Every day is completely different. The weather is different. The boats are different. The competitors are different. So it’s always a challenge.
Daniel Forster
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Back in 1969, Daniel Forster was just a teenager in Switzerland, apprenticing at a photo studio and sailing small boats on Lake Murten. He couldn’t have known that those two worlds would one day intertwine into a lifelong career that would take him across oceans, onto Olympic decks, and into the heart of one of the most exclusive niches in photography: elite yacht racing.
Daniel has photographed fourteen America’s Cups, documented Olympic sailing since 1972, and once even shot a regatta from a blimp because, well, why not? His work has graced the cover of Time magazine, but the part he’s proudest of? Still being out there, gear in hand, sea spray in the air, chasing the next great shot.
In this episode, Daniel shares stories that span five decades: from sending black and white prints in hand-stuffed envelopes, to editing RAW files aboard racing yachts mid-ocean. His approach is both technical and deeply human, he’s not just capturing the boats, but the grit, teamwork, and adrenaline behind them. And yes, he’s dropped a camera from a helicopter (it survived… sort of).
Daniel proves that great photography isn’t just about gear or timing, it’s about showing up, asking the right questions, and seeing the story that’s already there, waiting to be told.
Here’s some of what we get into:
- Why sailing photography is equal parts sport, lifestyle, and logistical puzzle
- How Daniel built a global career from a Swiss darkroom and a local yacht club
- The wild evolution of regatta photography- from film to digital to drone and beyond
- What it’s like to photograph onboard during a 30-day offshore race (as crew!)
- How he pioneered stereo photography on the water, and what keeps him curious
- Thoughts on storytelling, teamwork, and staying inspired after 50 years behind the lens
Daniel’s voice is full of humor, humility, and that rare kind of wisdom that comes from doing what you love for a very long time. Whether you’re a sailor, a photographer, or just someone drawn to stories of devotion and adventure, this one’s for you.
Q: What is it about sailing that keeps you coming back year after year?
Daniel: Sailing is not just a sport-it’s a lifestyle. I learned to sail on a lake in Switzerland, and combining that with photography was a lucky accident. I’ve photographed other sports like the Winter Olympics, but sailing always drew me back. It’s wild, crazy fun, and it never felt like just a job.
Q: How did you transition from film to digital, and what impact did it have on your workflow?
Daniel: When digital first came out, I saw the potential immediately because my clients wanted photos on their websites right after races. But the quality wasn’t good enough for magazine spreads, so I carried both digital and film cameras. In 2003, I bought my first full-frame Canon, and that changed everything-the files were finally good enough for posters. I took Photoshop lessons and became my own lab. It felt like a new job and was a really fun transition.
Q: Why did you choose to photograph racing instead of just capturing boats in more relaxed settings?
Daniel: I started by taking pictures of my friends sailing, and then my boss suggested I bring them to a yachting magazine. That led to my first assignment covering a regatta in Kiel, Germany, in 1972. From there, I realized that sailing is immersive-it’s a sport you can participate in while photographing. Unlike tennis or soccer where you’re just on the sidelines, with sailing you can be right in it. That blend of participation and storytelling is what hooked me.
🔗 Connect with Daniel Forster
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey: From Swiss Lakes to Global Regattas
- Daniel began his photography career with an apprenticeship in Bern, Switzerland in 1969, where he first combined his love of sailing and photography.
- Started sailing on Lake Murten, where he met his mentor through the local yacht club.
- His first Olympic assignment was the 1972 Olympic Games in Kiel, Germany, marking the beginning of a 55+ year career.
📖 Philosophy: Sailing as a Lifestyle, Not Just a Sport
- Daniel sees sailing not just as a competitive sport but as a lifestyle and visual narrative.
- He’s drawn to the teamwork, tension, and beauty of sailing, aiming to photograph not just the boats but the people, motion, and emotion involved.
- “You can’t just photograph sailing from afar – you have to be part of it.”
📷 Tools, Gear & Behind-the-Scenes Workflow
- Canon user for over 50 years – currently shooting with high-speed DSLR gear (14 fps) and full-frame bodies, though he remains skeptical of mirrorless viewfinders.
- Uses Topaz Photo AI (especially the Sharpen and Denoise tools) to rescue images shot under difficult conditions like low light or camera shake.
- Worked through the film-to-digital transition with both Kodachrome and Ektachrome, carrying dual cameras for years to meet both artistic and commercial demands.
- His equipment is stored in watertight, floating hard cases – essential for life on the water.
🔁 Practice & Creative Process
- Still sails every week on J/22 boats in Newport to stay close to the sport he photographs.
- Worked extensively for major publications like Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and brands like Rolex.
- Innovated with underwater housings and even experimented with stereoscopic 3D photography – a pioneering move in the niche.
💬 Advice & Strategy
- Know the sport you photograph: Daniel’s sailing skills help him anticipate the action and capture it better.
- Be both a photographer and a businessman: Managing logistics, multiple publications, and clients was key to his longevity.
- Recommends photographers study other creatives, embrace new tools, and never stop learning.
🔮 What’s Next for Daniel
- Prepping for the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup (September), featuring top yacht clubs from around the globe.
- Continuing his Tuesday night races in Newport – still on the water, still learning.
- Working on a long-awaited photo book chronicling his decades in sailing photography – editing is underway.
- Balancing photography with his love for acrylic and watercolor painting.
