Paul Villecourt - Behind The Photo

This is a big year for Fluid Kayaks, they have recently turned 10 years old. Can you remember when you turned 10? It was the best, double digits!  The Fluid team have also produced three new whitewater kayaks for 2012, the Dope, a playboat and Bazooka, a creeker and the Do It Now. I'm very excited to put to the test this spring. As we speak these boats are now being built in the USA, this will make access to Fluid's world-class kayaks easier than ever before.

When I first saw Fluids new poster displaying their new kayaks I was distracted by the photo in the background, being a visual person I sat and stared and wanted to know more. I got in touch with Paul Villecourt, a team paddler for Fluid and talented outdoor photographer. Paul was stoked to share his story behind the photo, enjoy;

This picture was taken during the Fluid French Tour last summer. I had the chance to follow Celliers Kruger, Hugh Du Preez, Luke Spencer, Val Grollemund and David Arnaud during a great week on some scenic and steep rivers located in the French Alps. This one is featuring Val Grollemund on the Guil river, a must do ! As this rapid was not super hard nor impressive, I chose to use a fisheye lens shooting multiple shots without moving. Usually I have a precise idea of a picture before I push the button. For this one, I thought it would be interesting to show the complete line of a not too scary rapid ! Shooting big drops and rapids is always fun, but it's also great to search for creativity. Wide angle lenses are my favorite toys to reach this goal.

For this picture, I also liked the fact that I was able to take my time to prepare the picture, without being too stressed by my own run on the river : it's not always simple to be a photographer and a paddler, especially when you follow awesome paddlers like these guys ! But I survived this week and brought back tons of cool shots, big laughs and sweet memories !

To view more of Paul's stunning photographs check out his website; www.outdoor-reporter.com it's certainly worth a browse.

Here is the poster with Paul's shot along with the new kayaks.