Top 5: Best photos from stage two of the international circuit in Lausanne

The early part of the competition week in Lausanne had some pretty rough weather.

I’m not a fan of standing in the mud – but I do like the pictures you can capture in a bit of (light) rain. The droplets exploding off the bow, the deep and rich colours, and the assortment of additional pieces of clothing all make for something a little different from behind the lens.

The back end of the second stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup was light and bright. Shooting photographs against the sun in the finals was a real challenge – but I was pleasantly surprised with how well they turned out. Plus we had some really good finals matches.

It might sound odd but the colour of the branding around the field is important. Deep reds, pinks and blues all help a photo, I think, because the colour is reflected well in the face. Yellows and greens make people look unwell.

You know the drill. I’ve put five of my favourite pictures from last week’s competition below. I hope you like them and that you have time to check out the full albums from the second stage of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Lausanne on this website.

1) Old-fashioned

With all the smartphones, tablets, calculators and technology that can be used to keep score, there are some coaches out there who still prefer the old-school method of using a pen and paper to keep track of the matches. It’s a really beautiful illustration of results.

2) Proving a point

Even though she didn’t make the team that will – attempt to qualify to – represent France at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Audrey finished on the podium in Lausanne. My word, she was happy about it. She proved her point, and celebrated, that she remains one of the best archers in France.

3) Doubts

The reaction as soon as a shot has left the bow writes 1000 words for an experienced archer. There’s a look of almost horror on Braden’s face as he watches this arrow fly downrange. You can see the doubt in his eyes, wondering if or hoping that it hits its mark.

Knowing Braden, it probably did.

4) Camera shy?

Sometimes you almost have to beg people for a smile when taking a photo. Not these ladies. They went all-out during our photo-op with the final four in the recurve women’s event. Actually, the compound women were pretty open to expressing themselves, too. The guys… not so much!

I’m really enjoying the new final four, the concept for individual finals introduced this year. It builds the story in the arena and gives us a chance to capture personality, like this.

5) Wait for it…

When Brady is in the final, this is the spot to be in. The discharge of tension and emotion, after that last arrow, is inevitable. It always makes a good photo. When he won this weekend, he turned around slowly, took a step… and then this.

Maybe he was just checking to see if I was in the right place?