Shallow Depth of Field To Bring Out Psychology in Muay Thai Situational Photography

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

 

The above photo is of Arjan Yai, instructing during a filming of a coming Muay Thai Library session. The photos that follow are also part of that photo series. What I'm interested in this post is the way shallow depth of field, and also lens "compression" (I know it's not a real thing) can be used in situational Muay Thai and other sports photography, to bring out the psychology of what is happening, and less the structure of a scene. In the above photo I'm struck by just how sculptural the face becomes, as the focus falls off, how the eyes and some features come forward, and dominant, expressing the emotional state of Arjan Yai. He's a proud man, speaks from authority, and somehow facially those aspects kind of float in the space in a really interesting and powerful way.

Below are other photos from the series, you can see how the depth of field plays out in those scenarios, what may be communicated. Of course shallow depth of field means many more misses than hits when photographing, which makes captures during sport contexts more precarious, but I think something important is possible in this.

You can see my photo essays, that are also examining this use of shallow depth of field here: Muaynoir Behance.

 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

More shallow depth of field, psychological work here, this time depicting the close proximity of boxing pressure:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/133054865/The-Qualities-of-Boxing