Freeze frame!

Gulf Weekly

03-04-2025

No matter where his passion for photography has taken him, from the red-hot Bahrain International Circuit to the freezing Swiss Alps, Bahrain-based shutterbug Premjith Narayanan has been unwaveringly focused on finding the moments that click.
Recently, the Indian expatriate's stunning shots at the Lauberhorn Alpine Ski World Cup were featured in the March 2025 edition of Photo Plus: The Canon Magazine, and not one to rest on his laurels, he is already gearing up to cover the 2025 Formula 1 Gulf Air Grand Prix, taking place next weekend, from April 11 to 13.
'I've always been drawn to challenges in
photography,' Premjith told GulfWeekly.
'When I first heard about the unique difficulties of ski photography, I knew I had to give it a try. The combination of technical skill, physical endurance and artistic vision required was irresistible to me.
'And ski photography is not for the faint of heart. It's a unique challenge that sets it apart from other sports photography.
'Picture this: you're standing in -15 to -20 Celsius weather, your fingers barely able to press the shutter button. The air is thin, making each breath a conscious effort. But that's what makes it so exciting!
'The cold is your constant companion. It's not just about bundling up; it's about finding ways to keep your gear functioning and your creativity flowing.'
Stunning ski shots have dazzled fans all over the world, but Premjith knows what it takes to capture each one.
He has to trudge through snow with his Canon cameras and 400 to 500mm lenses, or, as he describes it, 'what feels like a small canon' through the snow, and that's even before his photography starts!
Since his first time doing ski photography in 2013, he has perfected techniques ranging from the freeze frames with fast shutter speeds to panning shots with slow shutter speeds capturing the thrill of the moment.
And many of these skills and techniques were perfected over more than 20 years of covering the Bahrain Grand Prix, although the Ski World Cup was even more unforgiving - where 'if you mess up, the whole picture gets spoilt and you don't get a second chance', he explained.
'I find F1 photography more comfortable overall,' he added.
'The controlled environment of a race track is a stark contrast to the unpredictable mountain slopes.
'Plus, the repeated laps in F1 give me a sense of security, I know I'll have another chance if I miss a shot.
'That said, there's something special about capturing that perfect moment on the ski slopes. The challenge makes the reward even sweeter.
'My experience in F1 photography didn't just help – it transformed my approach to ski photography. The skills I'd developed over years of capturing high-speed action translated beautifully to the slopes.'
The engineer by profession is currently road-tripping around the US, where his eldest son is based, before returning to Bahrain in time for this year's Grand Prix.
'There are still lots of 'next's' in my photography life even though I have travelled far and wide around the world to capture exotic places,' he noted.
'Easter Islands, Galapagos islands, Pyramids of Mexico, Brazil carnival, Iguazu falls, Seychelles, Machu Pichu, Angkor Wat, Nazca Lines in Peru, Antarctica's penguins and more... the list is eternal!'
For more details, follow @premjith_narayanan on Instagram.