Lab Gallery for November 2022: Howard Lao

Project Statement

These photographs are a collection of moments both quiet and in motion at the 2022 World Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. This was the first time a World Championships was held on U.S. soil.

The trickiest part in sports photography is finding unique moments and photographing them in an interesting way, since throughout the ten days at Hayward Field, I was either on the finish line with dozens of other photographers or far up in the stands, physically removed from the action.

My goal with these selection of photographs is to balance the action with emotion, texture, light, and most importantly the story.

Artist Statement 

Howard Lao is a photographer born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He learned how to photograph sports as a collegiate hurdler at the University of Washington. Now he combines his unique background as an athlete with his photography by capturing moments that bring fans closer to the competition. He has covered a variety of events, including the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Trials; World Athletics Championships in Beijing, Portland, London, Eugene; the Boston, New York City, and Chicago Marathons; Major League Soccer; and NCAA March Madness. His work has also appeared across commercial brands like Nike, Oiselle, Brooks, and Sketchers, as well as in editorial spreads in the Wall Street Journal, the Seattle Times, and the Oregonian.

 

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Lao captures his photos with a full Canon kit, including the following;

Body: R3, R6, 1dxmk2
Lens:11-24, 70-200, 300, 200-400, 600

Stop by the Lab Gallery for the month of November to see the show!

 

Eugene, Oregon is often referred to as TrackTownUSA.

Oregon legend Raevyn Rogers at the starting line before the 800m finals with the track reflected in her sunglasses.

A pan shot of the World Leader Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce running in the 100 meter dash

Gaia Sabbatini cools herself off with a handful of ice after her race.

Auriol Dongmo in the shot put, and the furthest mark in qualifying rounds.

Reflection of the Bowerman Tower off of another camera lens.

Lonah Salpeter wins first marathon medal for Israel

Hurdlers and shadows

Discus throwers finding shade before the finals with Feng Bin (middle) taking a nap before winning the competition.

Athletes coming out of the last water pit in the men’s 3k Steeplechase for the podium finish.

Woo Sanghyeok clearing the high jump bar, Korea's first-ever World Athletics Championships silver medalist.

Former World Champion, Julius Yego, lining up his throw in the javelin.

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