From the conception of my 'Strongman' series, I knew that I wanted to create a somewhat backstage approach to the project, I wanted to simply observe them, in what is basically their natural environment, I wanted them to continue as if there was no camera there, documenting them - I didn't want any showing off, I simply wanted to observe and capture the truth, in a bid to get the sport a little bit more recognition.
Both shoots offered something completely different. The first shoot was a lot more about the 'show' aspect of 'Strongman', after all within any competition the athletes/competitors are bound to show of, they are there to do their best, to win or to simply just beat someone else. The fact that it was a competition meant that the atmosphere was slightly tense, although in comparison to most competitive sports 'Strongman' has a very different attitude towards your so called enemies, I've seen competitors offer their opposition belts, and wrist straps (aiding their performance) and when I say opposition i'm not just talking about their training partners but what is basically complete strangers.
The Show of Strength provided a great first insight into the sport, and produced some great final images, showing both how the competitors have had to condition their bodies to be able to hold/lift such great weights but also the respect and fascination that the 'Strongman' community has for them.
What I think is also very telling, and this is a general insight into not only our society but our generation as well, is the obsession we have with documenting and recording things like this, I suppose this sounds very hypercritical coming from a photographer, and i'm sure that the documentation of achievements is nothing new, its just a lot easier for the majority of people to do it now, but we as a generation are obsessed with informing, perhaps even boasting about what we've done, what we've bought or what we've achieved. When I consider the topic in broader forms I think the idea of photographic boasting on social media platforms, is not just about showing off our new form, in the hopes of creating jealousy in others but also creating a virtual threat in, making them reconsider their part in the competition, to make them think, 'hold on this isn't going to be as easy as I thought'.- that rant was perhaps a little off topic, when it comes to creating my edit but I think it fits in with the analysis of my frames from the competition, in which the audience looks on in awe and admiration, also in the fact that my subjects have been so eager to share the photos I've taken off them.
The Second shoot was a lot calmer (both visually - no hideously bright competitors t-shirts. and mentally it was a casual/typical training afternoon). I had to fight a little harder to be able to document a training session, not because they had anything to hide, but simply because 'Strongman' is a rather un- catered for sport, you cant just pop to your local gym to witness someone throwing 130kg stones, or dead lifting 314kg worth of weights, although that's not to say that Strongmen do not spend part of their training schedule there. Despite it being perhaps calmer in nature, I think its where I learnt the most about the topic, interaction was easier and you didn't just see the athletes walk up to the weights and lift them on queue, instead the before and after processes involved.
The shoots together:
Although the shoots fit well together and provide a great insight into the sport itself, the files in colour have no place together, one is hideously bright and the other calm and serene, it is for this reason (plus the fact that I generally prefer Black and White photos) that I have decided to convert the files into Black and White.
It has been said before that Black and White photos are classic and simpler to the eye, and I think this works well in exaggerating/emphasizing the muscle tone, and veins on the subjects enhancing the idea of the strength and body conditioning.
For my final edit I have to produce six final frames, telling the story of 'Strongman', when you take as many pictures as I have (around 800) editing down whilst maintaining everything you want to tell can be very difficult, however so far i've got it down to seven frames.
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| Richard Birchmore outside the home gym otherwise known as the Garage lock ups, watching on as Tom Goldsworthy trains for the 280kg Yoke event at the upcoming BodyPower, Helston, May 2014
Again I think this is a very important frame to put in the series, it gives a lot of context about the underground and unacknowledged side of the sport, after all its incredibly clear that they are training out of garages.
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| Bristol Trojans' James Gregory and Welsh Sean Roberts leading the competition in the 'Keg Loading' event. Kernow's Show of Strength, St Erme Community Centre, Trispen, April 2014
This photo has got a lot of different reactions, it is challenging, it speaks volume about the body conditioning needed to compete as a 'Strongman' I.e look at that muscle definition, its very telling about the sport, it also shows that there is a lot of versatility in what the competitors look like.
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| Competitor Jesse Page, who was the smallest competitor by 14kg, competing in the Hammer Hold event (were each hammer ways between 8-9kg and the competitor is challenged to hold them at shoulder height for as long as possible), Jesse appears almost God like as the audience and event Marshall's watch on. Kernow's Show of Strength, St Erme Community Centre, Trispen,April 2014
This is perhaps my favorite photo from the collection, the subject himself appears very strong and perhaps on show to the audience, and it emphasizes my point about the audience fascination.
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| Richard Birchmore (Speedy, who is the 2013 Kernow Show of Strength Champion) appears to be meditating during grip practice. Helston, May 2014 Again this is one of my favourites from the collection, its composed well, and the eye is only drawn to the one corner of the photo, and the subject himself just appears so calm, despite the weight he is holding. |
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| A 'Strongman' in the making, Jules Pyatt and three year old son mucking about, Helston, May 2014
I love this shot, it provides a great insight into the homegrown side of the sport, and also how these guys arent as scary as they appear.
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ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ
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