football Archives - Page 3 of 3 - TimeLine Media Blog

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

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September is here, and another football season is starting! Since attending Virginia Tech, I have been introduced to, and look forward to the college games on Saturdays more than the professional games on Sundays. For the 2010 season, I was truly fortunate to photograph the home games for the Hokies in Blacksburg for Southcreek Global Media.

This was an amazing experience where I had the chance to go back visit my alma mater. It was only the second time since graduation and get a crash course on sport photography. The assignment was challenging trying to wield a 400mm lens, and position myself to catch at least two or three key plays at some point in the game. The quarterbacks, kickers, were always the easiest to track since the ball will always go to them but trying to catch a receiver or a sprinting kick return was very tough in the camera.

I followed the more experienced photographers around the sidelines trying to get some tips and pointers. With this in mind, I learned there is so much to get publish-ready photos. Some of my attempts at getting these are posted below. The opening game was a featured matchup with #3 ranked Boise State played at FedEx Field. At this time it is the home of the Washington Redskins. The loss was a heartbreaker for the Hokies. It was also for me as I lost my wedding ring somewhere on the rainy field during the game. After losing to JMU in the next game, the Hokies turned the season around. It was a privilege to try to get some images from their 2010 season.