Behind the Lens : 2016 Year in Photographs
Thank you to all the photographers, my parents, my wife and my daughter who continued to give me advice on how to make better photos in 2016.
A big thank you goes to CBC for giving me the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of people in Rio, photographing Canadian athletes in training and in competition and for Canon Canada for the lenses to do it. To Reuters for giving me the chance to photograph the Royal Tour and to the photographers and editors for encouraging me, pushing me, and being patient as I learned to work at a level of quality, expectation and speed I had never experienced before.
Members of the Canadian Women‘s Eight Lisa Roman, Cristy Nurse, Natalie Mastracci, Susanne Grainger, Christine Roper, Ashley Brzozowicz, Lauren Wilkinson, Antje Vonseydlitz-Kurzbach and coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie leave the dock in Lucerne, Switzerland prior to the second rowing world cup of the season on May 26th, 2016. KevinLight/University of Victoria,Veronica Planella.
Thank you Stohlquist for the dry suits, goggles, fins and swim suits that gave me the opportunity to get into the water, float around and make photos.
A couple holds onto their drinks as waves crash over the breakwater during a stormy day in Victoria British, Columbia Canada on October 15, 2016.
A couple seats on a log at Dallas road beach in Victoria B.C. on June 12, 2016.
A mother shields her children’s eyes from driving rain as they make their way into a strong head wind and back to shore after walking out to the end of the breakwater in Victoria British, Columbia Canada on October 15, 2016.
New Zealand fans dressed as Lego characters take a selfie at the HSBC Sevens World Series XVII Round 6 at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver British Columbia on March 12, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
People walk along the lower level of rocks as waves crash over the breakwater during a stormy day in Victoria British, Columbia Canada on October 15, 2016.
Teyvin Schafer jumps off a swing at Tulista park in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada on November 11th, 2016.
Parkland Secondary School student athlete Godwin Porlares does a layup at the Iroquois Park Basketball Court in Sidney, British Columbia Canada on March 24th, 2016.
A cyclist takes a chilly ride through the snow on Bear Hill Road beside the Elk Lake fishing ock in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on December 12th, 2016.
Young princess Charlotte hugged her mother close while she knelt down to hold George’s hand as he was interested in a military helicopter that landed across from where their plane had just touched down. KevinLight/Reuters
The royal couple was greeted first on the Tarmac by Governor General David Johnston and his wife. Followed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. Also on the Tarmac was B.C. Premier Christy Clark and her son, Hamish. KevinLight/Reuters
A construction worker grinds the edge of the 7th floor at the 31-story Aquilini Centre South tower in Vancouver B.C., Canada on March 17, 2016.
Capital Region Equestrian members (left to right) JoAnne Nelson riding Dauphine, Tony Wass riding Soleil and Liz Ashton riding Quintana stop to take in the view on Island View Beach in Victoria B.C. Canada on June 18th, 2016. The Capital Region Equestrian group works to maintain and enhance horse and rider access to trails and beaches.
Skiiers and snowboarders return to the lodge during the Women’s Alpine Skiing FIS World Cup at Lake Louise, Canada on November 30, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
VICTORIA, B.C.: DECEMBER 24, 2016- With the road to the summit of the mountain closed to vehicles due to icy conditions four men walk down from the top of Mount Douglas in Victoria, B.C. December 24, 2016.
Mt. Douglas Secondary’s Football player Gavin Cobb poses for a portrait for the Province Newspapers Head of the Class award in Victoria B.C. on June 6th, 2016. KevinLight/TheProvince
Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie performs with band members Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay and Rob Baker at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre to kick off the band’s latest “Man Machine Poem” tour in light of Downie’s brain cancer diagnosis, in Victoria, B.C., Canada July 22, 2016. KevinLight/Reuters
Ironman triathlete Brent McMahon swims toward the camera for a portrait at Elk Lake in Victoria B.C. on July 14, 2016. KevinLight/AquaSphere
Nick Mickelberry a member of Oak Bay High’s Mens Volleyball team poses for a portrait in the school gym on May 12th, 2016. KevinLight/TheProvince
Christian Kluxen the new conductor for the Victoria Symphony jumps for a portrait while walking along the breakwater in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on October 19, 2016. KevinLight/Victoria Symphony
John Lammerts van Bueren founder of Touchwood Sawmill stands between large uncut Sitka Spruce logs at his mill in Terrace, British Columbia Canada on September 1st, 2016. Lammerts van Bueren is a passionate sailor and has been deeply involved in the classic sailing yacht scene around the world for more than 20 years giving him a deep and knowledgeable understanding of how to select high quality wood for specialized applications such as sailing masts, spars and turbine blades. KevinLight/Yacht Classic
Hockey Hall of fame and Stanley Cup Champion Bobby Orr signs autographs for fans between periods of the Canadian Hockey Leagues Top Prospects at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on January 27, 2016. KevinLight/Canadian Hockey League
Mikaela Tommy of Canada practices in the first women’s downhill training session during the Alpine Skiing FIS World Cup at Lake Louise, Canada on November 29, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Spending four days with the Canadian Mountain bike team at Bear Mountain in Langford was such a wonderful 2016 experience. Being close to the athletes in a wet and windy training environment was something I was very familiar with as a rower. What topped off the experience was Head Coach Dan Proulx asking me to give a speech to the team over breakfast prior to a day of training. Both Catharine and Emily asked great questions and it was wonderful to watch them compete against each other on the world stage in Rio.
World mountain bike champion and Rio 2016 Bronze medalist Catharine Pendrel following a muddy training session at Bear Mountain in Langford B.C., Canada on March 1, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Emily Batty poses for a portrait during a rainy training session at the Canadian teams training centre at Bear Mountain in Langford, British Columbia Canada. KevinLight/CBCSports.
