Smashed Bird

"Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by middle linebacker Kiko Alonso #47 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland."

When I was younger my father would always say 'you to see the field' when playing sports.

While it was a literal phrase, I always interpreted differently.

What he was trying to communicate is that you need to have your head up, know where your teammates are so that you can successfully work together.

But I always thought it was more of an internal, sixth sense type of notion. Being able to 'see the field' meant knowing your place and feeling, anticipating the actions of others - both the opposition and your teammates.

Today is no different when photographing sports. A photographer needs to be able to predict what could happen at any moment.

Thus the case when quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens rushed against the Miami Dolphins. Typcially when a quarterback slides, the play is dead, and it's not a picture.

But something told me to keep shooting the play as he was then tackled, hit in the head - which resulted in Flacco leaving the game.

One must always be aware of their surroundings, and not only see it, but feel it.