Jan 30, 2025
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 of
the world’s most prestigious races, including the Tour de France,
the Giro d’ Italia, the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix. Born
and raised in Belgium, Kristof discovered photography while
attending film school at age 19. He eventually followed his passion
for cycling and photography and has focused exclusively on this
sport since 2011.
Working under the name Kramon, his talent for storytelling and
his ability to capture the atmosphere and raw emotion of racing
makes his images stand out from typical race photography. Kristof’s
reputation has earned him the respect and trust of many of the
biggest racing teams and riders - which is why he’s able to capture
such extraordinary in-between moments and behind-the-scenes images.
The riders are always his primary focus, as evidenced in his
close-up portraits of racers caked in sweat, mud, dust, snow, and
grime. Kristof’s first book, The Art of Suffering, was released in
June 2024 by Laurence King Publishing.
Stay Connected:
Phil Penman Website: https://www.philpenman.com
Phil Penman Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/philpenman/
Phil Penman Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/philpenmanphotography/
Phil Penman Twitter: https://x.com/Penmanphoto
Phil Penman Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Penman
Kristof Ramon Website: https://kramon.be/
Kristof Ramon Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kramon_velophoto
Kristof Ramon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kramon/
Kristof Ramon Twitter: https://x.com/kristoframon
Kristof Ramon Photoshelter:
https://kramon.photoshelter.com/
Kristof Ramon Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kristoframon/
Kristof Ramon at Lawrence King Publishing:
https://us.laurenceking.com/products/the-art-of-suffering