Through Their Lens - Sony x Zak Skinner

Now in its second year, Sony Europe’s Through Their Lens series returns with a new photography collection created in collaboration with British Paralympian, photographer and videographer Zak Skinner.

Shot in Madeira’s Ribeira Brava valley, this photo of a long jumper mid-air combines Zak’s journey as a Paralympic athlete with his work in the creative space as a photographer. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7 V + FE 85mm F1.8 lensAlso taken at Centro Desportivo da Madeira, this image of a silhouetted long jumper in action with a blown-out sun to demonstrate Zak’s photophobia (sensitivity to bright light). © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lensShot directly behind the athlete, this image emulates the perspective of Zak’s nystagmus (involuntary movement of his eyes, often characterised by a constant shake from left to right). High effort activities, like representing Great Britain as a T13 100m Paralympic athlete, trigger Zak’s nystagmus even more, which can be disorientating—the angled track lines also represent this point of view. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7 V + FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens
British Paralympian and photographer Zak Skinner holds his Sony camera beside an athletics track, bringing together the two worlds at the heart of his Through Their Lens collection: elite sport and photography. © Zak Skinner | Sony α7R V + FE 85mm F1.8The high contrast between the bright windows and athlete’s silhouette emulate Zak’s photophobia (sensitivity to bright light). © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 85mm F1.8 lens
Shot in an empty changing room, this wide angled shot conveys the feelings of loneliness and difficulties that can arise in elite sport. Zak says, “Athletics is a very individual sport, it can be lonely and hard at times, I’ve gone through a hamstring rupture this year and been through the loneliness that is involved. This image captures the idea that, although you’re in a changing room that can fit an entire sports team, you are in there by yourself.” © Zak Skinner | Sony A7 V + FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens
Now in a studio environment and featuring four models who have represented Great Britian at the Olympics, this and the following images home in on the idea of athletes being more than who they are on the track. Models L to R: Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Morgan Lake, Jazmin Sawyers and Imani-Lara Lansiquot. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens
This editorial image captures Morgan alongside a static-filled television, reflecting Zak’s idea that athletes are more than the figures we see on screen, with Morgan positioned almost outside the TV itself. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 50mm F1.8 lens
Katarina is photographed in a halo of light, using a studio spotlight to reflect the attention athletes experience in sport. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 50mm F1.8 lens
The high contrast between the bright glass backdrop and Jazmin reference Zak’s photophobia in a striking, editorial image. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 85mm F1.8 lensImani sits beneath a mirror, looking up towards the light. Her patterned dress and warm lighting stand out against the dark panelled room. © Zak Skinner | Sony A7R V + FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens

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