Sports Photographers Appreciation Thread

I have wanted to start this thread for quite sometime. I would encourage everyone to recognize and share a few words on someone that has influenced you to become a better photographer. Many times we seek gratification on our own work, but we forget to acknowledge the person or people that helped us along the way.

I wanted to publicly recognize and thank Phil Zivnuska for guiding me along my journey to becoming not only a better photographer, but also for the friendship we have fostered along the way.

Phil has provided a wealth of information on these forums and has helped many of us with our desire to capture and edit the perfect image. Once again Phil thank you for your contribution to P.O.T.N and for the personal guidance you have given me over the years.

If you have not checked out Phil's blog the direct link is below. Phil post's lot's of detailed information on sports photography. http://zivnuska.zenfol​io.com/blog

I encourage others to contribute to this thread and publically recognize someone that has helped you along the way.

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IMAGE LINK: http://s889.photobucke​t.com …5365_zps22fd703​8.jpg.html

Thanks for the acknowledgement Mark.

I want to salute two people who helped me. The first is Dennis Weirzbicki. Dennis is a pro who used to spend a lot of time here on the forum. He was always very helpful, provided tons of information, and was very patient even to newcomers. He was not appreciated here for the consummate professional that he is.

http://www.pbase.com/d​mwierz45/sports_shots


The second person is Mike "Chico" LaBarbera, my mentor. Mike has been hugely helpful to me and has been since my first sports photography efforts back in 2007. I use Mike to evaluate my work and offer insights on how I can improve. His patience and generosity with his time is appreciated.

Thank you Dennis and Mike!


Phil

I'll chime in an add another vote for Dennis as well as for Mike Janes who really gave me a start and Chris Proctor whose work I respect greatly but also who I have come to admire as a great guy and friend as well. Big ups guys.

Scott and Phil, Chris Proctor brought this thread to my attention. Thanks for the kind words. I was happy to provide what little help I may have "back in the day". You both were excellent students, if I can use that word, and clearly have grown into very accomplished and skilled photographers in your own rights.

Well done.

The guy that inspired me is Tim Clayton an English guy that moved to Aus and worked for the Sydney Morning Herald for many years. I met him a couple of times when he was shooting our hockey games. I've followed his work and career for many years and he's now freelance in New York I believe. The black and white broadsheet was the perfect medium for his B&W images, and the book "Images of Sport" he published with Craig Golding was and still is my fav of all my photography books. Tim if your out there, thank you ! I hope to one day take a photo that could sit comfortably in that book.

dmwierz wrote in post #17227778
Scott and Phil, Chris Proctor brought this thread to my attention. Thanks for the kind words. I was happy to provide what little help I may have "back in the day". You both were excellent students, if I can use that word, and clearly have grown into very accomplished and skilled photographers in your own rights.

Well done.

that's high praise coming from you Dennis so thanks man, for everything!

MSW wrote in post #17205686
If you have not checked out Phil's blog the direct link is below. Phil post's lot's of detailed information on sports photography. http://zivnuska.zenfol​io.com/blog

Very cool! Got lots to read this week.

Thanks Mark and Phil!

My mentor is not with us anymore. He was Hallie Hamilton, my college photojournalism professor and advisor at Northern Illinois University (from before the football team was pretty good). He was a great man first and also a pretty good photographer. He taught us how to be as well as how to photograph a football or basketball game. He smoked a pipe, which was ok in the classroom in the dark ages and I can remember him puffing away and sharing his knowledge and experience 40 years later like (I wish) it was yesterday. Everyone should have a chance to work with and learn from someone like Hallie. RIP.

Dennis W - THE POTN expert on hockey. What a pro. His threads and responses were always outstanding and helpful, then the podcasts he was recording...top notch. It made me a far better photographer today than I could ever have been without. I look at hockey shots I was taking in 2006 & 2007 before reading his words and laugh .

Like Scott, I enjoyed Janes' thread too because - you learned and they always had an attitude.

And of course, Scott. Top notch pro, helpful, quick with the ps actions and one of the friendliest guys on here.

Cheers all and thanks.

My biggest inspirations are all out of the paintball community.

Jimmy Hickey (dunno his sn) he started photography around the same time I did he just took of while I laid it to rest for awhile and he has come so far and its suck a knowledgeable guy that is very helpful when I need answers.

Another inspiration is Phillip Baker. I love done of the views he gets on the field and done wide angles I would've never thought of.

Matt D photography was an amazing photographer that captured the emotion of the game. RIP.

And the always great Gary Baum.

Darsk47 wrote in post #17256622
Dennis W - THE POTN expert on hockey. What a pro. His threads and responses were always outstanding and helpful, then the podcasts he was recording...top notch. It made me a far better photographer today than I could ever have been without. I look at hockey shots I was taking in 2006 & 2007 before reading his words and laugh .

Like Scott, I enjoyed Janes' thread too because - you learned and they always had an attitude.

And of course, Scott. Top notch pro, helpful, quick with the ps actions and one of the friendliest guys on here.

Cheers all and thanks.

well back at ya Darcy. Had I not followed your threads and payed close attention, shooting swimming would have been an epic fail from my end! Thanks for the help and friendship throughout the years.

Patrick from the Surf Thread.

Always helpful with anyone shooting surf photography. His knowledge of exposure and making sure I am on the right settings in tough conditions are invaluable. This has helped me not only in shooting surf, but in other outdoor action oriented photography as well. He will also let you know what riders are the ones to watch for to get "the shot". He has been a great surf report as well, even giving you a "heads up" on upcoming contests to watch for.

Thanks Patrick!