Behind the Lens: Rhythm and Booms

"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur

What do you do when your commercial photography assignment is to cover an event that lasts a mere 28 minutes, but that takes place over several square miles and took over a year to plan?

And that event happens...in the dark?

You prepare. You research, plan, strategize, and gather a team. This was the process required to cover the 2014 Rhythm and Booms Fireworks Celebration in Madison, WI.

Rhythm and Booms transformed the Madison, WI skyline - offering an amazing opportunity for fireworks photography. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

Rhythm and Booms, founded in 1993, experienced a rebirth in 2014 by moving from its previous location in Warner Park on the city's north side to the heart of downtown. Though the change in locale was not without controversy, it was deemed necessary by the city to accommodate growth. Taking advantage of the natural landscape of Madison's isthmus, v2.0 of Rhythm and Booms was designed as theatre-in-the-round: fireworks shot from a barge on Lake Monona, reflecting off the water, with spectators gathered on shorelines. 

Focal Flame Photography was hired by the Rhythm and Booms organizers Madison Festivals Inc. to document the afternoon's festival and the fireworks display. Creating a media library of images that depicted the festival and fireworks with both sense of place and sense of purpose was essential. "It started weeks in advance, scouting locations, looking at angles, determining the story and assessing the requirements," said Focal Flame Photography founder Clint Thayer. 

Pyrotechnical effects of every hue illuminated the Madison, WI sky and reflected off Lake Monona. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

"For example, we knew we had to tell the story of Rhythm and Booms being relocated to the shore of Lake Monona, so key photographs needed to depict crowds, the Wisconsin Capitol building, and - obviously - spectacular fireworks," said Thayer. "And while it only takes a few seconds to describe those images, it takes significant time to articulate that assignment to other photographers and communicate the clients' needs, so that as a team we could be successful in our image-making."

Thayer took on the role of both art director and photographer. "We elected to position four photographers in key locations to help tell a unique visual story of Rhythm and Booms," said Thayer. Those photographers - Thayer himself, Focal Flame associate photographers Katie Richard and Josh Zytkiewicz, and freelance photographer Matt Apps - were assigned to four different vantage points around Lake Monona. Thayer had a specific shot list for each position. "I’m very impressed and proud to work with our team...they executed beautifully," said Thayer.

Mirrored by Lake Monona and decorated with the city skyline, the fireworks danced and glowed in the night skyscape. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Katie Richard

In describing the role of art director, Thayer said, "A common technique for photographers is to pick up pencil and paper, then sketch out and pre-visualize the kinds of shots that they’d like to get," said Thayer. "You have to prepare the mind so that when it’s go time, there’s no questions. There’s no drama. You’re just executing the process that you’ve already visualized." He then talked with each photographer about details.

The focus on preparedness was critical for Zytkiewicz. Despite scouting out his location beforehand, he realized as soon as the fireworks began that he needed to make adjustments. "I had everything set up at my first location, hoping to get the Capitol with the fireworks right behind it," said Zytkiewicz. But when the pyrotechnics started, his heart sank - the angle wasn't right.

The Wisconsin State Capitol building becomes ornamented with light during Rhythm and Booms. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Josh Zytkiewicz

When the situation isn't conducive, change the situation. "I put my camera under the seat of the moped, camera bag on my back, and had the tripod resting between my feet and up on my shoulder, still extended." Parking his moped and running up Wisconsin Avenue, he found a suitable alternative location and immediately set up again. The result was an intimate view of the Capitol, ablaze with light. 

Crowds filled the venue throughout the Rhythm and Booms festival in the afternoon. Thousands of people gathered to enjoy a summer Saturday with family and friends. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

Officers from the Madison Police Department collaborated with organizers to develop traffic entry and exit plans, and make sure that everyone was safe during the event. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

Positioned near the fireworks barge, Matt Apps was pleased at being able to readily find a good position.  "I scoped out the barge and made sure it was visible at my vantage point, framing it between a few trees with also a view of the capitol....Figuring most of the fireworks would go straight up, my 16-35mm lens allowed me to frame the capitol and a good deal of area for the fireworks." But he soon found himself doing a balancing act - with hues. "The lights on John Nolen were pretty bright, and created a while balance issue as they were very yellow," said Apps. He was able to compensate, though, and made a photo that depicted both the forceful beauty of the fireworks and the sense of peacefulness evoked by a gathered community.  

Thayer anticipated the possibility of challenges. "Trees, light posts, people, boats - they can all obstruct the image you're trying to make," said Thayer. "It takes thinking on your feet, adjusting, and adapting to your circumstances. And not settling for mediocre."

Because the Focal Flame team had already completed an assignment for an early-morning triathlon event that same day, they were also working a late night after a 4 AM wake-up call. Dedication in the face of fatigue adds its own challenge. "You have to keep pushing yourself as a photographer and continuing to ask yourself, 'Could this be better? If I move a foot to the left or right, will that be a better shot?'" said Thayer. "It goes back to knowing your equipment, knowing your conditions, understanding light so that you’re not having to think about those things consciously anymore. You're only thinking about the final composition of the shot."

