THROUGH THE LENS OF EXCELLENCE


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THROUGH THE LENS OF EXCELLENCE / SHUTTER STORIES

  • 1. What initially sparked your interest in sports photography?

  • Ø I grew up as a big sports fan in Brooklyn, NY. I played a lot of sports with my friends–baseball, football, street hockey, basketball in my driveway and schoolyard. My dad gave me a camera for my 14th birthday and I quickly discovered my love for photography. As I progressed through high school and college I realized it may be possible to marry my two passions into a career in sports photography. I was right!

  • 2. Can you share some highlights from your sports photography portfolio and discuss the stories behind a few of your favorite shots?

  • Ø The first major highlight of my career was getting
  • published in Sports Illustrated magazine at the
  • beginning of my career in the early 1980’s. It was a
  • couple of ice hockey photos of a LA Kings player
  • named Bernie Nicholls. My second highlight and “big
  • break” came when I was hired by the NBA to be their
  • official photographer for the 1983 All Star Game,
  • which was held at the Forum where the Lakers
  • played. This was the start of a long career as the senior
  • official photographer for the NBA which extends to
  • today. One more major highlight was when my photo
  • of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was chosen as the cover of
  • Sports Illustrated following the 1985 NBA Finals.
  • This was my first SI cover.

  • 3. Sports events can be unpredictable. How do you stay adaptable and ready to capture unexpected moments? Can you narrate a situation where you had to quickly adjust your approach to get the shot you wanted?

  • Ø My job depends on always being prepared. I am responsible for documenting moments in time that will never be repeated or duplicated. Knowing the capabilities of my equipment must be second nature, arriving early, being mentally focused, and most importantly, not distracted once the game begins all contribute to my success. It’s also vital to be able to make adjustments in an instant. This may involve choice of lenses, position on the court or field, etc. Every game presents many in-the-moment decisions. That’s what makes my craft and my job challenging and fun.

  • 4. Your work involves a lot of challenges. Can you please share some unique aspects that you face when shooting live events compared     to staged or posed sessions?

  • Ø Covering a live sporting event is a challenge every single time. The athletes I cover are fast. I have to be locked in and ready at all times. I also have to be able to anticipate the action. That comes from many years of experience plus a little bit of luck sometimes. There are many things I can’t control–a referee or another player may block my view, a camera may malfunction but what I can control is my preparation and mental focus. I pride myself in keeping distractions to a minimum. Once the game starts I don’t talk to other photographers or fans sitting near me. My job is to record the action, not socialize.

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  • 5. How do you approach the ethical considerations of capturing sensitive moments in sports, such as injuries or emotional reactions?

  • Ø In sports there will always be a winner and always be a loser. Injuries are part of the game. It’s my job to document the full story. When Kobe tore his Achilles tendon it was a very emotional and sensitive moment for everyone in the arena–players, coaches, fans, and we journalists. My job was to record the moment as best I could, with the utmost respect. I work for the league and the teams so it’s not my job description to record “gotcha” moments. I leave that to the paparazzi.

  • 6. How do you stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in sports photography? Are there any emerging trends in the field that you find particularly challenging?

  • Ø I must admit it was difficult for me to transition from analog (film) to fully digital photography from 2000-2004 . I still miss the tactile quality of film. However, times change and new technology is usually a sign of progress in modern society. I have young assistants who help me stay on top of the new trends. The newest trend is toward mirrorless cameras which I don’t find very appealing.

As told to Swati Agarwal, Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, School of Media and Communication, Adamas University

Mr. Andrew D. Bernstein is an ace sports photographer and associated with National Basketball Association as its senior official photographer for over 40 years. He has captured under his lens the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and WNBA’s Sparks. He is the President of Bernstein Associates Inc. which is the official photographer for the Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team and house photographers for Staples Center and Microsoft Theater. In 2018 Mr. Bernstein was honored by the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame with the prestigious Curt Gowdy Award for Media for contributions to the sport of basketball.  

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