The Brief:

The performing arts and live sports provide a wealth of public entertainment in London, catering to all tastes. An orchestral concert at the Albert Hall is polished and formal contrasting with the atmosphere of a Grunge band pub gig. Tennis and football can be presented at the level of Wimbledon, Wembley or a local club. Dance, theatre and art performances astound and disappoint audiences everywhere. The reality of the world behind these public performances is very different; the sheer physical force exerted by professional athletes and artists up close is extraordinary. Behind the scenes lies a good deal of hard work and preparation, joy and tears. The creative process becomes intertwined with the emotional angst, physical barriers and realities of daily life. It is this aspect we want you to concentrate on. Up close and in depth.

My assignment is to:

“Document what happens behind the performance of your choosing within the arts or sports world for a magazine feature. Six photographs will be used.”

Once you have chosen a performing art or sport to photograph, make the necessary arrangements for access and observe it. You may decide to document the experience of an individual or group. Be respectful and sensitive to your subjects. Decide what direction you want to take and vary the shots. Think about the narrative and how you convey what you see and experience by using establishing shots, close ups and appropriate photographic techniques. Make sure you show the relationships between people and look for interesting and unusual aspects to focus on which reveal something more. Above all, try and convey just how much effort and emotion goes into the creative process that leads to a performance.