Despite the heat and crowds, Thayer found the afternoon festival easy to access. "I found it extremely easy to get to the heart of the festival, and found parking close by," he said. "The crowds were easy to work with, and people were smiling. They were clearly having an enjoyable time at the festival. I was impressed with how easygoing the Madison police officers were to the event goers, and to me as a media team member. They didn’t make a fuss; they were very accommodating."

Composition, deep understanding of light, technique - it all comes together when photographing fireworks. The great irony is that photography is painting with light, and yet fireworks photography spans the extremes of far too little light (due to nighttime) and far too much (due to explosions) - combined with split-second timing.

The first explosion of the show brought an elegant brilliance to the Madison skyline. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

But all of the photographers were able to tap into knowledge built upon years of action photography to capture the timing of the fireworks. They also brought practical know-how from nighttime events like It's Glow Time 5K and techniques such as light painting. 

The band Big Head Todd and the Monsters headlined the free show at the Rhythm and Booms concert stage. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

In the end, the most lasting impression of Rhythm and Booms for Thayer had nothing to do with photography - and everything to do with being a Madisonian. "It’s bigger than a venue change," said Thayer. "It’s bigger than logistics about vendors and food and pricing of food and beverages and all that. It’s about people like Madison Festivals Inc., and their event production partner Race Day Events LLC, and the pyrotechnic experts at J&M Displays, and nearly 2,000 volunteers all working extremely hard to provide a city an opportunity to celebrate and come together as a community."

Rows of onlookers gather at the shoreline, coming together for the Rhythm and Booms festival. (c) 2014 Photo credit: Matt Apps on behalf of Focal Flame Photography

Thayer paused to let the reflection sink in, then continued. "A community of all different races, socioeconomic strata, all different demographics. It is literally a meeting in the middle of a city that is often divided. I walked away from that night feeling like the location is central now; it serves everybody. Everyone has to come together. In that, I think one can extrapolate more meaning." 

All ages, all walks of life, together as one. For as he documented the festival in the afternoon, he saw thousands of people from Madison and beyond gather in the sweet, heavy, humid summer air to laugh, linger, and celebrate both togetherness....and independence.

- by Robyn M. Perrin

Prints of fireworks photographs from the 2014 Rhythm & Booms event are available for purchase. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Madison Festivals Inc. fireworks funds to ensure that this community event will be sustained for the future. Thank you for your support! 

10 Ways to Use Your FocalShare Digital Photo

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. That's why free FocalShare digital photos are, well, awesome. If you've participated in a race or other sporting event that includes FocalShare service, you can download your high-resolution image at a cost of $0.00.

What can you do with your photo? If you're in need of creative ideas, here are 10 to get you started. 

1. Inspire a friend. Perhaps this is your first race. Perhaps you've been competing in your sport for years. Either way, there is a friend out there who needs you to say, "Hey, join me, this is fun." Maybe they can't imagine themselves at the starting line. Maybe they need some encouragement. YOU can be the person who shows them that it's possible, because you've been in their shoes - and now here you are, crossing the finish line. There's nothing more powerful than an image to start a conversation. 

2. Blog it. Do you chronicle your training and competition adventures? You're in good company. There are countless athlete blogs written by novices, women, men, semi-pros and pros - every sport, age division, and lifestyle you can imagine. Each blog serves a critical purpose: by telling your story, you help people understand your journey. You never know what spark this might inspire. Maybe there's a would-be athlete out there just like you that needs some concrete examples of what it takes to spend a day in your running shoes. Your race report can help them understand what it takes to get there. Without an image, all they have is your words to take on faith; with your photo, they can actually visualize not only the journey, but the beautiful outcome. 

3. Inspire yourself. Focal Flame Photography is headquartered in Madison, WI. We understand the realities of a true winter. There will come a day - likely in mid-February - where you need a reminder that at one point there was no such thing as a "polar vortex," that green grass existed, and that sweat can in fact flow freely. Download your high-resolution FocalShare image, print that baby out, and hang it near your trainer, treadmill, or gym locker. We promise: someday, it will get you through that remaining 10% of your workout. You're welcome. 

4. Spark a meet-up. Has it been years since you got together with high school or college buddies? What about your posse - the folks that stood up for you at your wedding, or fraternity/sorority brethren, or the friends you used to spend endless hours with hanging around the neighborhood? It's time to re-connect. Share your photo and invite them to join you at your next event. It might involve some cajoling, some bribing, maybe even some practical tips on how to train for a 5K. But follow through with the ask, and show them how much fun a healthy lifestyle can be. You know that it's possible. They just need an invitation.

