This is a selection of some of my favourite pictures taken at events I’ve covered this year, quite a few of which haven’t been published before. Several have been chosen for their news value, others purely for their aesthetic value, while some are here just because there’s a nice story behind them.
Arsenal v Spurs, Premier League, Emirates Stadium – 15 January
Lens 30mm, 1/1600 f4.5, ISO 5000
I’m starting off with a bit of chaos caused by one of Arsenal’s famous attacking corner routines, this time at the north London Derby early in the year. As a photographer I can plan around these, knowing with a fair level of certainty where the ball is going to be played. This image is taken on a remote camera tucked low down behind one of the poles holding the net up. I’ve angled it and fixed the focus on exactly the area I think a corner would be aimed. The Emirates could well be my favourite place to photograph football, with its clean, dark backgrounds (especially at night) and perfect low-down shooting angles.
England v France, men’s Six Nations, Twickenham – 8 February
Lens 400mm, 1/1600 f4, ISO 5000
These are the moments you don’t want to mess up: the final play of the game, England attacking, six points down, desperate to get the victory that could turn their season around. Elliot Daly, on as a sub, burst on to a short pass from Fin Smith, ran around Antoine Dupont, the best player in the world, and scored a try by the posts. The conversion was duly kicked over and England won. I love the look on Daly’s face in this picture. Is it determination, or maybe a slight hint of fear facing up to Dupont? There’s no doubt for Marcus Smith in the background – he’s already celebrating. From this point on, England became a transformed team, going the rest of the year unbeaten.
Lauren Price v Natasha Jonas, Royal Albert Hall – 7 March
Lens 24mm, 1/800 f2.8, ISO 4000
It was a historic night for women’s boxing, the first all-female card at this famous arena. Price and Jonas were the headline act, fighting for the unified world welterweight title. I knew I had to photograph the closeup action, but at the same time show them in this wonderful setting, as the circular tiers create the perfect background for the ring in the centre. So I managed to find an unusual seat that gave me the best view for both objectives that night – the little wooden bench where the organist plays the magnificent grand pipe organ.
Cheltenham racing festival, day one – 11 March
Lens 24mm, 1/4000 f6.3, ISO 1600
I don’t often go to the water jump at Cheltenham – it’s a bit of a trek out to the far side of the track and only really works on the first two days of the festival when they use the old course. I tend to think you need sunny weather to make the reflections work, but this year, despite the overcast conditions, I thought I’d give it a try. Luckily, once I put my remote camera on a tripod into the water, as far down as I dared, the dark clouds made it work. The simplicity of the picture is also helped by the lone runner at the head of the field jumping so elegantly and the jockey’s silks giving it that tiny splash of red. It just so happened that this horse, Myretown, ridden by Patrick Wadge, went on to win the race, the Ultima Handicap.
Saracens v Harlequins, Premiership, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – 22 March
Lens 58mm, 1/800 f2.8, ISO 1600
For me, one of rugby union’s most appealing aspects happens after the final whistle. The players almost always seek out their families and friends in the stands to go for a chat and a wind-down. I had noticed during the game the Harlequins back Nick David got a nasty eye injury, so when he walked over to find his family after the game, rather than quickly packing up my stuff, I decided to follow him, just to see if it might make something. The interaction between David, with his battered, bloodied face, and his girlfriend was worth that little extra effort.
Vinícius Júnior, Arsenal v Real Madrid, Champions League, Emirates Stadium – 8 April
Lens 46mm, 1/2500 f2.8, ISO 4000
Before Champions League games at the Emirates, the photographers are allowed to gather by the tunnel and photograph the players emerging and subsequent team lineups. It was just after this, when walking back to our positions behind the goals, that I saw Vinícius Júnior come over to the touchline and start doing up his laces. I decided to kneel in front of him and put my camera right on the floor. I only had a couple of seconds there before I was ushered away. Even though it had nothing to do with the game that followed, there was just something I liked about this simple act undertaken by one of the most famous sportsmen on the planet.
Crystal Palace win the FA Cup Final, Wembley – 17 May
Lens 24mm, 1/1600 f4.5, ISO 4000
As a lifelong Palace fan, to see them beat Manchester City and win their first ever major trophy was the most emotional I’ve ever been covering a sporting event. Maybe I shouldn’t have worked that game. Normally, by putting a camera in front of my face, I can somehow divorce myself from my feelings; I’m there to record the match in a calm and neutral fashion. But after the final whistle went, that went out of the window. I was running around, photographing the celebrations in a bit of a daze. How I could focus on anything with tears running down my face I’ll never know. Maybe this one is sharp because I was holding the camera way above my head. It was a great moment as the club captain, Joel Ward, managed to push everyone aside and pose with his team and the trophy in front of the diehard Palace fans who, just like me, had never imagined such a day would ever happen.