Catharine Pendrel (left) and Emily Batty (right) of Canada race to the finish line with three laps of the course to go at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio Saturday August 20th, 2016. Pendrel would finish in bronze medal position with Batty in fourth. KevinLight/CBCSports
Rogers Hometown Hockey hosts Tara Slone and Ron MacLean sit inside a rain soaked mobile studio truck during the final moments of a game between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks being broadcast from Ship Point in Victoria, British Columbia Canada on February 28th, 2016. KevinLight/Rogers
Czech skier Klara Krizova crashes into a gate at the Coaches Corner turn during the women’s Alpine Skiing FIS World Cup at Lake Louise, Canada on Dec 1, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Decathlete Damian Warner competes in the mens hurdles event at the 2016 Canadian Track and Field Championships in Edmonton, Alberta on July 10, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Andre DeGrasse of Canada and Usain Bolt of Jamaica look at each other as they run to the finish line in the semi-final of the 200m in Rio de Janeiro on August 17, 2016. Both would qualify for the final with Bolt finishing in first and DeGrasse in second. KevinLight/CBCSports
Ilse Paulis (L) and Maaike Head (R) of the Netherlands celebrate their gold medal win in the lightweight Women’s double sculls as fans swim out to greet them at Lagoa Stadium during the Rio Olympics on August 12, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Reuben Buerge, kayaker for Ocean River Sports intentionally buries his head into a wave in Sooke, British Columbia Canada on April, 8th 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
British rowing coxswain Phelan Hill stands up and pumps his fist as his mens eight crosses the line in first place winning the gold medal at the Rio Olympics on August 13th, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
High School student athletes compete in the women’s eight events at the Brentwood international rowing regatta hosted by Brentwood College School in Mill Bay, British Columbia Canada on May 1, 2016. Every year the regatta grows with over 1600 athletes and coaches traveling from the United States and all parts of British Columbia to participate. KevinLight/RowingCanada
Jakob Chychrun (5) of the Sarnia Sting gets a drink of water prior to the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects game between team Cherry and team Orr at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on January 27, 2016. Chychurn was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes and so far in the 2016/17 season has played 28 games scoring one goal and six assists. KevinLight/Canadian Hockey League
Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec, center, looks over at second place finisher Lara Gut of Switzerland following the women’s World Cup downhill ski race at Lake Louise, Alberta, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Hungary’s Edit Miklos finished in third position. KevinLight/CBCSports
A general view of the track at Foote Field during the start of a race at the 2016 Canadian Track and Field Championships in Edmonton, Alberta on July 10, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
A catamaran sail boat completes the first leg of the Race to Alaska from Port Angeles, USA to Victoria British Columbia, Canada on July 23, 2016. KevinLight/Sail Magazine
Penny Oleksiak of Canada swings her arms behind her back prior to her silver medal performance in the 100m Butterfly at the Rio Olympics on August 7, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
Penny Oleksiak of Canada poses for a photo with her silver medal following the women’s 100m Butterfly at the Rio Olympic Games on August 7, 2016. KevinLight/CBCSports
The best aspect of the Rio Olympics was working with a great team at the CBC. Head of Programming for CBC Sports Trevor Pilling took this photo of me from the top of the Broadcast Centre. There were challenges shooting with a broadcast accreditation but those limitations forced me to think in creative ways putting me in different positions. I would not have captured moments like Penny Oleksiak in front of the mass amount of photographers on the pool deck without CBC’s support prior to and throughout the games. It made me realize that the allocated photo positions are not the only place where a good photograph can be made.
The same thing happened at the rowing venue. The photo position was good for a rowing action shot but I felt the platform was too high. I found a spot alone at the finish line level with the water and very close to where I knew the athletes would end up. From having done it myself I felt that spot would make a nice Olympic celebration photo which it did.
Kevin Light poses for a portrait from on top of the CBC radio tower prior to the Olympic games in Rio on August 5, 2016. CBCSPORTS/Trevor Pilling
My goal was to be at the same level as George and Charlotte when they arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Thanks to Darryl Dyck for capturing the moment from the platform where about 50 other media were making comments about how silly I looked. Being on the Canadian Rowing team for 12 years prepared me for all the jokes I would receive over the next eight days. The best one coming from Ben Nelms who sent me this photo the following day.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday September 24, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Ben Nelms with a flat out great sense of humour.
I did not escape 2016 without injury. On the first play of the Canadian Junior Football Championship I was hit on the sideline by two players who were blocked out of bounds trying to tackle the returner. There was a chance of rain so I had my eye cap removed so the rain covers could be attached. The sharp plastic edge cut me quite deep and I spent the first quarter on the team bench getting cleaned up and then 90 minutes at the walk in clinic following the game to get stitched up. I did receive this email the following day which was nice but would still like to see the video.
“Hi Kevin, It was my son who while tackling a Hilltop player took you out, resulting in your injuries ….Firstly I am sorry you were hurt while capturing the amazing moments of the Rebels making it to the Canadian Bowl and secondly I am very sorry it was my son who unfortunately while doing his job prevented you from doing yours. I hope you have a speedy recovery and know that we appreciate that even injured you remained at the game and took some amazing pictures.”
The Saskatoon Hilltops beat the Westshore Rebels 37- 25 in the Canadian Junior Football League Championship game at Westhills Stadium in Langford, British Columbia Canada on November 12, 2016. TIMES COLONIST/Adrian Lam
Good luck to all the everyone making photos in 2017 and understanding and respecting the situation that other photographers are motivated by you and you are motivated by other photographers.
Amazing portfolio thanks so much for sharing just love the waterproof camera cover in the opening shot. Wild photography indeed, having fun mixing it up a bit.
Thanks Joan for having a look and letting me know what you think. The waterproof camera experiments are certainly a fun challenge.