Top 5: Best photos from the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup opener in Guatemala

I’ve been shooting pictures of international archery since the Hyundai Archery World Cup was launched in 2006. I’ve only missed one stage in the 14 completed seasons – in that first year – and I’m so excited to be back on tour for the delayed 15th edition of the circuit.

Guatemala City was a first time host but it’s not the first time we’ve been to Latin America.

I love the light here and, actually, across the Americas. It seems softer, it adds to the pictures rather than is something we’re always trying to combat. It was also quite overcast during the competition last week, which means it’s easier to get depth and I prefer a moody sky to one that’s completely free of clouds and bursting with light.

The following five photos aren’t necessarily my best photos of the tournament – but they’re some of my favourites. I hope you enjoy them and don’t forget to check out the full albums from the first stage of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Guatemala City in the dedicated area on the World Archery website.

1) Get in there

I play golf. It’s not unknown for a golfer to shout ‘get in the hole’ after hitting the ball.

Brady shouted ‘get in there’, at the moment he released this arrow. Golfers almost never get the result they ask for – the ones I play with, anyway – but Brady steered this shot into the 10-ring, 70 metres downrange, during the mixed team bronze medal match.

He didn’t win this stage but he did win the Longines Prize for Precision. Another testament to his accuracy.

2) Celebrate

Watching Atanu and Deepika both win golds this weekend was fantastic.

The success has been a long time coming for Das and you can see that on his face as he celebrates winning his maiden stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup while his opponent still has to take his final shot. It was a brilliant finish and a well-deserved moment of elation for the Indian archer.

3) Standard gear

In this post-pandemic reality, everyone at an event has to wear a face mask at all times, except when on the shooting line. It’s a standard piece of equipment for athletes, now. This picture reminds us of that – and also that moment of normality, when the archers are on the line, doing what they’re built to do. Shoot arrows.

4) Fish bowl

Or the archery bowl? I’ve got a fisheye lens in my kit bag. I like taking a few photos throughout the week and snaps like this remind me that archery is all about the great outdoors, being under the sky and getting fresh air. It’s a fun lens to play with.

5) Still life

When everything is frozen at the click, the arrow is the only thing that can’t stay still.

I talk to agency photographers at the Olympics and they’ll often use an even higher shutter speed than me so that the arrow appears completely still, too. I don’t do that on purpose.

An arrow wants to move, it needs to move – even in a still photo, like this.