Photographers Blog

In the business those jump-for-joy sporting moments are referred to as ”jubo” (jubilation) or “cele” (celebration). ”Did you get the jubo/cele?” and the response, “yes, he was right up the barrel”, or “no he went the wrong way”,  is a common exchange between picture editor and the photographer on the touchline.

From the evidence on the wire there appear to be few sporting images more emotional or exuberant than those “jubo” moments of soccer players celebrating after scoring a goal. The expressions of American football and icehockey players are all too frequently obscured by facemasks. Basketball players seem to err on the side of mean and moody and baseball players appear to be almost permanently underwhelmed. It might be a cultural thing or perhaps just a result of the way those sports are broadcast or sponsored. There certainly isn’t a lack of passion because tempers do fray and fights and arguments are frequent, but there doesn’t seem to be any of the theatricality we see from soccer players, at least not during the game. 

Jose Sand of Lanus celebrates scoring against Boca Juniors - Enrique Marcarian

Frank Lampard of Chelsea celebrates scoring against Sunderland – Toby Melville

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates scoring against Blackburn – Phil Noble

In the soccer playing nations, images like these from the Reuters wire, occupy prominent positions on sports sites, in specialist sports papers and sports sections of newspapers, often as cut-outs or montages and always used for maximum impact.

“Jubo” moments are the one part of the game when the players direct their attention at us, when they seek the approbation or otherwise of the viewers and spectator. They not only help to sell newspapers, but they also sell the sport itself and even if you aren’t interested it is almost impossible to remain impervious to such expressions of raw exuberance.