Bob Rosato's Favorite Shots

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 18, 2007

Bob Rosato's Favorite Shots

This picture is one of the favorite moments in my career. It was Game 5 of the NLDS, where JT Snow of the Giants tried to score in the 9th to tie the game against the Marlins. I stayed on Snow as he came down the line and crashed into Ivan Rodriguez. I remember the amazing feeling I had when I realized I had a special moment. Rodriguez held onto the ball for the out and the Marlins advanced. These types of defining moments are what drive every sports photojournalist. I know is does for me! Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/1000 f/3.2

This shot of Randy McMichael diving over Saints defenders for a touchdown was made during a preseason game in Miami. I had seen McMichael do something slightly similar the previous week in Tampa, which I was not prepared for. I anticipated his movement this time, having the right lens and camera combination, which allowed me to make this picture. I never imagined his leap would be this spectacular. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom, shot at 1/640 f/2.8

This shot of the North Carolina-Duke women playing at Carmichael Arena was made from a low angle remote. I placed one of my remote cameras next to the goal to illustrate the graphical look of the ceiling. Anytime you can create a graphic picture and at the same time the peak action, it offers something special. In this case, the rivalry, action and the graphic nature of the venue all come together. Shot with: Canon EOS-1DS, EF 24mm f/1.4L USM, shot at 1/250 f/5.6

This assignment was for a cover when Parcells first took over the Cowboys. We wanted to illustrate his return to football and that he was large and in charge. I was fortunate to have good access and I remembered the dome had additional lighting on that end of the stadium which they turned on for me. The image was photographed as Parcells entered the field at the Alamo Dome just prior to training camp practice. I don't think he was particularly happy to see me first thing in the morning with the lens pointed directly at him, but nevertheless gave me the image we were looking for. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 400mm f/2.8 IS USM, shot at 1/250 f/2.8

Shooting hockey is definitely challenging. Last year during the playoffs, Atlanta was favored to win its first-round matchup against New York. I made this slapshot picture as Rangers forward Jed Ortmeyer wound up for the shot. I enjoy the shot because it is rare to get an image with the puck buried on the end of the stick, and off the surface of the ice, as well as the bend of the stick, especially shooting 1 frame every 3 seconds, as we do on strobes. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM zoom, shot at 1/320 f/7.1

NASCAR's season finale in Homestead, when Tony Stewart won the second championship of his career. As the sun set over the track, the sky developed into a wonderful setting coupled with the lights of the track. I wanted to illustrate that sense in the picture as the #20 car was in the turn. Using a fisheye lens, I made a picture that highlighted the car, yet showed the dramatic sky at sunset. Shot with: Canon EOS-5D, EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, shot at 1/1600 f/2.8.

This image is Michael Jordan's final All-Star Game. Near the end of the game, Jordan hit a classic three-point fade away that put the East ahead. I remember staying on Jordan as he fell out of bounds. He reacted to hitting the shot as did everyone in the arena. It was dramatic. What I didn't know was that another NBA legend was in the frame, right behind Jordan and celebrating like a fan. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom, shot at 1/500 f/6.3

I always look for unique angles that can illustrate a graphical look. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, I found an upper area above the balance beam. I made this picture as Oana Ban of Romania backflipped during her routine. I was fortunate enough to make this picture, dramatically showing the strength and grace of this athlete. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/1000 f/2.8

I love making images from different or unique locations; it has always been a priority in my photography. I was fortunate to be shooting from the concourse at Turner Field when Atlanta shortstop Yunel Escobar turned this spectacular double play. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark III, EF 600mm f/4.0L IS USM, shot at 1/2000 f/4.0

I originally did this picture story for SI for Kids as St. Augustine High in New Orleans was playing its first game in over a year after the school was devastated by Katrina. The field was total mud from a heavy rain. I was looking for various features on the sideline to illustrate how covered in mud the kids were when I saw the pensive look on this kid's face during the game. I felt the tight image would best convey that. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/400 f/2.8

This picture is a classic example of anticipating a play. In this case, the light was gorgeous and I wanted to take advantage of it and the colors of the teams. I set myself in an area I thought this play might happen since Tech was at the 1 yard line. Amazingly, it happened as I suspected. However, I could not imagine how horizontal he would get or how the pile of players would shape at the bottom of the frame. Shot with: Canon EOS-1N, EF 400mm f/2.8L USM, shot at 1/1000 f/4.0

