Just added a new limited edition set of basketball prints to my web store. Instead of going bigger, this is a smaller more intimate batch of prints at 5”x7” in a set of 10 in a limited edition of 25. The thing I’m most excited by though, is this is all new work that was not published in the American Backcourts book! Thank you so much to everyone that bought a book or print during the Thanksgiving sale.
You’d think that working on a series for an extended period of time would make it easier? Like practicing a sport, hobby, or any skill you strive to be better at. It’s quite the opposite though. As time goes on, it becomes harder and harder to find scenarios that fit the bill, because the bar keeps rising. In this case we’re talking about basketball hoops. Unless a hoop is better or more unique than what I already have, then it gets passed by. So this past trip only produced 2 images that I’m really happy with. More importantly though, after 10 years, it’s still fascinating to see where the game of basketball pops up. It’s everywhere.
When you’re a kid the “golden arches” of McDonald’s are a beacon. Recognizable anywhere at any time of day or night. You can see them without even looking. It’s probably been 15 years since I’ve eaten at McDonald’s but it comes to mind every time I work on this project. Weird correlation? Probably, but basketball hoops have become very similar to those famous arches. A shape so distinctive that my mind subconsciously registers it and tells me to hit the breaks. American Backcourts the series has been going on for about 10 years now, yet even after publishing the book it’s a subject that never seems to get boring.
Click here to see more basketball photography from the American Backcourts series. And contact me directly with all print inquiries for your home, office, and commercial space.
Currently at an interesting crossroads with the American Backcourts series as I’m thinking about another edition of the book. There are a lot of things I’d like to improve on, but there is also a lot of new content that’s been shot over the past year or so that I’d like to include. However, my style of shooting has changed a bit since the first printing, which means that a lot of the new stuff might not gel with the new work. A lesson only recently learned by working with several professional photo editors on a couple other long term projects. Seems like an obvious concept, right? Not so much when you’re emotionally biased toward your own work. It causes you to be blinded about what’s best for the series as opposed to satisfying your own selfish needs. Moving on. These two were shot on last months cross country road trip. The first is in west Texas and the second is in eastern New York somewhere.
This most recent road trip was very productive. More so in America and fly fishing departments, but nonetheless, I was still able to sniff out a hoop or two that I’m happy with. If there is anything difficult about this project, it’s that the bar continues to rise. Making it harder and harder to find unique scenarios that I’ve not seen before. This shot below has a “feel” to it. Without seeing any of the surroundings, you’re able to get an idea of where it was made. Nevada, as it were. A state I’m becoming quite fond of. Although, this time of year it’s hell on earth. I’ve been quietly putting in a lot of time on the Hoops Project. If COVID has produced anything positive, it’s the free time to look more closely at what’s important. And for me, personal projects are right at the top of the list. This one has been going on for 8+ years now. So a book is well overdue….
A wood backboard and rim hang on an old barn in rural Nevada - The Hoops Project