An AP photographer gets low to the ground to catch a soaring pole vaulter

Associated Press

2 days ago

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Ashley Landis has been a photographer for The Associated Press since 2020, currently based in Houston. She has covered everything from breaking news to the Olympics for the AP.
Read what she had to say about this extraordinary photo.Why this photo?
I've been to this track and field venue several times, and this is one of my favorite images to produce. I think it shows the action in a creative way, while also showing a sense of place. It also highlights both the athletic build of the athlete and the scale of the pole vault.How I made this photo
There are large cushions at the base of the vault, where the athlete lands. To get this image, I sit on one side or the other, just far enough away to be safe. Then I put my camera on the ground, point the lens up toward the sun, and wait for the athlete to enter the frame. Then I fire a few frames and choose the best from the series.
On the more technical side, I used a Sony A9iii with a 16-35mm lens at 20mm. My shutter speed was 1/2500 to freeze the action, and my aperture was f18 to make the sunburst.
On the personal side, that day I got a text from Abbie Parr, who was our other AP photographer at this event. She was covering the finish line. She told me someone had approached her section, asking for someone named Ashley. She raised her hand and that person handed her my wallet. Abbie, of course, returned my wallet to me. I hadn't even realized I dropped it. The next day, I got an email from someone I didn't recognize, making sure that I had received my wallet. He told me, 'You can thank pole vaulter Matt Ludwig for having sharp eyes and spotting it in the infield grass.' Ludwig is the subject of this photo, and I, no doubt, misplaced my wallet taking this photo. I am very grateful to him and others involved for making sure it was returned.
Why this photo works
I think this photo works because it shows the athleticism it takes to make this vault. A tighter frame could show the emotion of winning or losing, but this vault was in the middle of the competition, when top athletes were sailing over the bar. Track and field fans will recognize the brim of the stadium, and anyone who was there in the heat will relate with the beating sun. It's visually pleasing and speaks to anyone who has attempted to jump higher than they think is possible.
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