Aperture – Behind the Lens with Andrea Francolini

Andoo Comanche and SHK Scallywag off the start of the 2023/24 ACSBWPS Cabbage Tree Island Race in Sydney Harbour. December 2023.

How long have you been making pictures?

Oh, I’m going to show my age here… I’ve been photographing boats for about 30 years. I started on slide film — Velvia 50 and Kodak EPP. Remember those plastic things you used to put in the back of a camera?

It all started as a bit of a joke and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

I was once supposed to go sailing with a cousin of mine on his 470. For some strange reason, the boat was in the water tied to the dock. I put my foot on the boat, slipped and fell in. He leaned over to give me a hand, shook his head and left me on the dock with his bags.

What I didn’t know was that there was a camera in his bag.

So I started taking pictures, having absolutely no idea what I was doing. I shot two rolls and, at the end of the event, a mother asked if I had taken any pictures of her kid. I ran to the lab, processed the film and sold two prints — enough to cover the processing costs. My cousin had ‘paid’ for the film, so it was payback time!

I can honestly say I literally fell into sailing photography.

Over the years, I also had the opportunity to work with the late Carlo Borlenghi for more than two years. It was a huge learning curve — almost like a form of military service when it came to discipline. That experience taught me an enormous amount, and eventually I decided to take the leap and work on my own.

The 111 ft trimaran Geronimo on a final shakedown sail before their attempt to break the record circumnavigating Australia. June 2005.

What brought you to Australia?

I came to Australia looking for work in 2000. I deliberately arrived after the Olympics because I figured no one would listen to me while the Games were happening!

Australia has obviously become a huge part of my career since then, and there is something very special about photographing sailing here.

Wild Oats XI speeding south during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. December 2017.

What interests you most visually about the sport of sailing?

The variety is the key.

The boats change, the locations change and the conditions are always changing. There was a time when I would be checking the weather several days before an event, trying to work out what I might be dealing with.

These days, I just show up and, like everyone else, take whatever Mother Nature is willing to give us.

At the end of the day, you have to come home with pictures. The weather is not an excuse — it’s the challenge.

The 470 class racing upwind during the Sydney International Regatta. December 2007.

What surprises you most about photographing sailing and water sports?

More than anything, it’s the unexpected way the water reacts.

An image of a 470 coming directly towards me is a good example. I saw the boat coming, had very little time to frame the shot and then had to get out of the way. I knew there was something good in the frame, but I didn’t really appreciate the image until I was back home editing the shots.

The same thing happened with a photograph of a Tornado. I was doing a shoot and the guys knew I was in the water. They did a fly-by and, at the time, it just looked like a nice shot.

It was only when I got home that I noticed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. That completely changed the image and made it even better.

Those are the moments you can’t really plan. You have to be there, be ready and then hope you notice what you captured.

Wild Oats XI rounding Tasman Island to finish the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. December 2017.

After 30 years behind the camera, what photographs would you still like to make?

Oh geez… there is still so much to do!

Long-distance races like the Rolex Sydney Hobart are fantastic because they give you the opportunity to photograph early in the morning or late at night and work with some really beautiful light. Those are conditions we don’t get to work in very often.

In the old days, before a lay day during Airlie Beach Race Week or Hamilton Island Race Week, there used to be a long race where you could sometimes stay out until sunset. Those courses have since been cancelled, so those opportunities are a little harder to find.

I would love to photograph the Olympics and the America’s Cup. And, last but certainly not least, I’d love to do the entire circuit of classic yachts in Europe.

Those boats are incredibly elegant, but they can still perform in rough conditions, which makes them fascinating to photograph.

And then there are the small boats with kids. They’re always fun. They’re fearless and just go for it. It’s pretty special — and who knows, there could be the next world-famous skipper among them!

Margaret Rintoul racing on Sydney Harbour during the Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta. December 2021.

Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you?

My little secret is that I don’t sail, I don’t know how to sail and I have absolutely no intention of learning!

Having said that, I know enough about the sport that when I’m onboard, I won’t get in the way. When I’m on the water, I can position myself in the right place and understand what is happening around me.

Photography is also my hobby, and the water plays an important role in it. But at home, I have plenty of photographs hanging on the walls — probably too many, according to my daughter.

Interestingly, none of them are sailing or water-related images.

Most of the pictures on my walls aren’t mine. They’re photographs I like, photographers I collect and images that inspire me.

Maybe that’s because, for me, sailing is ‘work’. As passionate as I am about sailing, when I get home I don’t necessarily want to look at it!

I remember having this conversation a few years ago with a well-known boat owner. He said, “How stupid is that? You take great pictures of boats and you don’t sail?”

My response was simple:

“Well, I love the sport for different reasons than you do.”

There was a moment of silence…

Then we both laughed.

Yachts flying in Adelaide during the SuperFoiler Grand Prix. February 2018.