I love shooting events. I think this is an area where my ADHD shines. My attention can jump from subject to subject and I can scan the room to see where the action is, or will soon be. And with four matches going on simultaneously in two different rooms and a podium to capture, I was constantly in motion. If I hold the camera just right and keep both eyes open I can see through the viewfinder to compose my shot with one eye and at the same time use my other eye to quickly search if there is something else going on beyond my camera’s lens. My big ears act like radars picking up all the sounds around me giving me clues as to what else is going on….oh the PA is calling for the winners to the podium- gotta go there….oh that coach is getting real loud and intense, something big is about to happen on that mat- gotta turn that way.
But at the same time it has it’s downsides. I am constantly searching, thinking about what I might be missing or the shot I could’ve got. I know it’s not possible to capture everything but I keep beating myself up for missing THAT ONE moment :
I was beating myself up for not being fast enough to turn and focus on the action, but some of the reactions on the faces in the background kinda make up for it I guess.
And forget that I actually did catch THESE moments:
I judge my performance on what I wish I got, I forget that the client doesn’t see the moments I missed, and is usually (I hope) pretty happy with the ones that I did get. I gotta find that balance between focusing on what’s now and what’s about to happen. I guess that’s also how life is. Gotta make sure to pay attention to what’s in front of you but also be aware of your surroundings and don’t let lost just zoning in on one aspect.
After it’s all said and done I am pretty happy with the outcome. There are some thing I wish I would have done better, and things I know to be aware of in the future to make it easier for me. But that’s what this is all about. Trying new things and making adjustments. I really enjoy sports photography and hope I can do more. Right now I am just trying to find out what are the limitations and capabilities of my equipment and my body.
Photography by Rex 