Celebration at 2007 State Championship, Winston Salem, NCWell, if you just want to document the match to show what happened, then those pictures are okay, but... That's the gist of the response I got from my longtime photography instructor, Dick Cicone. I had asked for his opinion on some wrestling pictures I took a few years ago. He then pointed out that I would need to change some things in order to
show the action, feelings, and athleticism of the sport. I had to change my approach, attitude and the very nature of what I shoot.I needed to start showing wrestlers with arms locked in "battle"; legs and arms intertwined; faces showing strain and effort; bodies sweating; and wrestlers flexed muscles... yes, the goal is to put the viewer on the mat beside the wrestler!
Having grown up in Jamaica, soccer has always been my number one sport. However, over the last few years, I have watched the positive impact
wrestling has had on our son's development both as an athlete and in becoming a responsible, disciplined young man. Wrestling is now a close second and I have become one of the sports' biggest fans. To me, it elevates the ideals of discipline, self control and sportsmanship. Coaches and referees expect this from its athletes who are taught how to win with grace, lose with dignity and to keep their poise.This past weekend I covered a regional High School wrestling tournament to see who qualifies to compete in the North Carolina State Championship. These images are from that competition. You can see the drive, intensity and athleticism of these young people.
So next time you go out to shoot sporting events, whether it's pro sports or of your kid's Little League games: look around, take the time to show their effort, their victories and yes, their defeat. Remember, it's not just about winning it's about capturing how they they play the game to keep as memories for years to come.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Use your flash, even outdoors
- Choose a relatively high film speed; ISO 800+ for indoors
- Anticipate where the action will be next and be ready to shoot
- Get close and shoot tight closeup photos
- Keep shooting even after the action stops
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