Everton say goodbye to Goodison Park – 18 May
Lens 16mm, 1/1600 f10, ISO 800
The scenes outside Goodison Park before the final men’s home game there were incredible. I had arrived early in the morning, hours before kick-off, but even then the streets were packed and almost every vantage point was taken, with people hanging off lamp-posts. I decided to position myself near the Dixie Dean statue, knowing the team bus would have to come very near me. I had a camera on top of a fully extended monopod high above my head which I triggered by radio transceivers. This way I could lift it above the crowd and try to capture the amazing scenes. But when the coach did eventually come, the smoke from the blue flares was so thick I couldn’t even see it. After a wonderfully emotional match and send-off ceremony, I went back exhausted to my car. Looking in the rear view mirror, I saw the Smurf version of me, my face still bright blue from the flares.
Temba Bavuma, South Africa cricket captain, Arundel – 2 June
Lens 70mm, 1/160 f14, ISO 100
The South Africa cricket team were having a practice session in the idyllic Arundel Castle a few days before heading to Lord’s for the World Test Championship final against Australia. It was there on the boundary edge that we had an interview with Bavuma, the first black South African to captain his country. There was something so strong and powerful about him despite his short stature and quiet voice. Arguably, you could claim that he is currently the best cricketer in the world – out of nine Tests as captain he has won eight and drawn one. One of those victories was against Australia in that WTC final, a triumph that gave South Africa their first global title in men’s cricket since 1998.
Emma Raducanu v Mimi Xu, Wimbledon – 30 June
Lens 200mm, 1/4000 f4, ISO 320
This was taken on the first evening at Wimbledon. Luckily we were blessed with fantastic weather throughout the Championships – it makes such a difference for photographers. Having been there countless times, I have learned where the best spots of light are at certain times, especially at the “golden hour”, that period where the shadows chase across the court. This shot, during the all-British first round match, was taken on No 1 Court, which is probably my favourite court when the conditions are like this. Even though it is in exactly the same rotation as Centre Court, the stadium has a slightly different shape and is marginally lower. This means the sun hits the court for slightly longer and the shafts of light are a touch more dramatic. In cases such as this, I set up my camera with two different exposures, one for the sun and one for the shadow. I can quickly shuttle between the two exposures by pressing only one button, depending on where the player is on court.
Grigor Dimitrov v Jannik Sinner, Wimbledon – 7 July
Lens 560mm, 1/1250 f4, ISO 4000
A critical moment in this year’s Wimbledon men’s singles. Dimitrov, leading by two sets to love against Sinner, was playing brilliantly, and the Italian world No 1 looked in deep trouble. Then Dimitrov collapsed in agony, having pulled a pectoral muscle. After an off-court medical time out, Dimitrov returned in tears, knowing that his last-16 match was over. A respectful Sinner, showing great sportsmanship, consoled him but also thanked his lucky stars. Less than a week later he lifted the trophy after beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
Tokito Oda v Alfie Hewett, Wimbledon men’s wheelchair singles final – 13 July
Lens 400mm, 1/4000 f2.8, ISO 400
Oda and Hewett are the Alcaraz and Sinner of wheelchair tennis. They have an amazing rivalry that inspires both to new heights. Whenever they play each other, a brilliant match ensues. It was no different in their final at Wimbledon this year. I knew from previous experience that both love a good celebration – and this was no different at the end of a titanic struggle in the second set, which Oda won before sealing a three-set victory. What I wasn’t expecting was a butterfly to flutter past just as Oda shouted out. This picture is also helped by the gorgeous dark backgrounds you get from shooting backlit when the sun is out at Wimbledon.
Rory McIlroy, the Open, Royal Portrush – 20 July
Lens 36mm, 1/2500 f5.6, ISO 800
It was quite a week in Portrush, witnessing the love and support for Northern Ireland’s returning hero, only a few months on from his famous victory at the Masters. Wherever McIlroy went, so did an army of well-wishers urging him on. It wasn’t quite to be though, as Scottie Scheffler, the world No 1, was unbeatable. All week I was trying to illustrate the scenes that surrounded McIlroy. Luckily for me, he was quite wayward off the tee, spraying the ball into galleries left and right. This meant plenty of opportunities to get pictures where he was playing shots surrounded by fans.
