Category Finalist 2007: close up

David Clifford

I wanted a close-up of Karl’s feet, and the lighting I set up was for portraits, so I dropped to the ground and plinked this shot off quickly. I was switching so fast between two cameras, two to three lenses, studio lighting, available lighting, ISOs, and a subject who just ran 100 miles — I was lucky to get 10 minutes with Karl! Oftentimes it’s not the shot you set out to get that makes the final edit, but rather what you instinctively grab that makes the grade.

Athlete: Karl Meltzer (ultra runner)
Location: Silverton, CO, USA

TECHNICAL INFO

• Camera: Canon EOS-5D and Canon EOS-D1
  Mark II
  
• Lens: Canon 16–35 mm and 24–70 mm (both L glass)
• Focal length, digital: 24 mm
• Flash: Profoto Pro-7b and Chimera Large