Photographer Chris Gurney Sets Sports activities Scenes in Sudden Dreamscapes – PRINT Journal

Too usually I’ll come throughout a picture on-line that pulls me in for nearer exploration, solely to disclose itself to be AI. It’s all the time a grave disappointment, and leaves me feeling like an previous fart who doesn’t even know what to imagine anymore! But this expertise makes discovering actual photographs of actual folks created by a gaggle of actual artistic collaborators all working collectively at a actual place all of the extra particular. This is the case for a brand new picture sequence from photographer Chris Gurney, which options two soccer gamers having a kick round on sand dunes.

 I’m certain you possibly can sit on the  laptop, sort in a bunch of prompts and do an inexpensive facsimile of those photographs, however you miss out on  any of the expertise that makes it enjoyable, or rewarding.

“Dune Duel” is a part of an ongoing sequence from Gurney that explores sport inside dreamscapes and unfamiliar environments. He developed this specific shoot with Naomi Accardi and Rihannce Knowles of the artistic studio systemarosa, who additionally styled the gamers in objects from their archive. The shoot befell on the Lancelin Dunes in Western Australia, the place the pink socks of the gamers popped towards the white sand and vibrant blue sky.

When I first stumbled on these photographs, I used to be so overjoyed to see they’d been created with, by, and for precise people, that I reached out to Gurney to be taught extra concerning the venture. His responses to my questions are under.

How did you get hooked up to this venture? What was the origin story of this sequence and what has the  collaboration course of been like?  

The venture started as an thought I had after researching seashore soccer. For a very long time, I’d wished to journey to  the Solomon Islands or Tahiti and {photograph} an precise seashore soccer crew, however then I assumed it will be  potential to create one thing comparable, however extra surreal, in a location nearer to dwelling.  

I pitched the concept to systemarosa, and we started speaking about artistic path and styling. We all come  from soccer backgrounds, and it was vital to us that we make it surprising and new, whereas sustaining  a way of authenticity throughout the actions of the gamers.  

As a photographer, what excites you probably the most about taking up a sequence like this one?  

Generally with commissions, I’m engaged at a stage the place the artistic is sort of finalized, however I like being  concerned a lot earlier, in early conceptualisation, as a result of I will help form the ultimate output to a a lot  better diploma. With private sequence like this one, I’m additionally creating work that’s strongly in step with my very own  pursuits and passions.  

What have the most important challenges of those photoshoots been? I’d think about photographing soccer  players in sand dunes comes with some obstacles.  

Whenever you’re employed in nature there are challenges, however I discover you’re normally rewarded with one thing  surprising by being on the market on this planet. Maybe the most important problem was having the gamers transfer effectively  within the comfortable sand, which is harder than on grass. Both of them had been carrying accidents too, so we wanted to be selective with what number of takes and photographs we had.  

What’s been probably the most rewarding side of this venture?  

It’s good bringing a artistic imaginative and prescient to life in a means that’s effectively obtained. The collaborative course of with  systemarosa was nice, and their data of soccer and classic clothes actually elevated the idea. Also, the easy issues: doing a highway journey with associates and spending the day in a gorgeous location with everybody.  

In the period of AI, photographs like yours really feel all of the extra refreshing and spectacular. Do folks query  whether or not photographs like those you’re taking for this sequence are AI? How has it been for you navigating  being a photographer within the face of AI infiltrating the artwork world? 

I’ve not heard folks mistake them for AI. Overall, I really feel wonderful about all of it. I’m certain you possibly can sit on the  laptop, sort in a bunch of prompts and do an inexpensive facsimile of those photographs, however you miss out on  any of the expertise that makes it enjoyable, or rewarding. It’s form of simply plopped in entrance of you and achieved  with no need to depart the room. 

Players: Sammie Riak and Alfred Jr.
Styling: systemrosa
Set and Props: Sophie Fletcher
Motion: Tavian Ord
Motion Grade and Edit: Denzil Heeger
Stills Assist: Alexander Miller
Retouching: Ring Studio