Antwaan Randle El was returning a kickoff in a cold, wintery playoff game when he was tackled by a Cleveland player who grabbed his facemask and violently twisted his helmet. I remember shooting through the play as the tackle occurred, but had no idea how dramatic the image was until much later. Thankfully, Randle El was not seriously injured. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 600mm f/4.0L USM, shot at 1/640 f/4.0

Coaching legends Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno are strangers to no one, and the media attention was huge for their Orange Bowl matchup. I wanted to illustrate this as the coaches met on the field for the first time, so I mounted a camera on a pole with a fisheye lens and triggered it remotely so I could show the media frenzy and the environment. Shot with: Canon EOS-5D, EF 15mm f/2.8 shot at 1/500 F/4

Being in position to make a picture of a game-changing moment is critical in our business, and I was fortunate to make this one when Auburn blocked a punt against Florida last year. Auburn scored a touchdown on the play and went on to beat Florida, which ultimately was the only blemish on Florida's record as they won the 2006 National Championship. My position behind the line of scrimmage yielded this picture, once again illustrating the significance of being in the right place at the right time. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/800 f/2.8

Using a multitude of remote setups and strobe lights to capture high quality images from a variety of angles makes photographing basketball challenging yet rewarding. This shot of Tim Duncan during the NBA Finals was made from several angles (four shown here) with different cameras. All of the angles illustrate Duncan's dominance splitting the two defenders at full extension as he drives to the basket. One was SI's Spurs commemorative cover shot. Shot with: Canon EOS-1DS, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom, shot at 1/250 f/5.6

This game between Miami and Tennessee had everything. I remember having many opportunities for great pictures. This image of former Miami tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was made with a 600mm lens as he caught a pass over the middle and the Tennessee defender drilled him, bending his body almost in half. I love the image because it illustrates the tremendous power of these great athletes and the engagement of the moment of impact. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 600mm f/4.0L IS USM, shot at 1/640 f/4.0

Anticipating a possible game-winning situation, I had a feeling that if the Braves came back from being down several runs, the reaction to winning in the bottom of the ninth would be dramatic. The hunch paid off as Yunel Escobar scored the winning run. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark III, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/1000 f/4.0

This image, like many others in football, was made from the corner of the endzone. It's an area I like to position myself in because many plays are designed to go here. I made this during the Super Bowl at Reliant Stadium, when DeShaun Foster dove over the goal line in front of me. I always have a camera fixed focused at a certain distance around my neck and made the image from that camera. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 50mm f/1.4 shot at 1/500 f/4.0

Unquestionably one of the coolest assignments I have ever done. The Army's Best Ranger competition is held annually at Ft. Benning, Ga, and is a grueling 60-hour, non-stop, two-man team competition. Here, the team drops from a helicopter into a lake with full gear. The men swim to shore with the gear attached, then lift the gear and carry it to a designated location. I was standing on a sand bar type island in the lake as the men jumped from a hovering helicopter. These men are truly amazing! Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, shot at 1/320 f/13.0

This image of Joesph Addai leaping over the Texans to score was made after I noticed his cutback. I was fortunate to see him plant his foot right before he leaped. This gave me an indication he was going up, and luckily I kept him in the frame. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM zoom, shot at 1/1000 f/2.8

This is one of many remote cameras I operate during a typical college basketball game. The camera is set to an extremely low angle with a wide angle lens. I actually was sitting on the opposite side of the court when I saw Michael Conley from Ohio State go up as he was driving to the basket. As I can only shoot one frame every three seconds on strobe lights, I have to time the shot as best as possible, anticipating the action. Shot with: Canon EOS-1DS, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM,zoom shot at 1/250 f5.6

Great milestones in sports only happen so often and I was fortunate to be covering Rafael Palmerio when he hit his 500th home run. For this photo, I shot several remotes at the same time. I shot this photo with my handheld camera. I wanted to show the reaction of the fans in relationship to Palmeiro's reaction. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L zoom IS USM, shot at 1/2000 f/4.5

One of the great advantages of digital photography is the spectacular reproduction of the shadow areas. The backlit image here is Steve Smith from the Panthers as he broke open to score a touchdown against the Texans. The great detail in the face and highlights offer a beautiful spectacle to the image. Shot with: Canon EOS 1D Mark II N, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM zoom, shot at 1/1000 f4.0

I took this outside of turn one at NASCAR's season-ending race in Homestead, Fla. Shooting through a small cut out in the fence allowed me to capture the madness of the pit stop. I was lucky that the eventual points champion, Kurt Busch, had the first pit position. Shot with: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, EF 600mm f/4.0 IS USM, shot at 1/2000 f/5.0

Bob Rosato's Favorite Shots

Bob Rosato's Favorite Shots

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