Turkey Shoot Part 1

A last minute call from the Wilson saw us packing camera cases, suitcases and running to the delivery depot to pick up some new toys to play with.

It was Wednesday June 2009 and I still didnt know exactly where I was going, of course it was Turkey but area, accomodation, connections .... we didnt have a clue. I rang Hoggy to find out a little more and got the low down on the trip. We were going to be staying with the guys at Adrenaline Sports in Cesme (pronounced Ceshme).

We were picked up at the airport whic was about 70 mins away from Cesme. First mistake ! They drive differently in Turkey........... stop and go thats it ... no nice and steady or slow .... so we arrived at our residence some 40mins later after watching the speedo not be able to move as it was rammed against the wrong end of the dial ! Happy days !

Well after drinks and introductions we hit the sack at different times from around 2.30 am - 4.30 am. We awoke early ready to hit the beaches around Cesme but due to the previous nights introductions some people were a little slow at rising (I wont mention the name) but to be fair the wind hadnt really kicked in and when we got to the beach some 5 hour later it still wasnt blowing properly. We decided to get on with some sequence shots and anything else we could blast out, but the sun, wind and angles dont always agree so it was a case of wading out chest deep so Jo could get some kind of a run before she did her tricks. Hoggy in the meantime was pushing out tricks in either direction oblivious of our technical problems for shooting the sequences.

We eventually gave up on the sequences deciding that a boat the following day would give us a much better angle. Jo went to join Hoggy, Yasemin and Nesli and some of the shots are great. (Unfortunately you'll have to wait to see some of them as they are on new kit! )

The whole week followed a similar pattern with Jo and myself up ultra early raring to go or working on the images from earlier sessions whilst everyone else chilled and waited for the wind. We even did a three hour drive down to Gerkova which is a stunning place as you drop into the town off a cliff the road winds similar to the one entering Monte Carlo and the view is breath taking, even more so on the return during the sunset hour.

Turkey has a lot of potential from a photo shoot perspective. I havent been to place with so many different backgrounds and conditions in such a small area and the wind well we didnt score it really good but the guys were out every day bar 1 not bad in a week ! Cant wait to see what its like when its firing ! There are a few discussions going on at the moment and if we're lucky we might just be back there before too long !

Fingers crossed and heres hoping.

Thanks to Adrenaline Sports for their hospitality which was second to non. Guided tours around the area produced some stunning spots to kite and it really helps if you have some local knowledge. See you soon guys !

Keep an eye out for Jo's technical articles and sequence shots as well s the new board she had .. it looks sweet in the mags.

check out Jo Wilsons blog here