“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
— Karl Lagerfeld
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Love this shot I took of Roger Federer. It was at the ATP Basel Tournament pre covid. One of the biggest compliments paid to me was when a viewer said, “That is quite possibly the best shot of the GOAT that I’ve seen”. I’m not gonna argue with that.
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Are you a winner?
Roger Federer is a marvel to watch play tennis and even greater fun to capture him through my camera lens. I think he is arguably the GOAT, so no one is a loser if they play him and effectively lose the match. How many tennis players can say they have played a competitive match with Roger Federer and by osmosis soak up the atmosphere of the fans? He’s got that magical aura that very few champions have. People still root for him, despite the fact he has won so many championships.
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I have been in over the years educated on the art of sports photography by some seasoned professionals and have taken on board many of their tips going forward. It’s the action shot! The Action Shot! While I love capturing the grace of Roger Federer, it’s the action shot that will be used in editorials, so I must part with my artist’s interpretation of a situation and concentrate on that ACTION SHOT!
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Roger Federer is not just a winner because he wins matches and tournaments in the purest sense. He is a winner because he never gives up. He battles on even though he is in his late 30s. He has this insatiable appetite to win and if he loses, he will try and try again. He’s also got this incredible but rare trait of a champion – people still root for him, despite the fact he has won so many championships and continues to do so.
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My sports photography assignment allowed me to witness his 10th win of the Basel Indoor Tennis and his 101st Championship. He is a winner because he connects with his fans, the media and even his opponents’ fans. He shows grace in winning a match and determination for the next. As a subject, he is a joy to photograph and I’m always pleased with the outcome of an event shoot. Yes, I still remember the ‘More action shots’ in my ear, but you have to forgive me for capturing him the way I see him and his style of play – graceful.
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