I shoot sports because I have the best seat in the house - bar none. I have always talked my way right on to the ice/field/court right next to the judge/ref/umpire.I am often shooting with what amounts to a 400 - 600 mm lens and can easily pick any detail anywhere. Shutter speeds are 320/sec and higher for total stop action.
I get to see every move - good and bad. Every facial expression - from agony to victory. I never photograph the falls - they don't need to remember those. Hopefully the judges don't remember either.
When this young lady started her routine she has that great "I'm going to do this" smile that every skater has. As she launches into her spiral her look changes to "Got to hold it - got to hold it!" Remember that she is standing on a knife edge at 30 mph. The judges will knock off points for any wavering, dips, anything short of "angles - clouds - flying". Go ahead try it at home just standing still in your living room for 30 sec. Were you really perfectly still? Was your leg really that high? Maybe....
But the last image just says it all - "I'm DONE and I know it was GOOD" priceless!
Best seat - bar none!
And that's what brings me back to cold ice rinks and muddy fields time after time....
