Saturday 17 March 2012
Ron Brownson
Photography of sport is now some of the most complex action images being created. With moving cameras, operating from multiple viewpoints it is possible to experience competition from within the game. This was not always the case. In fact, even during the 1970s action shots were frequently achieved using miniature 35mm cameras and fast film stocks like Kodak TRI-X.
I came across recently one of the earliest examples of action sports photography made in New Zealand. The image is of a rugby game between pupils of St Bede’s College (striped jerseys) and Christ’s College. Made in Christchurch during the winter of 1946, it is probable that the shot was taken by a photographer for The Press using a Speed-Graphic camera.