Skating on the Riviera

This frame came together through rhythm — both in subject and structure. The skater, carving her way through a line of multi-coloured cones, offers a moment of precision and quiet control in the middle of a sunlit promenade.

I positioned myself just slightly off-centre to exploit the vanishing line of the cones, letting them anchor the frame from foreground to middle distance. It’s a straightforward visual device, but effective here. They segment the space, and their bright primaries stand in good contrast to the muted pavement.

The exposure leans slightly to the high side, but that was deliberate — midday light, especially by the coast, can wash out a frame unless you push into the brights with intent. Shadows were sharp, but short enough not to interfere with the lead lines or legs. No ND filter used — I preferred to keep the light honest.

Compositionally, I debated whether to crop out the trees and figures in the background, but kept them in. They provide subtle context — this isn’t a sterile sports shot, but a candid take on public movement in a communal space.

If I had one gripe, it’s the harshness of the light on the subject’s face. A polariser might have helped control some of the glare. Still, the tension in her posture and the implicit concentration override the technical imperfection.