Gloves

I photographed these boxing gloves just after a match, piled together on a table, their colours and textures telling their own story. The red, blue, and black contrast vividly, each pair carrying marks of use—creases, scuffs, and sweat-darkened leather. They are objects of sport, but in this moment they sit quietly, stripped of motion and impact, reduced to still life.

The composition is tight and intimate. By focusing closely, I eliminated any sense of the surrounding gym, letting the gloves dominate the frame. Their curves and folds form an almost sculptural arrangement, with the contrasting colours creating a natural rhythm. The diagonal placement of the gloves adds a sense of balance while avoiding rigidity.

Technically, the lighting was harsh, bouncing off the glossy leather. I exposed carefully to keep highlights under control, ensuring detail remained visible in the dark areas of the black gloves as well as in the deep reds. The depth of field is shallow enough to isolate the subject while leaving just enough context in the blurred background to suggest environment without distraction. The result is a mix of sharp detail and soft separation.

What interests me most is how the gloves, once extensions of fighters’ bodies, transform into symbols when at rest. Removed from action, they carry the weight of what has already passed. The photograph captures them not as tools but as relics—emblems of conflict, endurance, and pause.