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Nikos Schwelm

@nikos.fastlight

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Photographer, brewmaster, mountain runner, dad. Figuring it out in the Canadian Rockies

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Scenes from a Skyrunning race

I love playing with colour in my photography. Removing it feels unnatural at first, yet I’m constantly surprised by how much better the resulting frames can be at telling a story. The shift to monochrome draws attention to the drama in the movement and expressions we find during a race.

From my favourite day of the year, shooting for @meettheminotaur by @nikos.fastlight

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a month ago

Adam at rest : Adam in motion

Images from a silly session this spring, testing out lights in a unique (to Canmore) setting. We’re so spoiled to be surrounded by incredible mountain views, but when we went for a scouting run for our spring photography workshop, this tunnel caught my eye as something unique. The group got some great shots during the daytime, but I wanted to try having more control over the lighting, so Adam and I came back a few nights later to play around.

It was a fun challenge, to balance one continuous light (behind him) with a strobe in front, trying to guess the timing of his run and get the right shutter speed. He got a good interval workout in that night…

Thanks for always trusting the creative vision @frontrangesrunning by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

MMTR Race Day Photos | PART 1: NIKOS @nikos.fastlight

We had some incredibly talented photographers out on course again this year, so we’re sharing our 2026 MMTR race day photos in a three part series 🤩

Nikos captured the day from the saddle of Moose Mountain, Moose Connector Aid Station and all the way back to the finish line.

Race day photos are live👇
www.lewistonultraevents.com/gallery-moose-mountain

Enjoy, friends & don’t forget to tag @nikos.fastlight when sharing your favourites!

#MMTR #MooseMountainTrailRaces

📸 @nikos.fastlight taken in Moose Mountain (Alberta) by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

Throwback to that time we brought skis on a boat

@lecurtois @skiuphill.ca

#strohlxlexar2 by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

200 miles is a ridiculous distance to run.

It’s easy to get lost in the world of ultra running, where 50kms is a “short” race… but let’s not forget how insane it is that people sign up to race (and finish!) these massive distances.

Kudos to you crazy people.

From last weeks Divide 200, western Canada’s only 200 mile race (so far!)

@sinister_sports

#strohlxlexar2 by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

Running up a mountain with a single prime lens feels terrifying as a photographer. The fear of missing a potential shot can be paralyzingly. It took me a long time to build up the confidence, but once you really learn a focal length and commit the day to it, shots like this are the reward.

One of my favourites of @michaelr8830 from the last day of Adam’s epic Bow Valley Cirque last summer. @frontrangesrunning

Shot on Nikon with my favourite 28mm prime. Although now I would probably just shoot this with my Ricoh.

#strohlxlexar2 by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

One of my favourite days out this spring, shooting the final week for the @skiuphill.ca King/Queen of the mountain challenge. Such a perfect way to get my mind and body tuned up for a summer of mountain race photography

Thanks to everyone who participated and brought the vibes each week!

#strohlxlexar2 by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

@harry_subertas winner of this year’s Divide 200, cruising through 200 miles of Canadian wilderness, in under 48 hours.

322kms and 11,500m of vert.

Just to give that some context, that’s roughly like running from Calgary to Canmore (100k), forgetting your lunch so running all the way back, then turning around and running back to Canmore. Then climb Ha Ling 10 times. From valley bottom.

In 48 hours… 🤯

Congrats Harry, so amazing to watch you move through these mountains!

@sinister_sports by @nikos.fastlight

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2 months ago

Vibes and scenes from Sinister 7 2026

20K, 50K, 50mile, 100mile, 100mile relay, and a kids race.

2,000+ runners moving through the stunning terrain of the southern Rockies, with an equally large army of volunteers and support teams helping them stay hydrated and moving. Watching this ballet unfold every year is so captivating. of course there are some hiccups, but overall the sinister team seems to pull off a miracle.

Here are some of my favourite captures from the weekend

@sinister_sports
@merrellcanada
@explorethepass

#strohlxlexar2 by @nikos.fastlight

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3 months ago

Race-ready faces of Sinister 7 😎

Good luck to everyone heading out of course! by @nikos.fastlight

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3 months ago

ICE ICE BABY! It's heating up out here, Sinister fans! This weekend is coming in HOT, so come prepared and beat the heat!

Stock up on water, ice and use @tailwindnutrition at the aid stations.

While the Sinister team does what they can, getting ice out to remote aid stations is tough (it melts fast!).

It is highly recommended that you grab your own ice in town in advance or asking your crew to meet at the transition areas prepared to cool down a boiled lobster.

Photo Credit: @nikos.fastlight

#running
#ultrarunning
#tailwindnutrition
#sinister7ultra
#sinistersports taken in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta by @nikos.fastlight

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3 months ago

B/W portraits of racers ready to meet the mighty Minotaur

I love capturing the nervous energy at the start of a race, and all the different ways it can show on different faces

Final shot is a 5am selfie, before heading out on course for the next 12 hours. One of my favourite days of the year by @nikos.fastlight

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3 months ago