RICHARD CRANEFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
Gymnastics Portfolio
This portfolio has been compiled as a supporting evidence of my work for an application for freelance work for European Gymnastics.
2019
Tom Daley Shoot
Tom Daley visited Spelthorne Gymnastics to meet and work with the Elite team.
I produced a number of interviews and b-roll for use by the club and the fundraising team to raise awareness of the need to support gymnasts who compete at this level.
2019
European Rehearsals
In late 2019 I shot a photographic documentary of Spelthorne’s Elite gymnasts rehearsing for the European Championships.
This documentary project formed the basis for my application to study a Master’s Degree in Photography.
2019-2021
Spelthorne Promotional Video
In 2019 I was commissioned by Spelthorne Gymnastics in the UK to shoot, edit and produce a promotional video for the club.
The brief was to show all levels of ability and reflect the open professional nature of the club and the coaching staff.
Production and final publishing was delayed by Covid lockdowns.
2021-2023
Private Commissions
I have worked with a number of European Champion acrobatic gymnasts who have commissioned me to capture the hard work and dedication they have given to the sport and the pride their parents feel.
The shoots are designed to accommodate the effort involved in crafting and holding each pose with the focus on the safe execution of each move by the gymnast.
2021
Previously Unseen
In late 2021 as part of my Master’s Degree in Photography I collaborated with choreographer Ellie Cooper ‘Previously Unseen’ was a collaborative project between me as a photographer and Ellie Cooper as choreographer made as part of my MA in Photography.
The aim of the project was to show Spelthorne’s elite gymnasts as they are not usually seen and to understand how the two art forms of dance and photography could inform and reflect one another, to take the relationship beyond photographic documentation.
The first phase of the project, reminiscent of Johan Persson’s work with The Royal Ballet, resulting in the black and white images seen here took an observational documentary approach to capture the hard work, talent, and teamwork that goes into the crafting and rehearsal of new routines.
The photographs selected for exhibition deliberately omitted the crescendo moments of an acrobatic routine: the throws and balances, in favour of images that capture the creation of the moments between the big moves. They capture the strength, camaraderie and care shown between the members of the team as they train.
The second phase of the project inspired by Ken Browar and Deborah Try’s ‘Art of Movement’ series, sought to remove the imbalance of power between the photographer by handing control of the camera shutter to the gymnasts and choreographer using a similar method borrowed from portrait photographer Anthony Luvera.
Using studio lighting set in front of the rehearsal mirrors the images are collaboratively crafted ‘sculptures’, signature poses and short form dances lasting just a fraction of a second.
Acrobatic Displays
I have filmed, edited and produced Christmas Display videos for Spelthorne Gymnastics since 2019.
All acro routines are shot on two or three cameras, this year I shot the tumbling displays on 5 cameras.
‘Elton’, 2019
‘Women’s Group’, 2022
‘Mixed Pair’, 2023
‘Blocks’, 2019
‘Tumbling’, 2023
‘Men’s Pair’, 2023
About Me
I have 30 years experience in broadcast television having worked as a cameraman, editor, and systems designer.
I work well on my own or as part of a team, have mentored younger technical operators and managed international business development teams.
I run my own business as a portrait and commercial photographer and am a visiting lecturer in Photography at Falmouth University.
I have a Masters degree in photography and most recently I completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.
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Kingston upon Thames, Surrey