The Adventure Game – A Cameraman’s Tales from Films at the Edge, by Keith Partridge

Keith Partridge has been one of the world’s leading adventure cameramen for over twenty years. The award winning Touching the Void, Beckoning Silence and Human Planet are just some of the films that have taken him all over the earth, from the caves of Papua New Guinea to the summit of Mount Everest. No location has been too dangerous, no environment too wild, and if you have ever seen a climber or explorer in some outrageous position, chances are that Keith Partridge was there with his camera. Here Keith discusses the challenges that have faced him in the daring adventures he has taken part in, with personalities such as Steve Backshall, Joe Simpson and Stephen Venables.
Cameramen are oft ignored – watch a documentary about the natural world, and chances are you are focusing on either the imagery or the presenter, but never giving a thought to those behind the camera. That is, I suppose, the mark of a good cameraman – an active bystander who serves as the viewer’s eyes, remaining impassive and unbiased throughout. Thankfully, this means that Keith Partridge has plenty of tales to tell in this book, accompanied by stunning pictures from the various locales and environments that Keith has visited in his career.
It becomes staggeringly clear quite how hard the job of an adventure cameraman is – to capture a presenter in a dangerous position, chances are the cameraman will have to be in a position as, if not more, extreme. If a shot is missed, the cameraman may have to wait hours or days for the same moment to occur again. Keith Partridge comes across as dedicated, joyful about the opportunities his role has given him, and also, as no doubt necessary for the role, an adrenaline junkie who loves both nature, and this planet.

Keith Partridge has been one of the world’s leading adventure cameramen for over twenty years. The award winning Touching the Void, Beckoning Silence and Human Planet are just some of the films that have taken him all over the earth, from the caves of Papua New Guinea to the summit of Mount Everest. No location has been too dangerous, no environment too wild, and if you have ever seen a climber or explorer in some outrageous position, chances are that Keith Partridge was there with his camera. Here Keith discusses the challenges that have faced him in the daring adventures he has taken part in, with personalities such as Steve Backshall, Joe Simpson and Stephen Venables.
Cameramen are oft ignored – watch a documentary about the natural world, and chances are you are focusing on either the imagery or the presenter, but never giving a thought to those behind the camera. That is, I suppose, the mark of a good cameraman – an active bystander who serves as the viewer’s eyes, remaining impassive and unbiased throughout. Thankfully, this means that Keith Partridge has plenty of tales to tell in this book, accompanied by stunning pictures from the various locales and environments that Keith has visited in his career.
It becomes staggeringly clear quite how hard the job of an adventure cameraman is – to capture a presenter in a dangerous position, chances are the cameraman will have to be in a position as, if not more, extreme. If a shot is missed, the cameraman may have to wait hours or days for the same moment to occur again. Keith Partridge comes across as dedicated, joyful about the opportunities his role has given him, and also, as no doubt necessary for the role, an adrenaline junkie who loves both nature, and this planet.