5. Brag. Honestly, it's fun. And it's important. When you do something hard, you get to reap the rewards....period. Declare to the naysayers of the world (and even your support crew): CHECK IT OUT  - I GOT THIS. Remember: Pics or it didn't happen. 

6. Office decor. Some people decorate their cubicles with pictures of cats. We like cats. There's nothing wrong with cats. But you also have the option of framing photos of you being athletically awesome. This may in fact inspire you at a critical moment when preparing your next TPS report. 

7. Send to donors as a thank-you gift. If you have participated in a sports event as a fundraiser for a cause, you might be trying to think of a unique, fun way to thank the people who donated on your behalf. What could be more unique than an image of YOU in competition? Recognize the folks who put their good name and money behind your ability to persevere: show them what passion in action looks like. 

8. Holiday card. Toward the end of the year you may find yourself searching frantically for images that summarize a memorable accomplishment while wishing you could just get back to the festivities. Problem solved! What could be more poignant than committing to, preparing for, and participating in an event?

9. Hang it next to your kid's school photo. If you have kids (or if you're important in the life of a child as an aunt, uncle, grandparent, guardian, older sibling, etc.), you know that school portraits are a yearly rite of passage. It's important to put those school pictures up on your refrigerator. But it's also important to show the next generation what strength and dedication looks like. Don't hide it: children need to see that side of you. Even if they don't say anything about it, they'll internalize the message. 

10. Give back. Is there a coach, training partner, friend, or family member who made certain that you were well-supported as you trained? Whether their sweat equity was paid in voices made hoarse from yelling, patience as they watched the clock waiting for you to return from your training session, or camaraderie on the toughest workouts, you're simply not done with your event until you thank them. Show them what they made possible by sharing your race photo. 

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While the list above details a few of the things you can do with your free FocalShare photo...there are also a few things you cannot do. Here are three examples. 

1. Don't represent the photo as your own creative work. While your place at the front of the lens is first and foremost brilliant, every photograph is a relationship between two people: the photo subject, and the photographer. We at Focal Flame Photography are proud to hire the best in the business. Our photographers are highly skilled, experienced, and incredibly nice people who work exceptionally hard in every imaginable weather condition to make sure they capture you at the right moment and with true artistry. When you share your image, please take care to credit the hardworking artists who documented that critical moment. And please, don't submit the image to a photography contest as if it was your own creation. (Don't laugh. There is a reason we have to mention this.) Focal Flame Photography encourages sharing of FocalShare images by photo subjects, but retains copyright. 

2. Use a FocalShare image for disparaging purposes. Focal Flame Photography is on a mission to create good in the world. Images we create may not be used to disparage, harass, embarrass, or make fun of anyone or anything. We feel pretty strongly about this. Contact us if you have any questions. 

3.  Re-sell the image or use it for commercial purposes. FocalShare images are free to share for your own personal use, but attempting to re-sell or gain profit from it in any way is simply not ok. If you or another party is interested in a commercial use license, contact us - are more than happy to help. (But rest assured - we do not issue commercial use licenses without permission of you as the photo subject.)

How have you used your FocalShare digital? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or via email.

Behind the Lens: Observation

by Clint Thayer

People often ask me how I capture "such great shots." That question is difficult for me to answer because I don't think of myself as a great photographer; I just do what I do and photograph what I see.

Maybe Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the world's greatest photographers, had the answer when he said, "the first 10,000 photographs are your worst." As a sports photographer, I (as well as all Focal Flame photographers) have the advantage of capturing several thousand images in a single weekend, so perhaps we have a better-than-average chance that our "worst photographs" are behind us.

But if I have to choose one photographer skill that makes the difference between the average photo and a "great shot," it is the art of observation. As a juggler needs to watch and learn not where the juggled object is but where it is going to be, a sports photographer has to anticipate the shot — read the human body in motion, anticipate the movement, and  know, intuitively, what is going to happen before events actually occur. If the photographer waits to see the shot in the viewfinder, by the time the shutter is pressed and the image created, the defining moment will be long gone.

Just as intense practice makes the difference between a good athlete, dancer, or artist and a great one, intense practice of photography skills makes for a better photographer. Sports photographers certainly get a lot of intense practice, yet you need more — you need heart, soul, and intense focus to anticipate the right moment. That's the power of observation at work and it makes all the difference.

The great mid-century American photographer Elliott Erwittsaid, "To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." I heartily agree with that statement.

To create a "great photograph" or - any photograph for that matter - one must cultivate the skill of observation. How do you look at a scene and determine the exact moment to release the shutter? For the most part I just watch people, and based on previous experience, calculate the possible interactions, anticipate the defining moment, and respond to what I see coming.

It takes time and experience to hone that photographer skill, to be able to see the visual details in the overall scene, and anticipate the right time to take the shot. That is why most professional photographers suggest that if you want to improve, you should shoot as much as possible.  By shooting, you are forced to look and by looking you are forced to see the array of possibilities.  By mastering the art of observation, you will master the art of photography.

