Scribble

Since 2007, photographer Ward Roberts has documented sport courts of all kinds. Coinciding with the release of his second book, "Courts 02," he gives insight into the process of finding and photographing these unexpectedly beautiful locations.

Courts 02 cover image —

"The cover image for 'Courts 02' was shot in Brooklyn, New York, which is where I'm currently based. I love New York because there's so much creative talent and energy there. Everyone wants to contribute something unique to their field. That's what's amazing about New York." -- Ward Roberts

04, Hong Kong 2016 —

"I call Hong Kong my muse. I find it very inspiring. Every time I go there, I get new ideas and want to start a new series." -- Ward Roberts

12, Hong Kong 2016 —

"For 'Courts 02,' I did everything I could to try to expand the series as much as possible. I really took the time to explore different parts of the city, to do research online, to talk to local people." -- Ward Roberts

"I would use Google Maps, find a few courts in the same area, plan an itinerary, and then walk down to each individual court."<em> </em>-- Ward Roberts

14, Hong Kong 2016 —

"I would use Google Maps, find a few courts in the same area, plan an itinerary, and then walk down to each individual court." -- Ward Roberts

15, Hong Kong 2016 —

"There were also some amazing courts in schoolyards, but they were hard to get into because the schools are really high-security. No one is allowed to go in unless they have a child. I snuck into one or two of those, but I missed around ten amazing-looking courts because I just couldn't get in." -- Ward Roberts

22, Hong Kong 2016 —

"I'd always shoot in Hong Kong in the winter because there's pollution in the sky at that time of the year. It looks like fog and it adds a kind of softness to the images. It gives them a painterly quality." -- Ward Roberts

21, Hong Kong 2016 —

"I think the courts near the low-income housing buildings are really colorful because there's a lot of poverty and depression in those areas. The bright colors seem to be there to make the spaces look less barren -- at least that's the impression I got. The wealthier parts of the city aren't as colorful." -- Ward Roberts

29, New York 2010 —

"In New York, the courts weren't as visually arresting. They were a lot more gritty and dirty, so I went with the seasons to try to incorporate an element of color into each image. I shot one court in the fall, when the leaves on the trees were red and vibrant, and another one in the winter, when the ground was covered in snow, hiding all the trash and making it look a bit more clean and minimal." -- Ward Roberts