Photographer of the Week Report

 

Neil Leifer. 

Neil Leifer grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan and began photography at the age of 13. His first camera a Yashica Mat was used to photograph one of the most football photos of all time. The 1958 NFL Championship between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants when the Colts running back Alan Ameche scored the game winning touchdown. The game is considered one of the greatest football games of all time. What makes the moment even more incredible could be the fact Leifer was only 16 at the time. He got onto the field that day because he volunteered at a veterans hospital where he wheeled down disabled veterans to the back of the end zone. What stands out the most about Leifer is just how much pregame studying and preparation he does. Depending on the weather, wind, and sport Leifer tries to pick the best spot on the field or court. Leifer's claim to fame starts with his ability to tell a story within one single photo. Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston has so much backstory put into the context of one photo. A photo that would go on to be the perfect photographed anecdote for what kind of boxer Muhammad Ali was. David standing over Goliath( prior to David eventually becoming Goliath).  He also has pictures of Vince Lombardi winning the first Superbowl ever, Secretariat winning the 1973 Belmont Stakes, The Black Power salute by John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 summer Olympics, and the list could go on forever. Personally I find inspiration in just how much range Leifer can go. Many of his most famous photos are of Muhammad Ali boxing but the ability to be really good at capturing Julius Erving signature dunk and Reggie Jackson striking out in his iconic glasses. Each sport has it's own particular difficulty and being able to understand the best spots to shoot can't be appreciated enough. What makes me love Neil Leifer the most would be the way he carries himself as a photographer. He knows that no one pays to see him, but he damn sure still wants to be the best at what he does. He knows just like in sports that when your moment comes you better be ready for the moment. "You can't get away from the element of luck in sports photography; but what makes a great sports photographer is that, when we get lucky, we don't miss," Neil Leifer. 

Sources- 

Neil Leifer Photography.com 

Staff, NPR. “A 'Relentless' Sports Photographer Explains How He Got His Shots.” NPR, NPR, 6 May 2016, https://www.npr.org/2016/05/06/476893044/a-relentless-sports-photographer-explains-how-he-got-his-shots.