Project 3

Well here we are on project 3 already, and my chosen topic for this one will be sports based portraiture. Working towards the type of images featuring more and more in the printed press and online, location and studio images showcasing the individual/team and attached sponsorship. This is an area i greatly need to improve on, I honestly have no issue with regards to operating and controlling lights, having completed shoots for calendars and projects previously. The area I have always struggled with is getting models, so I have avoided it is much as possible. I understand when work in the industry people will know its all part and parcel of work,  I still however need to convey confidence thus relaxing my subjects.

I initially looked towards the work of award winning photographer Mark Pain, his portraits using a combination of props and dramatic lighting bring a pop to his work. While he using uniforms and props to showcase traits of the individual, Mark also likes to capture a more casual aspect to some of his images, taking the star away from the track/pitch/stadium. The removal of the strips/equipment and location requires the subject to hold some form of reignition to the public or they would have no direct visual connection. While I will avoid this type of image I felt it was worth mentioning in research.

(Top Image)

This image features boxer Wladimir Klitschko, standing draped in his countries flag outside the Lyadsky Gate in Kiev, used to promote his upcoming fight. Without some level of sports knowledge this image would lack the context to most of the viewing public, while I will look to avoid this I can still learn from the lighting used. An off camera flash/ lighting to control the ambient lighting, the bright foreground stands out against the duller background. Shot upwards towards the subject ,the lighting also mimics the direction of the ambient light, leaving no harsh shadows under chin. nose and eyes. Mr Pain has also assumed a low shooting angle, this has helped accentuate the scale of the boxer against his surroundings.

(Middle Image)

In some degrees regarded as a lesser sport in parts of the U.K cricket hold a massive worldwide audience vying for the latest news/images. The strong use of the prop in the close cropped portrait leaves the viewer with no doubt on the subjects sport. Having the subject so close would allow for f5.6 to capture the image such a this.  while focus has been placed on the cricket ball to the left, the subject manages only a slight blur to his form. A single light position to the right of the frame produces some harsh shadows to the left, no doubt reduced slightly by a reflector.  While not exact this style of lighting is similar to Rembrandt’s desired style.

(Bottom left Image)

Trying to break the norm this image shoots through the hands of the goalkeeper in this location based shot. The background goals also provide further visual evidence linking the subject to playing in goals. The lighting has been positioned to the right of the camera, raised above head height it has been angled down across the subject producing some harsh shadows across the left of the composition. Again the strong foreground light has subdued the ambient light, helping to add a more atmospheric feeling to the image.

(Bottom Right Image)

This image could have been shot on location and edited post production, but I will consider it a composition featuring a pre shot background and studio shot subject.

Two of sports most iconic images feature the mighty Muhammad Ali standing triumphantly over toppled foes in the boxing ring, Sonny Liston and Cleveland Williams playing an unwanted rolls in these productions. Neil Leifer was responsible for both of these shots that adorn many a wall across the globe. Not only do his action images captivate audiences during a career spanning 5 decades, his sports based portraits have adorned publications worldwide featuring the who’s who’s of top sport. His calougue of experience covers multiple Olympics both summer and winter, football world cups and countless boxing matches allowed hi to build bonds with his subjects.

Standing in typical Ali style pose the above image manages to not only capture aspects of the athletes personality, his smile and charisma. Using strong angled lighting and harsh shadows has added a theatrical feeling to the composition, replaying past antics in the studio instead of the ring. The inclusion of lens flare adds a nice touch aiding the aesthetics further, mimicking the vibe and aura of  a darkened boxing ring type scenario. The lighting further provides definition across the fighters body, the low angle of shooting providing an enhancement to the boxers stature. The lighting plays a large part in the overall image so is worth taking into consideration in my own work.

once again dramatic lighting has enhanced an already impactful image. the mixture of light and dark makes the subject pop from the frame. Without any understanding of baseball teams a neutral viewer could almost recognise the shape and outline of the ball that has struck the player eye, the heavy bruising enforcing the power of the impact involved. the close crop allows for more of the main focal point to be seen in detail aiding the selling point of the shot.

 

With the subject lit in a similar way to the Ali image this Michael Jordan image carrier a very different feeling to it, thanks in part to a lighter background and additional lighting in that area. By reducing the harsh shadows to the left of the camera the whole of the model, uniform and prop are clearly visible. Again shot from a lower than head height angle looking up slightly has reinforced the size and stature of the basketball star.

Again I fall back to my constant research into the current market in sports photography in Scotland, this area heavily features the work of the Glasgow based SNS Group. Raising the bar with regards to sports visuals in the premier events in the country SNS include a wide selection of sports based portraiture images to meet any possible editorial need. Covering training sessions, events  out with games allows for them to capture high quality location and studio based images.

(Main image above)

Shot outside the Scotland’s teams hotel , this image holds an appeal akin to a family snap of a beaming kid with his new kit and ball received from Santa. The use of a strobe positioned to the left of the camera has helped the subject standout from his location, the shallow depth of field ensures the background has no attention grapping distractions. Once again a low angle, shot looking up towards the subject helps to accentuate the  mass of the player/ and his pride to play for his country.

(Top left image)

This dramatic looking shot captures the moody background clouds perfectly, while the off camera lighting fills the foreground subject allowing his to jump from the composition.  The close crop around the subjects torso allows for the players attitude and expression to be clearly seen, emphasising the importance of the match the image is linked to. Shot outside the stadium the landscape orientation allows for the main  stands façade to fill the negative space, the lettering holding a gentle blurring but holding a recognisable form.

(Bottom Left image)

Conveying a powerful stature this image again follows the same principles as the rest, the low angle shooting upwards, strong controlled off camera lighting reducing the ambient lightings impact.  The use of the goalposts and inclusion of the floodlights in the background providing addition visual context to this work.

 

While this series all follow the same formula with regard to lighting this hasnt happened by acccident. These type of images are popular in the modern disposable image based world and SNS have corned the market by using modern, confident, talented photographers who want to be different from the norm. Using a 70-200mm f2.8 lens also provides so addition benifits, f4 @200mm is brilaint for throwing busy unsightly locations into an almost pleasing blend of unidentifiable colours, Godex lights with soft boxes attached fill the silhouetted subject in the foreground.

 

The use of lighting outlined in the previous paragraphs can be applied across many genres of sports, the art of controlling the light allows for the photographer to capture aspect of his subject and showcase them to the viewer.  The definition of muscle across the subjects bodies, highlights the contours of very bump and curve, on the other hand it can kill the ambient lighting of a track location. Producing moody images thanks to high speed sync, the background clouds fill the background negative space producing a pleasing canvas that compliments the main subject.