'Passion' is a word Tony uses a lot. The World Heli Challenge is based in Wanaka but he's working to launch an event in Alaska and another in Europe – Tony says the Challenge is hoping to close a deal with a worldwide sponsor.
He travels a lot. "I've done 50 back-to-back winters over the last 25 years, but at certain times I manage to get to sunny beaches, for the surfing."
He photographs surfing too – you may have seen some of his stunning monster wave shots.
Tony started out working as an electrical engineer, but ditched that at the age of 21 to clean toilets in a ski resort so he could be close to the snow action, as he was already enamoured with photography.
He started out with film cameras. "I'm totally old school. I was one of the last photographers to go digital, but once they could replicate the quality of Fuji Velvia [film], I went digital." He uses Apple's professional photography software Aperture, on a 15-inch MacBook Pro 2.2Ghz i7.
"I probably only use 10 per cent of what it can do, but it's just what I need. I haven't dabbled in [Adobe] Lightroom. I hardly ever have to dive into Photoshop, but I do if an image needs a bit more."
He also started out using Nikons, shooting at Triple Cone and Cardrona. But he broke the shutter of a Nikon and was told a replacement would take two weeks to arrive.
"And that afternoon the Canon guy walked in. I told him what had happened and he handed over his own camera so I could keep shooting. Two months later, I went Canon, and so did three of the other photographers. We sold all our Nikon gear because of the service Canon provides."
He uses a fast Canon 1D Mk III "and I'm about to upgrade to two MkIVs. And I have a 1DS. I was brought up without autofocus so I still tend to use manual focus." It takes a lot of concentration, anticipating the moments when subjects are in the focus zone, and he doesn't use flash, relying on natural light and where it bounces. "I get a kind of tunnel vision. It can be exhausting."
His emphasis is on capturing the moment, and apart from Aperture to catalogue the images and do a little work, he tends to leave post production to clients. "I'm a photographer, not a computer geek. The World Heli Challenge came about because I wanted to shoot top athletes in exotic locations, like Wanaka." He knows the area well, and was actually based there for 10 years.
Tony's been using Apple for about six years. "Some of my peers who were the grand daddies of it all, who I respected, were forced to go digital and they were grumpy about it. But pretty soon after, they all said I should go Apple for the graphics and ease of use. It's just built for creativity." He calibrates the screen every six months or so.
Tony is impressed by the potential of social media. He cites what kids are doing, documenting things like snow events and getting it online in Facebook and other social media that night.
"That's how I do all my marketing. I have global brands sponsoring the Challenge, and they're doing so because of social media."
Imagine the huge reach of the event in the networks and the fact that it makes the Southern Alps looks formidably brilliant makes you wonder why there doesn't seem to be a major New Zealand sponsor signed up.
The World Heli Challenge gets the 'world' part from where the participants come from – this year, there are 60 including top skiers and snowboarders, including a mixture of World Champions, Olympians, 'legends' – plus a smattering of under dogs.
They are based in Wanaka for two weeks to allow for two perfect days for the helicopter delivery into the Alps. In their downtime, they get to surf, golf, fish and socialise.
The performances are judged by accredited judges with popular choice votes coming from those following online, no matter where they are.
Tony showed some highlights in a Keynote presentation – skiers and snow boarders flipping of the tops of ridges and peaks they'd been helicoptered up to, and plummeting down almost vertical slopes in utterly incredible scenery. Harro referred to them as 'world class athletes'. I prefer 'extremely skilled raving lunatics'.
It was funny – he said that watching it just makes him want to get back out on the slopes, and he asked if anyone else felt the same way. Several people in the Yoobee, Newmarket presentation did.
I can't say I was one of them! My thoughts turned to a fire, blanket and hot cocoa. But so tucked up and with a decent monitor, I could watch what they do for hours – it's amazing.
- Mark Webster mac-nz.com
