Angela Vanwiemeersch, Long Canyon, Utah, photographed by Krystle Wright / Red Bull Illume
Illumination
Here are a few of the finalists from the world's most prestigious adventure photography contest
Many (if not most) professional work contests—photography, design, magazine—are for profit, ways for contest organizations to make money via entry fees from hopeful creators who want to be recognized. The Red Bull Illume, while marketing the ubiquitous energy drink, is no such thing: Anyone can enter (up to five images) and the cost is nothing.
Krystle Wright, winner of the 2023 edition (and the first female winner), said, “This is incredible. I wanted to earn my place in this industry and my work to get recognized. Red Bull Illume is the only platform that truly recognizes what we do.”
The Illume isn’t actually the only place that recognizes great adventure and action photography, but it’s by far the biggest and most prestigious photo contest. Submitted images show an astounding array of vision, creativity, and athletic performance, and the Illume has the power to launch careers and boost established photographers to new levels. Its finalists are household names and often contributors to AJ (hello, Chris
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