Photo Research - RWC 2015

The recent Rugby World Cup in 2015 has provided me with essential and relevant research material into the type of images that I can capture and present for this major documentary project when I have such great close-quarters access to a playing squad, Here are a selection that I have taken note of from.

This image of Bryan Habana has been taken at a slower shutter speed to ensure that the motion of each player is captured in the frame, however the focus point is still firmly on the ball carrier. What's also noticeable is the photographer's point of view, as he is looking down onto the pitch from a high angle, the green grass acts as the entire canvas of the image, from the foreground, right through to the background.

This image shows that not all sports images requires a telephoto, as a wide angle has been used to cleverly highlight the leading lines of the Millennium Stadium tunnel that draw you into this All Blacks player leaving the field of play. The photographer has also chosen a slightly lower point of view so that we are looking up towards this figure, ensuring that he appears imposing within the frame.

There are always emotions to be captured from the quick reactions of the players on & off the pitch, be it from a crunching tackle, or breathtaking try. The photographer must always follow how the match is progressing in anticipation of pressing the shutter at the essential moment. 

With great access to the team facilities and the players, there are wonderful oppurtunites to capture the players as the public might not know them, these candid moments can often occur behind closed doors in restricted areas such as the changing room.