Just been asked to photograph Micheal Gomez (Boxer)

[Chillimonster]

My neighbour from over the road is involved in the PR for a number of boxers including Rick Hatton (i knid you not!), and is also the editor of a Bi Monthly magazine.

She is after a front page shot of Michael Gomez, who is to be fighting Amir Kahn. He trains at our local gym and i have access to him while training, but........ I've NEVER done a one on one portrait shoot with anyone let alone a boxer.

Can anyone offer any good advice re poses, lighting, lense etc, or do i just go with the scattergun approach while he's sparring / training then do a few head-on 'poses'

Thanks

Chris

[john-oh]

I dunno, but whatever you want him to do - ask him nicely :boxer:

I think I might be tempted to have a mooch at the gym, maybe take some provisional shots - make sure everyone knows they are just test shots - then go back when you've checked out the options.

I'd try for some action shots (training) and then find a quiet corner with a decent background (you might have to set this up before hand) and take some portraits whilst he's still steaming

[Chillimonster]

Thanks. I think a trip to the gym is in order to scope the joint out :)

[Cobra]

Can't offer help chilli but its seems like a great oppertunity to be enjoyed :thumbs:

[Busby]

I've met Michael a few times over the years and followed his career closely.
He's a top lad.
For portraits, I'd take along a decent quality sombrero...He should be happy to pose in that.

[howell80]

What a great opportunity you must be very excited. Really depends what the magazine is looking for is suppose. Go down the gym to scout it out for lighting etc.
Take training shots (rope skipping , punch bags etc) and also some sparing shots.
The were some shots a while back on here of some boxing if it helps.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=57972

[Chillimonster]

Thanks for the link :)

[Chillimonster]

Can't offer help chilli but its seems like a great oppertunity to be enjoyed :thumbs:

Thanks Cobra, Will certainly enjoy it, just gutted i missed a similar opportunity late last year with Rick Hatton as i was away with work :( (But in reality, i'm glad i'm starting 'small' as it were - way too much pressure to get it right first go with RH!)

[Messiah Khan]

Sounds like a situation where clever use of strobes could produce some good, moody looking shots. Im guessing he/they will want him to look as hard and mean as possible, so keep that in mind when planning the shot. It might also be worth grabbing a mate/family member and practice doing some portrait work. :)

[Busby]

There are a few shots of Gomez here, before and during the Daniel Thorpe fight.
I've followed boxing for nearly 30 years and buy a lot of the publications...I'd say these were pretty much the standard for boxing shots.

http://www.saddoboxing.com/5241-michael-gomez-daniel-thorpe.html

Michael Gomez is a genuine hard man, who has led a troubled life.
I reckon he'll be a joy to photograph mate.
It's all in his eyes...When you meet him, you'll know what I mean.

[NorthernNikon]

Sounds like a situation where clever use of strobes could produce some good, moody looking shots. Im guessing he/they will want him to look as hard and mean as possible, so keep that in mind when planning the shot. It might also be worth grabbing a mate/family member and practice doing some portrait work. :)

I'd disagree. Unless you're completely comfortable doing portraits under pressure like this (and the OP has said that he's not) then this is the time and place to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) This is a boxer preparing for a fight so he won't weant to be hanging around. You have to work quickly and efficiently so fumbling around with lighting gear is a big no-no.

You can get cracking shots with natural light. Go to the gym at the same time of day as your shoot and check out where the light is, what direction it's in and backgrounds. Take some sample shots of a stand in to help you visualise the final shot.

Speaking generally, I would say that only once you are proficient with shooting in natural light should you move on to artificial lighting. There are countelss example on this site of people who have hired a studio or bought a set of lights but the fact that the know little about lighting screams out.

[robmiller]

I'd disagree. Unless you're completely comfortable doing portraits under pressure like this (and the OP has said that he's not) then this is the time and place to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) This is a boxer preparing for a fight so he won't weant to be hanging around. You have to work quickly and efficiently so fumbling around with lighting gear is a big no-no.



There's no reason you can't do both, though. Just get an available light/basic strobe grab shot, then try and get clever with some lighting. That way you guarantee something usable and get to learn some lighting techniques.

[Jdderbys]

His victory over Alex Arther was one of the most impressive matchs i have seen especially since he was a huge underdog.

His last loss was a brutal bout. He won the first quater but was just ground down before the stoppage

[King_Boru]

How did it go Chilli (if you've done it yet)?

[Chillimonster]

Not done it yet - looks like next weekend :)