It Takes Four

"Mark Otieno Odhiambo of Kenya competes in the heat one of the Men's 4x200 Metres Relay during the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 at Thomas Robinson Stadium on April 23, 2017 in Nassau, Bahamas."

Athletics can be one of the greatest challenges in sports photography. There is often so much going on at the same time that managing your time is very important.

However, the good thing about relays is that everything happens on the track and finishes in the same place. And most obvious, there are no overlapping events.

Last week, we documented the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.

Beautiful venue, amazing country and for the most part great weather. While most would enjoy clear skies, a little bit of rain helped make some compelling images during the championships.

An exciting couple of days, and a good warmup for a summer full of athletics championships, here is a condensed edit of the event.

Put Your Hands Up

"Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 13, 2017 in Washington, DC."

Photographing hockey can either be extremely clean or cluttered - rarely anything in-between.

What I mean is that remote cameras above the ice can help photographs be very symmetrical and on an attractive canvas. Conversely, at ice level, the boards are littered in advertisements. This can make a great picture distracting due to logos or even colors of them.

In addition, the crowd and railings on the steps can also take away from a great moment. But there are instances like the above where a simple crop can help communicate the story.

During Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round, Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals rocketed the game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime.

Being across the ice, I was on the play, yet crossing players, the goal itself and my limited angle through the hole made the image a challenge to get perfect. But all worked out in the end as Wilson and fans threw their hands into the air in jubilation.

Opening Day

"Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman #39 of the Baltimore Orioles prays before playing the Toronto Blue Jays during their Opening Day game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland."

To many, Opening Day is a holy day.

Each year after 162 games for each team, plus a post-season, the baseball season comes to a end.  There are no fast balls, home runs or game seven for the long stretch that is winter. It's a long break for many, but when it's back, there are lots of excited fans.

I've heard stories of many people considering Opening Day a holiday and taking off of work. Start talking to anyone at the ballpark and there are fans who haven't missed an Opening Day in 20 some years.

Personally, I've always thought Opening Day, or the first game of the year for major league baseball, was also the start of spring. The days are longer, the temperature is rising and the world becomes green again.

In all my years shooting professionally, I've never once been to as a fan, nor photographed, an Opening Day. For whatever reason, be it travel or other assignments, it just never lined up.

Thankfully I got my first this year. It was an exciting one and I'll never forget it.