Rob Hammer CrossFit Photo Essay Forward
On the surface, it just looks like a camera.
The intense focus may seem a little over the top for someone just taking pictures. Dig a little deeper and you will find an artist pushing the limits on his vision of the world. Rob Hammer sees the world differently than other people. Capturing the moment is not enough for Hammer. He’s after the struggle and the passion of his subject. Through his camera, he creates meaning and structure in the world.
I met Rob Hammer in 2012. He asked if he could come in to CrossFit PB to practice with some new gear. Bryan and I were just stoked for a free photo shoot. To us, Hammer was just a random photographer practicing what he loved to do. A Google search revealed that he’s was one of the most sought after sports photographers in the country, working with high profile brands, campaigns, and athletes. The relationship continued and we developed a mutual respect for each other’s craft. We have spent many afternoons discussing the pride and emotion that goes into a final product. In a very short time, it was obvious we were both on a journey to make sense of the world and the people in it. Some use barbells, some use cameras. Every artist has his or her tool.
Writing this forward has been an honor. Hammer has been an inspiration to us at CrossFit PB, both professionally and artistically. Inspiration comes in many forms to different people. For me, I am inspired by anyone who dedicates their life to their craft. Hammer’s pride, emotion, ownership, and constant pursuit of improvement to his craft drive him to the top of the game. As athletes, we practice and train daily. We feel the daily grind on our minds, muscles, and joints. Rob Hammer takes photographs that showcase that grind, and in doing so creates art.
“On the surface, it just looks like exercise.
Dig a little deeper and you will see a beautiful dance between athlete and barbell, performed and perfected over time, rep by rep. An emotional connection gives life to a 45 pound piece of steel. The diamond shaped knurl on the bar and the speed at which the collar spins bruises thumbs, tears calluses, and on those lucky days, sits perfectly tucked inside the thumb. The sweat, music, and aggression are how we understand the world. The barbell is our lens. It is the way we learn about hard work, dedication, will power, and creating a passion that can fuel a life. It teaches us to strive for perfection, which we know is unattainable. The barbell teaches us the more we learn, the less we actually know. And it teaches us that the true path to success is by doing the right things, the right way, always.
As the barbell slams to the ground, the vibration reverberates through a movement of people who share this passion for training. Our community is CrossFit. Our religion is fitness. Our church is the gym. We speak the same language, often just with different dialects. No matter where you are in the world, there is a platform, a barbell, and a friend who shares the same passion and beliefs. We all share in this experience, understand what it means to be humbled, and admire each other for our vulnerabilities. From the very first gym in Santa Cruz to the affiliate that opened yesterday, we all share in this movement. It is not about winning and losing. It is not about money or material things. This movement pushes the boundaries on human performance and is supported by a community in a constant pursuit of excellence. CrossFit is the platform that allows us to ask the best questions that inspire the best practices and produce the best results, and we are all better for it.
CrossFit PB is my home. It is a living, breathing entity that consumes my life. In its infancy it was a gym that provided a place for people to exercise. As CrossFit PB grew into its adolescence, the gym became a place where we could educate others and inspire them with the lessons we had learned in our life. As with every adolescent, we struggled to find our identity and understand how we affected those around us. As CrossFit PB approaches adulthood, there is a clear understanding of our mission. CrossFit is a community, CrossFit Pacific Beach is a gym, but the true beauty is in the connections made with the people who make the place come alive. CrossFit has given me the business, the barbell, and the people, but most importantly it has given me a purpose.”
