I got the chance to spend some days in the Canary Islands with George and Zoe, as part of the Albion Spring/Summer product launch. It is really important for me to try join together product launches/campaigns with something ‘real’. The idea of a staged photoshoot with lots of people is a long way from what I want to do these days. Of course that has its place, but real adventure (big or small) creates an authenticity I am wedded to.
This means I am also doing the trip and riding, which dictates equipment choices. Lightweight is essential. In many ways I’ve trimmed camera equipment down to the bare minimum. One small camera and lens, and some spare batteries.
Our plan was to visit two islands, and take a ferry between. Tenerife and La Gomera are only an hour apart, but the landscape and climate is so different. The rugged earthy tones and pine trees of Tenerife and Mount Tiede give way to the humid, verdant roads, tracks and palms of La Gomera so quickly. The jeopardy of taking a ferry across in the morning to La Gomera, completing a loop and making it back for the return ferry adds to this. Aggressive sea sickness for everyone on the ferry over was a bad start. Mercifully the crossing back was far calmer. Also, the risks of the one camera policy is highlighted by pouring rain.
We spent a day in the harsh light climbing towards the top of Tiede, and traversing some of the trails and tracks the litter the side of the volcano. I had plans of being up near the top of Tiede when the light dropped, but instead of a soft sunset the mist and clouds rolled in and we were forced to wrap up and descend in the rain. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, staying outside for longer means you always need the layers to hand. This is part the reason I also try not to make too many rigid shoot plans, as it is often beyond your control.
