Scottsdale, Ariz. - Red Bull Illume, the world’s largest international photography competition dedicated to action and adventure sports, made its first North American exhibition tour stop in Scottsdale, Ariz.  Running until November 24, the exhibition follows the official awards and unveiling ceremony, which took place in Hong Kong in late August.

To kick off the celebration, Red Bull hosted a gala for invited guests at Olive & Ivy restaurant. As the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, Red Bull Illume’s top 50 images were revealed through life-sized lightboxes in a dazzling nighttime exhibition.  The evening was a true celebration of action and adventure sports photography, with hundreds of leading photographers, editors, professional athletes and guests in attendance.

“I’ve never been to Arizona, and coming to Scottsdale to see the Red Bull Illume exhibition in this format is amazing,” said Shannon Falcone, Grinder on Oracle Team USA.  “I’ve been following along online, but seeing it in person is completely different.  It’s a really cool way to showcase the photos, it’s really engaging.”

In addition, world-class sports photographer, Scott Markewitz, hosted a one-hour live-action photo shoot with the dynamic Super Cr3w b-boys, as featured in the Jabbawockeez PRiSM show at the Luxor Vegas.  Using the new Broncolor Move power packs and lighting equipment to illuminate the breakdance crew, Markewitz was able to share some of his lighting techniques and demonstrate how to creatively capture the perfect action shot.

Zak Noyle, whose photo won the Sequence Category, was appreciative of the interactions he had with the community who came out to see the unveiling.  “To see people looking at my photo that’s on display in Scottsdale is pretty cool.  I’m getting so many different reactions to it from people here tonight, so it’s really neat to be able to be here and explain it to them.”

The celebration continued with the Red Bull Illume Official Kickoff Party at the W Hotel Scottsdale, a local event partner, with a fun-filled night that was free and open to the public. The night consisted of a musical line-up including DJ sets by Panic City, DJ Spider and Jeff Apruzzese of Passion Pit, plus an additional live performance by Super Cr3w.

The six-by-six-foot life-size lightboxes showcasing Red Bull Illume's top 50 images will line the Scottsdale Waterfront until November 24 as a free public exhibit.  The display will come to life after sunset each night from 6:30-10 p.m.  Red Bull Illume will continue traveling around the world's capitals and cultural hubs for the next two years as a unique nighttime exhibition of photographic talent.

The 2013 Red Bull Illume photobook , a beautiful hardcover features a glossy collection of the top 250 images from the contest, as well as behind-the-scenes stories on how the photographers went the extra mile to get their shots.  There are only 5,000 copies of the photobook available worldwide, each numbered by hand, and a percentage of every book's sale also goes towards Wings for Life, the spinal cord research charity.  The book is available for purchase at the Red Bull online shop for $68.00, or can be purchased on-site at the Scottsdale Waterfront.