On Location: High-Angle Rock Climbing Photography Shoot

Step Two

A large part of rock climbing photography involves rigging and scene preparation. Before you can even begin to set up lights, you need to set up anchors, attach ropes, and remove any loose rocks that might fall. The number one rule when photographing a climber from above is that you cannot drop anything! Cameras, lenses, flash cards, carabiners, or any dropped object becomes a missile headed toward the climber below. 

I set up my anchor in the rock, tied off the rope, and checked the cliff edge for loose rocks. Everything looked good, so I ascended the rope and got into position to try my first shot. Ben, my climber, placed a “crash pad” at the base for soft landings in case he fell. Photographing him as he made a difficult reach made a great image—except the light was flat. Not good; time to add some life (light) to this shot. Adding flash to a rock climber adds tension and drama to this risky adventure sport.