Ball sports are not that often in my lenses, but every once in a while, there comes an exciting project that drags my attention – Red Bull Half Court is one of them. I had the opportunity to shoot the World Final of that event in my hometown, Belgrade, at a historic Kalemegdan Fortress, which is why the pleasure and satisfaction of being part of this project were even more significant. Street basketball is a fast-paced game, with a lot of movement and energy shared on the court, and it is easy to see how its dynamic is in line with the events, sports, and projects I like to shoot in general. Put that thrilling game between the walls of a centuries-old fortress built on the hill at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, and you get a spectacular and memorable event.
The Red Bull Half Court World Final brought some of the best 3×3 athletes from 24 countries who showcased their skills in front of a crowd of 2500 enthusiastic fans at Kalemegdan. They played on a colorful court designed and painted by Nikola and Nenad Radojičić (Braća Burazeri), Serbian fashion designers and street artists.
This clash of colors and the stone backdrop of the fortress created a unique environment not just for the players and the audience but also for me as a photographer. I enjoyed photographing in such an ambiance where every frame becomes a stunning photo.
In the end, Team Egypt took victory in the women’s category, while Team Serbia emerged victorious among men. The Red Bull Half Court is a series of 3×3 basketball tournaments that aims to promote this game that recently became the Olympic sport. Aside from tournament organization, this event also connects different aspects of street cultures.