May all your shots be great ones!

Clint Thayer, is the owner and lead photographer at Focal Flame Photography based in Madison, Wisconsin. He honed his art of observation studying photography at The College of Wooster in Ohio and under Richard Clarkson at the Summit Series of Sports Photography at the U.S. Olympic National Training Center, and by training in Miksang, a form of contemplative photography. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and the Center for Photography at Madison (a group of Madison, Wisconsin photographers). Both organizations have helped him to cultivate his skill and vision. Encouraging others to appreciate creative vision as well as find their own unique visual “voice” is deeply satisfying. 

How do you hone the skill of observation? Share your thoughts and perspective!

Sport Art: "Homeward" by Clint Thayer Chosen by National Art Museum of Sport

by Deborah Proctor

The National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) offers a unique collection of fine art. Like other art museums, many forms of art are represented — from sculpture and paintings to mosaics and of course photography. Yet, unlike many art museums, the focus is on one thing, and one thing only, sport — or more specifically, the ART of sport.   "Art must depict or evoke sports, celebrating athletics or the athlete as a subject, whether individual or team, competitive or recreational, participant or spectator remembered, or studied still life, figurative, or landscape," states their annual competition materials.

Selected as part of the museum's 3rd annualInternational Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport Competition is"Homeward," a fine art photograph by Clint Thayer, owner of Focal Flame Photography, Madison, Wisconsin. Thayer's work was selected from among hundreds of sport art entries representing 50 sports from 10 countries around the globe. The exhibition runs September 5-21, 2013 at the ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton, Florida. The opening reception and awards presentation is on Thursday, September 5, from 5-7 pm.

In "Homeward," Thayer uses light and shadow to depict the Trek Midwest cycling team near the end of a long day's journey. This classic black and white sets the mood, while a strikingly simple composition captures the essence of the cyclists' story and draws the viewer into the scene. The description accompanying “Homeward” reads:

Lengthened shadows sweep across the road at the end of a training ride. A cadre of cyclists from the Trek Midwest Team head homeward after hours of drills over asphalt shared with milk trucks visiting dairy farms. Finely tuned to each other’s cadence, the teammates settle into tight formation as defense against the wind. At the top right corner of the frame, one rider trails behind the others. His presence raises questions: was he dropped from the pack? Is he fighting to keep pace with the others, lungs searing and breath ragged with effort of regaining his place? Will he overtake his teammates? Frozen in time, only shadows remain to tell the riders’ story.

When asked why he enters fine art competitions when his primary focus is capturing athletes participating in events such as 5K runs, cycling races, and triathlons, Thayer commented, "It's important to challenge oneself.  I believe artists need to push past the boundaries of known risks and open ourselves to a higher degree of possible failure...With my camera,...I have an opportunity to welcome an audience into a scene where the known and unknown provide a rich environment for the story...How could I not submit?"

Thayer feels it is an honor to be among the artists that represent"some of the best our generation has to offer." NAMOS obviously recognizes Thayer's talent for creating art from sport — his work has been selected as some of the most compelling sport art in the world in the 2nd Annual Competition; in a by-invitation-only Artist for the 2012 NAMOS exhibit entitled Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line, and now the 3rd Annual Competition.

Founded in 1959, NAMOS maintains one of the largest collections of fine art depicting sport in the United States. The museum is dedicated to encouraging artists engaged in the genre, and also to collect, preserve, and share the best examples of sport art NAMOS can acquire. The museum’s first home was in Madison Square Garden in New York. It has been in Indianapolis since 1990 and is currently seeking a new home for its growing permanent collection

About the Photographer:  Clint Thayer’s artistic projects have ranged from following individual athletes throughout months of training, 15-hour Ironman triathlons, and 6-mile ultraswim events to photo essays of speed skaters racing on frozen ponds. He has exhibited and won awards internationally, notably: National Art Museum of Sport, Indianapolis, IN (2011, 2012, 2013); Center for Photography at Madison (2010); Lakeside, OH, Photography Show; Adorama iPhone Photo Contest (2009); and XI Concurso Internacional de Fotografía Apícola.

At Focal Flame Photography, we believe that sport art captures the essence of human perseverance, dedication, and passion. What are your thoughts about sport art? Share them with the Focal Flame community – we’d  love to hear! 

Behind the Lens: Mid-Year Reflection

by Clint Thayer

Where did the year go? It seems like only yesterday that I was just dreaming of business plans for the 2013 year and event season, and here I am right smack in the middle of it. That also means I am half way through the year and it is time to reflect on how my dreams are shaping up.

Just like the athletes I photograph, I track my numbers. Are my numbers better than last year? Are we photographing more races or more athletes? Is our processing time improving? I examined Focal Flame Photography's performance for the first half of 2013 and am pleased to say the answer to all three questions is "YES!"

