I’m sure the memories will stay with you a long while yet 🙂
I’m not really the adventurous type. I’m a city girl at heart – I don’t enjoy camping or bugs or sleeping it rough – give me a Starbucks, shopping spree and concrete any day!
I then moved to West Wales….why? God is the only one who knows. I arrived hating grass, sand, breeze and not being able to wear my Nine West platforms to the store. Then I met Margaux (The Outdoor Chic) and Kate, thinking friendship was only based on what people have in common, I now realise that our differences are the core on why we are so close today. These two lovely ladies helped me learn to love sitting on green blades crawling with bugs, learn to be happy sitting with salty drying legs after being on the beach all day.
Now, although the city is my upbringing and I still miss aspects of it, the country is my home. Being willing to discover new things, do new things and embrace the differences in those I love has been my greatest adventure.
My photo entry is symbolic of this adventure. It was taken at Margaux’s birthday party – a party, which instead of being a meal and cocktails at TGI Fridays and clubbing Leicester Square, we climbed a massive hill in Brecon and had a picnic at the top.
This may not be a extreme shot but to me this was the start of an adventurous spirit that was ignited within me by two very special people.
Adventure might mean different things to different people, but it’s still adventure. I love this story – thanks so much for sharing Sian! If you want to see this chic’s lovely piccie, head over to our Pinterest competition board…
While attending the launch of Honda’s 2012 model CRV at Cameron House, on the shores of beautiful Loch Lomond in Scotland, some of the Honda folk, a couple of journalists plus one snapper (me) were invited to witness a challenge. The contest, between a Cessna Caravan seaplane and a Ribcraft rigid inflatable boat powered by a pair of Honda 250 V-Tec outboard engines, was to see who was the fastest in a straight line. Taking up a position just behind and off the port wing-tip, the wave went up and both craft leapt into action. At first the Ribcraft shot ahead but it wasn’t long before the Cessna had closed up and then she was away. At one time we were no further than a few metres apart, getting thoroughly wet from the spray, but it was exhilarating. The weather was bright and sunny, but apparently it snowed the next day, so we got our run in the Ribcraft at full tilt, just in time. It was a great challenge, but just being out on the famous Loch Lomond surrounded by towering peaks was awesome. Unforgettable!
Sounds absolutely exhilarating! Such a beautiful photo as well! Thanks for sharing Glen, I’ll pop the pic on our Pinterest competition board right away 🙂
Having only started paddleboarding at the beginning of the year, my wife and I along with two friends decided to go on a little explore along the white cliffs near Old Harry Rock. It is rare to have a day that has relatively little to no wind on the south coast, but when that day arrived in April, accompanied by glorious sunshine, we made the most of it! Now when it comes to photography I am a bit of a risk taker and so my DSLR joined us on the journey, without a waterproof casing. Dray bags packed we set off from Swanage and it was just amazing to see how clear the water was, especially when on a SUP. There were little caves with pebble beaches to explore, chalk stacks rising out of the water (which looks like fun to climb), and a deserted pebble beach hiding treasure which we couldn’t find. On our return to Swanage we attached our boards to a buoy and took a dip in water that literally takes your breath away! It was an amazing experience to be the only people on the water exploring areas unknown to most people. That is why I love taking my camera with on all adventures, big and small!
Hi Berno, that sounds like an amazing adventure and one I’d love to do! Lush photo too – I’ve shared it on our Pinterest competition board 🙂
This image was taken way back in 2008 during my gap year travels to New Zealand. I went over on my own with the intention of walking every ‘great walk’ – there’s quite a few so it’s suffice to say I didn’t complete the tick list but I did take myself down to Mt Cook to make the hike up to the Muller Hut.
It had been an incredible walk, straight up from the valley to the hut where you where your efforts were rewarded by the most stunning views over Mt Cook itself. After an amazing night, I really didn’t want to leave this spot and had been told by the hut warden that the walk up to Mt Kitchener – a rocky peak a little further up the trail – was a fantastic day out and a good excuse to stay another night. I had been told it wasn’t hard and to just follow the markers. I set off on my own.
What was described as an easy walk quickly turned into a bit of an epic. The markers took me across an incredibly steep traverse across a scree field that felt more like wading through a stream. Every time you stepped forward the scree fell away from under your feet and cascaded down the mountain side like water. Once I navigated this I was directed up a vertical scramble. It had quite good hand and foot holds but it quickly became quite exposed. Half way up this I heard a thumping noise and looked up to see a small tv sized rock bouncing down the rock towards me. I managed to move out the way just in time so that it just scrapped my knee before smashing into a million pieces. I clung to the rock and took deep breathes but it had shaken me up and I had ‘disco knee’ – whenever I tried to put weight on it, it shook like I was trying to do an Elvis impression. Slowly but surely though I made my way up the scramble to the ridge. However it didn’t get any better. Too my right was an terrifyingly exposed ridge walk to the summit. To my left another equally scary scramble that led back to the hut. I sat on the ridge and cried. I was shaken up by the climb so far and was scared stiff of going on. I didn’t know what to do. I definitely wasn’t going to the summit now but I didn’t fancy the scramble to my left either and I definitely didn’t fancy descending the route I had just come. I must have sat there for at least 30mins before I was able to come a decision. I couldn’t sit here forever and there was no way I was going to turn back so I wiped the tears away and set off up the left had scramble. As predicted it was terrifying. It was a knife edge ridge which plunged straight down at least 700m on both sides. Some of the sections were totally vertical and long – with fairly good holds but so exposed and by now it was blowing a gale..huge gusts were buffeting the mountain and throwing me off balance whist I worked my carefully along the ridge. All I could do was to keep focused on my breathing and not looking down. After what felt like an age I came up onto a flat platform where there was a cairn and a small plaque. Below I could see the hut and an easy route down. I had done it!! I have never felt so elated and also so proud of myself. I had just overcome some of the worst fear I had ever felt in the mountains. Suddenly my worries fell away and I was just filled with elation. I had to take a picture so I set my camera up on a rock and took my selfie! From now on this picture reminds me of what adventure really is…having it all go wrong but getting through it with smile on your face!
Wow Kate, that story gave me goosebumps! Knowing the story behind a photo gives it so much more meaning and makes you look at it with completely different eyes. I’ve pinned your pic to our Pinterest board – thanks so much for sharing!
Have posted a photo on your Facebook page. This is an image I took in June when I started experimenting with a remote shutter release and off-camera flash. It is a self portrait. I had been at home in the Black Mountains on the England/Wales border writing end of year reports. I was bored and the sun was shining so I made a some lunch and headed into the hills for a run with my camera and a couple of flashes. There is an exposed scramble up onto a narrow ridge behind the house and I headed up that. I propped the camera up on my jacket and fired off a few shots. The end result is not technically perfect but it makes me smile to look at it and reminds me how great it is to just grab your camera and head for the hills.
Gary
Hi Gary, that’s an awesome pic and really nicely composed! Creativity always makes for the most interesting shots. I’m sure you’ll love Dan Bailey’s book – so good luck!
I am definately not as adventurous as Ms Margaux here, but I recently went on an road trip adventure from Minnesota to South Dakota. It was a 9 hour car ride through lots and lots of maize/corn fields but it was all worth it at the end when we got to visit Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park! Great adventure! 🙂
That sounds like a really long drive, but I bet you had some stunning views! Thanks for your entry Katie 🙂