# Photographer Wins Award for 2am Rain Shot

> Lear Miller wins Illume Award for capturing Hannah Bergemann in brutal rain during 2am mountain biking shoot.
- Title: Photographer Wins Award for 2am Rain Shot | Shortify
- Summary: Lear Miller wins Illume Award for capturing Hannah Bergemann in brutal rain during 2am mountain biking shoot.
- Keywords: illume awards, hannah bergemann, mountains of the moon, canon eos r5 mark ii, 2am shoot, fluorescent forest, Digital Camera World
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/awards-and-competitions/the-riders-were-riding-in-the-dark-while-we-constantly-battled-water-on-the-lenses-says-photographer-after-winning-high-profile-award-with-2am-shot
- Published: 2026-11-14T11:10:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: illume awards, hannah bergemann, mountains of the moon, canon eos r5 mark ii, 2am shoot, fluorescent forest
## Award Win
Lear Miller won the 2026 Illume Bike category award for his image of professional mountain biker Hannah Bergemann riding through a fluorescent-lit forest during heavy rain at 2am.

> It was an extremely difficult shoot, logistically and condition-wise
## Challenging Conditions
The temperature dropped to 40°F / 4°C with heavy rain causing lens fogging and constant water battles on gear.

> The riders were riding in the dark while we constantly battled water on the lenses and gear
## Technical Setup
Miller used Canon EOS R5 Mark II with Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens at 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO3200.
## Riders' Struggle
Hannah Bergemann faced greasy, wet mud spots making it difficult to perform jumps during the 2am shoot.

> a greasy, wet mud spot, so the athletes really struggled to make it look good
## Winning Moment
Miller captured Bergemann flying off a jump under the 'Tree of Life' during the chaotic 2am shoot.

> My viewfinder had completely fogged up. I was constantly cleaning the lens and holding the camera under my rain jacket until the riders came
## Prizes and Publication
Miller received a Leica D-Lux 8 camera and his winning photo will be published in The Illume Photobook 2026.
## Key takeaway

Photographer Lear Miller won the 2026 Illume Bike category award for his image of Hannah Bergemann riding through fluorescent-lit forest during heavy rain at 2am.