Chris Woakes, England v India, the Oval – 4 August
Lens 24mm, 1/2000 f4, ISO 1000
This was one of those days when you feel really close to capturing something very special, but it just doesn’t quite work out. It was an amazing Test match, India winning a classic by six runs, and there were some lovely pictures of their players celebrating. But this was all about Woakes, the England all-rounder coming out to bat at No 11 with his arm in a sling after dislocating his shoulder earlier in the match. Unfortunately he didn’t face a ball before his batting partner, Gus Atkinson, was bowled to end the match. I just keep thinking about the pictures possible if Woakes had actually tried to bat, and how good they would have been if he had hit the winning runs. A couple of months later he announced his retirement from international cricket. It is bizarre that this is the final image I took of his great England career, forlornly walking off in defeat, left arm tucked under his jumper, unable to even shake hands properly.
The Siena Palio Prove, Tuscany, Italy – 14 August
Lens 15mm, 1/1250 f8, ISO 1000
Whenever I go on holiday, I never take all my pro gear with me, only one little compact camera with a small zoom on it. This year I was in Tuscany with my family when a morning in Siena just happened to coincide with a trial day for the Palio, a centuries-old horse race held in the central square. It’s an amazing spectacle, steeped in tradition, which has always been high up on my bucket list of events I’d like to cover before I retire. It was great fun just shooting from the crowd with no special pass – and it made me think what it would be like to cover it with full press access and my full range of professional equipment. Maybe one day.
England v USA, Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sunderland – 22 August
Lens 400mm, 1/1600 f4, ISO 5000
High on my priority list for this year was covering the Women’s Rugby World Cup. It was a great event to cover all over the country, kicking off with the opening game at a packed Stadium of Light. The intensity was really high, especially from the tournament favourites, England, as seen here by the way Abby Dow, the England wing, flies into a tackle and clashes heads with the defender McKenzie Hawkins. Dow, that well-known crochet fiend, became one of the cult figures of the England team, a quirky, lovable figure off the pitch, but ruthless in both defence and attack on the pitch. In November she retired from all forms of rugby to concentrate on a new career in mechanical engineering.
England v South Africa ODI, Lord’s – 4 September
Lens 31mm, 1/1250 f5, ISO 4000
Unlike football, where you are stuck in a position for each half, an innings at a cricket match such as this can take a couple of hours. This allows me the freedom to move around the ground depending on the circumstances of the game. On this particular evening, the sun going down coincided with a fairly quiet period in England’s innings. So I thought I could risk nipping up to the top of the Edrich Stand for a few overs, get some images of the beautiful sunset behind the famous old pavilion, then pop back down and hopefully not miss anything too important. Luckily I was fine, back in position behind my long lens on ground level to capture the business end of the game.
World Tug of War championships, Nottingham University – 6 September
Lens 24mm, 1/2500 f4, ISO 320
It’s great fun covering these sort of events, where everyone likes having you there and you can get really up close to the action without anyone minding. I also love learning new things about relatively unknown sports. Who knew that the Basque Country competed as a nation in tug of war? Apparently it’s massive there. In the final of the senior men’s 600kg competition, I stumbled across this oldish man from the Basque Country who was making great grimacing faces. I later was told that José Antonio Goirigolzarri, or “Litri”, is quite a national hero there for his tug of war exploits, competing at this level since 1976. Anyway after an agonisingly long tussle in the final against Switzerland, Litri collapsed over the rope, exhausted but victorious yet again.
England win Women’s Rugby World Cup final, Twickenham – 27 September
Lens 43mm, 1/2000 f3.2, ISO 2000
What a day this was. In front of 82,000 people, the biggest crowd ever to watch a game of women’s rugby, England triumphed over a very strong Canadian team to lift the World Cup. At the end of the game there were a couple of carefully stage-managed trophy lifts, one initial lift when the cup was handed over and one with champagne spraying everywhere. All very nice pictures but it was this unplanned moment on their lap of honour that summed up the spirit of the England team for me. They decided to storm the BBC’s pitch-side studio where a live broadcast was taking place and do another trophy lift, showing exactly what it meant to everyone watching. It was very funny and showed them making the most of their deserved moment in the spotlight.
