In a stunning fusion of BMX street riding and DIY craftsmanship, Red Bull photographer Tyrone Bradley teamed up with South Africa’s most innovative BMX rider, Murray Loubser, to transform an abandoned pool in the Cape Peninsula into a striking showcase of skill, creativity, and local heritage.
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The result? A groundbreaking and iconic shot that redefines how modern photography can serve as a powerful lens to capture and celebrate South Africa’s rich heritage.
‘For many years, photography has been at the centre of capturing South Africa’s heritage – whether in sports, culture or landscape – and today, we are taking this to the next level by blending creativity across disciplines to bring to life various elements of South Africa’s heritage,’ says Tyrone Bradley, Red Bull South Africa photographer.
‘Personally, I am all about emotive action where a lot of what I shoot requires documenting moments where you can’t direct things.’
‘There is something special about not knowing what will come next and relying on cultural beauty in unexpected places to set the scene for you.’
‘Projects such as the collab with Murray was testament to this – it was all about employing a unique perspective to immerse the viewer into the scene and create resonance with an iconic part of South Africa’s landscape while capturing the culture and skill of one of South Africa’s most popular and growing sports,’ continues Bradley.
Photography offers glimpses into forgotten spaces and past lives, serving as a powerful tool to understand culture and heritage. Today, it continues this role with a modern twist—finding creative angles to tell new stories.
In the recent collaboration, Bradley and Loubser transformed a derelict pool overlooking the Cape Peninsula into a striking photo shoot.
With help from concrete skate park builder Jamie O’Brien, the team built a quarter pipe in just two days. Rising at 4 am for the perfect sunrise shot, they captured a stunning gallery that celebrates the beauty of the Cape.
‘For me, this collab was a way in which to showcase the beauty of something old and seemingly non-functional, turning it into not only an ‘overnight’ functional space, but against the backdrop of one of South Africa’s notorious Cape sunrises, showcasing the skills and talent of a local South African sportsman – comparable to South Africa’s ability to ‘bounce back’ and make something beautiful out of nothing.’
‘We are super proud of this image gallery and look forward to finding new and exciting ways to bring modern photography to life!’ concludes Bradley.
Take a look:
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Picture: Tyrone Bradley
