Every challenge has its own character, rhythm and style.
From snow-laden trails to frozen fjords, from dog sled teams to solo ice swimmers, every event brings a mix of landscapes, conditions, and participants — each with their own pace, determination, and personality.
The variety of equipment, attire, and unpredictable environments adds further texture and energy to the story.
Imaginarium OutThere creates portable portrait experiences that capture all of this — the people, their gear, and the environment — producing distinctive images that participants can take away as a memory of the challenge.
VISUALIZATIONS
AI-generated images to illustrate portrait ideas, approach and direction.
Let's Imagine
Participants Imagined
against a photographic sweep/infinity curve
Participants Imagined
in their favourite apparel advert
Participants Imagined
on the cover of their favourite magazine
Participants Imagined
saying something inspirational
Participants Imagined
appearing on their favourite adventure TV show
Composite PortraitS
Participants Re-Imagined
Greenscreen Portrait # 1
Route Landscape # 1
Participants Re-Imagined
Final Composite Portrait # 1
Participants Re-Imagined
Greenscreen Portrait # 2
Route Landscape # 2
Participants Re-Imagined
Final Composite Portrait # 2
From here on all images are photographic.
Now let's make this real.
Portrait Concepts for Adventure & Endurance Events
Imaginarium OutThere adapts to the specific requirements of each event.
Using compact, portable setups, portraits can be created quickly and unobtrusively — whether on frozen lakes, along trails, or in temporary indoor spaces.
From capturing the atmosphere of the landscape to stylized studio-style images with participants’ gear, each portrait is designed to reflect the character, resilience, and spirit of those taking part.
The result is a lasting keepsake that tells the story of the event and its participants.
Ajmal Samuel
Hong Kong based entrepreneur and extreme para-athlete
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS
These portraits place participants within the landscapes of the event, highlighting both character and context.
The emphasis is on the relationship between people and place — capturing the individual and the atmosphere through which they move.
This approach can be applied to checkpoints, trails, or staging areas, creating portraits that are integral to the story of the challenge.
POP - UP PORTRAIT STUDIO CONCEPTS
For other moments, portraits can be created in almost any improvised space — back rooms, side lanes, cabins, car parks, tents, or gazebos — using daylight or simple portable lighting.
The aim is to produce distinctive portraits quickly and unobtrusively, minimizing disruption to the event.
These examples show what can be achieved in small, improvised spaces, demonstrating flexibility and creative possibilities for participants and crews alike.
Victor with his North Face & Tag Heuer
CHARACTER PORTRAITS
These portraits focus on character — the lines, textures, and expressions shaped by experience.
Using simple lighting and minimal backgrounds, the emphasis falls entirely on the individual.
In endurance and expedition settings this approach can reveal determination, fatigue, humour, and resilience.
These are self-portraits shot at the same time as the colour ones above.
Faces of Endurance
EVENT MAKER
Every event relies on the people working behind the scenes — organizers, volunteers, medics, mechanics, and cooks who keep everything running.
Using a simple portrait approach, these individuals can be documented with the same care and attention as participants, highlighting their character and contribution.
All of these were shot in a spare room at well known private Hong Kong club.
Chef Proletariat
WALL PORTRAITS
Simple portraits created using natural light and walls on site.
Quick, unobtrusive, and adaptable — perfect for documenting participants, volunteers, or organisers wherever space allows.
The Conch and the Nautilus
Plant Life
Landscapes are part of the story.
PLAYFUL PORTRAIT CONCEPTS
Endurance events have a strong social and community side, and portraits can capture more than just performance.
Optional playful concepts celebrate the humour, camaraderie, and personality of participants.
Ideas might include:
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Mock magazine covers
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Graphic portraits emphasizing clothing, gear, or equipment
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Portraits highlighting national teams or traditional attire
These lighter portraits add a sense of fun while still creating memorable keepsakes for participants.
For example, the Vague Series playfully referenced a famous fashion magazine and sunglasses brand. Shot in a spare room at an art event, participants were invited to pose with their favourite pair of “Sunbanned” shades — a small, fun moment that became a distinctive portrait.
Vague Magazine
(commissioned by art event)
COMPOSITE PORTRAIT CONCEPTS
Some portraits combine real locations with studio-based shots, allowing participants to appear in environments that are otherwise difficult to photograph during an event.
For example, in Hong Kong, I captured atmospheric backgrounds — neon-lit streets, cinematic night scenes — then photographed participants in a simple studio setup with lighting, pose, and wardrobe matched to each scene.
In post-production, these elements are seamlessly merged, with optional subtle graphic or typographic touches, creating bold, cinematic portraits.
For endurance and outdoor events, the same approach can be used by photographing landscapes along the route in advance, then capturing participants in a portable setup.
The result: dynamic portraits that retain a strong sense of place while offering control, consistency, and creative flexibility.
All images use original photography — real locations, real light, and real people.
