Always on the lookout for new portrait subjects, I asked some work colleagues if they had any interesting hobbies. I found soccer and volleyball players, as well as potters, poets, and golfers. Then Josh announced his ping-pong obsession, describing how he spent every spare minute of his youth playing ping-pong with family and friends. His enthusiasm reminded me of a line from one of my favorite movies:

“For some reason ping-pong became very natural to me so I started playing all the time. I played ping-pong even when I didn’t have anyone to play ping-pong with. The hospital people said it made me look like a duck in water, whatever that means. Even Lieutenant Dan would come watch me play. I played ping-pong so much, I even played ping-pong in my sleep.”  – Forrest Gump

Like his silver-screen counterpart, Josh it is traveling to China soon, albeit without the corporate paddle endorsement. In fact, Josh isn’t going to China to play ping-pong at all. He’s representing the UW-Madison Visiting International Special Students Program. 

“When I was in China on the All-American Ping Pong team, I just loved playing ping-pong with my Flexolite ping-pong paddle.” – Gump

Setting up for the photo in Josh’s basement, I use a Rogue 3-in-1 Flash Grid to create a tight circle of light. Turning my attention from the set to the subject, I was surprised to see how his trademark friendly smile had been replaced by a very intimidating game face. I guess it’s true what they say: Portrait photography is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.

This is the latest installment in my “True Colors in Black and White” series, in which I create distinctive portraits that showcase each subject’s unique personality, profession, or avocation.