Along triathlon’s road to Austin, Annapolis, Boulder, Clearwater, Colorado Springs, Denmark, Des Moines, Kona and Wildflower, it was time to frame some of the sport’s most striking personalities. Sometimes there was time to set up multiple strobes and umbrellas. At other times there was only a fraction of second to push the shutter and capture a glance. At times the triathlete had time to present their best selves for the shot, and the photographer had time to find a sky, an ocean, a meaningful indoor space to underline the character and the accomplishments of the subject. Sometimes it was the sun alone, at others the artificial, in search of the inner – but always it was about the light.

All photographs ©Timothy Carlson

Tara Castro and Tenille Hoogland on a grassy field with the Austin skyline in the background.

Amy and Brandon Marsh in front of a postcard-style mural celebrating their home town.

Michael Lovato standing outside Chuy's, Austin’s famous Tex-Mex diner, after a long ride.

Dynamic Mohawk man strikes a pose in front of a mural of a whale after the Kona Underwear run.

US Naval Academy 2010 Triathlon Team co-captain Sarah Simmler.

US Naval Academy 2010 Triathlon Team co-captain Tyler Sharp.

Ironman Hall of Famer Bob Babbitt and Paul Huddle goofing around after the 2010 USAT Hall of Fame Ceremony honoring Huddle’s main squeeze.

USAT 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Carl Thomas strikes a Heisman pose with his stylized Greek triathlon vase.

USAT 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Jim Curl has the last laugh.

Eight-time Ironman Hawaii winner Paula Newby-Fraser with her USAT 2010 Hall of Fame award.

Rasmus Henning at home in Denmark with his wife Anita and their two children.

Andreas Raelert, Ironman Hawaii runner-up, at Clearwater in support of his brother Michael’s succesful attempt to repeat as Ironman 70.3 World Champion.

No wonder why this man is smiling. Michael Raelert, two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion.

Conrad Stoltz, the only elite 4-time XTERRA World Champion, at Wildflower.

Emma Snowsill, 2008 Olympic champion, three-time ITU World Champion, two-time Hy-Vee winner, Commonwealth Games Champion, in a moment of quiet reflection.

Mark Van Akkeren in LaJolla.

Luke Bell in the lava fields beside the Queen K, at Mile Marker 82.

Mark Allen, six time Ironman Hawaii champion, at Brainard Lake, Colorado.

Julie Dibens, 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Champion, 2010 Abu Dhabi International champion, under a big Colorado sky at dusk on Boulder Reservoir.

Timothy O’Donnell, 2009 ITU long distance World Champion, 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championship bronze medalist, playing Guitar Hero during a winter indoor workout in Boulder.