For over four decades, Graham Watson followed the world’s greatest cyclists through the mountains, mud, mayhem, and magic of professional racing — with a camera in hand and a motorbike at his side. His images defined an era of the sport, appearing in magazines, books, and photo agencies around the globe.
But this isn’t just a cycling story. This is a photography story.
In this episode, Graham joins us from his porch in New Zealand — 19,000 kilometers and a world away from the chaos of the Tour de France — to reflect on a career that began in a London portrait studio and somehow became a life of chasing light through the Alps, cobblestones, and coastlines of Europe.
We talk about how photography has changed — from black-and-white darkroom prints to wireless transmissions shot from the back of a moving bike. Graham shares his favorite races to shoot, the tools that shaped his eye, and the images that stayed with him long after the finish line. There are emotional moments, personal reflections, and even some pictures he just had to delete.
And of course, we dig into his stunning retrospective book, 40 Years of Cycling Photography, and what life looks like now when the camera rests, the gravel bike gets a spin, and there’s Belgian beer or a good Chardonnay in the fridge.
It’s honest, funny, and full of heart — just like the man himself. Whether you love bikes, photography, or just a great story well told, pour yourself a coffee and enjoy this episode of The Camera Café Show with the one and only Graham Watson.
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Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀
