Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Sports Pictures of the Year


















Reflecting back on the year and the images that I made along the way is always an interesting process. As a visual person, I can remember almost exactly all the moments before, during and after each of the images you see above.

It's a gift and a curse at the same time because I'm my own worst critic. I constantly wonder how I could made an image better.

It's not all bad though. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I love looking back and realizing that, for example, if you would have told me a year ago that I'd be covering NASCAR on a somewhat regular basis I would have said you were crazy. Now, I'm hooked.

Working in a fantastic sports town for Getty gave me the opportunity to cover some great assignments with the freedom to take risks and challenge myself. It's had to ask for much more than that.

I learned a lot from my peers this year, following their work closer than ever and using it as a measuring stick. I created personal assignments for myself and came out of them with images that I've highlighted here. I worked hard to make/find images instead of letting them unfold in front of me.

Half the battle, I feel, is staying hungry and avoiding complacency at all costs. I had good days and ones I was less than pleased about but I can say that it was never for a lack of effort.

With that in mind, I'm anxious to see what 2012 brings. I have no idea where I'll be and what new things I'll be shooting but I've learned to appreciate the unexpected.

I hope you all are looking forward to the same.

Monday, December 19, 2011

NFL photos | Patriots v Broncos

"Tight end Daniel Fells #86 and tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos make their way out to the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Emily Robison, 10, from Denver prepares to perform with the Denver Broncos junior cheerleaders before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"The New England Patriots get pumped up before agape against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Safety Quinton Carter #28 of the Denver Broncos runs through the smoke as he's introduced to the crowd before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos heads back to the bench before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Wide receiver Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots is downed at the one yard line by cornerback Chris Harris #25 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Linebacker Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots recovers a fumble by the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Tight end Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots comes up short on a diving effort on a pass during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos reacts as he walks to the huddle during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos tries to escape the grasp of defensive end Brandon Deaderick #71 of the New England Patriots and recovers his fumble in the end zone during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Injured safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos reacts on the field during a break in the action against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after being sacked late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

Sunday was far and above my best game of the season. Unfortuantely for the Broncos, thanks to three fumbles that lead to Patriots scores, they can't say the same.

I'll be honest and say that it feels great to come away with what I feel is a solid take of one of the most hyped games of the year. At the same time, there was definitely some luck involved.

Since it was such a big game, Getty had four shooters at the game and we each picked a quadrant of the field to work from. I had to send my selects to an editor in NYC during TV timeouts for him to caption, tone and transmit so I picked one of the spots in the North end zone. Thankfully for me, everything seemed to happen at my end of the field.

At the same time, I'm probably most pleased with the images that I found, created. My good buddy and feature slayer, Patrick, was in town shooting the game as part of our team and I'm sure that having him around pushed me to be even better.

I guess I can say that I enjoyed the pressure.

Even more images from the game on Getty's site.

Monday, December 12, 2011

NFL photos | Bears v Broncos

"A general view of the stadium as the Chicago Bears take on the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch in front of cornerback Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Miles the mascot of the Denver Broncos pumps up the crowd during a game against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."
"Jonathan Wilhite #29 of the Denver Broncos is unable to recover an onside kick against during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."
"Running back Marion Barber #24 of the Chicago Bears fumbles the ball and it's recovered by defensive end Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos as cornerback Chris Harris #25 helps makes the tackle during overtime at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."
"Place kicker Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos is mobbed by teammates after kicking a game-winning 51-yard field goal in overtime against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."
"Defensive end Robert Ayers #91 of the Denver Broncos celebrates as he walks off the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

The Broncos did it again, but are you really surprised?

In what has become a weekly echo, the Broncos trailed going into the fourth quarter yet with the never say die attitude that Tim Tebow seems to ooze, they crawled their way back with a few minutes left on the clock. Mix in Matt Prater's golden foot and you'll get yourself another SportsCenter special.

Thank God.

For the first three quarters it was easier to spot an angel hovering above the stadium than it was to make even a mildly interesting photograph. Defense may win championships but it doesn't always make for compelling images.

I'm pretty sure I made 75 percent of my storytelling images between the 4 minute mark in the fourth quarter and the end of the game in overtime. Despite the frustration that caused, I wouldn't have it any other way. This was definitely a good one to shoot.

More from the game on Getty's site.
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