Ben Girardi - The Hyper Performance Reflector

Balancing Flash and Mountain Sun

High in the mountains, every piece of equipment matters. For this trail running spec project, the goal was to capture the raw character of an alpine landscape while keeping the lighting natural, powerful and consistent throughout the day.

Reaching the glacier meant hiking in through a steep, rocky chute, making both weight and portability important considerations when packing. At the same time, shooting in bright mountain sunlight created another challenge: strong contrast and a dramatic difference between highlights and shadows.

The Elinchrom High Performance Reflector provided the extra reach needed to work from a distance and fill in the shadows without getting in the way of the action.

“I wanted to showcase trail running in an alpine environment that was rugged and raw.”

With the runners moving through the landscape, the lights couldn’t always be positioned close to the subject. The reflector’s focused throw made it possible to deliver light over a greater distance and balance the intense sunlight.

“Its compact design is easy to pack in a bag already full of gear, while still giving me the control I need in bright conditions.”

With the runners moving through the landscape, the lights couldn’t always be positioned close to the subject. The reflector’s focused throw made it possible to deliver light over a greater distance and balance the intense sunlight.

And when the sun disappeared, the same setup offered another advantage.

“Once the sun was gone, I was able to mimic the directional light of the sun and match the feel of the images from earlier in the day.”

Article & Photography: Ben Girardi

Talent: @rhothygesen

BTS Video & Photo Assistant: @c.granicolo

BTS Production: @reactivemediastudio

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About Ben Girardi:

Ben, a professional outdoor photographer, blends storytelling with his love for the wilderness. His journey into photography began in a high school darkroom, evolving alongside his passion for snowboarding and mountain adventures. With a degree from RIT, he relocated to Utah in search of grander landscapes. After meeting his wife in the Andes, he settled in Pemberton, BC, now a dual citizen. Ben thrives on capturing the essence of mountain life, collaborating with athletes and brands across British Columbia and Utah.

Equipment Ben Girardi uses for these photo shoots