I was invited to photograph a fundraising race in New Iberia, Louisiana, and I wanted to capture something a little different from the usual start??‘line images. One of my fellow photographers caught my eye as he stood there holding his camera, and the moment felt like a perfect storytelling opportunity.
The original frame was a full??‘body shot, but the impact wasn’t quite there. Cropping in tight on his camera, with the runners poised in the background, created the narrative I was aiming for ??” a quiet, anticipatory moment just before the action begins. I straightened the image and focused the composition on that “story” element.
Post??‘processing was done in Photoshop: a touch of sharpening, some denoise, and a bit of light adjustment to balance the bright, sunny morning. Shot on the 70??“200mm at 70mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 800.
I’ve attached both the original and the edited versions for comparison.
I labeled one "Original" and the other "Edited"
9 comments posted
Dr Isaac Vaisman
Kerry, this image has all the elements to tell the story of a race, but presented in a very unusual way. The racers are in the background behind the finish sign and out of focus, but clear enough to know what they are, and the is the photographer camera. I agree with you that the cropped body is enough to complete the story, being very sharp Posted: 10/02/2026 18:32:39
Kerry Abshire
Thank you so much for that confirmation! Posted: 10/02/2026 23:42:22
Keith Blandford
I think of myself as a photojournalist more than as a photographer. I connect thinking of all the times it was me with my camera in some corner or by some post waiting to get the shot. I relate. Posted: 10/02/2026 22:09:23
Kerry Abshire
Oh I completely agree. I think many of us have that paparazzi persona within us...It makes me smile knowing the story element of the image rang true to you. Posted: 10/02/2026 23:44:32
Stephen Fowler
Such an innovative shot! I wanted to read all the tech stuff on the lens and cam body. Everything pertinent is on a very narrow field- the hand, the strap, the equipment. It's the angle of the lens that draws the eye to those details, but not to the exclusion of the contextual information- the crowd, signage, etc. Lot to learn from this image. Posted: 10/02/2026 23:31:13
Kerry Abshire
Stephen, thank you very much for noticing. One of the things that I liked about the composition is the angle of the camera lens because - for me - it takes me in....then pulls me to the background of people waiting to run....and completes the story. Posted: 10/02/2026 23:46:15
Michele Borgarelli
Kerry,
Your choice to crop the image demonstrates once again that photography is often more a matter of subtracting than adding. In this particular case, the camera held by the "photographers" tells the story, and that alone is enough to make the image compelling.
By eliminating the extraneous elements, the photograph becomes stronger and more focused, allowing the viewer to engage immediately with the narrative. It is a great example of how careful editing can reveal the essence of an image.
Well seen and well executed.
Best wishes,
Michele Posted: 10/14/2026 13:18:21
Bruce Goodman
Kerry -
You have really captured a unique perspective and focus that I personally would never have considered (but will in the future ---you will be fully created).
Your tight crop from the original is simple and effective. I wonder if you also considered leaving more in the image to include the sidewalk shadow as a leading line and the entire finish line though it may leave too much of the less interesting street in the lower corner of the photo?
B
Posted: 10/20/2026 21:22:08
Linda Mui
Kerry, this is a very creative and fresh perspective on an athletic event! By focusing tight on the photographer's hand, strap, and lens while keeping the arch and runners softly blurred in the background, you captured a compelling quiet moment of anticipation before the race begins. Cropping in close from the original full-body shot was the perfect decision, as it focuses all the emotional tension on the prep work rather than the busy environment. Outstanding story-driven framing! Posted: 10/25/2026 14:52:24
