Sticking to my initial outlook of working within the sports industry in the U.K, I have decided to move from the round ball to the oval ball. This blog outlines the research into this genre of sports photography.As previously completed for my previous project, I will provide evidence of undertaken research and inspiration.
David Rogers is a Getty images sports photographer with a career spanning over 40 years, he is considered to be one of the best rugby photographers in the world. One of his most iconic images captured the moment Jonny Wilkinson unleashed the winning drop kick during the Rugby World Cup final 2013
The defining moment as a nation watched on, the clock counting down the final seconds of a long month long tournament. David had positioned himself perfectly and captured this iconic moment of U.K sporting history. Yes good fortune can be blessed for allowing such clear sight of the action, However, experience and proper understanding of the game no doubt helped influence his placement prior to the actual moment happening. A wide open aperture helps boost the shutter speed allowing the action to be frozen perfectly, the shallow depth of field blurring the foreground players and throwing the busy background into a pleasing mosaic of colour, all allowing the main subject to pop from the frame. Utilising a 400mm telephoto lens has allowed him to reduce the distance between the viewer and the action, the low angle offering a perspective of the event unlike anything a spectator could even have witnessed. This image featured on every major press publication the following day worldwide, its impact outlasting the event. Its use was mainly editorial but it help commercial importance to English rugby and feature heavily in relation to the team.
While freezing the action of a tackle/ ruck or try is important to capture in sports photography, the modern game needs editorial images that can be used to fill space while visually supporting news stories, player bios or features on websites or in print. Having context linked to such an image raises it’s potential value and use. The above image for example was taken during the London Irish V Leicester Tigers, the player positioned centre of frame recoils to take a line out, the shallow depth of field has offered a blur the still retains context across the background. The player in his Irish strip with its green lucky clovers patterning stand out against a crowd of home supports with leprechaun hat wearing fans watching on.Being part of Getty images catalogue means this image can be obtained for use upon purchasing its usage rights.
The main aim of this type of photography will always be capturing the match defining moments, and what is more defining than scoring a try. Again taken from an extremely low angle offers a players eye view on the action, providing a level of the unseen to be accessed. The action has been frozen capturing the facial expressions of the subjects, allowing it to be viewed and studied by all. This image would instantly have a value attached to it, the demand for access to instant information of major events fuels such interest. Fans in different time zones await the latest refreshed newsfeed posting.
Again its is important i understand the industry requirments i will be working to when undertaking my research and actual image taking. So i refer back to the SNS group to provide further context to the quality standards i should aim for.
Above is an example of a brilliant editorial style image, used to supplement upcoming match features in print and online. Off camera flash has killed the ambient light producing a more impactful image overall. The teams logos and sponsors are all clearly visible to the viewer.
The try scoring and the celebrations is what fills the back pages more often than not, this image is another fine example of that type of shot. The sheer joy clear to be seen to any eye that should take a glance, the abysmal weather conditions creating an almost noise like distortion across the composition. Using a high quality profession camera has been vital for such an image, the horrible conditions would demand a raised ISO to produce a shutter speed capable of freezing the action. Only a quality camera could produce this type of image without noticeable noise.
Again I refer back to The work of previously mention James Cannon and Marc Aspland, both have a plethora of experience covering rugby from grassroots to World Cup Finals. I will outline some of there inspiration images below.
James Cannon’s website contains a vast portfolio of his work, his personal project tab is an area I often visit. His series of images produced under the title “The rugby journal” documents his beloved Coventry RFC, he manages to capture the community spirit attached to the club in his images, while also capturing the sheer battle that is a game of rugby.
The top left image captured the muddy, dark and almost frightening bottom of the maul. The players wide open eyes draws the viewers attention instantly.
Top right captured the scene of the crime, the sodden pitch that makes even the strongest legs weak after 80 mins of trudging through its muddy grasp. The muck and grime the tale of the tape.
Bottom left/right features the power and controlled aggression that features so heavily in such a tough sport. When 25 stone men get moving it takes a few to stop them, at times to sound of body colliding is sicking. While its not possible to contain sound within these images they both manage to retain a feeling of energy, you can sense the impact via the players faces.
Bottom centre features a match soiled shirt, simple but effective. up close and personal in the locker room. The textures of the muck a story of that players journey in the game, a temporary scar on a proudly worn jersey, the blood sweat and tears still raw but soon to be vanished in a boil wash ready for the next battle.
For this project I have decided to expand my research criteria to include a freelance photographer. Harry trump supplies images to Getty Images through there website, his work heavily features sports based portraiture as shown above. Image one ( left) features a player in a relaxed seated pose within the clubs stand, lit by of camera flash it has produced a warm feeling image. image 2 (right) however, carries a more menacing tone, shot from a low angle the players size distorted against his surroundings. The serious gaze producing a game face appeal to the image.
Craig Murray Photography 