Top shot © Kristof Ramon
The dynamic arena of competitive cycling photography is not for the faint of heart. This grueling specialty requires a mix of split-second reaction times, intuitive technical mastery, and the ability to anticipate—and even more important—embrace risk. It takes a special breed of photographer to continuously capture every ounce of emotion packed into this sport, from bruising injuries and bitter disappointments to the exaltation of a win.
For today’s show, we’ve brought together two passionate cycling aficionados, former competitive cyclist and renowned street photographer Phil Penman and Kristof Ramon, a cycling photography specialist who recently released his first book on the subject. While they’re introduced as strangers, get ready to be wowed by the synchronicity of their shared experiences, and the remarkable chemistry that grows between them over the course of the show.
Most people’s awareness of competitive cycling revolves around coverage of the Tour de France or other major races shown on TV. Our conversation delves much deeper than this, to reveal what happens behind the scenes, and show both the intensity of purpose and the many stages of suffering that’s a hallmark of this sport. Kristof’s book is titled The Art of Suffering for a reason. As he aptly sums up in the book’s opening quote: “Where the conditions get grimmer and the riders start to suffer, that’s when the more interesting stories begin.”
Guests: Phil Penman & Kristof Ramon
Episode Timeline:
3:56: Phil Penman’s connection to the competitive cycling world and how his insight as a cyclist informs his photography of the sport.
7:45: The logistics of photographing competitive cycling and the perils of damaging photo equipment.
10:36: The creative aspect to photographing competitive cycling and how to think outside the box to get impactful shots.
15:16: The many stages of suffering involved in competitive cycling, and the pride riders take in having this documented visually.
20:35: Photographer access, the difference between training rides and race days, and the distinctions between agency access and working independently.
26:26: Changes to Kristof’s photographic approach and the influence of social media in the sport’s evolution.
31:31: Technical aspects of cycling photography, understanding light, capturing speed, and putting in the time so to react intuitively to picture opportunities.
43:44: Episode Break
44:53: Communication strategies, building rapport with riders and teams, and people skills given the sport’s international reach.
47:51: Cycling’s rich history as a professional sport, and recent changes initiated by British Team Sky that helped the sport evolve.
54:45: The back story to Kristof’s Art of Suffering book project and how his collaboration with cycling writer Matt Rendell helped identify suffering as a narrative element.
58:40: Working with clients, balancing that work with personal projects, and developing a distinctive voice as a photographer.
1:06:15: How to start out as a competitive cycling photographer, questions about credentials, and adapting to new networks to distribute your work.
1:13:23: Balancing technical aspects of action photography with the desired emotional response while building in certainties and calculating risk.
Guest Bios:
British-born, New York-based photographer Phil Penman has documented the ever-changing scene of New York City’s streets for more than 25 years. and he has quite a bit of experience in the world of professional cycling himself.
In his career as a news and magazine photographer, Phil has photographed major public figures and historical events. His reportage following the 9/11 terrorist attack was featured in major print publications and media broadcasts worldwide, and his work covering New York City’s pandemic lockdown is in the collection of the U.S. Library of Congress.
In addition to exhibiting at Leica galleries in New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and London, Phil’s signature street photography has appeared in international exhibitions as far afield as Venice, Berlin, and Sydney. He also tours the world teaching photo workshops for Leica Akademie. Phil’s books, "Street" published in 2019, and "New York Street Diaries" published in 2023 both became best-sellers and have been featured at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Kristof Ramon is a pro-cycling photographer who covers some