This week was entirely about softball! Margo covered the Tigers’ final midweek game against Kansas City on Tuesday and one of the three games against no. 8/9 Tennessee over the weekend, while Dan and I covered the other two. Take a look at the photos of the week below!
Margo’s photo of Gracie Britton here is so fun to me! Britton had just hit a double off the first pitch she got and drove in two runs for the Tigers in their 7-1 win against Kansas City. Naturally, a little celebration is absolutely
warranted, and her excitement is clearly palpable in this photo.
This shot from between innings of the game against Tennessee on Thursday is super appealing to me. I’m a huge fan of the monochromatic uniforms (all white, all black, all gold) and the color blocks in this image are so visually pleasing. Moreover, the shape Madison Uptegrove makes with her arms as she winds up to throw and her hair flies in the air really appeals to me!
It’s always awesome for us photographers when we get a shot of a play that’s obviously a big one, and even more so when that feeling is supported by our fellow colleagues. Margo got a shoutout in the Rock M Slack for this shot, and the photo was specifically relevant for True’s article recapping the game! The fact that both of their legs are flying in the air really emphasizes the action of the moment and the importance of the play.
This photo of Dan’s from the game against Tennessee on Friday is really beautiful to look at. The warmth of the lighting from the sun setting is so nice and the way Addy Waits is backlit gives just the slightest halo effect to the image. I also love the way the rest of the team is cheering from the dugout and their shadows are cast onto the field behind Waits!
While this photo is relatively simple and unexciting compared to some of the other shots here, there’s something really nice about the calmness here of Addy Waits waiting for the pitch. Earlier I said I’m a bigger fan of the monochromatic uniforms and although this combo is definitely not black on black, the photo is framed in a way that definitely showcases the black jersey more, to the point where we kind of ignore the striped white pants. Because of that and the fact that the jersey is more of a neutral color as opposed to a gold, the colors of the bat and the crowd stand out even more.
More sliding! Though this shot doesn’t depict a great moment for the Tigers, it’s a great example of a tightly shot sports photo. We get all the important details front and center, and the way the dirt is kicking up, the ball is clearly loose, and Addy Waits’ hair is flying up all add a lot to the visual interest here.
When this happened there were two players on base and I had positioned myself to get photos of a play at third. As this play occurred, I realized I was also in a great position to get photos of the celebration at home plate while the players in the dugout also celebrated. I chose to use this photo over other photos I got of the team celebrating other big plays because it was more unique in terms of composition, and, just like Dan’s photo from above, I’m a huge fan of the layering! (Editor’s note: I am obsessed with this photo.)
To close out this week’s column we’ll look at these two photos honoring the seniors! My friend Maddie Steuber, who works with the team, gave me a heads up that the players would be crossing the field to retrieve their rocks, so I was able to run around the concourse to get them in time. I ended up liking these pictures more than ones where the players were picking out their rocks, and I think that’s mostly because it highlights the team dynamic and support (literally, considering they were carried on their teammates’ shoulders).
Check back in next week to see the last new photos of the year from the three of us!
