Shooting Hoops (and Photos) at Plymouth’s Historic Custom House
The venue for the evening was none other than The Custom House on the Barbican. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of standing in its shadow, The Custom House is an imposing, Grade II* listed, granite-fronted masterpiece. It was erected in the early 19th century as a unapologetic statement of Plymouth’s burgeoning wealth as the region’s premier merchant port. It is a spectacular building, though on this particular evening, its most crucial architectural feature was simpler: it was quite possibly the only venue in Devon with a ceiling high enough to comfortably accommodate a room full of basketball players.
Shooting Hoops (and Photos) at Plymouth’s Historic Custom House
We really are extraordinarily blessed down here in sunny Plymouth. The city practically begs to be photographed, offering up an embarrassment of riches when it comes to stunning backdrops. So, when Basketball England booked me as their commercial photographer to document their annual awards, I was absolutely delighted.
The venue for the evening was none other than The Custom House on the Barbican. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of standing in its shadow, The Custom House is an imposing, Grade II listed, granite fronted masterpiece. It was erected in the early 19th century as a unapologetic statement of Plymouth’s burgeoning wealth as the region’s premier merchant port. It is a spectacular building, though on this particular evening, its most crucial architectural feature was simpler: it was quite possibly the only venue in Devon with a ceiling high enough to comfortably accommodate a room full of basketball players.
Capturing the Big Moments (and the Tall Guests)
The night itself was a glorious celebration of everything that makes sport wonderful. Our host, Nick, had travelled the entire length of the country to personally oversee the festivities and ensure that the local heroes who do so much for their community received their well deserved dues.
Setting up for event photography of this scale requires a bit of tactical planning. I staked out my territory in a corner of the long room, unfurled the backdrop, and made sure to deploy my absolute tallest light stand. When your subjects routinely tower over the average door frame, standard equipment simply won’t do.
The Goal: Blend the candid energy of a live sports awards ceremony with the polished, high end look of a professional studio photoshoot.
From the formal trophy presentations to those fleeting, candid little moments of laughter and pride between teammates, it was a joy to capture. All in all, it was a night the Plymouth basketball community can be thoroughly proud of and I was just delighted to play my part in making it look picture perfect.
