Collaboration with Ben Franke

What insights can a photographer share about the collaborative process of capturing movement, particularly when working with athletes?

Discover the intersection of art and athleticism through the lens of a movement-focused photographer.

"Having been around so many different athletes, I think what's really fascinating to me is the process, where you get a front-row seat to the process of them breaking a jump. And working through the challenges. And I can't get enough of that. That is— I find that so amazing, where someone just gets in a zone. And then they can do this thing." ~ Ben Franke (16:11)

The conversation highlights the intricate collaboration involved in capturing dynamic movement in photography. Ben shares his approach to working closely with athletes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the movement art they practice. This partnership allows him to create compelling images while respecting the athletes’ physical limits. The interaction between artist and subject enriches the process, enabling both to come away with something meaningful.

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the creative process, from compositional choices made in the moment to post-processing decisions. Ben also reflects on the evolution of their practice, highlighting a preference for collaborative and thoughtful work over impersonal or candid photography. Practical advice is offered to aspiring photographers, encouraging experimentation and active exploration as a path to discovering personal style.

Takeaways

Collaborative creation — Photography benefits from working closely with subjects, especially in dynamic fields like movement.

Understanding athletes — Gaining insights into athletes’ perspectives enhances the authenticity of the images.

Evolving practice — Creative approaches change over time, shaped by personal experiences and preferences.

In-the-moment composition — Many creative decisions happen in real-time, particularly in high-stakes environments.

Beginner advice — Aspiring photographers should focus on experimenting and actively shooting to develop their craft.

Human interaction — Personal connection between photographer and subject often leads to richer, more meaningful work.

Dynamic environments — Capturing movement in urban or complex settings requires an adaptive, observant approach.

Breaking barriers — Observing athletes as they mentally prepare and achieve feats provides unique storytelling opportunities.

Resources

The Movement Creative — A community organization hosting the Move NYC event.

Move NYC Event — A photography and movement event where the guest teaches photography techniques.

Photoville — An annual photography festival featuring workshops, including photowalks with athletes.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

--- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine.

In the Movers Mindset podcast, I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I'm interested in the nature and philosophy of movement and in exploring themes like independence, self-direction, and human excellence. My interests color each conversation and provide some structure to Movers Mindset. But since I like to take the scenic route, every conversation ends up going somewhere unique.

The purpose of Movers Mindset is to create and share great conversations with movement enthusiasts. Each conversation feeds my insatiable curiosity, but I share them to turn on a light for someone else, to inspire them, or to give them their next question.

I appreciate your time and attention, and I don’t take it for granted.

--- Thank you!

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