Stretched Out

"Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles cannot make a catch on an RBI double hit by Steven Souza Jr. #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 15, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland."

One of the fundamentals of sports photography is that you want two players and a ball in your image.

Thus meaning, documenting a football game, a photographer will want an image of player rushing with the ball eluding another player. This in it's basic sense gives the viewer a feel of competition.

While that is a very elementary concept, I continually believe it makes a stronger picture.

A lot of sports photography is singular in terms of action. One player performing on their stage. While I am guilty every day of shooting that way, it cannot be avoided as a lot of sports are just that - singular.

Golf is a prime example of having one athlete appearing alone in a frame a majority of the time.

It's not until another element comes into play that makes the image more appealing or complex. Be it fans, or a teammate, or the opposition.

With that all said, there is nothing wrong with a peak action moment of one player. We must continually capture these plays, yet if we can predict an extra element coming into play we'll be ready for the next great image.