Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Digital Photography

This chapter is from the book

Covering the Super Bowl (and Other Big Games) for SI

When I showed Dave Boss, the Creative Director at NFL Creative Services, the photos from my first Super Bowl—Super Bowl IX between Pittsburgh and Minnesota at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans (who knew New Orleans could be so cold and rainy?)—I told him how disappointed I was. (It was Dave Boss, along with John Wiebusch, who gave me my start shooting the NFL. I shot for them at NFL Properties, which was then the publishing arm of the League.) It’s not that the shots were particularly flawed in any way; they were fine action shots. It was just that the Super Bowl was the biggest game of the season, and I should have had the best photos, right? Dave, who started shooting Super Bowls at Super Bowl I and continued through Super Bowl XXV, reassured me that was not necessarily so. As important as the Super Bowl is to the players, the league, and millions of fans, to a photographer it’s just another game—or it should be.

However, it’s more crowded, has annoying security, and places more pressure on you to perform because you’re shooting with the best sports photographers. Although some Super Bowls have been exciting games with thrilling finishes (Super Bowls XIII, XXII, and XLII), many have not (Super Bowls XX, XXIV, and XXXV). But to a photographer, the task remains the same—shoot key players and big plays. With every game since Super Bowl XXII played indoors or almost entirely at night, finding the good light is no longer a factor.

Shooting with the SI Flex System

Super Bowl XII (in 1978) was the first Super Bowl I shot for SI. The game was between Denver and Dallas, and it took place in the Superdome in New Orleans. (Who knew Hurricanes had alcohol in them? They tasted so good!) At that time, John Dominis was the Director of Photography at SI. John was, I believe, the originator of the coverage game plan that came to be called the SI Flex.

110fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

Jerry Rice in Super Bowl XXIII. This was my first Super Bowl cover. Rice had just caught a pass over the middle from Joe Montana late in the fourth quarter. This play set up Montana’s game-winning pass to John Taylor in the end zone.

Analog SLR, 300mm lens.

112fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

Ed “Too Tall” Jones puts a hurt on Broncos QB Craig Morton in Super Bowl XI. This was the first Super Bowl that I worked for Sports Illustrated.

Analog SLR, 400mm lens.

113fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

Tampa Bay’s Mike Alston rolls over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXVII.

Canon EOS-1D, Canon EF 600mm f/4L lens, f4 @ 1/1000, ISO 1000.

114fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

Aaron Rodgers’ “Super Bowl hop.” Green Bay’s QB takes to the air to avoid a sack in Super Bowl XLV.

Canon EOS-1D Mk IV, Canon 70–200mm f2.8L lens at 70mm, f2.8 @ 1/2000, ISO 2000.

115fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

Super Bowl spike. Ricky Waters of the 49ers leaps up to spike the ball after a touchdown in the Niners’ Super Bowl XXIX rout of the San Diego Chargers.

Analog SLR, 24–70mm lens.

The modern evolution of the SI Flex system for covering the Super Bowl as it has been implemented by Steve Fine, SI’s Director of Photography for 17 years, requires 11 photographers.

One shooter roams on each sideline (see “Sideline Rant: The Pitfalls of Shooting from the Sidelines” in Chapter 2), four shooters head to the end zones (one on each side of each end zone), and four more are in seats as close as possible to each corner of each end zone. At some time in the early fall, Fine attends a “walk-through” at the host stadium to select the seats. It’s a tricky business because equipment like boom cameras—and entire stages—that were never mentioned in any NFL game plan tend to appear at game time.

116fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

This is the surprise onside kick that the Saints used to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV—and yes, it is a bit overexposed. Why, you might ask? Well, because at halftime I decided to shoot the on-field performance by The Who (or at least some elderly gentlemen pretending to be The Who), and to do so I raised my ISO to 6400. Of course, I forgot to change it back for the first play of the second half, proving once again that we all make mistakes.

Canon EOS-1D Mk IV, Canon EF 400mm f2.8L lens, f2.8 @ 1/2000, ISO 6400.

The eleventh photographer spot—filled for years by the incomparable Bill Frakes—is the “eye in the sky” overhead spot. This position is usually at or near mid-field and is seemingly higher every year. It requires someone with a triathlete’s lung capacity to retrieve memory cards, and it’s not glamorous. But once in a while something happens in the game that no one at field level has a clear shot at. That’s when Bill would save the day. Bill also filled this role at hundreds of big college and non-Super Bowl NFL games. All of SI’s Super Bowl shooters slept better at night knowing Bill was up there. In 2013, Dave Klutho took over Bill’s spot, continuing the tradition.

Depending on the stadium, we may use a few situational add-on photographers. If it’s physically possible (and security allows it) for someone to actually be over the field in an indoor stadium that has catwalks (Phoenix or New Orleans, for example), we’ll position a photographer up on these walkways. If there are catwalks but we cannot have a live shooter on them, we will set up some remote cameras up there.

117fig01.jpg

Click to view larger image

I felt pretty good about my take from the first half of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami in 2010. I had good coverage on both the Colts and the Saints, including the Colts’ Clint Session stopping the Saints’ Pierre Thomas at the goal line.

Canon EOS-1D Mk IV, Canon EF 70–200mm f2.8L II lens at 125mm, f2.8 @ 1/1600, ISO 2000.

Another recent addition to the game plan is the Gigapan camera. This camera, which is on a computer-controlled mount, takes numerous shots of the game and the crowd. The shots are digitally stitched together to create a monstrous file of over 1000 megapixels. SI then puts the file on the internet, and everyone can zoom in to find themselves in high resolution. I’m usually the one picking my nose in the photo.

So everyone has a designated spot from which to shoot. Mine is almost always in the end zone on the side of the QB’s throwing arm. With the Flex system, the Super Bowl becomes a game of what comes your way or what doesn’t. You’re covering the game, sure, but from one particular spot. What are the rules? There are only two of them: Don’t miss anything that comes your way, and don’t leave your spot. Well, we all know that rules are made to be broken. I broke them once in Super Bowl XXX and my photo made the cover, and then I broke them again in Super Bowl XXVI and missed one of the biggest plays of the game, Ty Law’s interception of a Kurt Warner pass returned for a Patriots TD.

As it turned out, Super Bowl XLIV was all about one play—and it happened to come my way. Here are five shots from that play’s sequence (the entire play, shot on high-speed continuous mode, comprised roughly 60 shots).

  • What are the rules? There are only two of them: Don’t miss anything that comes your way, and don’t leave your spot.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020