“Kwaku’s image of Ezekiel Elliott under a waterfall was inspired, in part, by classic nudes shot by Herb Ritts and Irving Penn,” explains ESPN The Magazine director of photography Karen Frank in an interview with Grids. “The waterfall was fabricated in a parking lot in front of a photo studio in Dallas, on a steamy, hot summer day. It created a dynamic background with layers, reflection and texture, and also served in keeping Ezekiel cool and comfortable on set.”
See more, and go behind the scenes, here.