With the Los Angeles Dodgers up 1-0 over the Houston Astros and in pursuit of their 7th world Series title, and with the entire city once again bleeding Dodger Blue, it’s worth remembering where the Dodgers were a mere six years ago. That’s when Sports Illustrated called and asked me to spend…
He wasn’t brash by any means, but he had a healthy dose of southern, polite confidence. He was as firm with his handshake as he was with his putter. He was quick to bet a fellow player a single dollar for “closest to the pin” and even quicker to collect. It was all good, albeit serious, fun on the…
The Department of Homeland Security dog, head held high and tail straight, sniffed along the edges of the van as it entered the secure gate at the top of the hill. As the hordes of people marched seemingly in solidarity from one point to another below, I caught my first glimpse of the battlefield, an…
What is it about Santa Barbara that attracts elite athletes to train there? The always sunny weather? Beautiful beaches? College town atmosphere? No doubt a bit of all of those because I’ve certainly shot my fair share of athletes at or near UCSB (not to mention a couple of Nobel Prize winners too). So it…
Most people I talk to think of sports photographers as the guys who line the football field with enormous lenses capturing key moments of action. So when I say I shoot for Sports Illustrated, I always get that strange look when I tell them I don’t shoot much action. But I love hanging out with…
From time to time, an assignment comes along that leaves an impression on me. This was one of those assignments. Asked by German newsweekly Der Spiegel to spend a couple of days documenting the life of Bantamweight boxer Abner Mares, I was more than excited. As a long time fan of the “sweet science” of…
The stuttering is what caught my attention. He was a tall, rugged looking guy who had no outward signs of trauma or disability. The kind of guy who you’d strike up a conversation about football or latest UFC fight. But he had trouble getting his words out. They wanted to come out, and I’m sure…
Boy, talk about having to draw on patience and understanding. This past summer I shot Indianapolis Colt wide receiver Austin Collie for a Sports Illustrated profile. In the few hours I spent with him, I found him to be a extremely nice guy. He was patient and accommodating during the off-season shoot. Little did he…
Barry Sanders. ©Todd Bigelow The last time the Detroit Lions generated any hype, this man was still breaking defensive back’s ankles with unbelievable moves. Watching him hit a hole and power through the secondary made me want the Lions to be on TV. I don’t know too many Lions’ fans, but I do know a…
Thursday at Chavez Ravine was the last home game for the 2011 season. Fittingly so, given that the season was doomed from Opening Day when the Dodgers took on their heated rivals from the Bay. Like most fans, excluding baseball’s hardcore following, I can’t remember if the Dodgers won or lost that day. What I…