The Big Game.

We all know what the “Big Game” is, however referring to it by it’s other name is a trademark violation (AKA, “The Super Bowl TM, Super Sunday TM.) When the first game was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum back in 1967, the Green Bay Packers played the Kansas City Chiefs. Unlike today’s game, it did not sell out, it was broadcast on 2 networks, and the tickets were $12.00. That was seen as a lot of money for a sporting event. (I assume with some of today’s prices hovering around $5,000 to $8,000, you could have been part owner of the team for a pair of tickets back then.)

I have never been to the Super Bowl and I would say the odds of my attending are fairly remote at this time. I have heard all about the parties that happen before and after the game, but what I would really aspire to do is to be on the field shooting pictures. If you don’t aim high, there is little way you will reach your goal—I set them at the peak. I would also be more than fine shooting at the NBA Finals TM, World SeriesTM, or Stanley Cup Finals TM just in case anyone out there is looking for a photographer for these once in a lifetime events.

A while back, I read an article about the field photographers who shoot at the Super Bowl; this is how it works---they shoot as many pictures as they can and then they signal for a runner to come up, they literally hand off the media card to them and they race to have them downloaded. The competition for photographs from a game like the Super Bowl is intense. If someone else gets their picture up first online, they get the credit and that’s really what it is all about. Remember, we are no longer in the world of newspapers, this is all about online delivery. Sounds like fun huh? Not really.

I have spoken to photographers who shoot at professional sporting events; they are really not as interested in being there as one would think. To them, it’s a job---nothing more, nothing less. They know the pressure they are under for the big shot and all it takes is someone stepping in front of you or a misstep, and they lose the shot. There are no do over’s in pro sports. A lot different than family pictures when you can take another because little Timmy didn’t smile or Aunt Rose blinked her eyes.

But, when you do get the shot you know you have something anyone would kill for; for example, the catch that was caught right on the fingertips of the receiver. It’s not like you which you were there----you are there. It’s the rush that makes shooting professional sports all that much better…something that even when sitting in the stands at a Bull’s game shooting, causes that feeling that to a photographer can not be beat.

The photo above was taken a few years ago at the St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons game. It was played between the 2 worst teams in the league at that point in the season---sorry to say little has improved for the Rams. But all you have to do is travel back a little bit further in time and they were at the Big Game--- and the Rams were the champs. I plan to be at a big game one day, all Sports Illustrated has to do is give me a call.

Thanks for stopping by.