Getty becomes official photographer for PlayStation's Gran Turismo esports league

Getty becomes official photographer for PlayStation's Gran Turismo esports league
(Image credit: Clive Rose – Gran Turismo / Getty Images)

Sometimes art imitates life, and sometimes life imitates art in return. Such is the case with the news that Getty Images has been named the official photographer for the Gran Turismo esports league on Sony PlayStation. 

Led by Getty's staff motorsport photographer, Clive Rose, whose clients include Honda and the Red Bull Racing team, the organization becomes the official photographic agency of the Gran Turismo Championships – a videogame league certified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). 

Getty's association with Polyphony Digital, developer of the enormously Gran Turismo racing game series, began during the 2019 season when it covered the World Tour events at the Nürburgring, New York, Salzburg, Tokyo and Sydney, as well as the World Finals in Monaco.

The official partnership is the latest in Getty's storied 25-year history, which has seen it partner with major sports leagues and governing bodies including the International Olympic Committee, National Basketball Association and Ultimate Fighting Championships. 

So how does this actually work – how do photographers take photographs of a virtual motor racing event? Well, it's the latest evolution of virtual photography – a rapidly growing genre of photography that enables photographers to use the same in-game cameras that display the in-game world in videogames. 

By making the same choices as they would do in 'real' photography – focal lengths, apertures, locations, lighting, position and composition – photographs can be taken in-game with the same technical acumen and integrity as they would be on a conventional DSLR or mirrorless camera at the side of a race track.

“This partnership with Polyphony Digital signifies the next phase of sport photography and the true growth that is occurring across the esports landscape,” said Getty Images Global Head of Content Ken Mainardis. 

“Getty Images has long been at the forefront of innovating through its sport photography and by creating in-game imagery with expert motorsport photographers, Getty Images is staying ahead of the curve to deliver premium esports content to our customers around the world.”

Read more: 

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How to perfect your panning technique with your camera for sports photography
Virtual Photography: taking photos in videogames is imaging's next evolution
Ready player one: Canon 4K kit outfits USA's biggest esports stadium

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.