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February 3, 2013

The Big Sunday

Almost forgot to post something up today – sorry! I have a big game on my mind today. My team isn’t in it this year. Unless you are a Baltimore or San Francisco fan it should be entertaining just to watch.

Since I had a little experience on the sidelines, I wonder what the photographers are doing to prepare. Regardless of who they are covering for, the stakes to get amazing photos is higher than for any other game. This Big Sunday game will be watched and analyzed the world over for months and possibly years to come. With this in mind, I wonder if I would have some performance anxiety from a photography perspective.

At the time I was on the field, it was very difficult for me to follow anything that was going on. With the noise, the large field of play, and the size of the players, it was a bit overwhelming to follow. This is undoubtedly why coaching staffs for football teams are so large!

So who do you have in the big Sunday game today? I am just hoping for a competitive game, and a great halftime show. Now that I am definitely experienced in photographing! See you Monday!

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January 6, 2013

Personal, Photography, Sports | 0 comment

Washington Redskins photography

My wife has had season tickets for a number of years now. While I have always wanted to know what it would be like to photograph a professional football game from the sidelines, she has always wanted to know what it would be like to host an NLF playoff game at the Redskins’ home stadium. A few seasons ago, I got my chance. Today, we get to experience hers! The Seattle Seahawks will come to play the Washington Redskins in a Wildcard game. We’ll be in our usual seats for a most unusual occasion. As a native of northern Virginia, the Redskins have been the only football team I have rooted for both from my dad, and of course, the media coverage through playoff and Superbowl runs in the 80’s and 90’s.

Season tickets

After going to many games, it becomes easier to observe some of the other details during the game other than the on-the-field action. I noticed the photographers, how they moved to cover the game, and tried to match what they were doing to the images published in the paper and magazines afterwards. I looked into how I could get access to the sidelines, and with enough exposure to my portfolio of photos, I was able to get a credential!

Image showing Washington Redskins game action

Beyond the First Row

After a season on the sidelines, I have the utmost respect for photographers that are there every week trying to capture photos in one of the most challenging situations. The action in professional football is so fast, and the the field is so large. Additionally, the lenses are only built so long, that to get these images take luck, practice, and skill. For action sports, the photos can never be too close to the action.

Tilted lines in photos were a no-no if you wanted any hope of getting published. Video cameras had much higher priority on the access scale for games, so don’t cross that painted line! And whatever you do, don’t get caught up watching the game – keep your eye in your viewfinder! The action can go from being 60 yards away, to so-close-you’re-passed-the-minimum-focusing-distance length in one 5 second play! I was grateful for the opportunity, and I hope to get the chance again.

Image showing Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

September 10, 2011

Event, Photography, Sports | 0 comment

2010 NFL Football

Last season was my first chance at photographing professional 2010 NFL Football – you know, the good kind :-). Shooting for Southcreek Global Media, I got access to shoot training camp for the Washington Redskins at their campus in Ashburn, VA. They routinely had good crowds for the practices, and all were anticipating a great season for the team. During one of the practices, the PR team gave me and some other photographers access to the roof at Redskins Park to get a wide view of the practice fields and the crowds –

Warmups was an opportune time to capture repeating elements in the frame with many players huddled together –

I also photographed two games at FedEx field in Landover, MD – a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, and a Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles.