OFF THE MAT: RYAN LANG
Ryan Hails from the great state of Ohio where he has a very decorated wrestling career including : 2003 High School National Champion ... Named ASICS Tiger All-American ... Ryan is St. Ed’s first ever Four-time Ohio state champion ... 2002 Junior Freestyle National Champion, runner-up in 2003 . 2x. Ironman Champ ... Competed on USA Dream Team and for Team USA in Dapper Dan Classic, Team won national title in 1999-00,
In college Ryan was a 2x NCAA Div 1 all-American earning a 2nd and 4th place finish at Northwestern University. Big 10 Champion, Midlands Champion
After college Ryan continued his career in MMA.
But we’re here to talk about Ryan’s interest off the Mat
Q. Ryan talk to us about where your interest in photography began?
A. Yellow Kodak throw away. And do you remember those white and green ones too? Besides saving up to purchase one for 20$ and asking my mom for as many as possible in my stockings every year… we filmed and videotaped every single wrestling match, baseball game, football game, soccer game, swim meet, me and my brothers at all our family get togethers since we can remember. I am so grateful in retrospect, to have all of that footage and homegrown cinematography experience. Photography is beautiful.
Q. Is there a certain subject you like to capture?
A. My favorite subject to capture is God. God is in everything, and from certain angles there is so much beauty we may overlook. It’s important to me to see the beauty and share it. Although pure experience is always the best experiences… There’s nothing better than seeing someone you love smile. Because a moment can be fleeting, and capturing moments in photography and film, even slow motions with our phone in 2024 at the high quality they are, extend those loving and hilarious times, to new experiences with those you love taking a look at it again, or sharing it. And then projects, crafts, edits, whether they be documentaries, social media, scrapbooking… further extends those precious moments, and new experiences, amplifying life’s exhilarating moments with everyone.
Q. What camera do you use?
A. My personal, professional camera currently is a Sony a9 with the 85mm zeiss or 35 mm lens interchanged… it’s a cool one where you can easily switch to video, but the machine gun multiple shot feature is so awesome for action captures.. otherwise, with our iPhones, the HUJI app is such a fun camera with auto flares filter added to it as you click to capture. Technology is amazing these days.
Q. Were you aware of the camera when you were competing?
A. Yes, since I was 4 years old and developed that process of being in the zone no matter what - my parents filming, and taking photos, appreciating other parents and family members doing that as well— I naturally developed that awareness of incorporating that there are eyes and cameras watching, and how to zone in competing no matter what, where, why, and when. In retrospect that is a really big appreciation for my childhood, and how unique some of those aspects of it was in my development and awareness.
Q. They say a photo is worth a thousand words, what photo that you’ve taken says the most?
A. I love that saying, I always have… though it is actually those photos that leave me speechless that say the most to me. There is a photo that I took of my son Ledger, a couple… my reflection is in the pupil of his eye… I really appreciate the metaphor in that. A loving father reflecting back subtly in the eye of the son. Reflection photos speak volumes to the layered beauty in photos to me. There is a subject, then there is a story, and then the audience will always subjectively arrive at their meanings/reactions/responses to it. Lately I’ve taken a lot of photos with kids, and my girlfriend Elizabeth. There are a few that capture the most about what I believe life means…. How special, precious, and valuable life can be when we come to a place that everyday is exciting, everyday is special, and those subtle glances, holding a hand, looking at the moon or stars, showing something new to your son or daughter and capturing the simple, natural expression, says the most to me. There is nothing like real love, between people, between parents and their sons and daughters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, long time friends, etc… to capture that is like freezing it in time to see it again in the future. Could that count as physiological time travel? Life is so special, photography is a part of our life with technology. Do you know what I mean?