If you see the shot...

... then you have missed it. I am not sure who said that first, but they are right. For example, if you are looking to get a shot of a player with the ball on the racquet strings, and you actually see that moment in your viewfinder then it is too late to press the button to capture it. Ergo, timing is of the essence, as it is with many things. Your camera may well be capable of ten frames a second, but, it can still seem laughably easy to miss capturing the ball completely. Chances are improved if you listen to the player at the opposite end hit the ball and then start your shots before a ball even enters the frame. At least that is how a relative sports photography novice such as me might approach the problem. I believe it may be called the 'spray and pray' approach, jamming your finger down on the shutter release and keeping it there for a second or two to be fairly confident of success. A lazy approach? Could be seen that way too.

The match I shot was Querrey vs Cilic, the last one of the day on Centre. The photos are mostly self-explanatory, and I should point out that Cilic is the one not wearing a cap. Of course, that means Querrey is the one wearing the cap, which would have been a better way of putting it.








I have taken photos on Centre Court once before, last year, but then there was no full house, and hence no press or freelance photographers, and far less pressure it seemed. Maybe pressure is the wrong word, but, I was very aware that the pros around me were taking one or two frames to my five or six, their familiarity with the game affording them efficient use of time and maximising the number of different shots on the memory card, not to mention reducing the amount of chimping to find the ones to send down the wire. I was also keen not to waste the opportunity to get some photos that I would be pleased with, and not to 'let down' the people (Bob, and Rusty, thank you both) who gave me the chance to do it.






For me this was very obvious with the first few frames I took whilst on Centre Court yesterday. However, I quickly shook off my nerves, and got into the flow of the game, and I think I got a few passable shots. Really though, you should be the judge of that.






I couldn't shake the feeling that they lacked a little something, and then I realised that perhaps it is the fact that it isn't a full house, there are quite a few empty seats, and so the players don't stand out as well as when the court is at capacity. I was sat on the same side as the umpire's chair, which effectively meant that I could only shoot the one end, which left the images looking (to me) a little samey.








Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and would do it again at the drop of a volunteer steward's hat.






I should explain that the line judge that is holding a ball to his ear does so each time new balls are called for, shaking each one to check it. The last photo taken using a sweet wide angle lens.






I have other photos from yesterday (now actually two days ago), and today (now yesterday) which I will endeavour to post tomorrow (today). I have heard that it may well rain. Today.