Blade Runner Buddies
(commissioned by art event)
IMAGINARIUM OutThere is a travelling portrait studio — a mobile photographic space where athletes, participants, and organisers are captured in distinctive portrait styles.
The project brings a flexible approach to endurance events and remote gatherings, photographing the people who shape these environments — competitors, support crews, volunteers, and surrounding communities.
Using simple portable setups, natural light, or minimal equipment, portraits can be created almost anywhere: checkpoints, event compounds, cabins, corridors, or open landscapes.
Sessions explore different visual approaches — from environmental portraits and character studies to graphic studio images or lighter, playful portraits reflecting the social spirit of an event.
The goal is to create photographs participants value as personal records: portraits that capture presence, personality, and the shared atmosphere of the occasion.
IMAGINARIUM OutThere appears by invitation — a temporary portrait studio where the people behind an event can be photographed with clarity, character, and imagination.
RICHARD MARK DOBSON is a British photographer whose international career spans nearly four decades.
Born in Bradford, England, and raised in South Africa, he trained in graphic design before beginning his photographic career in London assisting leading advertising photographer Duncan Sim.
Since establishing his first studio in Hong Kong, Dobson has lived and worked across Europe, Africa, and Asia, photographing people, places, and communities for corporate, editorial, and advertising clients, alongside long-term personal and documentary projects.
Throughout his career, he has combined observational, documentary-style work with conceptual and staged photography, producing a wide-ranging body of work across multiple genres and disciplines.
This diversity and adaptability make him particularly well-suited to creating flexible portrait experiences like Imaginarium Expedition, where participants can be photographed in a variety of styles, environments and disciplines.
Published Editorial
GEO (Germany), GEO (France), GEO Special (Germany),GEO (Russia) GEO Saison (Germany), Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung, Financial Times (UK), National Geographic Adventure (USA), National Geographic Traveler (USA), Toyota Infront Magazine (UK), Landrover ONELife Mag (UK) Guardian (UK), Restaurant Magazine (UK), Guardian on Sunday (UK), MERIAN Magazine (Germany), 100 Ideas Jardin (France), Conde Nast Traveler (USA), Air France Madam (France), Outside Magazine (USA), World Traveler (USA), New York Times, Departures (USA), International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Asia Inc (Hong Kong) Discovery (HK), Expression (Amex Publishing), Islands Magazine (USA), Forbes Magazine (USA),Travel & Leisure (USA) Town & Country (USA),Orient Magazine (Hong Kong), Morning Calm (Korean Air), Silk Road (Dragon Air) Business Traveller (Hong Kong), Business Traveller (UK), Mandarin Oriental (HK), Outside Magazine (USA) Lufthansa Magazine (Germany).
Published Advertising
Couldrey Jones (Hong Kong),Thompson’s (HK), Thompson’s Megacom (HK), Couldrey Jones (HK), Couldrey Jones (HK), BATES Advertising (Thailand), Old Shanghai Firecracker Factory (South Africa),Grey Advertising (SA), BLGK BATES Advertising (HK), Ogilvy & Mather (SA), Mc Cann Erickson (SA), Network (SA), Saatchi & Saatchi (SA), SMLB Leo Burnett (SA), The Agency (SA), Grey Advertising (SA), DMB&B (SA), King James Advertising (SA), Ogilvy & Mather (SA), TBWA Fusion (SA), TBWA Paris Nissan Z350 ‘cops’ Cannes ’05 TBWA Paris Spontex Cannes Silver ’05,TBWA Fusion, Jupiter Drawing Room (SA), Joe Public (SA).
Published Corporate
Business Enterprises Dong Fang Hotel Brochure China, HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council), Hill & Knowlton H.K. Ltd, Re-Act Communications Credit Lyonnaise, Hilton Hotel Hong Kong, Dalat Resorts Inc, Dalat Pine Lake Golf Course, Island Shangri-La Hotel. Hong Kong, Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel Hong Kong, Park Lane Hotel Hong Kong, DWC Tang Development China Club-Peking, International Herald Tribune China Summit-Beijing, DWC Tang Development. China Club Peking, Shanghai Tang Hong Kong, International Herald Tribune-Korea Summit, Stocks Leisure Resorts. Bakubung, Kwa Maritane, Andersen Consulting (SA),TheYamu Thailand, Movenpick Jordan.,Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Centre, PearlValley golf estate Cape Town, New World Hotel Saigon, Ramana Hotel Saigon, DWP Saigon, Veolia Water Systems, Ale Heavy Lift UK, Strategic Marine Australia.
NGO’s
Greenpeace Africa, Medicine Sans Frontiers, British Red Cross.
Books
Karoo Moons ‘A photographic journey’.
Films
Pendulum Control. Winner Palandino D'Oro Sports Film Festval 'Best Extreme Film' 20205
Awards
Cannes Lion festival and D&AD for his advertising work, and has been included in the prestigious London Association of Photographers awards 2007 & 2008 and SILVER 2009.