In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong

Photography field reports by Richard Wong. Richard’s work has been published in magazines, books, advertising, and offers fine art prints of his work. Images may be licensed as rights-managed stock photos by contacting Richard directly at Richard@rwongphoto.com or (626) 422-6151. California stock photography, fine art prints, photo blog: www.rwongphoto.com

Minor League Baseball Game Photo

Posted on | April 3, 2009 | 6 Comments

Man in Wheelchair Watching the Louisville Bats versus Norfolk Tides at Louisville Slugger Field, Kentucky

Man in Wheelchair Watching the Louisville Bats versus Norfolk Tides at Louisville Slugger Field, Kentucky

It’s not often that I go back and post older photos on my blog but I haven’t been able to get this photo off my mind. The funny thing is that when I lived in Kentucky, this photo really didn’t strike me as being one of my better photos from my time there. However I did feel a connection with this disabled senior citizen when I saw him because he reminded me of my grandfather who was disabled for the last decade or so of his life due to strokes. No matter his condition, he tried to live life like any other normal person, and not always for his own good but you know what I mean. This moment also reminded me of my own dad who has been afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease since I was in high school. My dad hasn’t fared as well so the contrast struck a nerve with me.

So I see this guy at the minor league baseball game in his wheelchair just watching intently the game like any other hardcore fan. From the way he was sitting it was obvious that he was really excited to be there even in the 90 degree humid heat of the southern summer. I knew I had to take a picture and hoped I would get some shadow details to at least show a hint of his wheelchair. It’s hard to see on the web but it did work out. Technical details aside…

My initial thoughts was that this was a suitable “stock photo”. In other words an image that gets processed then submitted but otherwise just kind of tucked away in the archives. Then a weird thing happened. When I think of my time in Kentucky, my mind keeps going back to this guy in his wheelchair at the Louisville Bats game. Then photo was licensed for a textbook last month and has been growing on me since. I know the buyer probably couldn’t care less about the meaning of the photo but the sale sort of validated in my mind that maybe there was something special about this photo that I captured that I didn’t grasp initially.

Here are more of my Kentucky pictures.

Category: Kentucky, Louisville
Tags: > > > > >

Comments

6 Responses to “Minor League Baseball Game Photo”

  1. bernie kasper
    April 7th, 2009 @ 9:18 pm

    Very powerful moment and image Richard, sometimes moments like that are bittersweet, you have admire his courage and will to be there and then on the other hand you truly feel for him.

  2. Richard Wong
    April 7th, 2009 @ 10:53 pm

    Thanks Bernie. Well stated. And for the record, I don’t even know who won the game.

  3. Teri
    April 14th, 2009 @ 12:23 pm

    Very touching words and powerful image.
    I know what you mean about images sticking in your mind. Sometimes on my blog, like recently, I go back and get a photo that best fits what I want to portray.
    When are you going to do more dusk photos of street life? I just loved those photos of the strip, when you gobbled down a hotdog/hamburger? and rushed out to catch the setting sun……

  4. Richard Wong
    April 15th, 2009 @ 12:04 am

    Thanks Teri. Glad you liked it.

    As for the urban subjects, I don’t really have any immediate plans to do more of that. I may do some in New Mexico or Vancouver in the coming months so we’ll see.

  5. Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images
    April 18th, 2009 @ 3:09 pm

    Great story Richard. Very powerful image with that context. I can certainly see the appeal. I can see how this would be an obvious shot that many might go full tilt HDR, but I really like the darkness with only the hint of the wheel chair. I think it adds more drama.

    Cheers.

    Gary

  6. Richard Wong
    April 18th, 2009 @ 3:58 pm

    Thanks Gary. I’ve always felt that HDR takes something away from the capturing the magic of the moment. So yeah, HDR never crossed my mind.

Leave a Reply





Page 1 of 0