Red Bull Conquer the Castle is no ordinary obstacle race (OCR). This OCR series takes competitors to spectacular historic sites such as fortresses and castles, adding a unique charm to the whole experience. In mid-September, the race was held in Albania, in the historic city of Gjirokastër, right in front of the castle of the same name, which dates back to the 12th century.

The Castle of Gjirokastër is one of the largest and best-preserved fortresses in Albania, while the entire city is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Ottoman-era architecture and cultural significance. It’s always special when an event unfolds in a location that is both visually striking and historically important.

Red Bull Conquer the Castle in Albania gathered around 100 competitors, they faced a course with 12 obstacles, each designed to test different kinds of skills and agility. Besides the action itself, what makes events like this interesting are the emotions of the participants, captured in moments that reveal just how demanding and grueling the race really is. Often, when the challenge is toughest for them, it’s best for us photographers, because that’s when we capture the most powerful shots.

PREDRAG VUCKOVIC EXTREME PHOTOGRAPHER – ART BEHIND THE LENS

Predrag Vučković is a photographer who built his career capturing adrenaline sports where movement and dynamics set the pace. While OCR races are not extreme sports, their intensity and challenge still require photographers to be agile and skilled to capture the essence of the competition. This makes Vučković a strong choice for these kinds of events, and he has many OCR races in his portfolio.

Predrag’s skills, his wide range of professional equipment, and his unique vision enable him to get the true spirit of obstacle course racing. His photos show not only the athletes’ struggle against the obstacles, but also their inner battle, all while highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of the surroundings.

For this shoot, he used: Drone for aerial views of the location. Nikon Z9 cameras with various lenses from 10-200mm f2.8 (mainly wide-angle).