Craig Kolesky biedt ons een klein kijkje achter de schermen van het foto's maken tijdens de King of the Air. Wat voor gear gebruikt hij allemaal?

Craig Kolesky is a Cape Town-based Red Bull Content Pool photographer. Craig’s passion for extreme sports photography was borne out of participating in the sports himself – from skating, to surfing, kiteboarding and mountain biking.

Craig, who has been shooting pro since 2001, has not only developed a unique style, but has perfected a super fast workflow in keeping with the high pressure rigours of shooting high-pressure events such as Red Bull King of the Air. 

He's also been working with the likes of Ruben Lenten and Aaron Hadlow for more than a decade. This will be Craig's fifth Red Bull King of the Air, we got him to talk us through his gear for the day:
 

Lenses

• 600m
• 70-200
• 24-70
• 50mm
• 16mm

Bodies

• D4s
• D800
• D750

I use the Nikon D4s with the 600mm. With this setup I shoot the pulled back, but tighter shots. It can be tricky to use as the wind tends to smack the lens around a lot. You also have to be clever in positioning the rig as some of the pics you want the kite in shot along with the backdrop and the rider. (I'm leaving the D5 at home, the conditions are just too hectic on gear).

Nikon D800 with 70-200. This is the workhorse. Best for slightly wider action shots and everything in between.

D750 with 50mm or 16mm – 50mm. I use this for lifestyle and portraits and 16mm for overview location shot. Also with the need for sending images direct to media and for social media, the wifi on this camera is very handy.

• Spare batteries
• Fstop Gear Red Bull Photography Ajna - pack fits almost all this gear, true story.
• Fstop digi bag – holds food and smalls
• Gitzo carbob tripod for the 600mm lens
• Monfrotto Light stands
• Elinchrom lights in StormCase, use this for prize giving and some lifestyle shots around the contest area, I usually have an assistant hold the light for me.
• Brother Housings water housing (In green StormCase) It's very hard to shoot this event in the water as you just can't guarantee that you'll connect with the riders while competing.
• Massive selection of Lexar cards, each camera will have 2 cards loaded at any given time.
• Gopro Hero 5
• Lume Cube
• Red Bull - got to stay fuelled
• Leatherman and knife - we have used the knife before to cut lines in dangerous situations.
• Peak Design strap and rain shell.
• Salomon light weight jacket for lighter winds, also backs up as great lens cover.
• Nitro Red Bull Photography Snow jacket, yes snow, the wind here is relentless and this will save you.
• Power Gorilla power bank.
• Swox sunblock