Fantastic shot. Love the colours, expression, everything.

He's also got a spare arm in case he gets tired.

Back-up arms are always useful

Problem? Area?

Stow: Yes it was; about 5m2.

Nice focus and depth of colour, the clutter in the background spoils it though.

Stubbonomics: thanks for the kind comment. But your arm? (don't understand)

Yes, remove that annoying background clutter and that arm, and you have a really great shot. There should be no unneccessary detail in any picture unless it adds to the image. Look at Cartier Bresson, or indeed any great photographer not just the climbing gurus .

i don't find the clutter so annoying as much as the distortion of it. especially the half person - just feels a little wrong. really nice shot though. i feel your pain of odd votes, it can be really wierd trying to work out what some people were thinking!

I quite like the clutter, it gives a sense of reality to the picture i.e. 'people actually were having a serious boulder session' rather than a photo shoot. So rather than being unnecessary detail, I think it adds to the shot. The red hat makes it though. Overall I think it's one of the best bouldering shots I've seen in a while.

this is a great perspective, i think the background spoils it a bit because of the clutter as said previously, though it could be improved by having the climber in the corner (using the rule of thirds) and maybe including the other climbers. Just an idea but it would help make them part of the picture instead of in the way? HTH

Great shot, my arm in no way detracts from the quality of the picture...

It's Lepreux Direct 7a at Elephant. A classic.