Ali Acts Up After First Liston Fight Victory in Miami... 25 - 1964

Herb Scharfman captured this image of Ali, after his first victory against Liston in Miami. You can feel the energy of the moment, right? The stark black and white tones amplify the raw emotion, focusing our attention on the contrasts of light and shadow that dance across their faces. I love the body language here. Ali is being embraced, his arm stretches out in triumph, while nearby, the referee’s open mouth mirrors the collective awe and excitement of the crowd. Scharfman’s background as a sports photographer shines through; he understands the choreography of action, the peak moments that define a match. But it's more than just a record. It's a study in human emotion – from exhilaration to disbelief. It reminds me of those Weegee photographs of crowds watching something happen. In capturing such immediate, visceral reactions, Scharfman preserves a piece of history. It's a potent reminder that every photograph, like every painting, is a conversation across time.