In terms of our event photography services, as I noted in a previous post, the number of events we covered in 2012 soared 275% over the same period in 2011. In reviewing my numbers so far this year I discovered that:

• Not only are the number of events we cover growing but the number of athletes we photograph at each event is growing too. This year's Shamrock Shuffle, for example, grew from 3500 racers to 4700, nearly a 35% increase. When you think about what that means in terms of more people getting outside and embracing an active lifestyle, it’s fantastic.
• We have created more images —38,031 photos so far this year; that is only 5400 images short of the number we created in ALL of 2012.
• AND even though there are more athletes, more events, and more photos,  we are editing and applying bib numbers faster than ever  — averaging only 5.3 seconds per image. Why? Simply put, skill. Our editors are absolutely amazing – and amazingly efficient - at what they do.

So how do we keep up? Refining our process, learning what we can do better, taking hold of opportunities, and striving to improve. But I did not accomplish all this on my own...

Probably the biggest boon to Focal Flame's increase in productivity is the people we have added to our roster of talent.We are "buying local," hiring talented photographers, editors, writers, and logistical event staff to extend our core philosophy and help us achieve our goals. Focal Flame Photography is not just Clint taking a photograph, it is Josh, and Katie, Austin, and Deb working with Robyn and me to do what we want to do, go where we want to go, and figure out how we are going to do it. In future posts we will tell the stories of our talented staff.

What we want to do is tell your story with photographs.  One unique way we accomplish that is by creating custom photo books that celebrate personal milestones, document professional achievements, or create team memories.Custom photo books combine words, wishes, and photographs that will keep your story alive for future generations. We are currently working on a heart-warming story of a youth soccer team that has been playing together since kindergarten, and is now headed to middle school. Creating such a permanent memory is deeply rewarding to me.

Where do we want to go? My philosophy is to  "Go left when everyone else is going right."   That is why we have added a NEW video service to our Focal Flame gear bag. In the first 6 months of the year, we have produced some amazing videos for race organizers and commercial clients such the University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Biotechnology program. If a picture is worth 1000 words, just imagine what a 1-3 minute video can say.  Stay tuned.

And how do we want to do what we do?

I love creating unique, meaningful images of great athletes running, swimming, biking, diving into mud holes, and crossing the finish line. Editing race photos one day, I looked at all these amazing athletes doing what they do and thought, "What good does it do to capture these moments of exhilaration, determination, and dedication if only a few people see them?" How could I make it possible for these athletes to share these moments with friends, family, and teammates more freely? The answer — FocalShare™ a service for race organizers that allows them to give complimentary digital photographs to all of their athletes. We have completed a number of FocalShare events this season and the response has been extremely positive. Athletes love the free digital photos and share them with friends and family, race organizers love the buzz that sharing creates, and we just love the smiles all around. If you are not sure what FocalShare™ is, watch for a future post that will describe this program in more detail.

In reflecting on the first six months of the year, I see progress. We are photographing more events, providing photographs faster than ever, telling your stories in new ways, and delivering greater customer service and satisfaction to our athletes, event organizers, portrait, custom sport, commercial, and video clients, all while giving back to the community.  Thank you for the part you play in making it all possible.

What are your highlights from the first half of 2013? Share them with the Focal Flame community on Facebook,Google+, or on Twitter!

Behind the Lens: It Takes Persistence

by Clint Thayer

Event photography isn't the only type of photography that I do - but it is perhaps the most visible type. Unlike my commercial or portrait photography work, event photography is, like photojournalism, a public affair.

But, here's a secret: Sports event photographers are looked down upon in some circles. Unless, perhaps, you are a Sports Illustrated photographer on an editorial assignment, with a seemingly mile-long lens that can take a photograph of a single drop of sweat across a 100-yard football field, the perception is that you are just taking the same old boring shot over and over again.

Photographing athletes gritting their teeth as they "hit the wall" in that marathon run or slathered in sweat as they cross the finish line may not have the polished, glamorous atmosphere of photographing a bride and groom on their special day. During an event, photographers do not have the luxury of time to get every hair in place or recreate the shot for a better angle as might occur in portrait or commercial photography.  Sporting event photographers live and work in the moment (photo credit for image at right: Anne Stack Connor). Timing is everything. There are no second chances, no do-overs — you either get the shot or the opportunity is lost — FOREVER!

I see each race and the need to get it right every time as a way to hone my skills technically. I need to be in tune with every athlete throughout the event, from starting point to finish line. And that takes experience, timing, and practice. My goal at an event is to take a unique, meaningful picture of everyone crossing the finish line, to capture that moment and the one characteristic action —  arms up, high five a friend, or beaming smile — that signifies each athlete as an individual. And I do that in camera. These moments simply can't be photoshopped into reality. 

To focus on the athletes, capturing their story, also takes persistence. Just like them, I endure hot sun and bone chilling cold,  drenching rain, mud, insects, and whatever other uncomfortable circumstances or distractions are thrown my way.

