Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
The next generation of image quality in the EOS line-up, this camera delivers high-sensitivity performance that delivers crisp results in all lighting situations. "It is probably the best camera that I've got," Tom says.
PROFILE
Sports photographer Tom Jenkins shoots for The Guardian newspaper in the UK and is a lauded lensman, renowned for capturing the stories around the field as well as the action on it.
Tom has been covering sport for The Guardian and The Observer newspapers in the UK for over 25 years and has attended most major sports events in the world. He began his career in 1989 as a freelance photographer for the Allsport photo agency and The Independent and Sunday Telegraph newspapers, before joining The Guardian in 1990 as a contract photographer. In 1993 he also started shooting for The Observer.
Location: London, UK
Specialist areas: Sports, photojournalism
Favourite kit:
Canon EOS-1D X Mark IIHis numerous accolades include winning UK Young Press Photographer in 1990 and UK Sports Photographer of the Year on five separate occasions, and he was named Sports Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors' Guild Awards in 2015.
A retrospective of Tom's work, In The Moment, was published in 2012 to coincide with exhibitions in London and Newcastle. In 2017, he won first prize in the Sports Singles category of the World Press Photo Contest for his picture of jockey Nina Carberry falling off her horse during the 2016 Grand National.
"Winning the World Press Photo Sports Singles category was my greatest achievement," says Tom. "It's the highest award that I've won. But I've had other achievements that are a bit more unusual – once I appeared as a question on [TV quiz show] University Challenge. I was just watching it and I saw myself as a question. It was quite a 'Wow!' moment for me. Getting some GB stamps made out of my pictures was cool as well."
Tom's talent is his unerring eye for detail and an ability to spot the hidden moments other photographers might miss. He cites his former tutor, the renowned Magnum photojournalist David Hurn, for developing his award-winning and ever-inquisitive eye.
He combines his day-to-day shooting of major events with sports features, often photographing memorable portraits of the world's greatest sports stars, such as Péle, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Andy Murray and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Tom has recently started to work in film as well as stills, calling on his impressive contacts book to make documentaries highlighting the stories behind modern sport, such as his four-episode series, Sport 2.0.
In all of his work, Jenkins is driven by a fierce desire to seek a different angle or viewpoint – something that's perhaps best summed up in his 2017 project to photograph the Wimbledon tennis tournament in infra-red. With almost 30 years of shooting under his belt he shows no sign of slowing down and continues to be a true innovator in the field of sports imaging.
What inspired you to pursue photography as a career?
"I always wanted to be a sportsman but I realised I wasn't going to be good enough to pursue any sport as a career. I also loved art and, through art, I started to do printmaking and from that I went into photography. It was basically just the combination of my love of sport and photography."
What is the best lesson you have learnt during your career?
"I have an employer who sometimes wants to see things differently, so it's thinking about how to tell a story in the best way I possibly can. I'm working for someone who wants my take on it, so I'm just trying to think differently most of the time: when and where to be, when I can really push the boat out and experiment, and when not to experiment."
What drives your creative ideas?
"My inspiration comes from all sorts of different photography. Sometimes I go to art galleries and think how I could apply that style to sports photography. I look at other sports photography all the time but I'm influenced by loads of other art."
How has Canon technology helped you to shoot your projects?
"When I started it was all manual focus and it was pretty hard work – you'd get a lot out of focus. Autofocus is fantastic: the technology allied to resolution, speed and shooting under dark conditions – it all comes together."
Why do you think the Canon Ambassadors Programme is important and what do you hope to achieve by being a part of it?
"Hopefully it can inspire photographers to think in a new way. Hopefully people might enjoy some of the stories and learn how we adapt to using the cameras and technology and how they could apply that in a creative sense to produce great work. If I inspire one person to take a picture, then I've achieved something!"
"Don't get obsessed with football. Football is really important but it's not the be-all and end-all. People get starstruck by football and think that all you need to do to be a sports photographer is to shoot football, which isn't the case. Try and think differently, don't follow the crowd and don't think you need to do what everyone else is doing. Try and have a unique selling point in your photography. It's so competitive these days that you need to stand out from the crowd. Think more laterally and think of different angles. Don't assume that where everyone else is, is the right spot… it might not be."
The key kit that the pros use to take their photographs
The next generation of image quality in the EOS line-up, this camera delivers high-sensitivity performance that delivers crisp results in all lighting situations. "It is probably the best camera that I've got," Tom says.
Trusted by the pros, tough and yet relatively light, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is ideal for stills or video – making it great for reportage.
A favourite telephoto zoom lens with photographers of every kind. "It's a great crossover lens," says Tom.
This standard zoom offers outstanding image quality and a fast f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range, and is the perfect companion to any full-frame EOS camera. "I would always take this on feature and action shoots," says Tom.
A fast-aperture super-telephoto lens that delivers a professional performance – ideal for sports, news and wildlife photography. Tom describes its predecessor, the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM, as "a brilliant lens for shooting action".
An ultra-wide angle compact lens with an added Image Stabilizer for ensuring superb results in low-light conditions.
ARTICLE
British sports photographer Tom Jenkins on how lightweight lens technology is helping him make the winning shots.
ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΣΗ ΣΕ ΑΘΛΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΟΡΓΑΝΩΣΕΙΣ
Σας αρέσουν τα σπορ αλλά δεν ξέρετε πώς να τα φωτογραφίσετε; Πέντε επαγγελματίες φωτογράφοι αποκαλύπτουν τις τεχνικές που χρησιμοποίησαν για να τραβήξουν τις αγαπημένες τους φωτογραφίες.
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Getty Images' Mark Kolbe, Hannah Peters and Cameron Spencer share their essential Rugby World Cup shooting kit.
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The Sunday Times photographer Marc Aspland explains his process for taking captivating imagery.
Find out how the ambassador programme works, and meet the phenomenal photographers chosen to represent Canon.
Members get access to CPS Priority Support, both locally and at major events; a priority Fast Track repair service; and — depending on your level of membership — free back-up equipment loans plus return shipping and discounts on maintenance. They can also enjoy exclusive members’ offers.