The legendary Neil Leifer, known for his iconic images of sports and pop culture moments, enthralled the Xposure International Photography Festival audiences on Wednesday evening with a riveting talk that encapsulated his illustrious 60-year photography career.

During a Q&A titled “60+ years of Iconic Images in Photojournalism”, moderated by James Hornstein, Leifer shared with audiences the fascinating and insightful stories behind his most celebrated images, and also elaborated on the main techniques he used to make each stand out.

“Luck has a big role to play in getting the right picture, especially in sports photography”, said Leifer. “Most of my celebrated photographs didn’t make it to magazine covers or receive awards. However, they were recognised and applauded decades later, and the process is fascinating,” he added, referring to some of the pictures he shared during the session, including his iconic image of boxer Muhammad Ali’s victory over Sonny Liston.

Leifer also shared his experiences about his relationship with Ali, both inside and away from the ring. He referred to the camera as his ticket to the world, which opened doors he could never imagine.

Sifting through some of his most iconic and recognisable photos that memorialised unforgettable moments in the world of sports, the New York-based photographer credited his success to working hard, showing up early, doing thorough homework on the venue, studying light in any scenario and being well-prepared for the unexpected.

With over 170 Sport Illustrated covers and 40 Time Magazine covers featuring celebrities, world leaders, and more, Leifer’s passion for photography and storytelling has earned him numerous awards and accolades.

The photographer’s talk was yet another enriching experience for Xposure 2023 attendees, who listened to the iconic lensman and gained valuable insights into what makes a great photograph.