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Researching adventure photography
While I was researching some images that helped inspire Picturing Lysander, I came across an article describing how photographer Boone Speed took pictures of climber Chris Sharma at Red River Gorge in Kentucky from above. He didn’t get there by helicopter. He’s a world-class rock climber himself. Of the amazing shot he produced, Speed said, “This particular shot is special because Chris—considered by many to be the best rock climber in the world—was trying this very difficult route for the very first time. Being there for that moment of uncertainty, while he’s literally clawing his way up the wall, is critical when trying to capture the essence of his determination, focus, and brute strength.”
In the article, he was also asked what scared him the most (as if hanging from a precipice with a camera isn’t enough!)
“When a rock goes whizzing by your head, it’s almost like ‘whew, glad that missed me,’ but there’s no time to be scared. When you’re hanging from a rope, you’re concentrating so hard on tweaking into position, and remaining stable, and keeping your eye on the target. The scariest moments are the ones that have time to build, like being in an avalanche path as the sun starts hitting the snow face above and destabilizing it.”
I wanted to imbue Lysander’s character not only with the gritty determination that Boone Speed seems to have, but also with a sense of innocent wonder in the images he captures. That innocence is reflected in his submissive nature. Man and photographer are not separate entities but one complex whole and I’d like to think that his ability to give up control brings a different perspective to his art. Of course, there’s also something romantically appealing about a gorgeous young adventurer with a gentle soul. I hope I’ve managed to convey that in the story!
Quotes taken from “4 of the World’s Most Dangerous Adventure Photography Jobs”, Popphoto.com, November 2011.
Blurb for Picturing Lysander:
Photography, like love, should have no limits.
Lysander Brock is a talented photographer and capturing the perfect picture is his passion. His work takes him all over the world and he is famous for his willingness to take risks for the perfect image.
Kyle Dawson is tasked by his mysterious employer to obtain Brock’s services for a dangerous job and he’s prepared to use any method to ensure that the young photographer does as he’s told. Breaking and entering and blackmail are just tools of his trade.
Despite the circumstances, the spark of attraction between Brock and Kyle is strong. Brock’s addiction to adrenaline-fuelled adventure holds him captive, just as much as Kyle’s brooding dominant appeal. As a fragile trust builds between them, Kyle takes a gamble and tells Brock the truth about his mission. Can Brock accept the challenges ahead—as a photographer and as a man?
Buy Picturing Lysander here
Author Bio:
Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
Author link:
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Thanks for hosting the tour 🙂 LM xx