For some of us we look at athletes and say, “I could do that.” But when it really comes down to it, it’s not as easy at it looks. Whether it’s a baseball, hockey puck, football or whatever---talent and luck do have a role in a great play.
This past fall I was fortunate to photograph young football players. I shot thousands of photos of players who had different ranges of talent---some were good, some not as good, and some just blew me away. The ones I gravitated toward were the ones on both ends of the spectrum---I have been the worst player on the team, and I also know real talent. Some of these players have real talent---oh, and for many, they have yet to hit 12 or 13 years of age. Amazing.
Part of my photographic style is to be where the action is---sure every photographer says that, and for many that’s the case. But it’s when you are right there, when the moment happens (no this is not a Cialis commercial---I’m talking photography) you just cannot believe what you have captured right on that small card in your camera. I have seen pain on a players face when no one else did, the joy taken from one player who made a play but everyone was hugging a different player because they got the touchdown, and some of the best darn catches I never thought I would be able to take.
I would not be honest if I didn’t say that capturing a catch is undoubtedly what I enjoy most; I like it so much that I have purchased photos of many of the iconic catches in sports history. Little doubt my favorite is Willy May’s “The Catch.” It’s just amazing. What’s even more amazing? It was taken with film and the photographer probably had one or two frames to capture this photographic memory---my camera takes 7 frames per second. I still don’t get the pictures I want most times.
The photo above was all about being at the right place at the right time. This young man, who just turned 12 made one of the best catches I have seen---how lucky I was to be there and “catch it” with my trust Nikon. As he went up, he got hit from behind, held on, and hit the ground with the ball clutched to his chest. If this were me, I would not only have dropped it, I would have missed it all together and lie in traction waiting to see if I was still alive. However as a fortunate photographer in the end zone, it was the perfect catch. Thank you #4, I appreciate all you did to make this one of my best sports pictures ever.
Thanks for stopping by.
