"In the ring Nicholas Kisner and Joey Dawejko spar while Kevin Rivers, foreground, practices with a partner during a training session for the Youth World Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. The championships take place Oct. 25-Nov. 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE
On Monday afternoon I was assigned to cover some youth boxers preparing for the World Championships at the OTC. I have never had the chance to shoot any kind of boxing so I didn't really know what to expect. After spending three hours in the gym with a group of focused young men I can now say that I love shooting the sport.
I didn't shoot any actual matched, just sparing and training but the images seem to be coming in an endless manner. Maybe it was because I had never shot it before and therefor everything was fresh and new but regardless I seemed to see something different almost every minute.
The lighting was flat so I worked with what I could.
I shot some sparing and some of the training with a speedlight set-up near the ring that helped make some more dynamic images like this one.
One of the things that I think really helped me in my process was that the coaches and young men were really receptive to me being there and gave me access to do pretty much whatever I wanted to do.
Don't let me fool you though, these young men were fast, focused, strong and clearly working hard towards a goal. In Gazette writer Brian Gomez's story Oscar Cantu, seen taking a punch in this photo above, states that his goal is to make the London 2012 Olympic team.
When training was done I pulled a few of the athletes that Brian talked to aside for a quick two light portrait.
Athletes always amaze me with their excitement after they see the results on the back of the camera. Most people can't see the vision of the final product by seeing the lighting set-up. I often show my subject how "cool" they look which then allows me to work a little bit longer than usual with them. I've been getting really comfortable with working with portrait subjects which has lead portraiture to quickly become my second love right behind shooting sports. While I don't have control of my images, to an extent, while on the sidelines I do however have the ability to control the final product in a portrait and I really like that.
The light looked much different when I didn't have the subject in place and it forced me to move my light a little. I wanted the main light to be a little more directional. I had a snoot on it to create a shaft of light but that didn't allow me to light his shirt as well which I thought the logo added to the context of the portrait. As always feedback is always welcome.
I (finally) added my wedding portfolio to my website so be sure to check that out!!!!!!!!
-JCE
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