Breathtaking images from Red Bull Illume 2013's finalists

The finalists in the annual Red Bull Illume photo contest have been revealed, and action and extreme sports never looked so good. A total of 250 finalists have been announced with entries in 10 different categories. Come August 29th, a winner will be crowned from 50 finalists invited to the reveal in Hong Kong.

Photo by Sebastien Boue.

Photo entries were accepted in categories that included Close Up, Experimental, Sequence, and Creativity among others. The results include sequences of kayakers and snowboarders defying gravity, cliff divers doing what they do, and after-hours stunts in an abandoned waterpark. In other words, they're pretty exciting. Take a look at a few here and head over to the gallery to see all 250 finalists.

Photo by Zakary Noyle.

Photo by Bernardo Gimenez.

Photo by Ryan Taylor.

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Comments

Total comments: 12

By mgrum (2 months ago)

A lot of these images represent people just doing what they love, and that includes the photographers too, many of whom probably don't care about the rights they're giving up, not everyone wants to live in that world, they just want to take photos.

0 upvotes

By Tan68 (2 months ago)

"Come August 29th, a winner will be crowned from 50 finalists invited to the reveal in Hong Kong."

So, if the image rights are transferred royalty free, do they at least get a plane ticket to HK? Or they receive an invitation and make it on their own?

There must be something for winning.

0 upvotes

By Mike_V (2 months ago)

Amazing images.
Really stunning.

Sucks that the photographers are signing away their rights.
Sad that artistry and technical skill is so undervalued now.

0 upvotes

By Lawson Photo (2 months ago)

But I think my favorite is the rock climbing, that is amazing. www.lawsonphoto.us

0 upvotes

By dmurphey (2 months ago)

Congrats Zak. Hawaii photographers rock!

1 upvote

By chj (3 months ago)

amazing photos

0 upvotes

By mpgxsvcd (3 months ago)

Not a bad picture in the entire lot.

2 upvotes

By NikonFotoMatt (3 months ago)

Does anyone find it offensive that Red Bull gains full use royalty-free rights to the photography? Does anyone know that Red Bull's annual marketing budget is more that 2 billion dollars? And they can't compensate photographers?

10 upvotes

By slncezgsi (3 months ago)

Today nearly nobody does. It is how photography has 'developed' :-\

0 upvotes

By Bill Bentley (3 months ago)

Do they at least acknowledge the photographer when using the photo? Maybe yes for the contest, but not if using it for their advertising media? But if you are one of the finalists then you could at least put that in your resume.

0 upvotes

By Mescalamba (3 months ago)

Nobody forces them to join and try to win. Plus they make quite a bit of name for themselves (I quess thats motivation).

If I was "pro" which would get decent money for his pics, then I wouldnt care at all about some of these competetions. :D Or none of them..

But then there are those which seek fame and more money. Sure Red Bull could give them something as compensation. But they dont and Im pretty positive you enter that contest with knowing that.

0 upvotes

By KentG (2 months ago)

As previous posters have said and my pro brother once confided in me that most get into competitions for the exposure like he did and once you get known you just stop doing them.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 12