Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Preakness at Pimlico

"Jockey Victor Carrasco poses for a portrait after jockeying Never Stop Looking in The 2nd Running of the Old Bay Race prior to the 141st running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland."

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There is nothing more challenging then covering the same event year after year.

I've covered the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course for six years in a row - and that doesn't count what I've documented not in succession.

Obviously, each year variables change. The weather may be good or bad. There may be a policy changes for fans. A horse could scratch from the race. And so much more.

But for the most part, the venue and purpose of the assignment are relativity unchanged. So trying to capture the week long of morning workouts and then the one day event in a new light is always fun, but a huge challenge.

This year, lots of rain already changed our game plan at Getty Images. That in turn changed how I approached and documented the week.

Not only did we walk away Saturday night with brilliant coverage as a team, I thought I had one of my best Preakness weeks to date, and that goes back to my teammates doing the same.

Monday, May 16, 2016

All Hands On Pit

"Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Rheem Chevrolet, comes in for a pit stop during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Ollie's Bargain Outlet 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 14, 2016 in Dover, Delaware."

Each and every venue has it's gems - yet it's finding them and knowing how to use them that makes it a challenge.

For motorsports, some tracks have different shooting positions that make routine documentation a bit more of a calculated risk.

As an example, at most race tracks, pit stop walls are solid concrete. And going over the wall with any part of your body and camera as a photographer is strictly prohibited.

However, at Dover International Speedway, the pit road wall is more of a guard rail with an opening below. This allows photographers to wedge their camera underneath the opening and spray frames blindly as cars come speeding in for tire changes.

Maybe it's because in all my years at Dover I was playing it safe when I covered pit stops. Whatever the reason being, I'm glad I went for something different this time around.

There is nothing better than getting multiple layers of action in one sports image.

Thursday, May 05, 2016

One to the Chin

"Lucian Bute of Canada (right) is punched by Badou Jack of Sweden in their WBC super middleweight championship bout at the DC Armory on May 1, 2016 in Washington, DC."

Timing is everything - and in boxing that's not always easy.

Learning  and adjusting to punching speeds is one of the most challenging things in documenting sports.

While not always necessary, I always show up to boxing matches early to get a my rhythm and timing down with the under card fights. Not to mention, a lot of the times these matches before the title fights are just as good, if not better, photographically.

With this being my third boxing night in a little over a month, I had a good night of connecting my clicks with connecting punches.

While one of the two title matches at the DC Armory ended in a majority draw, all the images that night showed the heart and hard-hitting action that boxing is known for.

As always, much respect to the fighters. There is nothing more vicious in sports than a night ringside.

Sunday, May 01, 2016

Presidential Selfie

"Abraham Lincoln impersonator Ron Carley (left) takes a selfie picture with WBC Champion Badou Jack in front of the White House prior to Jack facing Lucian Bute (not pictured) in a super middleweight title fight, set for April 30, 2016 at the DC Armory, on April 27, 2016 in Washington, DC."

Reactions from the general public often make the most of assignments where a majority of the day are posed portraits.

A press tour helping promote a double-header headlined title fight had a group of photographers posing four professional boxers in front of iconic monuments in Washington, DC.

These clean portraits helped place international boxers from the fight card in the district - and were great for clients worldwide.

Yet it was another notable man that helped bring a candid moment to the otherwise set schedule day.

That man was Abraham Lincoln, well, an impersonator of the famous president with the top hat.

The best part was is that Abe sought out the selfie - making the moment even better.