Focus

Laila Jason
Photograph by Tom Atwood

The moments just before a big race can be the most dramatic. In this photo, Laila Jason is waiting to run the first leg of the 1600 meter relay at the state high school track finals in Charleston, Illinois. She appears extremely calm, extremely focused. Almost in another world.

Shutter: 1/500; Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 400; Focal Length: 190 mm

Granite City Invitational

Cross Country
Photograph by Tom Atwood

I may have taken 10,000 cross country photographs in my life. That is not an exaggeration, just a guess. Many were forgettable, I'm sure, but not this one of Michael Gorsage nearing the end of the Granite City Invitational in the rain and mud on September 5, 2009.

Shutter: 1/320; Aperture: f/13; Focal Length: 190 mm; ISO: 1600 (hence, the grain)

After the Race

State Track Meet
Photograph by Tom Atwood

There's good news and bad news about this behind-the-scenes photo at the Illinois High School Association State Track and Field Meet. The good news is I followed my journalistic instincts and snapped this dramatic, gripping shot. Or, the bad news is I followed my journalistic instincts and intruded on a teenager's moment of personal anguish. Up to you.

Shutter: 1/500; Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 280; Focal Length (a telling stat): 200 mm

View from the Sand

Long Jump
Photograph by Tom Atwood

It's a simple sport: who can jump farther? But in addition to speed and strength, some long jumpers also bring grace and beauty to the competition. The jump itself, captured here at a high school meet in Edwardsville, Illinois, is a blur, followed by an explosion, then a brief flight that ends in a sandy landing, reaching for every inch.

Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/4.5; Focal Length: 18 mm; ISO: 200