Cycling photographer Geoff Waugh Interview

August 2, 2012

Geoff Waugh is one of the countries best known and respected cyclesport photographers whose award-winning photographs have graced the pages of newspapers and magazines the world over. We caught up with Geoff to chat about the challenges the Olympic competitors will be facing at Hadleigh Farm and get his helpful hints and tips for spectators aiming their own camera at the action.

You photographed the Olympic Test Event and Hadleigh Farm, how was that?

“The Test Event was a complete eye opener to just how big the Olympics is and how different it is to anything I had shot before in an event situation. Us photographers had chaperones to make sure we didn't get up to anything naughty like crossing the course, or being in places we shouldn't. Note: Apart from taking photographs, being in places we shouldn't is our second favorite pastime. Because of the magnitude of the event there were many mainstream press and agency guys there who don't normally shoot mountain biking and probably only shoot major road racing once in a while so it was a bit of a bun fight - something they are way more versed in, so podiums were a bit hectic! Between the women's race and the men's race in the afternoon, the marshals had discovered there was a wasp’s nest right next to the biggest rock feature. Of course, I didn't have a clue and went there to shoot some 'overview' action. Next thing I know, I’m getting yelled at by one guy at the bottom of the rocks and another at the top, telling me to get out. I had no idea what I had done wrong and when I went to climb out, the guy at the top told me to go down to the guy at the bottom. It was a farce - but probably entertaining to the hundreds of spectators behind us. Anyway, I didn't get stung that's the main thing… Well perhaps my pride. A bit.”

Where were you shooting from? (Making mental note to stay clear of any wasp’s nests)

“I took pictures from as many vantage points as I could get to. I had a slight advantage since I had already been to the venue when they had open days for riders coming down after the World Cup in Yorkshire. After getting the start of each race I would then wander off to try and find as many different angles as I could, away from other photographers. I was trying to find something unique, although on such a small circuit it was touch. But I did OK. I shot the second rock garden from the hill opposite to give a wide landscape and show the location as well as the track. At the bottom of this section there is a rock berm (banked corner) where the best racers made really dynamic shapes; always good of the camera. A shot overlooking Canvey Island, over the Thames to Kent was definitely necessary, as was a picture with riders climbing back up the hill with the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, far off Southend sea front in the background. This gives the shots a sense of scale. Then I walked back up the central path to the steep drop near the start/finish line to grabs some images before making my way to the finish for the usual scramble for the best position.”

Any tips for people attending the event on getting good photos?

“Get there early. Everyone else will be. To get the cleanest (by that I mean as few hands and flags as possible in the picture) shots you will want to be near to the course tape or barriers. Conversely, you could get pictures of the riders from afar, making there way between a sea of fans - that would be a keeper to show your friends. I don't know yet if spectators are allowed to move all around the course, but I can say for sure, that the honeypot places will be the first rock garden and the steeper drops on the backside of the course. Ask yourself if you really want the same picture as everybody else. If you do fine. If not take a look around at all the options. The crowds themselves will offer plenty of material. Technically, I'd say use a high shutter speed to freeze the action. These boys don't hang about. If you are a ghoul that likes collecting crash shots then the first rock garden after the start will be where riders are hustling to get a good position and may find themselves going OTB - Over The Bars!”

How'd you get into cycling photography?

“I had just started to get an interest in bicycle racing after watching the Tour de France on Channel 4. I was already taking pictures as part of my job on a magazine and when the Tour of Britain London stage came past our office I shot some frames and got the bug. The sport seemed so different, fast and colorful and accessible. Since then my job has taken me to places I could only have dreamed about. Rio de Janiero, California, Africa. I love it!”

With all this going on, do you still have time to ride?

“I ride when I can and when I feel like it. I used to race mountain bikes way back but the amount of time you have to put in training means that isn't an option any more and that is really no loss to me. Now I would prefer to be in the mountains riding in amazing scenery at my own pace, usually dictated by how many coffee shops there are en route. Riding a bike is so therapeutic to me; it's like going into a trance and coming round an hour or two later with fewer worries. Most bike riders will tell you that they feel a bit weird if they haven't been able to ride for a few days. It has a genuine pull.”

Where do you ride in Essex? Where's the best place to ride in the world?

“I was born and spent my formative years in Colchester, which most people know is a big army town. We used to get our bikes and hack around the shooting butts on the army ranges, and any wasteland we could find. Then I got into mountain bikes and raced at places like Danbury, Laindon, Langdon, Warley Gap and Brentwood. The old Essex Mountain Bike series in the early 90s was brilliant for its cold and wetness! But I loved that kind of stuff; washing mud out of my ears and other places two days after the race! Even when I moved into London I rode my bike down the A120 and A10 to my new flat, taking in all the countryside on the way. There really are some beautiful villages in the county.”

Who should we look out for in the Olympic MTB race?

“In the women's race the Canadian Catherine Prendel, French woman Julie Bresset and perhaps Prendel's team mate (by sponsor not country) Georgia Gould who may pull off a good ride. Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle has shown amazing late season form and has a wealth of experience to draw on and she could be a surprise (and popular) winner. In the men's race it would be a fool that didn't put his money of the Swiss Nino Schurter. He has looked formidable this season and has shown two-time Olympic gold medalist Julien Absalon a clean pair of wheels nearly all year. Absalon won the test event but Schurter chose not to attend. Absalon has experience on his side, Schurter has youth and power. Italian Marco Fontana, South African Burry Stander and German Manual Fumic will all be in the mx stirring things up. It will be a great battle.”

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