When it rains, there is the fear of water getting into the camera or on the lens, ruining the camera or distorting the shot. But when I focus on the athletes, on their accomplishments rather than my worries or discomfort, the rain turns into a positive opportunity — offering soft, beautiful light and intriguing reflections gifted by the water.

At one recent race I was plagued with gnats swarming around me, flying up my nose and into my eyes. Thankfully they didn't bite or sting, but there was absolutely no way of evading them. They buzzed between my face and glasses, in my beard...I did my best not to ingest them, but it was impossible not to end up with a few extra six-legged calories that day.

When in a situation like that, I must come to peace with the annoyance, filter out the chatter in my mind, stick it in an imaginary box and duct tape it shut. I must put the distractions out of my mind and stay focused on the rewarding experience — getting the shots!

The ability to focus on the job at hand and turn potential negatives into positives is just one more tool in my gear bag, as important as my camera, lens, lighting, and angle, if not more so. It is part of my personal customer service. It's as important as my trying to cheer everyone on, giving them a high five or calling their name as they cross finish line.

The rewards of persistence are great. Despite sun, rain, wind, cold, or those annoying gnats, the opportunity to celebrate amazing athletes and the satisfaction of helping them tell their story is really an uplifting place to be. It's a journey from an almost meditative state of concentration to celebration of each racer - over and over again.

Event photography takes focus and persistence. It can be a challenge. But, about that secret regarding event photographers being held in low esteem? I'll let you in on a secret of my own: photographing events is deeply rewarding and insanely fun. It's real. It's authentic. And it's all about keeping your wits sharp enough to perceive THE moment for every shot, all day long.  

Passionate about photography? We are too. Come join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. 

Behind the Lens: Going Left When Everyone Goes Right

by Clint Thayer

There are some advantages of doing what everyone else is doing.  Life is easy and you don’t have to think about it much.  Just follow the person in front of you and watch what they do.  If you can’t beat them - join them. Right?

Wrong. At least from a creative perspective. The act of creating means not just recapitulating what others have done before, but putting something new into the world.

Sometimes making something wholly new requires taking a different approach toward a familiar subject matter - one of which (for me) is cycling. If you've never heard of cyclocross, you would likely raise an eyebrow when I describe the nature of what a typical cyclocross racer does on the weekends.  Yet it’s strangely captivating to watch and even more so to photograph.  Over the years the sport of cyclocross has gained a great deal of popularity in the cycling community, and it’s starting to infiltrate the public’s eye as well.  This is wonderful for the sport and for the cycling community as a whole.  An entire industry is growing out of the weeds and as a professional visual storyteller - it is a wonderful backdrop.

With this growth, I’ve witnessed first-hand the explosion of like-minded photographers jumping in and crafting some amazing pieces of work.  Really great material showing off some exceptional athletes.  Welcome to the party!

I started shooting cyclocross a few years ago as a study in motion, light and...essentially,  grit.  I fell in love with the people, the sport, and most of all the imagery.  Turning a corner of the course into a Focal Flame portable studio was a blast and I learned a great deal about my professional craft - lessons that I still use today.  When Madison was awarded its bid to host the 2012 and 2013 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, I could not have been happier.  What an opportunity to show my love of the sport through the lens - with cyclocross racers from all over the nation coming practically to our backyard!

But at the same time - I wanted to stand out and take some artistic risks.  Should I bring more lights? More filters? Climb trees?  Each technique could help produce wonderful images and likely push me creatively, as well as push the limits of what can be done with the camera.  

And pushing the limits meant that I wanted to go left when everyone else was going right.  I woke up on the Saturday of CX Nationals with my sights set on filming, editing, and publishing a ~3 min video that captured the heart of the event. And I wanted the creative process and the production to all be completed within one day.

I’ve never, ever liked rolling with the pack - going with the flow, or taking the easy road.  And I find value and comfort in setting my own expectations higher than I did the previous day.  I’m not in a race to out-do others - I’m in a race to push myself past my own creative comfort zone with the storytelling process.  This was the result:

Link to YouTube Video

So how different is shooting video from shooting stills? In many aspects, it’s very much the same.  Above everything else, story rules all.  With a still photo, the goal is to convey intent and imply story in a way that evokes a conclusion for the beholder in a single frame - not an easy task, yet very rewarding when successful.  From my perspective, video allows different creative space as a playground, including additional ways to help develop story. Your perception of time actually changes. Photography forces you into the moment in zen-like fashion. Videography beckons you to consider past, present, and future simultaneously.

And there are so many ways to evoke mood.  Sound, dialog, and ambient noise gives a videographer the capability to set tone without revealing a single frame. These are dimensions we all experience when we watch a movie, but when you begin to work with them as an artistic process for visual storytelling, it’s changes your whole perspective. It’s electric. It’s goosebump-inducing.

