@ Mediterranean Beach Games 2015 – Italian Female Rowing Team

I made this photograph during the Mediterranean Beach Games, following the Italian women’s rowing team in competition. What drew me in was not the finish line or the celebratory gesture, but the moment immediately after exertion, when effort is still written on the body and concentration has not yet dissolved into relief or disappointment.

The composition is built around proximity and tension. One athlete occupies the foreground, turned slightly away, her back marked by mud and effort, the word Italia acting as both identifier and graphic element. The second rower remains just behind her, partially out of focus, her expression strained and searching. This staggered arrangement creates depth while reinforcing the sense of shared fatigue and collective endeavour. The waterline sits low in the frame, keeping attention firmly on the athletes rather than the setting.

Technically, the image is solid and purposeful. The exposure is well judged for harsh daylight conditions: skin tones are controlled, highlights on shoulders and arms remain intact, and there is no significant loss of detail in either the water or the background. The colour palette is clean and natural, with the blue of the Italian kit clearly separated from the sea, avoiding tonal confusion. Depth of field is shallow enough to isolate the subjects without feeling artificial, allowing the background to contextualise the event without competing for attention.

From a sports photography perspective, this is not an action peak shot, but that is precisely its strength. It documents the physical and psychological aftermath of competition—mud, sweat, posture, and gaze doing the narrative work. Focus is accurate, timing is intentional, and the framing respects the athletes without aestheticising suffering.