Gauntlet: The Good, the Bad, and the Average

 

by Gary Fong
Photographer: Nick Layman

 
 
A great picture to some, a good picture to others…and an average picture to contest judges. At first glance, Nick Layman’s photo of Albuquerque Isotopes infielder, Josh Wilson, tiptoe action play to first base looks like a defining moment of the game. Great off balance frozen action, good facial expression, ball in the frame, a hint of flying turf, and tack sharp…. Great picture!
 
When covering baseball, Layman uses two cameras with long and super long zoom lenses. Before the game, he spends time figuring out his coverage strategy. He’ll concentrate on the infield. As the game progresses, he may do a changeup in a few innings. But he’s always on the alert for that one action play anywhere it decides to happen on and off the field.   But at second glance...
 
From the perspective of other photographers, yes this is a good picture with nice action. And most photographers would be pleased to have it in the cameras for any baseball assignment.  But how good is it really?  How does it stack up when compared to the best of the best?
 
(Warning: Difficult content ahead. Nick, if you don’t have a strong stomach, stop reading here and send the above to your mom.)
 
To an editor or contest judge who has seen numerous portfolios and images pass across his or her desk, a different set of criteria comes into play.  Similar action photos may have come and gone from their visual memory. Suddenly, dreaded comments, like “I’ve seen pictures like that before" and "Show me something different,” abound and leave many a budding photographers speechless with a new appreciation for that short-order cook position down the street.
 
And they’re right. Defining photos of any great event are unique to the viewer and stand the test of time. Young photographers must aspire to make these images, when on assignment.  The alternative is to show me-too photos that say to an editor or contest judge, “I have nothing unique, but my best picture are copies of something you’ve seen before.” And try to get a job or win a contest with that mindset…you’ll find yourself standing on the street corner shooting passport photos.
 
When you’re doing any coverage, sports in particular, one must shoot and edit in the context of the history being made on the field of battle. And yes…the criteria maybe a double standard, great photo for “getting it in on deadline today” vs. an average image for “best picture of the year.”
 
In terms of longevity, the photographer must consistently look for the moment that will define the game. Yes, close action is nice for the bleacher creatures sitting in the outfield. But action photos are not the only image worth making at events. Sports coverage is on the field, off the field, on the sidelines, in the dugout, in the stands…and in the photographer’s creativity.
 
So Nick Layman, get out there and shoot something I haven’t seen before.