In the previous post, I discussed how I really wanted to find the emotion of the N.F.C. Divisional Playoff game between the Seahawks and the Chicago Bears.

Here's the continuation of that discussion, focusing now on the end of the game and post game.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game prior to the game-winning field goal was Rashied Davis' 30-yard reception to get the Bears into field goal range. Seattle's secondary had been banged up for the playoffs, and was a continuing story line. How would their depleted defensive backs hold up? Well, in this game, they gave up two huge plays, including a 68-yard touchdown and this 30-yard pass play. I like that Seattle's Jordan Babineaux is in this frame. He was the hero of the Dallas game, but was on the wrong side of the big plays this week.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 400mm 2.8 lens + EF 1.4 extender, ISO 1000, 1/640 sec., f4)

For the game-winning field goal, I knew that my compatriot Jim Bates was positioned on the other end of the field. Near the end of the fourth quarter, I had communicated with him that we need to divide the field in half, since a score either way would decide the game. He took a position behind the field goal, and made a great image that led our sports page the next day. Barry Fitzsimmons, our director of photography, has told me repeatedly that he doesn't mind me taking risks — and so this time I did. Instead of focusing on the kicker, like every other photographer at the game, I decided to photograph the reactions of the players as they watched the kick sail towards the uprights. From my position beneath the uprights, I couldn't see when the kick was made. If the Seahawks had blocked it, I wouldn't have been in any position to make a photo, so I was nervous. I wish the reactions would have been more dramatic, but I guess these linemen were just flat out exhausted after four hard quarters and overtime. The Bears managed to raise their arms, and the Seahawks seemed resigned.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIn, EF 70-200 f2.8 lens, ISO 1000, 1/500 sec., f4)

As soon as the game ended, television crews and photographers rushed the field to shoot the reactions of the players to Chicago's winning field goal. I had already made up my mind that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was going to be my focus. He hadn't been healthy all season, and when they needed him to be great, he just didn't have it on this day. I caught him expressing his frustration by slapping his hands together as he left the field following Seattle's overtime loss to Chicago at Soldier Field.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 16-35mm 2.8 lens (set at 16mm), ISO 1000, 1/500 sec., f4)

Coach Mike Holmgren left the field and had to walk under a Chicago Bears flag being waved on the field. I can't imagine the stress head coaches must go through in the N.F.L. Holmgren had just witnessed his team fall behind, come back to take the lead, give back the lead, and then lose on a last second field goal after seemingly having had chances to win.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 16-35mm 2.8 lens (set at 24mm), ISO 1000, 1/500 sec., f4)

I headed for Seattle's locker room after the game. It's hard to shoot locker room photos. For one, during the mandatory "cooling off" period that the locker room is closed, the players usually take off some or most of their uniforms, so there's nothing really to shoot. Also, it can be really awkward shooting dejection after a hard loss. But, the photos are really storytelling, and it's worth the effort for the rare time it pays off. The first and really only guys I saw still in uniform were the three in this photo — linemen Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, and Walter Jones. I made a few quick photos and got out of their way. I feel it's really disrespectful to just sit in front of them and hammer away at the shutter. Why make things harder than they are, I figure. We used this photo on the front page of the paper. I think that even though the Seahawks lost, a photo like this really can show fans and readers how much the players care. I think it's important in any photos of reaction, be it jubilation or dejection, to have photos of the players who were important to the game, not the last player on the bench. Lastly, I shot this photo with a wide angle lens only because I had no room to back up. I would like to have not been kneeling directly in front of them in order to respect their space, but since I didn't have room, I shot quickly and moved on.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 16-35mm 2.8 lens (set at 24mm), ISO 1000, 1/80 sec., f2.8)

The only other photograph I took in the locker room (I took a total of about 10 frames) was this one of punter Ryan Plackemeier. Despite having a great regular season, Plackemeier was inconsistant in the playoffs. And, when the chips were down, he had a punt deflected by Chicago that gave the Bears great field position late in the game. It was nearly 20 minutes after the end of the game, and he was still in most of his uniform, undoubtedly replaying that punt in his mind. I shot this with a longer lens, as not to feel invasive to him.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 70-200mm 2.8 lens (set at 153mm), ISO 1000, 1/80 sec., f2.8)

After I left the locker room, I hurried to find Coach Holmgren's press conference. If I can and I'm not under deadline pressure, I usually go, not to take photos, but to hear what he has to say. Also, it's a good chance for me to catch up with our reporters and see what our story plan will be. I'm sure the last thing a coach wants to do after a tough loss is to meet the media, but they know it's part of their job. Shooting facial expressions is tricky — too often I see photographers catching someone wiping their face and using it to look like the subject is holding their hands over their faces in dejection. So I was sure to be very observant of Holmgren, making sure that the frown I was photographing was truly representative of his expressions during the press conference. This frame was the best one. Not that anyone would ever ask, but in case they ever did, I made sure to shoot a lot of frames, and in many of them he has a similar expression. I feel it's only fair and ethical to do so.
(Canon EOS 1d Mark IIN, EF 70-200mm 2.8 lens (set at 200mm), ISO 1000, 1/160 sec., f2.8)