18 Digital SLR Photography Januar y 2020
How does it feel to regularly witness
sporting history? I think that it's the most
privileged job any sporting fan could hope
for. I said to Nick that it’s like sitting on the
edge of the world because everybody else
is looking in from behind you.How has the world of sports photography
changed in terms of work? Most stadiums
have got better and are now equipped with
cabled internet connections, so you can plug
your cameras straight in. Also, most are now
using LED lighting, so there are no dark spots
any more, providing perfect light.How well do sports stars know you? In the
early years you got to know footballers, but
it's harder now as you don't get near them.
With boxers it’s different – they have to sell
fights so they still need us. The money that is
in football and the role of agents has changed
everything. I’m glad I am not starting out now
as without the relationships I built with the
likes of Ian Wright, 'Gazza', Teddy
Sheringham, Frank Bruno and Nigel Benn,
I would have never got my break and
benefitted from so much great access.Asides from sporting personalities, who
have you met? The only person I was
star-struck by was Clint Eastwood when I was
working at the Cannes Film Festival, which
was a real 'wow' moment. I also had President
Bush come over and start talking to me about
photography while I was shooting the Ryder
Cup, but I had to politely let him know that I
had to cover the golf! I remember David
Beckham pinging a ball at me from about 30
yards away and I nodded it back. I’ve also had
a playful right-hand body shot from Nigel
Benn and you do not want many of them!Have you a favourite image?
Michael Johnson smashing the Olympic
200m record in Atlanta at my first Olympics
springs to mind but, to be honest, there are
so many I could choose from, which is one of
the reasons I wanted to create this book.What is your favourite sporting event?
I love all the Olympic Games and Ryder Cups
but if I had to choose one it was the London
Olympics in 2012. It had a great feel-good
factor: the Super Saturday, when we won
three gold medals in a hour; I was in my home
team’s stadium (West Ham United); and, best
of all, I could sleep in my own bed every night!What would you say to aspiring sports
photographers that are inspired by your
images? Keep plugging away and thank you
for buying the book!1 ) Wayne Rooney becomes England's top goalscorer.
2) David Beckham celebrates his stunning last-gasp goal
against Greece. 3) Mo Farah celebrates his 5,000m Olympics
success. 4) S e re n a W i l l i a m s e n j oy s W i m b l e d o n s u cce s s , 2 0 1 2.12 3I THINK THAT IT’S THE MOST
PRIVILEGED JOB ANY
SPORTING FAN COULD HOPE
FOR. IT’S LIKE SITTING ON THE
EDGE OF THE WORLD BECAUSE
EVERYBODY ELSE IS LOOKING
IN FROM BEHIND YOU