Ball sports don’t often find their way in front of my lens, but this was one of those rare moments when everything aligned. The idea behind the Red Bull Sail and Strike concept was simple, yet far from easy: one of Liverpool’s biggest football stars, Dominik Szoboszlai, would attempt to hit targets that are anything but typical for the game.
To make things even more challenging, those targets weren’t standing still, they were moving. Constantly. Which made every shot unpredictable. And it all unfolded on the river, in one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals.
Was that even possible? Of course it was.
Here is what it took to bring the project to life:
- Two boats: one for shooting, one for targets
- The Danube
- Budapest, with the Hungarian Parliament Building in the background
- A professional football player
- Three cameras
- One drone
- And one photographer
Dominik Szoboszlai had a rather unusual task to hit moving targets placed on one boat, while he himself was on another, both gliding side by side along the Danube.
It wasn’t an easy challenge. But he made it look almost effortless. That’s where those powerful long-shots he is known for and his precision truly stood out. From a photographer’s perspective, the setting alone was already a success, the river, the boats, Budapest, the Parliament.
It’s the kind of backdrop that almost guarantees striking visuals. And when you place one of the best athletes in the world in front of your lens, performing his craft in such an unconventional environment, you don’t just get good photos, you get something memorable. A perfect shot, in every sense!
ABOUT DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI
Dominik Szoboszlai is one of the most exciting midfielders of his generation and a key player for Liverpool FC and the Hungarian national team. Known for his vision, powerful long-range shots, and exceptional technique, he built his career through the Red Bull football system, making a name for himself at RB Salzburg – where he contributed over 40 goals and assists combined, and later at RB Leipzig before joining Liverpool. As captain of Hungary, with over 40 international games to his name, he represents both leadership and precision on the football field, qualities that were on full display during this unique challenge.
INSIDE THE SHOOT WITH PREDRAG VUCKOVIC
Although Predrag Vuckovic doesn’t have extensive experience photographing football or ball sports, he has built a strong reputation working on unconventional and demanding shoots. And Red Bull Sail and Strike was certainly not an idea you come across every day.
It was precisely this experience, drawn from other sports and complex productions, that proved invaluable here. The shoot required precision, speed, and a comprehensive approach, especially considering that the target was on one moving boat, while the athlete was on another.
For projects like this, Vuckovic relied on a proven method: using multiple cameras with remote triggers to cover different angles simultaneously, ensuring a richer and more dynamic set of visuals.
Equipment used for this project:
Cameras: 2x Nikon Z9 camera and 1x Nikon Z7 II
Lenses: 24-70mm f 1.2; 35mm f 1.2; 50mm f 1.2 and 14-24mm f 2.8
Pocket Wizard Remote Controls + III
Drone DJI Mavic PRO 4
Predrag Vuckovic’s versatility, combined with his equipment, allows him to capture the challenge from every angle, preserving the essence of each shoot while highlighting the athlete’s skill.