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During my three decades of working in sports photography, there is no place I would rather be than sitting ringside to photograph a mega-heavyweight championship boxing match. While shooting a boxing match, you can hear all the punches. They sound like suction cups popping as the gloves strike the body. You are surrounded by the roar of the crowd as the action heats up.
I started shooting back in college by photographing my friends while playing sports. I knew then that photography was what I wanted to do. After college, I got a job as a dark room manager for a publishing company that published boxing and wrestling magazines called The Ring and Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Today, I continue to photograph boxing (and other sports) for Getty Images. In this article, I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned during my time shooting boxing photography.
Angles and Positions for Boxing Photography
When covering a boxing match, there is some preparation needed. I make sure to get to the arena early. I try to secure a photo position at ringside, then I unpack my gear.
The ringside position is a fixed position on the ring. You share your space with a select group of photographers, television, sound people and judges. Once you’re there, you cannot move. The general rule is to try to shoot from under the bottom rope. You need to stay on your side of the ropes and do your best to avoid the action in front of you.
There is a unique ebb and flow to each fight. No boxing match is the same.
You need to know the styles of the fighters that are boxing. Are they dancers? Brawlers? Are they both? There is a unique ebb and flow to each fight. No boxing match is the same.
You’re also going to have a referee that constantly dances in and out of your frame. You’ll be shooting up into a set of lights that are about 30 feet above the ring setup on a square tussle. In some arenas, there are LED scoreboards in the background, which you want to avoid. I’ve always preferred the arenas where the background is clean.
At the end of the night, you’ll likely be mentally and physically worn out. I have left boxing matches with sore neck and shoulders, and elbow burns. You are so close to the action that you may even get blood and sweat on you during the fight.
Best Gear for Boxing Photography
I use a Canon R3 and Mark III camera bodies. I like these camera bodies because of the impeccable autofocus tracking system. Oftentimes, I use all the focusing dots at once and it handles the boxers moving in and out magnificently.
At ringside, I typically use a Canon EF 24-105mm f.4 lS II USM Lens for much of my work. Since most of the action is happening right in front of me, this is my primary lens. I also have a wide-angle lens — like a EF 14mm F2.8 II USM Lens or 8-15mm f.4 Fisheye Lens — with me. This lens is for capturing knockdowns or action that is right on top of me. Finally, I bring a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS III USM Lens for corner shots, close-ups, and some action shots.
Camera Settings for Boxing Photography
It is good to shoot the undercards to work out any kinks that may arise during the night. The undercards are a series of fights that take place before the main event. I establish my white balance, shutter speed, and aperture before the match begins. I normally shoot at 1/1250 at f.4. Usually, the ISO is about 6400. I set my white balance to AWW and adjust from there.
My computer is usually set up under the ring apron. I typically send images throughout the night. Sometimes the images are transmitted directly from my camera via ethernet. Other times, I tag images and physically take the card out of the camera and load the card onto my computer. Getty Images uses a specific program that is able to detect which photos I have tagged, ingest them into my computer, send them to my offsite editor.
Tips for Shooting Boxing Photography
Wear Dark Clothing
I always wear dark clothing to a boxing match. The main reason is so I don’t stand out so much at ringside. But, truth be told, I have gotten blood on me too many times to count and ruined some light-colored clothing in the past.
Photograph the Undercards
If it is your first boxing match — or if your 1000th boxing match — I always shoot the undercard. You get to practice before the main event. There are usually 6-8 undercard fights before the main card. You can use this to experiment and work out the kinks as you lead up to the big fight. Some of my best photos are from undercard fights.
Pay Attention to the Corners
You also do not want to forget what goes on in the corners between rounds. The boxers get a minute rest between rounds to recover. During that time, the corner people have specific jobs. There is a trainer that gives the fighter instructions, and a second one who handles the mouthpiece and watering down the fighter. There is the cut person who tries to stop cuts and swelling during the break. It is like a mini triage unit in the corner, that could make for great photos.
Be Prepared at Any Second
There are many pictures to be had if you are patient and work hard to get them. You are battling television and microphone people blocking your view. There are also round-card girls stepping in and out of the ring. There are also corner people blocking you. You need to be ready for a knockdown or knockout. This can come at any given time. It is a harrowing experience when you miss a big punch or knockdown. The best I can say is to never put your camera down.
Stay at the End of the Fight
At the end of a fight, the ring fills up with what seems like a hundred people. It is very hectic, and you have to keep your wits about you. They announce the winner and then there is celebration and more people jumping in your way. You might even have to yell to the referee to bring the fighter over for a belt shot.
I try to have fun along the way. I make sure I introduce myself to whoever is sitting next to me. You are sharing that space with them for at least six hours. It is not easy but shooting boxing photography can very rewarding — and exciting!
