So here we are. Day one of the blog.
Blog one of the Blog.
To say this is a novel experience is an understatement, but I'm certain I can't be alone in this at the moment. In these Covid-infested days I'll bet that blogs are starting at a rate of millions per day (Though whether any of them get past day one is another question of course!) For me I think I'll start with some background. To do that I'll explain why this picture appears on my site (www.gwimage.co.uk)
I recognise that it is of course unforgiveably vain to post a picture taken 45 years ago of me playing a sport which I gave up about 6 years after the picture was taken. In this case though its the photo that is important, not the subject. No, really - I'll explain.
I first saw it on the afternoon it was taken, at a Sevens tournament in London. I loved it of course for the obvious reasons, but as I looked at it some more I recognised the skill that the press photographer had brought to bear on it. In an era of manually focussed cameras he's got a telephoto image really sharp - it took me years to do that even when the subject was standing still. It's a really well-composed image too, with the players in that line-astern order.
But better still he's captured a moment that tells a story.
My face is a picture in itself...
I was a not-very-quick member of a team who had several very good footballers in it. I wasn't one of those, being more of a ball-winner than a side-stepper. My face though, says that this is a moment where I think I've spotted an opportunity and my rugby brain is about to write a cheque which my speed and skill will struggle to cash! The evidence for this hypothesis is clear in the expression of the other players.
Paul Power at the rear is not too impressed. He was one of the aformentioned side-steppers. His expression tells you all you need to know about his view of my decision. The tall opponent (from Marlborough School) looks pretty relaxed, as well he might. Then just behind me is Phil Cobb. He's diligently following me because he knows that no good will come of this hair-brained scheme and he'll be needed to sort out the mess.
All this has to do with photography how? You ask.
Well it was in the years after the photo was taken I became more and more aware of the genius that is on display when a good photographer gets it right. The stories that can be told and the beauty that can be captured by an image (Maybe not not so much, the beauty bit in this picture.) For me I can trace my love of photography back to this one image.
And in case you are wondering what actually did happen in the 20 seconds or so following the shutter release, well I'm very happy to say that I can't remember!