Historically we always only focus on the winners so giving a name and a face to the people who come in second was Nikolai Linares whole idea. He thought that we should all recognise that nobody ends up in a competition final without a lot of hard work.
The silver medallist should also get some attention. “I fully understand the society that we live in, and that we all want to be a winner. The important statement for me in this photo series is that we should not always focus on being the best, but rather focus on doing our best. We have to remember that somewhere, there will always be someone that is better than you,” says Nikolai Linares.
During the two days of shooting Nikolai Linares asked 15 boxers just after loosing, and 13 said yes to have their portrait taken. Most of them were disappointed, but some how they were very quick to recognize that today it just was not their day. But then again, they all felt that they would just come back next year stronger and even better prepared. One was close to tears while another was already joking with his friend. They had very different emotions.
On getting in to Photography Nikolai Linares tells: “My uncle Carlos Linares from Colombia worked as a news photographer at Reuters Colombia, and I always wanted to be like him growing up. He was always the guy with the great stories and I thought that taking pictures and meeting people from all parts of society would be the greatest job ever. Unfortunately he died on assignment in 2003, and after some time studying economics I took a chance at started preparing to get in to The Danish School of Journalism and in 2008 I started studying Photojournalism.”
On Nikolai’s own photographic philosophy he says: “I would say that my philosophy is to stay curios. I love the idea that my camera is my key to pretty much all doors. And when the door is open, I will always try to get as close a possibly, so that hopefully the viewer can feel the pictures. And other than that I use a lot of time to try to find the right twist to a story, so that it hopefully will give the viewer an interesting experience. “
About Nikolai Linares
Born in 1983 in Helsingør, Denmark. Started at the Danish School of Journalism in 2008, Internship at Danish daily Berlingske and graduated as a Photojournalist in 2012. Working as a photographer ever since. Nikolai has been nominated for the last three years at the Danish Picture of the Year, recieved second place as College Photographer of the Year in 2011, and been a part of the SWPA in 2012(student focus), 2014(nominated) and 2016(winner). Father to Carlos(4) and Wilma(2). [Official Website]