And I can’t wait for the next opportunity go push myself toward new paths, and new directions.

Thanks, as always, for joining in on the journey.  

Interested in learning more about visual storytelling, sports photography and videography, and more? Join our mailing list! 

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Behind the Lens: Thinking on Your Feet

by Clint Thayer

I recently had a master class assignment in which the premise was to toss you outside your comfort zone.  We were to imagine that all our photography gear had been lost in travel yet we still needed to “nail the gig” sans lighting equipment.  The gig was simple - but it still needed the bare minimum of lighting to be an effective piece.

Photographers often hold a fundamental rule: carry two of everything.  But sometimes circumstances don't work out in your favor and you're left with the only thing you can’t really lose, forget, or misplace... you.  

I grew up in rural northeastern Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie, a travel destination for vacationing families.  A local tourist trap named Mystery Hill was prominently placed to lure travelers in on the way in or out of the beachfront areas in Ottawa County.  Though no longer in operation, the 2-story-tall, garishly painted fiberglass dinosaurs at the entrance of the Mystery Hill and Prehistoric Forest roadside attraction just begged to pull you and your 9-year-old kids in. The place existed primarily to suck the cash right out of your wallet.  

After a quick stop at the ticket booth you were sent to me: a young tour guide working a summer job to earn cash for college. My responsibility as a tour guide was to use my wits to give you and your family an “unforgettable” afternoon. The gag of Mystery Hill was that the building was constructed on a 45 degree angle to the ground and surrounded with tall fences. It was constructed to immerse the participant fully in the sensory illusion of water appearing to run uphill, building angles that didn’t make sense at first glance, and the like.  As I walked guests through the slanted house using phrases like “7thwonder of the world” and “UFO crash landing site” I could often see the hint of dismay arise on Dad and Mom’s face. (The kids, in contrast, were usually happy as clams.)  

Every photographer who has been shooting long enough has seen at least one moment like this - a flicker on a subject’s face that might indicate loss of trust, confusion, questions, and maybe even anger. Making a photograph is a dance between subject and photographer, and even Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers stepped on each others’ toes from time to time. The vulnerability of those moments is never fun to experience, but it’s times like those - the uncomfortable moments - that remind me of Mystery Hill and those moms and dads.  If I had never learned how to read a situation, accommodate the unknown, and set people at ease and start them laughing again, I doubt I’d be half the photographer I am now.

That’s the moment you lost all your photo gear.  The moment when you lost your primary and secondary camera, the lights, and the assistant.  (Yep - I always pack my assistant in my carry-on luggage.  Rollers make it easy!)

It forces you take a step back and think.  Not about the mistake (there will be time to pick that apart later), but how are you going to pick up the pieces in the moment and move forward.  It helps to have life experiences like good old Mystery Hill to fall back on, but don’t just rely on that. It’s never a good idea to self-induce this situation with your trusted clients.  Plan ahead.  Pick a free afternoon and stage a “worst case scenario.”  Plan as far as you feel you need to gain some experience but make it really, really tough on yourself. Then put your mock “gig” in action, take yourself far outside of your comfort zone, and see what happens.

Here are some things that have always helped me:

• Keep a positive attitude.  It’s the root of success, and if you don’t have it in the worst of times, you will fail to turn around the situation.
• Trust yourself and the people you work with.  If you are spending more time questioning yourself, that’s valuable time lost to finding a solution.
• Always, and I mean always - arrive early. Time is your biggest asset aside from the grey matter between your ears.
• Really understand light.  Know how light works through common materials like glass, plastic, and bed sheets.
• Last, and likely least, know where the closest convenience store is located near you.  I’ve saved an entire day’s shoot with one stop at a Walgreens.

You might find the more you push yourself into the uncomfortable zone - the more it might feel...  comfortable!

2012 by the Numbers: The Pace Isn't Slowing at Focal Flame Photography

We have learned first hand how important numbers are to athletes. Common phrases include, “Is my time better than the last race?”, "What was my average pace this season?", and “How many miles did I log this year compared to last?” When it comes to keeping track of metrics, we wholeheartedly share this interest. Here at Focal Flame Photography, we've been doing a little end-of-the-year reflecting ourselves and thought we would let you know some of our stats.

In the area of event photography, Focal Flame Photography cranked it up from serving 8 events in 2011 to 22 events in 2012, a 275% increase!  Our photographers took 43,665 photos at those events in total and 85% - or 37,907 photographs - met our standards for lighting, focus, and composition.

Translation: Racers had better photos.

Reducing the time it took to get photos into race participants’ hands was a priority for 2012 and our pace quickened dramatically. This year, we processed photographs for events with up to 4000 racers in 24 hours. Photos for events with less than 1,000 racers were often ready for purchase the same day.

Translation: Racers had faster and improved access to their photos.

