Several days ago I discovered this stunning image of Apoise in Sydney Harbor, Australia, and I just knew I had to interview the photographer. He’s Andrea Francolini, and he’s captured equally stunning images of regattas and other famous megayachts, like Georgia (which you’ll see a little further down the page). If you’re an amateur shutterbug like me, then no doubt you’re always trying to find a dramatic angle to shoot from or just the right glimmer of sunshine on the water reflecting back on a yacht’s hull. This interview should give you some good tips—and inspiration.
Q: How did you get into yacht photography, and when?
A: By mistake in 1992 or ’93! I was living in Italy at the time, and a cousin of mine one day asked me to take pictures while he was sailing in a 470 regatta on a lake in Italy. I went with him, forgot his sail number, ended up shooting 2 rolls of film. Not one picture was of him, but I had plenty of all the other unknown boats. When I got off the boat, a mother of a sailor came up to me and asked if I had any shots of her son. I ran to a fast photo lab, had everything processed, and by pure luck I had 2 shots of this kid. So I sold my first 2 prints (5×7 inches processed at the local Kmart lab!). It was enough to cover my film and processing expenses. Then I just followed my cousin around on weekend regattas, making sure I got pictures of him, and had fun doing something different. I had no idea this would become my full-time job some years later, and it was not even my goal. After those dinghy races I went to Sardinia for a vacation and there was a big boat race. I managed to get on the media boat. I can remember how excited I was even though there was no wind at all!!!!! After some time I had my first picture published and continued to follow regattas during the weekend for fun and covering my expenses. They one thing led to another and I ended up working in a photo agency in Milan, Italy, which was specialized in sailing. There the learning curve was immense. I would then continue taking pictures on weekends trying to apply what I learned. The rest is history…(luckily!).
Q: Do you have a particular time of day that you like to shoot?
A: Early morning or sunset, like the majority of photographers, but when shooting a race, you take the picture when the boats pass in front of the lens no matter what time of day or night it is.
Q: What techniques do you recommend for making a photo look more dramatic? Are there any angles on a yacht that lend themselves well to this?
A: It is a very personal taste. Boats look good under many angles. I do not believe there is an angle which does not look good. In the end it is all about composition. That is what counts. Modern yachts look really good due to the design, the classic yachts are so majestic and elegant that it is hard to make them look bad, and even a dinghy in the right sailing conditions can look powerful.
Q: Are there any angles on a yacht that you don’t recommend shooting from? Why?
A: When the boats only have one sail hoisted, usually before the start of a race. I see many press photographers shoot like crazy before the race starts, and sometimes the sails are not even up yet. I honestly do not understand why they take pictures at that moment (unless something is happening obviously). Then again, if I go shoot another sporting event I have never done, I will probably make equivalent mistakes, too!
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