{"id":12913,"date":"2013-07-17T12:28:53","date_gmt":"2013-07-17T19:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=12913"},"modified":"2013-07-17T12:28:53","modified_gmt":"2013-07-17T19:28:53","slug":"3-lessons-i-learned-photographing-a-blinged-out-boxing-promoter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/17\/3-lessons-i-learned-photographing-a-blinged-out-boxing-promoter\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Lessons I Learned Photographing a Blinged-out Boxing Promoter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HDuIMUCRck4?list=UUJOL6q7RhSJbhwTQAaJOwiQ\" height=\"377\" width=\"670\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Just uploaded a new GoPro POV video at Gallo Boxing. This time with Ty, a boxing promoter with great swag and bling.<\/p>\n<p>The story behind what happened is that initially I was photographing another boxer, and I was going to take some photos of him working the punching bag. Then I saw Ty on my way over, and was blown away with his outfit (his sunglasses, his patent-leather shoes, and the plethora of rings on his fingers).<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Without hesitation, I asked if I could take some photos of him&#8211; and I commented how awesome I thought his bling was. He was open and willing, and I took a ton of photos with him&#8211; some with flash and some without flash.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12916\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/17\/3-lessons-i-learned-photographing-a-blinged-out-boxing-promoter\/r0002561\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002561.jpg?fit=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"660,437\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372791102&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0002561\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002561.jpg?fit=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12916\" alt=\"R0002561\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002561.jpg?resize=660%2C437\" width=\"660\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002561.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002561.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I tried to pay extra attention to what I thought was his most valuable asset and sign of strength&#8211; his fist. To me it embodied his power, essence, and soul. He was an ex-fighter for several decades, and I feel that the rings on his fist are also a great detail to show more of his extravagant side as well.<\/p>\n<p>After my first mini-session with him, he had to tend to some fighters so he went away for a while. I told him jokingly that I would bug him to take some more photos later, and he laughed and agreed.<\/p>\n<p>After I shot some photos of the other fighter, I walked up to Ty and asked to get more photos of him&#8211; this time shots that included his face and posture. It was funny how when I asked him to pose for me, he already had a bunch of poses ready. I joked that he must have been a model&#8211; and he told me he actually did model for a long time (this explained his natural talent for posing). At the end, we exchanged contact info&#8211; and I agreed to send him some photos and to keep in touch.<\/p>\n<p>Some lessons I learned from this session:<\/p>\n<h2>1. Focus on the details<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"fist-resized\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/fist-resized.jpg?resize=660%2C437\" width=\"660\" height=\"437\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I think to capture the soul and essence of a person&#8211; it is often to focus more on the details of the person rather than showing their entire body.<\/p>\n<p>For example, focusing on a fighter&#8217;s fist, or focusing on a woman&#8217;s lips, or focusing on a child&#8217;s hand spilling over with ice cream.<\/p>\n<p>The benefit of also showing less (by focusing on details) is that it adds more mystery to the photograph. It makes the photograph more open-ended, and makes the viewer curious what he\/she is looking at. Then from that, they extrapolate to make some sort of story about the person. This makes the viewer more involved.<\/p>\n<p>When focusing on details, it is often good to use a camera that has a close-focusing feature or ability. If you shoot with a DSLR, you have the luxury of focusing extremely close. If you are a rangefinder user, it is trickier as your minimal focusing distance is generally only .5-.7 meters. And if you have a point and shoot you should rejoice the most, because most cameras have a macro function that can focus ridiculously closely.<\/p>\n<p>In this series of videos I am using the Ricoh GRD V, which has a great macro feature. However it has some trouble hunting with autofocus when it is dark, at a close-distance.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Don&#8217;t hesitate<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12915\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/17\/3-lessons-i-learned-photographing-a-blinged-out-boxing-promoter\/r0002619\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002619.jpg?fit=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"660,437\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372791827&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0002619\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002619.jpg?fit=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12915\" alt=\"R0002619\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002619.jpg?resize=660%2C437\" width=\"660\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002619.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002619.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I think a lot of shooting is based on your gut. What you find interest may not make any logical sense. However I find myself drawn to certain people or characters&#8211; and feel an urge to want to photograph them.<\/p>\n<p>The issue I generally face a lot is the issue of hesitation. For example, I see someone interesting I want to photograph and I get nervous&#8211; and never end up photographing them. When in doubt, it is best to simply approach someone and share why you think they are interesting&#8211; and ask for permission to photograph them.<\/p>\n<p>For example when photographing Ty, I was a bit intimidated at the back of my stomach (the guy looked tough, was very tall, and had a strong presence) but I swallowed my hesitations and simply approached him.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Take lots of photos<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12918\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/17\/3-lessons-i-learned-photographing-a-blinged-out-boxing-promoter\/r0002627\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002627.jpg?fit=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"437,660\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372791883&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0002627\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002627.jpg?fit=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12918\" alt=\"R0002627\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002627.jpg?resize=437%2C660\" width=\"437\" height=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002627.jpg?w=437&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/R0002627.jpg?resize=198%2C300&amp;ssl=1 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It is very rare that we make a good photograph. We have to take a lot of bad photographs to get the very few good photographs. Like Henri Cartier-Bresson once said, &#8220;Sometimes you have to milk the cow a lot to get a little bit of cheese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So when I was lucky enough to get Ty to agree to photograph him, I tried to take as many photos of him as possible (before he got annoyed). I was fortunate enough in getting him to participate &#8212; and was also fortunate that he was quite willing.<\/p>\n<p>I often find your subjects are more patient when you photograph them when you narrate what you are doing. For example, telling them you want to take a shot with and without a flash. I also make it a point to count &#8220;one, two, three&#8221; when my autofocus is a bit slow and I want them to stand still.<\/p>\n<p>I also try to photograph at different angles and poses. Get a bit closer. Take a step back. Shoot a horizontal, then a vertical. Use a flash. Don&#8217;t use a flash. What you don&#8217;t want to do is just take one photo and move on.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>I have always wanted to do a documentary project series&#8211; and it is a bit of a shame that I was only able to spend around 2 weeks at Gallo Boxing. However in addition to street photography, I hope to try to pursue more documentary-style work when I move to the Bay Area.<\/p>\n<p>Also for those who are curious, I shot these all on a Ricoh GRD V in &#8220;P&#8221; mode, at ISO 3200. The reason I didn&#8217;t shoot this on film is because I wanted to make this behind-the-scenes GoPro video for you guys to get an inside look. I hope you found it educational and informative :)<\/p>\n<p>You can also download the Neopan 1600 preset I used for these photos for free <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/Neopan1600ek\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just uploaded a new GoPro POV video at Gallo Boxing. This time with Ty, a boxing promoter with great swag and bling. The story behind what happened is that initially I was photographing another \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[157],"tags":[1458,1077,808],"class_list":["post-12913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-video","tag-gallo-boxing","tag-gopro","tag-pov"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/fist-resized.jpg?fit=660%2C437&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}