The Board Culture Exposure festival in Biarritz transformed the traditional competition format by putting photographers, rather than athletes, in the spotlight during a unique live photography contest. The festival, dedicated to celebrating the culture of board sports, installed a temporary skatepark at the base of the Biarritz casino during the exhibition week, creating an innovative platform for photographers to showcase their skills in capturing surf and skate action shots in front of a live audience.
"Usually, we judge the performance between athletes. The idea is to reverse the roles a bit. It's the photographers who are being put to the test," explained Kevin Métailler, co-founder of the Board Culture Exposure festival. This creative approach aimed to highlight the skill and artistry required in action sports photography while giving spectators insight into the behind-the-scenes work of professional and amateur photographers.
On Thursday, October 30th, under bright sunshine, approximately 40 photographers gathered at the foot of the Biarritz casino to participate in the live photography competition. The participants, ranging from professional photographers to passionate amateurs, competed to produce the most creative and compelling shots while curious spectators and passersby watched the action unfold. The event provided a unique opportunity for the public to discover the technical challenges and artistic vision required in action sports photography.
Three skateboarders and four surfers (who performed the previous day) served as models for the competition, executing photogenic tricks and maneuvers that were captured by the competing photographers. The athletes repeatedly performed various stunts and aerial maneuvers, providing multiple opportunities for photographers to capture the perfect shot. This collaboration between athletes and photographers created a dynamic environment where both artistic vision and athletic performance were showcased simultaneously.
The Board Culture Exposure festival, which pays tribute to photography and the cultures of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, has significantly expanded for its second edition. The festival now spans nine full days, running from Friday, October 24th through Saturday, November 1st, tripling its scope from the previous year. This extension allows for more comprehensive coverage of board sports culture and provides additional opportunities for photographers, athletes, and enthusiasts to engage with the festival's diverse programming and exhibitions.
