Ghost Runners
© GHOST RUNNERS by DELAFOI
The window of my studio faces the steep mountain sides of Majorca’s legendary 'Tramuntanas'. It's a spectacular sight that changes constantly depending on light, weather and/or mood.
These particular hillsides cuts like a serpent into to the mountain and forms a famous and frequently visited ravine / 'barranc', which elevates the GR221, one of the major trails here on the island, on its way to 'Sanctuari de Lluc'.
It's a beautiful but steep passage, ascending approximately 750 meters above sea level, before it levels out. And a few brave tourists have by all means met their match on their way up.
Which is why it also hosts an annual trail run competition.
It's a big event. Music, friends, families, tents and food. And a lot of runners. And since it starts late on the afternoon, I can follow their headlights - like a trail of firebugs crawling on the hillside - from my window. Slowly moving up. Slowly moving down.
This time I decided to meet them. With a tripod and an extensive shutter speed, all I had to do was wait. By allowing them to go several steps within the frame of the shutter speed, their sharp headlights created an 'aura' while their constant movement dissolved their bodies.
And if you study the photos more carefully, you will find that none of them contains 'people'. It's light reflecting over black. The runners have simply vanished into 'ghosts'.
I call them 'Ghost Runners'.
© GHOST RUNNERS by DELAFOI
© GHOST RUNNERS by DELAFOI
© GHOST RUNNERS by DELAFOI
© GHOST RUNNERS by DELAFOI
