killer instinct

Posted by
Stu (From Scotland | Working in Kyoto, Japan) on 25 October 2010 in Sport & Recreation and Portfolio.

After seven and a half years in Japan I finally made it to the Sumo at the weekend. It wasn't a serious competition (more like a "friendly" football game) which meant I could get a little closer to the front. It was four hours of photographer heaven and I'm glad I had an 8Gb memory card. I couldn't wait to get home and start working on the shots and this week I'm going to post about 5 images. I also realized that I hadn't felt excited about taking shots for some time so this experience was a welcome boost.
This image shows the only Yokozuna (at the moment) in Japan. I hadn't quite realized quite how much they are revered here, and I feel lucky to have got this shot off before their bout began a moment later.

Canon EOS 50D 1/160 second F/5.6 ISO 800 300 mm

Planning a trip to Kyoto? See the best of what Kyoto has to offer on one of my private photo tours: Classic Kyoto Photography

My spotlight images.

Comments (21)

PhotOpus from Aix-en-Provence, France

Terrible this photo ... One feels the final moment! Bravo

25 Oct 2010 5:20am

GJC from Kyoto (京都), Japan

Top notch! The framing is great, and that we see only his one eye really intensifies the photo.
You filled an 8 GB card and are going to post five images....? I'd like to see more. I am really interested to see what you got. I once went to sumo many years ago, but I was so far away that the wrestlers looked like toys.

25 Oct 2010 7:10am

CElliottUK from Reading, United Kingdom

This is a great shot! ...and I'm looking forward to the rest. Your hapiness and enthusiasm is infectious.!! May I ask...what are you doing in Japan? Working there? How are you finding it? I've been there many times, but never learnt the language that well,and always felt a Gaijin-do you feel more integrated?

25 Oct 2010 7:38am

Daniel from Kenmare, United States

nice.

25 Oct 2010 12:10pm

Wolfen from Villefranche S/S, France

Un bel angle de prise de vue, une jolie composition pour ce document, félicitation

25 Oct 2010 4:55pm

cassiel from Mexico, Mexico

Extraordinary!! Great shot, The face expression is wonderful

25 Oct 2010 7:09pm

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

That one eye makes the shot Stu - great!

25 Oct 2010 7:43pm

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

superb capture

25 Oct 2010 8:26pm

Ralph Jones from Detroit, United States

Outstanding Stu! Looking forward to seeing more of this series!

26 Oct 2010 2:55am

Demo from Villeneuve d, France

Fantastic capture ! very well done ! I like it

26 Oct 2010 7:15am

Shahryar from Isfahan, Iran

Excellent :)

26 Oct 2010 9:29am

Hiro from Kyoto, Japan

It's nice to watch Sumo match. I've never seen it. Congratulations. This shot is excellent.

26 Oct 2010 12:24pm

marc from Granby, Canada

I like is facial expression very nice shot well frame.

26 Oct 2010 5:10pm

Nitin from Shanghai, China

This is just brilliant piece of photography!

27 Oct 2010 4:16am

daniela scharnowski from Berlin, Germany

This is a breathtaking series! I like all the shots but this one with the half face of the mighty big fighter is absolute gold.

27 Oct 2010 10:44am

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

Another superb shot of these giants. Hakuhō is a superb wrestler. My favorite was Asashōryū but he got in big trouble while I was there and got suspended. If professional athletes in the USA were held to the standards of the sumo wrestlers, on and off duty, most would be suspended. The Japanese are very protective of their national sport. Some folks I talked to were upset that a Mongolian had achieved the rank of Yokozuna. But, Asashōryū's seeming disrespect for the sport's tradition is what ultimately brought about his downfall, I think. In any case, I do enjoy sumo.

27 Oct 2010 6:01pm

carlyteen from Canary Islands, Spain

favorite of the series of sumo wrestlers. a perfect angle. the camera as a third wrestler

30 Oct 2010 7:52am

Morris Taub (momo) from Montpellier, France

intensity, beautiful form and color...amazing sumo series...it looks like you enjoyed it...

30 Oct 2010 3:13pm

Babzy from Besançon, France

great capture !

31 Oct 2010 3:52pm

amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Outstanding capture, Stu!!

1 Nov 2010 3:53pm

Vaido from Võrumaa, Estonia

What a look! Excellent photo!

1 Nov 2010 4:27pm

Full
Fit
Image size:

Get The Picture