{"id":13176,"title":"Review: Cyclocross Photo Album 2020-2021","description":"We review Balint Hamvas's new Cyclocross Photo Album.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

We review Balint Hamvas's new, and it transpired his last Cyclocross Photo Album.<\/strong><\/p>

A pleasant surprise for me this morning. Phil, our friendly postman, dodged Head of Morale Gloria<\/a> and handed me a parcel. It turned out to be a copy of the latest Photo Album by top cyclocross photographer Balint Hamvas.<\/p>

The new Photo Album by Balint Hamvas<\/strong>\"\"
To be perfectly honest, I'd completely forgotten that I'd ordered it. I'd even paid that little bit extra to have Rijden.UK added in the credits, along with notables such as the #wessexwallys.<\/p>

Beautiful<\/h3>

When Balint Hamvas informed me that he intended to produce another of his yearbooks, I was keen to provide my support. Not only was he the first person to grant me an interview when I kickstarted Rijden, but he has an amazing ability to capture the atmosphere from top cyclocross races.<\/p>

There's also something rather beautiful about holding a work of art in your hands. It's all very well having access to a plethora of digital images at the click of a button but nothing beats a physical, tangible product.<\/p>

Balint reducing his carbon footprint<\/strong>\"\"
Image credit: Balint Hamvas<\/em><\/p>

Character<\/h3>

Balint is quite a character. In my interview with him early in 2021<\/a>, he revealed how he literally faked his way into professional photography. He's gone to great lengths to reduce his carbon footprint. Forsaking his car and attempting to travel around Europe by train and e-bike. It's hard not to be carried away by his passion for cyclocross.<\/p>

The review<\/h3>

OK, let's get to the heart of the deal. Is the new Photo Album any good? Should you part with your hard-earned \u00a324.99 and buy a copy for yourself or a loved one?<\/p>

Before I answer that question, what's in the book? Well obviously, lots of photographs. These are interspersed with articles by contributing authors such as Jose Been who has penned a touching tribute to the late Jolien Verschueren and Molly Hurford who writes eloquently about the pay disparity between men and women.<\/p>

I particularly enjoyed the images from the UCI World Championships at Oostende. Anyone who has ever visited Belgium's coast in winter will appreciate how the images convey the bleakness when the wind whips in from the North Sea.<\/p>

Balint himself describes how his work dried up and he had to take a job as a delivery driver for Sainsbury's. It's a reminder of how the glamour of being an insider of the sport sometimes clashes against the cruel reality of economics.<\/p>

Should you buy the book? If you love cyclocross, of course, you should.<\/p><\/blockquote>

Should you buy the book? If you love cyclocross, of course, you should. It's available from Cyclephotos<\/a>.<\/p>

Balint recently announced he would no longer be taking cyclocross photographs for a living so this will be his last yearbook. Even more of a reason to buy it.<\/p>

Disclaimer<\/strong><\/h3>

Rijden has not received any incentive to publish this review.<\/p>

9 October 2021, Tim Costello.<\/p>

NEVER MISS OUT<\/strong><\/h3>

Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to get all our latest stories and news. We won't bombard you with special offers. We don't want to send you junk as much as you don't want to receive it.<\/p>

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