Art of defence

     Martial arts are more than just a physical discipline, they are an art form that embodies grace, power, and tradition. Capturing their main core, that being defence, in a form of photos proves to be a challenging task.

     From my point of view, martial arts are a spectacular form of physical and mental exercise. Diving into their depths and grace of movement, facial expression and body stamina have not been a straightforward task for a photographer. Taking photographs of sportsmen in agile movement requires steady and swift hand on the phone trigger to capture the defence and attack postures. Slow shutter speeds, on the other hand, helped create motion blur, adding a sense of speed and energy to the images. Lighting plays a crucial role in martial arts photography. The contrast between light and shadow can highlight the definition of an athlete’s physique and the drama of their movements. In indoor settings, I experimented with directional lighting to create depth and emphasize the power of each stance. I chose to take them in black and white technique to further magnify the contrast between the defence and attack.

     Photographing martial arts is both a technical and artistic challenge. Through this project, I gained a deeper appreciation for the discipline, dedication, and beauty found in these ancient practices. Each shot tells a unique story of strength, resilience, and artistry, making martial arts photography an inspiring and rewarding pursuit.

Author: Andi Tatarević

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