Grand Sumo tournament, Royal Albert Hall – 19 October
Lens 200mm, 1/1600 f2.8, ISO 5000
This five day tournament, or basho, was only the second time such a competition had been staged outside Japan. The last one, 34 years ago, was also held at the Royal Albert Hall and I was there back then too. It’s such a captivating sport yet so simple to understand, beautiful and brutal at the same time. As a photographer I look to play on these intricacies. During the week I got to learn quickly about the techniques certain fighters, the rikishi, used. This meant that on the final day, when the quicksilver but smaller Tobizaru came up against the hulking hairy beast of Takayasu, I was looking out for something a little different. I wasn’t expecting a finger up the nose though.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Soho, London – 23 October
Lens 100mm, 1/200 f2.8, ISO 2000
Sir Kenny was conducting a press day for his new documentary film by Asif Kapadia in a small, dingy hotel room full of clutter. When I first got in there, my heart dropped. As is the norm, we were given a strict time slot for the interview and pictures, which meant I knew I was going to get between five and 10 minutes for the shoot that had to include individual pictures of both Dalglish and Kapadia as well as them together. So while the chat was taking place I had to work out a way to set something up without moving furniture around. When time is tight and there isn’t much I can do, I try to keep things simple. I managed to find a couple of spots where I could set up lights and get as clean a background as possible. But I could only get this angle if they agreed to balance on the end of a sofa. Luckily they both played ball, especially Sir Kenny. He was great and seemed to love having his picture taken. I’m sure we overran our slot so apologies to the podcaster who followed on from us.
England v Australia, rugby league Ashes, Wembley – 25 October
Lens 560mm, 1/1600 f4, ISO 3200
Expectation was high as the Lions and Kangaroos faced off in a three-Test series for the first time since 2003. But hopes for a titanic struggle were almost immediately dashed as the Aussies proved far too strong (a bit of a recurring theme this year). It was late in the first game and I was looking for an image that illustrated their dominance. As England’s Herbie Farnworth, who plays his club rugby down under, tried to break through he was met with this solid wall of green and gold, all of them eager to show who was the dominant force. It was exactly what I needed.
England v New Zealand, Autumn Nations series, Twickenham – 15 November
Lens 50mm, 1/1600 f4, ISO 5000
At Twickenham, I tend to opt for a roving position that allows me track the game along the west touchline. This means shuttling to and fro as quickly as I can, trying to keep up with the action. As this leaves me poorly covered for action along the east touchline, I’ve started to put up a remote camera on that side, near one of the corners. So often, across various sports, I use remotes to widen my chances of getting something and reach angles I can’t physically get myself. It paid off on this day when England scored the final, decisive try against New Zealand. I also decided to have a fairly wide angle lens on this camera. That way it covered a bit more of the pitch and the scoreboard, placing the action in context and, in this case, showing the England players all over the pitch celebrating their first home win over the All Blacks since 2012.
Luke Littler, PDC World Darts Championship, Alexandra Palace – 11 December
Lens 400mm, 1/1600 f2.8, ISO 2500
I suppose this is my attempt to jazz up darts pictures a bit and make them more dynamic – it’s a multiple exposure created in camera from two separate frames. To do this, I adjusted my camera to take a single frame at a time (as you can imagine I normally have it set to take multiple frames every time I fire the shutter). I first take the initial frame, one with a very slow speed, to create the blur. Then I quickly change the speed and take another frame, this time with a fast shutter speed. I do this at the beginning of a set, making sure I’m back to shooting “normally” when there could be a celebration or reaction. I like the way this image gives the feeling of speed, almost a motion blur effect. I particularly think this is apt for the way Littler throws. He is so quick on the oche, speeding through his matches like he’s on a mission.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Premier League, Selhurst Park – 14 December
Lens 24mm, 1/8000 f4, ISO 400
A repeat of the FA Cup final but so very different this time, City strolling to a 3-0 win. At many of the games I go to, I’m not only looking for images that illustrate the match itself – the winning goal, the crucial sending off – but pictures that may be useful for other purposes, for other stories in the future. I’m also after photos that are purely nice to look at. It might sound a bit simplistic but sometimes it’s this sort of imagery that keeps me sane, especially at games where the luck doesn’t go for me or I’m at the wrong end for everything. This is one such example, a shot created in a patch of low winter sunshine shining through the gap between stands at Selhurst Park. Not very newsworthy but still nice to have.
