In Pictures: The Photographers’ Favourites 2017
A picture is worth a thousand words as the saying goes. We asked the award-winning team from Inpho Sports Photography to select their favourite images from 2017 and tell us why they like them.
We asked Billy Stickland and his team of photographers to pick some of their favourite Irish rugby photos from 2017 and tell us what it was about that photo that they liked.
Writing about the Ireland team photo above, Billy said: “The squad pic the day before the game is an interesting combination of excitement and nervous energy without the pressure of actually playing the game, so the team tends to be in a relaxed mood and when a player is late for the photo – in this case Peter O’Mahony – it gives them a chance to have a laugh.”
Aviva Minis Festival: This shot was taken on a 500mm lens so it really captures the happy emotions and the laughter on the girls’ faces, yet again showing that rugby for girls isn’t daunting but enjoyable.
Ulster Bank League Final: The league can suffer by comparison to the coverage of the pro game which is a disservice to what is a really high standard of rugby and some great players. This image featuring Clontarf and Cork Con elevates the match to a much more professional atmosphere and does justice to the skills on display.
Tullamore Celebrate: There are always moments in rugby when players celebrate and I’ve always found that because of the physical nature of rugby these moments are more intense, the hair flying off to the side adds to this.
Lion: You have to be the best to be a Lion and Rory epitomised that on tour. This shot shows the levels intensity required of players training at the highest level.
Leinster Huddle: On a sunny day it’s sometimes possible to a get a bit artistic with a situation like the team huddle…in this case Leinster and it made for a different image.
Winners: it was always likely that a winning New Zealand team would do some sort of Haka or facial expression so it was a simple matter of waiting for that to happen…always makes for a good picture.
Bundee Aki: There’s a lot of sacrifice made to earn an Ireland jersey. This shot of Bundee and his family after his first game shows just what it means to them.