Photo Assignment 1: Self-Portrait

Immediately, I began planning around taking this photo of me training for my boxing fights. I needed something that would reflect my discipline and passion. I could not think of anything else, partially because I spend a good portion of my week boxing, but also because I spend most of my day thinking about it. I thought the “perfect” photo would be me on the iconic speed bag that the all-time greats were all photographed using.

Staging the shot was interesting. I did not consider a lot of issues that came up. For example, the lighting in the gym was awful. The speed I typically hit the speed bag at was not easy to photograph, as there was a massive blur in many of the original shots. It was not a natural feeling for me to do what I do every day while trying to get the perfect photo. Suddenly, what felt like walking or riding a bike felt stiff and forced.

Another major challenge I dealt with was the timing. It was rare that I got a photo where I did not blink or mess up my speed of the bag. I kept practicing till I got the angle and speed of the bag right. Following this, I focused on fixing the hand placement. I lowered my hand so my face was properly shown, then shot the photo.

During this process, I made many mistakes but also learned a ton. I did not get frustrated or rush anything. Many of my attempts were awful, so I started trying pictures of my coach so I could figure out the proper alignment. I think practicing on someone else can be a good way to see where you need to adjust.

This photo is a glimpse of what my personality looks like. I have a passion for boxing. More broadly, I am competitive. I love to compete, and there is nothing more telling than boxing another man. I chose the gym because that is where I release, where I am my most calm yet energized.