With the improved speed at processing photographs, Focal Flame Photography was able to offer two brand new event services in 2012: Same Day Sales and complimentary photos. Our Same Day Sales tent, offered at six events, provided racers the opportunity to view, select and purchase a print of photos of the race they had just finished. Race participants left each event with a photo in hand of their accomplishment.  We like to envision those prints in homes and offices across the Midwest.

Additionally, we were able to work with some race sponsors and directors to offer complimentary digital photos for select races. These digital images were not "free," but rather sponsored by event directors and/or sponsors who wanted to provide race swag that is completely personalized, environmentally friendly, and way-cooler-than-a-plastic-water-bottle. The response for the complimentary photos was enthusiastic. One race director received over 60 emails after one event alone.  A customer shared, “Getting free photos from a race is unheard of. I have been awarded free race entries, but never a complimentary image, much less all of them. Thank you very much, this is greatly appreciated!” We look forward to extending these services to events Focal Flame Photography covers in the future.

Translation: Race directors now have choices.

Focal Flame entered 2012 known to specialize in sports photography, but we also focused on increasing our offerings in other areas. In 2012, we offered career headshots (professional portraits) to both individuals and staff photographs for entire businesses. Given today's competitive job market, career portraits are an investment in your own future, and we loved hearing not only how much our clients appreciated being able to show their professional selves to the world on LinkedIn and their business web sites, but also how much they genuinely enjoyed the photo shoots. 

We even expanded into other areas, such as pet photography! Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post about a VERY fit athlete who just happened to have four legs (er, paws). 

Though December through February are typically off-season months for sports event photographers, the pace at Focal Flame Photography has not slowed. We’ve been busy planning for a fantastic 2013 season. We’re getting calls and emails daily from race directors making plans for 2013.  (Thanks everyone! And if you haven't contacted us yet, please do so quickly so we can reserve space on our calendar.)  In the process, we are finding our 2013 schedule is filling very quickly.

Finally, we have to give a shout-out to the outstanding staff here at Focal Flame Photography. As a small, growing business, we believe in creating local jobs and rely on the skills and professionalism of our employees to deliver outstanding service to our clients. Our professional editor, photography assistant, and sales staff are top-notch and work very hard to help make sure your experiences are enjoyable from start to finish. 

Thanks for being part of the journey in 2012, and we look forward to a fantastic 2013 with you!

The Best of 2012

The recent blizzard here in Madison has given us reason to slow down, curl up with some hot chocolate, and reflect on 2012. Wow!  What an amazing year it's been for Focal Flame Photography.  We'll be sharing some numbers next week that will explain that a bit more, but for now we thought it might be fun to tell the year's story in photos. Here's what we consider to be a few of the best of 2012!

Focal Flame Photography was founded to share our passion for sports photography and enable our desire to help athletes tell their story through photographs.  This shot, taken during the Madison Capital Criterium, which was the final stage of the 2012 Tour of America's Dairyland (T.O.A.D.) race series, reflects the determination and intensity we see time and again on the course.

When you sign up for an event we're covering, Focal Flame Photography considers you the most important customer of the day.  We go to great heights to fulfill our commitment to each participant and every race director - sometimes literally. This photograph shows the start of the Dane County Girls On the Run 5K in November 2012, and was taken from a ladder truck kindly made available by the Waunakee Fire Department. 

We love Madison - a city that is bristling with kinetic energy. There are action photographs to be made on every corner. This photograph shows the elite women's field at the Madison Capital Criterium during the Tour of America's Dairyland on July 1, 2012.  

By instinct, photographers are people watchers.  We look for moments that need to be preserved forever. This was one of them. Read more about the impact this photo had on us.

Focal Flame Photography will capture you when the race is hard and you're giving it all you got. And we'll also catch you when you're simply falling into fun! This photograph was taken at the Dirty Dog Mud Run on October 6. After a long, hot summer, the 45 to 50-degree F temperature that morning took some racers by surprise, but this team of friends wasn't daunted. 

Don't worry....We'll seize that moment when the real you sneaks out! Here, Ryan Griessmeyer of Race Day Events LLC shows a game face. (Have no fear, folks. He's a teddy bear at heart.)

The intensity required to persevere through a competition often mirrors the courage needed to face life's challenges. This image of custom sports photography client Michael Thompson shows him during a pivotal moment on the IronMan Wisconsin bike course. Can you see the thousands of hours of training, the mental preparation, the support from family and friends, and the depth of concentration captured in this instant? 

Kids are the ultimate in high-intensity action, and when it comes to teamwork, families can be a coordinated force to be reckoned with. (Heck, many families could give consulting advice to professional sports teams about logistics and coordination.) In 2012, we've been honored to increase our portrait and family photography services. Witnessing the dynamics of people in harmony with one another has been truly meaningful.

Thank you everyone for making 2012 one of the best years we've seen yet. What are you looking forward to in 2013? Let us know in the comments!