Too often I’ll come across an image online that pulls me in for closer exploration, only to reveal itself to be AI. It’s always a grave disappointment, and leaves me feeling like an old fart who doesn’t even know what to believe anymore! But this experience makes discovering real photos of real people created by a group of real creative collaborators all working together at a real place all the more special. This is the case for a new photo series from photographer Chris Gurney, which features two soccer players having a kick around on sand dunes.
I’m sure you could sit on the computer, type in a bunch of prompts and do a reasonable facsimile of these images, but you miss out on any of the experience that makes it fun, or rewarding.
“Dune Duel” is part of an ongoing series from Gurney that explores sport within dreamscapes and unfamiliar environments. He developed this particular shoot with Naomi Accardi and Rihannce Knowles of the creative studio systemarosa, who also styled the players in items from their archive. The shoot took place at the Lancelin Dunes in Western Australia, where the pink socks of the players popped against the white sand and bright blue sky.
When I first came upon these images, I was so overjoyed to see they had been created with, by, and for actual humans, that I reached out to Gurney to learn more about the project. His responses to my questions are below.
How did you get attached to this project? What was the origin story of this series and what has the collaboration process been like?
The project began as an idea I had after researching beach soccer. For a long time, I’d wanted to travel to the Solomon Islands or Tahiti and photograph an actual beach soccer team, but then I thought it would be possible to create something similar, but more surreal, in a location closer to home.
I pitched the idea to systemarosa, and we began talking about creative direction and styling. We all come from football backgrounds, and it was important to us that we make it unexpected and new, while maintaining a sense of authenticity within the actions of the players.
As a photographer, what excites you the most about taking on a series like this one?
Generally with commissions, I’m engaged at a stage where the creative is nearly finalized, but I love being involved much earlier, in early conceptualisation, because I can help shape the final output to a much greater degree. With personal series like this one, I’m also creating work that is strongly in line with my own interests and passions.
What have the biggest challenges of these photoshoots been? I’d imagine photographing soccer players in sand dunes comes with some obstacles.
Whenever you work in nature there are challenges, but I find you are usually rewarded with something unexpected by being out there in the world. Maybe the biggest challenge was having the players move well in the soft sand, which is more difficult than on grass. Both of them were carrying injuries too, so we needed to be selective with how many takes and shots we had.
What’s been the most rewarding aspect of this project?
It’s nice bringing a creative vision to life in a way that is well received. The collaborative process with systemarosa was great, and their knowledge of football and vintage garments really elevated the concept. Also, the simple things: doing a road trip with friends and spending the day in a beautiful location with everyone.
In the era of AI, images like yours feel all the more refreshing and impressive. Do people question whether images like the ones you’re taking for this series are AI? How has it been for you navigating being a photographer in the face of AI infiltrating the art world?
I’ve not heard people mistake them for AI. Overall, I feel fine about it all. I’m sure you could sit on the computer, type in a bunch of prompts and do a reasonable facsimile of these images, but you miss out on any of the experience that makes it fun, or rewarding. It’s kind of just plopped in front of you and done without needing to leave the room.
Players: Sammie Riak and Alfred Jr.
Styling: systemrosa
Set and Props: Sophie Fletcher
Motion: Tavian Ord
Motion Grade and Edit: Denzil Heeger
Stills Assist: Alexander Miller
Retouching: Ring Studio
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